The Senate gave preliminary approval last night to a plan to help Maryland consumers reduce their electricity consumption but not without a few sparks between the heads of two committees over the best way to help the poor pay their bills.

Sen. Thomas M. "Mac" Middleton, chairman of the Finance Committee, presented his panel's reworking of the administration's "Strategic Energy Investment" bill, which would divvy up $140 million expected to fill the state's coffers later this year, when owners of fossil-fueled power plants and factories must buy greenhouse gas emission credits at auction.

Middleton, a Charles County Democrat, said his panel wanted to give $10 million of the expected windfall to a fund for helping the poor pay their utility bills.

Of the remaining pot, he said, 35 percent would be earmarked for rate relief, with 50 percent dedicated to subsidizing energy conservation efforts, such as providing customers with discounts on energy-efficient appliances or grants to install thermal-pane windows and better insulation. About 4 percent would get absorbed as administrative costs by the Maryland Energy Administration, which would attempt to encourage consumers to reduce electricity use 15 percent by 2015.

Middleton had to fend off a challenge from Democrats, though, on the Senate Education, Health and the Environment Committee. That panel also reviewed the bill and had its own plan for spreading the wealth.

Sen. Joan Carter Conway, the Baltimore Democrat who is chairwoman, and Sen. Paul G. Pinsky, a member from Prince George's County, argued for their committee's proposal to increase the amount going into the Universal Service Fund - to help poor meet their utility bills - and spend the remaining 85 percent of the auction proceeds on conservation programs.

"Do we want to lower people's electricity bills, or do we want to underwrite their bills?" asked Pinsky.

He and Conway argued that the $1.81 a month in rate relief offered to all utility customers by the Finance plan was trivial, compared with monthly bills running into the hundreds of dollars.

But Middleton said his panel's plan was the balanced and fair - the small rebates would help offset surcharges utilities may impose to cover demand-reduction initiatives they would be undertaking.

The competing proposal from Conway's committee failed, 15 to 31. But that didn't prevent Conway from engaging in a heated debate with Middleton after the session ended late last night. Afterward, she said she doubted she would support the bill in its present form, saying she did not believe it offered meaningful help to poor people to pay their utility bills.

The Senate also turned back populist-sounding bids by Sen. E.J. Pipkin, a Republican from the upper Eastern Shore, to give all the funds from the greenhouse-gas auction back to utility customers in the form of rate relief, or to give back any revenue earned beyond the $140 million that some think is a conservative estimate of how much the auction would raise.

"While teaching people to fish, we're giving them fish,'' Middleton argued, in support of his panel's plan to divide the funds between rate relief and incentives to get consumers to invest in energy-saving lightbulbs and the like.

Posted by Tim Wheeler at 11:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
                    

And on a lighter note from the Senate's attempt to censure Comptroller Peter Franchot (see earlier post), his office gave a tax refund to Edith Thompson, 62, a former teacher who lives in Baltimore City and was lucky enough to have filed the one-millionth electronic tax return.

FULL RELEASE BELOW

Comptroller Franchot Announces One Millionth Electronic Filer
Former Teacher Chooses Direct Deposit, Gets Speedy Refund

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (Monday, March 31, 2008) ─ Comptroller Peter Franchot today announced that his office received its 1 millionth electronically filed personal income tax return this year from a former teacher and Baltimore City resident.  

The taxpayer, Edith Thompson, 62, is a retired home economics teacher who has been electronically filing her tax returns since 1998. She filed her return on Wednesday and requested the refund be direct deposited to her bank account. As a result of choosing this option, the refund was sent to taxpayer's bank this morning for posting to her account.   

“Taxpayers are discovering the ease, quickness and safety of electronic filing," said Comptroller Franchot.  “Try it this year and you'll never go back to any other method again."

"The process was simple," Thompson said. "I was thrilled to learn I was getting a refund," she added.

E-filing also saves the state money through reductions in processing costs. "The state has saved more than $14 million through electronic filing," Comptroller Franchot said. "In these lean budget times, efiling is more important than ever," he added.

Taxpayers can electronically file their return by going to a paid preparer, using commercial tax software or using the Comptroller's free internet tax filing system, iFile. More than nine million taxpayers have e-filed since the program started in the 1990s.

Taxpayers who want to check on the status of their refund should visit the agency's online refund status service at www.marylandtaxes.com. Be sure to have a copy of the return on hand to verify information.

