Just announced: O'Malley's legislative agenda
Gov. Martin O'Malley this afternoon released his legislative agenda for the year -- a package of 15 or so bills that focus on the economy, health care and the environment. Pension reform, previewed Friday when the governor unveiled his budget, is one major element. O'Malley, a former mayor of Baltimore, also is pursuing gun crime legislation that the city has been after for years.
Summaries of all the governor's bills are available here.
One unanticipated new item would criminalize child neglect. "According to Maryland's child advocacy community, Maryland is the only state without a statute criminalizing child neglect," the governor wrote in his description of the proposed legislation.
Two more familiar ideas also appear on the governor's safety agenda: a bill to reduce the number of "good-time credits" a person convicted of a gun crime can receive in prison and a proposal to "close a loophole" on gun crimes by making the five years without parole penalty apply not just to violent criminals who use a handgun, but also ones who use a shotgun or rifle.
The centerpiece of O'Malley's legislative agenda -- his fifth as governor -- is the creation of a $100 million venture capital fund called Invest Maryland. Sun business reporter Gus Sentementes took a close look at the program in Saturday's Sun, writing: "The state would invest in small businesses and start-up companies — partially through the dormant Maryland Venture Fund — and would reap both the risks and rewards."
Similar program in other states (Louisiana, Colorado, Florida, Missouri, Texas and the District of Columbia) have been criticized for "being expensive and ineffective in terms of creating jobs and new businesses," Sentementes wrote. "But O'Malley's plan differs in a few key areas: Maryland would invest in companies with expectations of recouping its entire principal investment, plus 80 percent of the profits."
Another plan O'Malley will push this session requires power companies to buy electricity from offshore wind turbines off Maryland's coast. The idea excites environmentalists who believe it will help make Maryland a center for wind energy. No turbines exist in Maryland waters, but President Obama has pledged to expedite the permitting process.
On pension reform, O'Malley laid out a plan to shore-up the state's sagging system by reducing benefits for new employees and requiring current workers to pay more into the program. It saves the state $100 million next year, but has already sparked outrage from the leadership of state workers' unions.
And Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown once again will lead a health care effort: His role this session will be to push a proposal that creates the framework for insurance exchanges, a prerequisite for enacting the president health care overhaul.
-- By Julie Bykowicz and Annie Linskey
Categories: 2011 legislative session
Comments
What the governor fails to mention while talking his pension reform is that the Governor and the legislators are NOT included in the pension reform act. Why do they think they are ABOVE THE LAW?
Posted by: skip727 | January 24, 2011 9:06 AM
The answer to the states budget problems are simple,,,,,,,,,,,stop the hand-outs and make them work for that welfare check................
Posted by: spy | January 24, 2011 9:06 AM
This is it? This is all he has to offer after 5 years of Governorship and 6 years of Mayorship?
If I didn't know better, I'd swear O'Malley is hooked on gambling. Gambling is the wagering of money or something of material value (referred to as "the stakes") on an event with an uncertain outcome with the primary intent of winning additional money and/or material goods.
How about they (Annapolis) just spend within our (taxpayer) means and let the chips fall where they may?
If this doesn't work, the State of Maryland can file for bankruptcy.
Posted by: Carole | January 24, 2011 9:17 AM
Wow now our unions are outraged...funny how they were not when they poured millions into OMealey Mouths cofers to defeat Bob Ehrlich just a few months back, wekll this is one state employee who has seen enough and it is time to say goodbye after 37 years...and I am proud to have served the citizens of maryland but embarassed to say my employer has never really appritiated the workforce wghere a thirsd can actually qualify for medicaid and food stamps...well ironic guess they can get their state benefits one way or the other..,.LOL
Posted by: fred nastri | January 24, 2011 9:49 AM
Socialism on the cheap.
Posted by: didactic1i | January 24, 2011 10:31 AM
am i missing something or why would anyone start a business with state funds with one of the conditions being that 80% of the profit goes to the state?? you would basically be starting a business for the state and be receiving a management fee!!
Posted by: tom | January 24, 2011 11:17 AM
Seriously, I can't help but wonder why people keep voting the teflon leprecaun BACK INTO OFFICE!!!!! He has never had my vote, and never will. Sorry folks, you get what you 'paid' for.
Posted by: Els | January 24, 2011 1:42 PM
It is truly amazing that O'Malley is putting forth the same gun legislation that Ehrlich put forward over several years beginning in 2003 and known as EXILE. At that point the big city mayor would not testify in favor of the same bill. Just like the gang legislation, if it is MOM's legislation, he supports it, only when his name is on it. And watch The Sun pile on the credit for such groundbreaking public safety ideas.
Posted by: Anonymous | January 24, 2011 1:47 PM
This reader actually thinks the pension remedy is reasonable. It is less generous than it had been in past but is still a very considerable benefit than what is available to most folks in the work force.
Posted by: Guide for the Perplexed | January 24, 2011 2:16 PM
This^ +1. Honestly.
Posted by: realitychecker | January 24, 2011 2:17 PM
Wingnuts outraged, unions outraged. It sounds like O'Malley is doing something right.
Posted by: IPFrehley | January 24, 2011 2:39 PM
What I don't understand is why ALL state employees aren't covered by the same pension plan. Let's be precise people - "State Employees" refers to the grunts in the Executive Branch. The Leglislative and Judicial branches are exempt from the proposed mandatory union dues, furloughs, etc. Teachers are also exempt from the furlough days, although they are still paid out of the same pension fund. So let's get some true pension reform in place and make the rules apply equally to everyone. If not, Animal Farm becomes the new reality - All animals are equal, but some more than others!
Posted by: Questioning | January 24, 2011 3:59 PM
Regarding Invest Maryland, we discussed as much on our company blog today: Consider the value to the economy and on job creation if every state introduced similar legislation and if the Federal Government agreed to provide matching investment to each state. Entrepreneurial companies are key to economic growth and job creation, and we applaud Governor O’Malley’s approach.
Posted by: IT Innovator | January 24, 2011 4:39 PM
"Maryland is the only state without a statute criminalizing child neglect."
So?
This is a reason to pass legislation? Seriously?
How about, Mr. Governor, some evidence that such a law is a) necessary, and b) can actually do something about the problem?
No, I suppose that's too much to act. Better just to look like we're doing something.
Posted by: jjjackson | January 24, 2011 8:49 PM
The governor is quite willing to reduce benefits for state employees (of whom I am not one) or other public programs, but no way will he reduce state funding for non-public schools. See pages 107-109 of his proposed budget bill (House Bill 70). He wants the state to provide $4,440,000 for the non-public school textbook program. Note that the Maryland Catholic Conference website requested $4.4 million for this program last year. See www.mdcathcon.org/catholicschools
Of course, the legislature doesn't have to give the governor everything he wants for these schools that serve their own interests and are constitutionally protected from public control.
Posted by: Ken Stevens | January 25, 2011 9:33 AM
You can keep the $750 and keep your hands out of my pocket!
What a bunch of bull, say they are giving us somthing but look out they are going to make us pay more in the long run.
IF I WANTED TO BE IN THE UNION I WOULD HVE SIGNED UP.
I Don't want the union in my pocket!
What the hell happened to FREEDOM OF CHOICE?
And now have to pay bigger co-pays for medications...... Well first they reduce your pay & now they say they are going to give it back.... BULL SHIT - you now have to pay more. If this is the so called unions best I DON"T WANT THEM!!!!!!
Posted by: kathy | February 3, 2011 6:31 PM