Co-chaired by Blair Potter and Bruce Robinson - Focusing on essential Maryland state and local issues and legislation.
Testimony in Favor of HB 735, Maryland Earned Sick and Safe Leave Act
Testimony in Favor of SB 276, Death Penalty Repeal and Appropriation from Savings To Aid Survivors of Homicide Victims
Testimony in Favor of SB 279, Election Law – Improving Access to Voting
Testimony in Favor of HB 294 Firearm Safety Act of 2013
Testimony in Favor of SB 449, Fairness for All Marylanders Act of 2013
Testimony in Favor of SB 706 Referendum Petitions
May 12 Committee and DCC Report
Central Committee:
Discussed the Summit and agreed it was a success. We ended up short about $300; agreed to notify the other groups and ask that it be considered as part of our contribution to the next summit rather than ask everyone to repay us a small amount.
Meeting of the state central committee May 12 to elect remaining delegates to the Democratic National Convention, paying particular attention to diversity of every kind. (I need to attend because of the election.)
I said I would send (and did send) an e-mail about the Forum's moving date into HQ and asked for volunteers. Also sent info on July 4th.
Weekly phone banks at Carl Widell's house on Wednesday nights at 7 pm. Members pointed out that phone banks could be held at HQ once we've moved in.
Carl wants to send some people to the Eastern Shore of Virginia on May 19 and said Art Cizek had volunteered to lead the group. Bob and I will go too. Anyone who is interested can let Art or Carl know. Also, Richard and Art, I think it would be good if you could verify this with Carl and then send Forum members an e-mail asking for volunteers. Carl or Art will then need to tell the volunteers the meeting time and place in Easton, how long the drive is, arrange car pools, print out maps, etc.
Legislative committee:
We had a regular meeting on the 19th and a special meeting with Tom Duncan on the 26th.
On the 19th, committee members went over info from the Dept of Legislative Services on Maryland counties' audited 2011 budgets--spending, rainy day funds, etc. Our rainy day fund is much larger than that of other counties--even those with excellent credit ratings. So much for the argument that we need 17% of the budget for a rainy day fund.
The committee voted to support Tom Duncan's amendment to the proposed 2013 county budget. He would raise income taxes rather than property taxes and would draw down on the rainy day fund. It was agreed that Richard would formally testify for the Dem Forum and that members of the legislative committee would write letters, respond to the comment section on the county website and/or testify as individuals.
We met with Duncan on the 26th to go over his proposed amendment. We had a wide-ranging discussion of the budget, his amendment, the rainy day fund, the myth of millionaries leaving the county if taxes were raised, the effect of his tax increase on millionaires ($3,500 per year!), and so on. Anyone wanting more details, please let me know and I'll send the minutes.
View Legislative Scorecard
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