This year, tax filers who owe money can delay paying their bill for nearly two weeks after the April 15 deadline if they electronically file by the deadline and choose direct debit. These taxpayers can schedule their payment to be withdrawn anytime until April 30.  

Additionally, taxpayers filing electronically should not file a paper copy as proof of filing.  If filing by paper, taxpayers should include all W2's and 1099's that show evidence of withholding, or else credit will not be given for those items.

Posted by Brad Olson at 5:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

Sen. John Astle turned 65 today, and the Anne Arundel County Democrat celebrated, he told The Session, by inviting a crowd into his office to watch him jump from the floor onto his desk, without hands. And then when some folks missed it, he did it again.

This is but one feat enjoyed by the fitness-loving former Marine and helicopter pilot. Perhaps he could float an alternative to what looks to become the new State Exercise: the John Astle desk-jump.

Posted by Brad Olson at 5:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

Although House and Senate lawmakers negotiating the finishing touches on the state's $31 billion budget made some progress on how much to reign in spending on the Chesapeake Bay, health care, higher education and transportation projects, they appeared to make no headway whatsoever on a provision in the budget that would restrict Comptroller Peter Franchot to his constitutional duties.

The quick version is that the Senate, which has sparred frequently with the outspoken tax collector, wants the language in the budget bill, and the House does not. 

As the item came up for discussion at this morning's meeting of budget conferees, Sen. Ulysses Currie, who chairs the Senate's main fiscal policy committee, determined by one look at Del. Norm Conway, the budget leader on the House side, that the twain, as it were, had yet to meet.
     
"I can see by the expression on your face, Mr. Chairman," Currie told Conway, "that you don't want this language."

As it happens, Currie is apparently gifted in the art of physiognamy, because the House has yet to budge on the provision. Stay tuned...

     

Posted by Brad Olson at 3:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

 

Environmentalists are getting creative in the waning days of the legislature as they lobby for green legislation still slogging through committees.

"'Unholy Alliance' Creates Major Bay Initiative," read the headline on the press release issued yesterday touting the highly unusual bonding of environmental groups, home builders and local governments in favor of O'Malley administration legislation that would strengthen restrictions on development near Chesapeake Bay.

The bill to upgrade the 1984 Critical Area law sailed through the House after administration officials negotiated compromises to win over builders, county and municipal groups. The harmonious press release was issued on the eve of a hearing for the bill in the Senate Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee.

Groups promoting legislation to promote energy efficiency and reduce global warming pollution, meanwhile, came up with an attention-grabbing prop - a counterfeit wrapper for a Nestle's Crunch bar with the groups' pitch in support of its bills. "Help end the job CRUNCH," the wrapper reads. "Clean Energy Industries Create Jobs."

The wrapper, slipped over the Nestle bar, was produced by the Alliance for Global Warming Solutions, a colaition of business, faith, health and environmental groups. Monica Lopossay, the Sun photographer who took a picture of the bar for this blog, did point out that extra packaging is generally frowned upon among environmental purists. Hmmm.

Posted by Tim Wheeler at 7:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

Scott Arceneaux, a senior adviser to Marylanders United to Stop Slots, has this to say about the decision of the Maryland Association of Counties to get behind November's slots referendum.

"The political insiders and special interests are at it again. After supporting the largest tax increase in State history and lobbying for cuts in critical state and local services, it takes a lot of nerve for the Maryland Association of Counties to advocate yet another tax increase through legalizing slot machine gambling. The national gambling industry, one of the most politically active special interests in the country, is asking voters to amend Maryland's constitution and impose a regressive tax on working families all across our State. And they are now doing so with the aid and comfort of the very people who will be left to deal with the crime, corruption and foreclosures that comes with expanded gambling."

"Maryland's Constitution is better than that."

Posted by Brad Olson at 6:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

Supporters of a referendum that would allow slot machine gambling in Maryland picked up another endorsement Wednesday from the Maryland Association of Counties.

That means in one month, the pro-slots folks have lined up support from two of the state's major power centers -- MACO and the Maryland State Teachers' Association, the second of which stirred controversy because of the subtle urgings of Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller.

The MACO endorsement has not come as a surprise to many in the anti-slots camp, who note that the association is run by none other than Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith, who happens to be a close ally of Gov. Martin O'Malley. 

And further, as we've written, the pro-slots folks have yet to win over another potentially powerful group: the operators of race tracks who stand to reap a windfall if voters approve of slots.

