Lodging arrangements have come under scrutiny this summer following the revelation that Del. Joseph Bartlett, a Republican from Frederick County who is not seeking re-election, paid tens of thousands of state dollars to his girlfriend for rent over the past several years during legislative sessions.
House Speaker Michael E. Busch, D-Annapolis, said recently that legislative and ethics officials should review lodging regulations to see if there is a way to tighten them...
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Shame On You, Mary Ann! - 2010-08-02 19:01:32
I can't believe you live less than 20 miles from Annapolis, yet spent nearly $11,000 of our money for a hotel room in Annapolis! Long hours? Worries about bad weather? Sounds just like the real jobs your constituents have. Are you going to pay for my hotel to stay closer to work every night? If you can't make a 40 mile, round-trip drive every day for 90 days, step aside and let someone else take your place who can.
No wonder you can't say no to any Democratic bill that spends our money on anything you all desire - you have no understanding of the need for fiscal discipline because you are playing (and paying) with OPM (Other Peoples' Money). Have you been doing this every year you've been in the State House of Delegates?
You should be ashamed of yourself.
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Dave Hatfield - , - Karma: Neutral
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THIS IS NUTS - 2010-08-02 10:39:17
I think it is absurd to say that our representatives should get hotel accommodations because they work 12 hours and deal with constituents.
Anyone who lives here in a county does not have more than a 45 minute commute (even during rush hour!). It may be tiring, it may be tough- but that's work and we all have to do it.
I fully understand issues related to weather because I too worked at the state house and know that things do not close during snow/ etc. That stuff is important- however paying for a hotel so delegates can relax is absurd!
I'll remember the next time I see some of these delegates out at local restaurants or even bars on Friday nights. I expect them to at least thank me for helping front the bill for their "pad"!
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Jason Smythen - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Neutral
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Legislative Lodgings - 2010-08-02 00:17:00
The Session is neither a vacation nor a cakewalk, even to those who "only work part-time" or are independently wealthy.
I worked for three legislators over the course of six years. I know firsthand the expectations they face every day from constituents, lobbyists, special interest groups, school/church/community group visitors, other legislators, the media, and the general public. And that is over and above official daily attendance at State House proceedings and in assigned committee and delegation hearings. The demands for their time and attention never stop, going well beyond the official working schedule.
Sine Die brings the start of long stretches of consecutive 14-16 hour days and cumulative exhaustion, after which a nightly drive home to Glen Burnie can eventually become a physical hardship. Then there are the inevitable winter weather events; lawmakers are expected to attend and perform their duties regardless, unless the President and the Speaker make the unusual decision to cancel.
No one expects a representative from, e.g., the Eastern Shore to commute to Annapolis. However, those legislators who live within what many of us would consider reasonable commuting distances of their homes DO have need for access on demand to overnight lodgings, at least occasionally.
That being said, is it really necessary to subsidize private accommodations? A coordinated effort to book a block of rooms in a local hotel(s) to be shared by legislators of each gender according to need (full-time lodgings for travelers, on-demand lodgings for locals) for the length of Session would be more cost-effective and less vulnerable to abuse.
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Raejean French - Severn, MD - Karma: Excellent
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Del. Barbara Frush, D-Beltsville: $ - 2010-08-01 13:13:42
She lives in Beltsville MD, approximately 32 miles from Annapolis. This is a Commute that most of us make daily if not further. I can see no reason in ANY economic times for her to spend $10,920.00 of taxpayer dollars on lodging. Commute like the rest of us!!!!!
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Free Thinker - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Neutral
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Unconscionable - 2010-08-01 09:54:35
What about Mary Ann Love's expenditures of $10,920? Other elected officials who live just as far away, if not further than these two ladies somehow managed to avoid ringing up these outlandish charges? Mileage and meal reimbursement? Sure. It would have been a heck of alot cheaper than $10,000 for BOTH of these officials combined. This situation reeks of both fiscal irresponsibility and entitlement and is a slap in the face to every taxpayer in the community. And these are the people we want overseeing the economic course of our state?
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Fed Up - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Excellent
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ashamed of you..... - 2010-08-01 08:29:58
Virginia Clagett you have no right to spend $10,800 when you live so close..... that is just wrong..... we need a government now.... to oversee our government because we can't trust them.... amazing... a thanks to those of you who charged us taxpayers nothing .... a thanks to you Mike Busch for showing this disgrace to us..... shame on you people who take advantage of your posistion....
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jimmy neley - washington , dc - Karma: Excellent
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virgina clagett - 2010-08-01 08:24:30
Virgina Clagett spends 1o,800$ on lodging and she lives in south county.She does'nt even have a fulltime job. I hope she enjoyed her herself, because every voter in distict 30 will remember this abuse of power.People are struggling and she enjoying a tax-payer 3 month vacation. I can't wait to vote her out!
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Robert Handelman - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Excellent
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