FULL RELEASE BELOW 

 

Maryland Association of Counties Votes to Support Slots
Taxpayers Face Reduction in Services or Tax Increase if Referendum Fails

Towson, MD - Board members of the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) passed a resolution on Wednesday, March 26 to support the slots referendum this November.  The decision to endorse comes after several months of discussion and analysis of the referendum benefits as well as the serious problems that schools and local governments would face if the referendum fails.  The specific wording of the resolution was:  Consistent with MACo's adopted position on video lottery terminals, MACo shall be actively involved the effort to pass the slots referendum.  "Local governments have a direct interest in the passage of the slots referendum this year," stated Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith, MACo President.  "Slots will generate approximately $660 million in new education funding.  Without this source of revenue, taxpayers across Maryland will be facing either severe reduction of services or additional tax increases.  Neither of those options is acceptable."

In its discussion, MACo leaders discussed the importance of keeping Maryland dollars in Maryland.  Charles Town Race Track in West Virginia generated $448 million in gross revenue in 2006.  According to the Maryland Department of Budget and Management, roughly $200 million of those proceeds came directly from Maryland taxpayers.  Delaware's racetracks also drained significant Maryland dollars out of the state.  According to Thomas E. Perez, Secretary of the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, Delaware tracks generated $651 million in 2006, with more than 30% or approximately $200 million coming from Marylanders.  "In those two states alone, we are talking about more than $400 million in revenue that is leaving Maryland.  Those funds could be used to improve services for families in counties all across the state," said Howard County Executive Ken Ulman.

The House Ways and Means Committee estimates that approximately 9,000 new jobs will be created in the horse industry in Maryland if the referendum passes.  In addition to these jobs, 1.5% of the revenue, or approximately $20.9 million, of the slots revenue will be dedicated for investment in small, minority, and women-owned businesses in the state.

"Elected leaders representing very different jurisdictions in the state came together and vowed to work diligently to support this November's referendum," stated Wilson Parran, President of the Board of Commissioners in Calvert County and First Vice President of MACo.  "All of us know how important the slots revenue is to sustain services to families in our communities, and we will do whatever we can to make sure this referendum passes."

Posted by Brad Olson at 11:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

During the House and Senate budget negotiations this morning, one of the many items of contention was language in the Senate budget bill that would force Comptroller Peter Franchot to follow his constitutional duties.

This language is no accident, and should be filed under Chapter Two in the tiff that came to a head last month in the Senate over how the flamboyant former Montgomery County delegate has structured his office and, his critics say, taken his many opinions far outside the realm of a state tax collector. Franchot's supporters believe this is one of many attempts to send a message that his maverick stances on everything from slot machine gambling to state land sales and purchases are unwelcome.

While some in the House believe their former colleague has made himself into a less than endearing presence, they nonetheless came to his defense this morning.

"I think that's a silly requirement," said Del. Charles E. Barkley.

"The constitution already holds him to his obligations," said Del. Mary Dulaney-James.

But Senate leaders, notably Ed DeGrange, who has clashed frequently with Franchot this session (as has Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller), held the line, putting off a decision on that measure until a later time. 

P.S. We're sorry about the cached page in the second link above, but the story is no longer on our site. 

 

Posted by Brad Olson at 10:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

Several readers have written in requesting a tally of the House Environmental Matters Committee vote yesterday to kill a proposed ban on hand-held cell phones while driving.

Here's how they voted.

Rejecting the ban: James Malone, Baltimore County Democrat

Rudolph Cane, Eastern Shore Democrat

Anne Healy, Prince George's County Democrat

Paul Stull, Frederick County Republican

Anthony O'Donnell, Calvert County Republican

Joseph Boteler, Baltimore County Republican

Wayne Norman, Harford County Republican

Dana Stein, Baltimore County Democrat

Cheryl Glenn, Baltimore Democrat

Tom Hucker, Montgomery County Democrat

Marvin Holmes, Prince George's County Democrat

Barbara Frush, Anne Arundel County Democrat

Supporting the ban:

Elizabeth Bobo, Howard County Democrat

Doyle Niemann, Prince George's County Democrat

Tanya Thornton Shewell, Carroll County Republican

Stephen Lafferty, Baltimore County Democrat

Pamela Beidle, Anne Arundel County Democrat

Alfred Carr, Montgomery County Democrat

Saqib Ali, Montgomery County Democrat

Michael Weir, Baltimore County Democrat

Virginia Clagett, Anne Arundel County Democrat

Posted by Gadi Dechter at 10:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

This is another in the line of bills we've featured here at The Session that might be good for a water cooler chat: HB 134, which passed 127 to 7 in the House on Saturday with more than a few snickers on the floor. It had a hearing yesterday in the Senate.

For the most part, the bill makes it illegal to transport pets in a truck unless they're enclosed, which could easily be named in honor of former Massachusetts Governor and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, who was given much grief over his decision, on a family vacation, to strap the Irish Setter Seamus on top of his station wagon for a 12-hour drive.

It's not clear this was the intention of those delegates who proposed the bill, we make note nonetheless... 

Here's a little of the back and forth from the floor on Saturday:

Del. Steven J. DeBoy, Sr. asks if it applies to any animal, and Del. Kevin Kelly, the bill's chief sponsor, replies that it applies to domesticated animals.

"So if you have a domesticated pet kangaroo, it might apply to them, too," he said.

Del. Tony O'Donnell then stands to ask whether Kelly has ever transported gerbils in such a manner.

"They were wild gerbils," he said.

Much laughter. 

 

 

 

Posted by Brad Olson at 8:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

In today's edition: What's Constellation getting out of its settlement with the state?

Posted by Andy Green at 12:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

Sensing failure, the Maryland Sweatfree Campaign withdrew legislation that would have stopped state expenditures on uniforms "manufactured by companies that exploit women and children," according to a statement the group released this morning.

In the waning days of the legislative session, many groups and lawmakers prefer to keep a bill from being voted upon rather than see it killed, since once legislators cast their vote one way it is usually an uphill battle to get them to change their minds. Many bills eventually meet this fate, including one recently withdrawn by Del. Curt Anderson that would have taken a step back from the get-tough policies of the drug war.

FULL RELEASE BELOW

Time Runs Out for Maryland Sweatshop Bill

Supporters Vow to Continue Fight to End State Sponsorship of Sweat Shops

Annapolis, MD – The Maryland Sweatfree Campaign withdrew legislation that would end the use of taxpayer dollars to purchase uniforms manufactured by companies that exploit women and children, citing a crowded docket and the looming Committee reporting deadline as obstacles to the bills passage.  According to Maryland law, all legislation must make it through the referred House Committee by March 19.  Bills that do not meet the deadline have little chance of being passed before the end of session on April 7, 2008.

House Bill 290, also known as the Sweatshop Bill, was introduced in January by Del. Joanne Benson (D – Prince Georges) and cosponsored by more than a dozen legislators from across the state.  “This is an enormously important bill,” said Del. Joanne Benson, lead sponsor of the Sweatshop bill.  “We may have run out of time this year, but I am extremely optimistic about passing this law in the next session.”

Members of the Maryland Sweatfree Campaign echoed Benson’s optimism.  “This bill started with a few committed legislators, but as we’ve spoken to leaders in Annapolis about the issue, support for the bill has grown exponentially,” said Charly Carter of UNITE HERE.  “We hope to spend the interim educating legislators and the administration and building our coalition.”

 “Using public money to subsidize the exploitation of workers is wrong, whether those workers are here or abroad.  We are grateful to the sponsor and cosponsors of House Bill 290 for recognizing the injustice that is inherent in the State’s procurement policies and leading the fight to change those policies.  We look forward to Maryland joining California, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Maine and Pennsylvania among the over 180 states, cities, counties, and school districts nationwide that have adopted sweatfree policies similar to those outlined in HB 290.” said Deb Milcarek, Associate for Mission and Justice of the Presbytery of Baltimore.

Since the introduction of HB 290, awareness of the issue has grown and concerned citizens have sent hundreds of postcards and made calls to their legislators in support of the bill. The Maryland Sweatfree Campaign pledged to hold informational meetings around the state over the next several months, to continue to inform legislators and the public about the issue.  

The Maryland Sweatfree Campaign (www.sweatfree.org/maryland) is a coalition of religious, civil rights, labor and community organizations and individuals including the Presbytery of Baltimore, International Labor Rights Forum, Maryland DC AFL-CIO, Progressive Maryland and UNITE HERE. 

Posted by Brad Olson at 10:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

Donna Edwards, the Democratic nominee in Maryland’s Fourth Congressional District, is joining 24 other congressional candidates nationwide in a proposal to wind down U.S. military involvement in Iraq.

Developed by Democratic challenger Darcy Burner of Washington State, the “Responsible Plan To End the War in Iraq” looks to capture voters frustrated by the inability of the party to bring the troops home despite taking control of the House and Senate last year. The 35-page document brings together familiar ideas – drawing down troops, boosting diplomacy, promoting America’s energy independence – with proposals to address humanitarian issues in Iraq, strengthen the military and expand access to a media that the plan says “stifled a full and fair discussion and debate around Iraq.”

Edwards, who won the Democratic primary in part by hammering incumbent Rep. Albert R. Wynn on his 2002 vote to authorize President Bush to use military force in Iraq, is scheduled to join Burner in a conference call with reporters on Thursday.

Posted by Matthew Hay Brown at 5:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

Perhaps aware that Comptroller Peter Franchot had managed to spend a few days out of the news, his office sent out notice that the state's top 50 "tax scofflaws" had been posted on the tax collector's Web site.

FULL RELEASE BELOW: 

NEWS release
 
Comptroller Names Top 50 Tax Scofflaws
25 Businesses and 25 Individuals Owe More Than $6 Million
    
ANNAPOLIS, MD (March 26, 2008) - Comptroller Peter Franchot today announced the names of 25 businesses and 25 individuals owing more than $6.2 million in unpaid taxes, penalties and interest. His "Caught in the Web" program lists the names of these scofflaws on the agency's Web site, www.marylandtaxes.com.

"The vast majority of Marylanders are hard-working, honest and pay their fair share in state taxes," said Comptroller Franchot. "This program highlights those who would enjoy the benefits of living in Maryland and allow their neighbors to shoulder all the financial costs.

The Comptroller's Office is committed to ensuring that everyone pays their fair share, a principal even more important in these troubled financial times."

Since the program's inception in 2000, the agency has collected over $21.7 million from 473 delinquent taxpayers. The most recent "Caught in the Web" list includes liabilities of more than $2.8 million in back taxes, penalties and interest from individuals and $3.4 million from businesses.

"Caught in the Web" was created to send a message to those who have ignored all attempts by the state to collect overdue taxes. The names of the 50 worst delinquents owing the largest amounts in back taxes are listed on the agency's Web site for six months or until payment has been received or a payment plan set up.

Initially, the Comptroller's Office sends a letter to a delinquent taxpayer listing any unpaid charges incurred for taxes, interest and penalties and asking for return correspondence. Should the taxpayer fail to pay, provide a qualifying reason for having not yet paid, or enter into a payment plan, the Comptroller's Office may then:

●    file a lien
●    garnish wages
●    prevent renewal of state business licenses
●    prevent renewal of professional and occupational licenses
●    attach assets (including bank accounts)
●    intercept state and federal tax refunds
●    file an estimated assessment for taxes due in unreported periods
●    issue a summons to appear at a hearing to revoke a sales tax
license or initiate other legal processes
●    suspend state payments if the taxpayer does business with the
state

A free brochure, entitled, Delinquent Tax Collections and You, is provided by the Comptroller's Office to fully explain how to resolve a delinquent tax matter and what to expect if overdue taxes are not paid.

The brochure can be downloaded from the agency's Web site, at www.marylandtaxes.com.

Posted by Brad Olson at 2:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

In today's edition, efforts to repeal the computer services tax have hit a roadblock.

Posted by Andy Green at 12:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

The talk of the Senate this morning -- thanks to Bobby Zirkin -- was that chamber's landslide victory over the House of Delegates in their annual basketball contest.

No one could remember the score. Zirkin, who spent the morning talking trash, claims they won by 16, despite the House's use of several sprightly young legislative staffers. Frank Turner, said to the MVP of the losing team, claimed the margin was 12. Like many things in Annapolis, the truth of it appears hazy, although all agreed that the House got skunked.

"Allan Kittleman was draining threes last night from all over the court," Zirkin said. Kittleman, a bespectacled, fatherly-looking fellow that might not strike a stranger as a blue chip prospect, demurred rather sheepishly, although all acknowledged he had a magic touch.

Kittleman, the Senate Minority Whip focused, instead on the "bi-partisan" makeup of the team, coached by freshman Sen. David Harrington, a Prince George's Dem, and the rebound help they got from Sens. Bryan Simonaire and Paul Pinsky, R and D, respectively.

Turner, on the other hand, admitted to exhaustion this morning. He played with Delegates Ben Barnes and Jon Cardin, coached by Nathaniel Oaks. Barnes clocks in at 32 years old, and Cardin is a triathlete, though not very tall.

"I should have stayed at home," Turner said. "Sometimes, you forget how old you are" (in his case, 60) "but you remember quickly the next day."

Funny and catty comments from participants and witnesses are welcome.

Posted by Brad Olson at 10:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
                    

The Senate advanced legislation today -- which has largely moved through the General Assembly outside the spotlight -- that would require insurers authorized to do business in Maryland to provide the state with a report about each "slaveholder insurance policy" it issued during the antebellum period.

This follows last year's vote to apologize for slavery, and in an interesting twist, was almost delayed on the Senate floor as lawmakers attempted to have the bill amended so they could be added as sponsors.

Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, ever the advocate of the speedy passage of laws, hinted that they didn't need to be a co-sponsor. Their support was enough.

"As a historian, I'm very supportive of the bill, but I'm not going to sponsor it," he said. 

Posted by Brad Olson at 2:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

Here's the vote breakdown on the DNA collection bill:

Nays (11):

Joan Carter Conway, D, Baltimore City
Ulysses Currie, D, Prince George's County
Nathaniel Exum, D, Prince George's County
Lisa A. Gladden, D, Baltimore City
Janet Greenip, R, Anne Arundel County
David C. Harrington, D, Prince George's County
Andrew P. Harris, R, Baltimore County & Harford County

Verna L. Jones, D, Baltimore City
Delores G. Kelley, D, Baltimore County
Allan H. Kittleman, R, Carroll & Howard Counties
Alex X. Mooney, R, Frederick & Washington Counties
C. Anthony Muse, D, Prince George's County
E.J. Pipkin, R, Caroline, Cecil, Kent & Queen Anne's Counties

Yeas (36):

John C. Astle, D, Anne Arundel County
David R. Brinkley, R, Frederick & Carroll Counties
James Brochin, D, Baltimore County
Richard F. Colburn, R, Caroline, Dorchester, Talbot & Wicomico Counties
James E. DeGrange, Sr., D, Anne Arundel County
George W. Della, Jr., D, Baltimore City
Roy P. Dyson, D, Calvert, Charles & St. Mary's Counties
George C. Edwards, R, Allegany, Garrett & Washington Counties
Jennie M. Forehand, D, Montgomery County
Brian E. Frosh, D, Montgomery County
Robert J. Garagiola, D, Montgomery County
Barry Glassman, R, Harford County
Larry E. Haines, R, Baltimore County & Carroll Counties
Nancy Jacobs, R, Cecil & Harford Counties
Edward J. Kasemeyer, D, Baltimore County & Howard County
Nancy J. King, D, Montgomery County
Katherine A. Klausmeier, D, Baltimore County
Rona E. Kramer, D, Montgomery County
Mike Lennett, D, Montgomery County
Richard S. Madaleno, Jr., D, Montgomery County
Nathaniel J. McFadden, D, Baltimore City
Thomas M. Middleton, D, Charles County
Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr., D, Calvert & Prince George's Counties
Donald F. Munson, R, Washington County
Douglas J.J. Peters, D, Prince George's County
Paul G. Pinsky, D, Prince George's County
Catherine E. Pugh, D, Baltimore City
Jamie Raskin, D, Montgomery County
James N. Robey, D, Howard County
Jim Rosapepe, D, Anne Arundel & Prince George's Counties
Bryan W. Simonaire, R, Anne Arundel County
J. Lowell Stoltzfus, R, Somerset, Wicomico & Worcester Counties
Norman R. Stone, Jr., D, Baltimore County
Bobby A. Zirkin, D, Baltimore County

 * Jones changed her vote after the roll call had been completed.

Posted by Brad Olson at 1:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
                    

The Senate failed twice today to pass a bill calling for a constitutional amendment that would raise the minimum amount of damages sought in order to convene a jury trial in a civil lawsuit.

Under current law, people suing or being sued for $10,000 or more in district court can request a jury trial in the circuit division. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Norman R. Stone Jr., a Baltimore County Democrat, would have raised that minimum to $15,000.

Supporters of the legislation argued that raising the minimum — last adjusted a decade ago — would reflect inflation and that it is a pro-consumer measure designed to prevent deep-pocketed insurance companies from dragging out lawsuits in prolonged circuit court proceedings.

Opponents, including both Democrats and Republicans, argued that even in relatively small lawsuits plaintiffs and defendants should have the right to be judged by a jury of their peers.

“Just because you’re mad at insurance companies, don’t take it out on the little person,” said Sen. Allan H. Kittleman, a Carroll County Republican.

Sen. Delores G. Kelley, a Baltimore County Democrat, agreed.

”We need to preserve the right of a jury trial for poor people,” she said.

The law can only be changed by an amendment to the Maryland Constitution. Lawmakers today voted in favor of a regular bill that would increase the