Section: GOV

PACs with amusing names donate to Gilchrest

EDITOR'S NOTE: Political Notes is a periodic compilation of political news items. Although recently released campaign finance reports revealed important information about who financed Republican Sen. Andy Harris' win over longtime incumbent U.S. Rep. Wayne T. Gilchrest in the 1st Congressional District Republican primary election, it also revealed some laughs.

Among the political action committees which donated $20...

Published on 05/08/08

O'Malley stresses need for slots

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Gov. Martin O'Malley said yesterday that if a referendum on slot machine gambling fails in November, "it'll be back to the drawing board with a lot of unpopular choices, and I don't think any of us wants to go there." Mr. O'Malley said during an interview on WCBC-AM in Cumberland that the money Maryland would eventually get from slot machines would make up about 25 percent of what's needed to balance the state's budget in coming years.

The ...

Published on 05/07/08

Gas tax holiday not in state's future

Officials say roads, bridges can't afford loss of revenue

By LIAM FARRELL, Staff Writer

With gas prices continuing to reach new heights, the part of the cost controlled by federal and state governments is coming under increasing scrutiny as some politicians lobby for a break during the summer driving season. Officials in Gov. Martin O'Malley's administration, however, caution that any reduction in gas tax revenue - which is dedicated solely to transportation spending - would hurt the government's ability to maintain road...

Published on 05/04/08

Powerful groups align behind slots

By LIAM FARRELL, Staff Writer

Superficially, the battle over November's slot machine referendum is starting to resemble a fight between a heavyweight and a flyweight. Some of the state's most powerful organizations continued this week to line up behind Gov. Martin O'Malley's slots proposal, which could bring up to 15,000 slot machines to Maryland and 4,750 into Anne Arundel County.

Grassroots opponents, however, are not worried about the big names. Instead, part of thei...

Published on 05/04/08

Ready new GOP executive director

EDITOR'S NOTE: Political Notes is a periodic compilation of political news items. The Maryland Republican Party this week named Justin Ready to be the party's executive director.

Mr. Ready, 26, previously worked as chief of staff for Sen. Janet Greenip, R-Crofton, and will begin his new position today. He replaces John Flynn, who resigned to become general counsel for Americans for Prosperity, a Washington, D.C., public-interest group.

<...

Published on 05/01/08

Politicians promote outdoor learning

By PAMELA WOOD, Staff Writer

A group of congressmen got a chance to escape Capitol Hill for fresh air and scenic views yesterday, when they held a field hearing on a bill that would require more outdoor education in schools. U.S. Rep. John P. Sarbanes, who represents parts of Anne Arundel County, convinced a handful of his colleagues to join him at the Patuxent Research Refuge on Earth Day to learn about environmental education first-hand.

Joined by Gov. Marti...

Published on 04/23/08

Erroneous permit saga prompts county bill

By ERIN COX, Staff Writer

The saga of John Getz and his too-tall garage first prompted letters to the editor, then a formal county task force and now a proposal to change county law. Dubbed "The Compassionate Government Bill," the proposal would hold the county responsible if it issues a building permit in error, like the one that gave Mr. Getz permission to build a 28-foot tall garage in his Pasadena back yard.

The county realized that 28 feet was 3 feet too high w...

Published on 04/23/08

City Hall:Get ready to give blood

By RAY WEAVER

Anne Arundel Medical Center's blood mobile will be parked in front of City Hall from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 30. All city employees and the public are encouraged to give blood. The blood you donate with AAMC stays at AAMC, directly benefiting your family, friends, and neighbors.

One pint of blood can save up to three lives; someone needs blood every two seconds.

Every 17 seconds, someone in our region receives blood.

More than 1...

Published on 04/21/08

New law will light up bikes

By LISA BEISEL, Staff Writer

Motorcyclists will get one step closer to a safer ride this summer with a new state law that allows the use of auxiliary lighting. Both the House and Senate have approved a bill to make it legal to use the auxiliary lighting, which illuminates the engine of motorcycles, thus increasing their visibility to other drivers.

The auxiliary lights allow drivers to see motorcyclists from the side, as well as front and rear, when it's dark. The ligh...

Published on 04/20/08

Senate OKs criminal earmark probe by Justice

WASHINGTON - Here's how area members of Congress voted on major roll calls in the week ending April 18: House

PRIVATIZED TAX COLLECTION: The House on April 15 repealed,238 for and 179 against, a 2004 law used by the Internal Revenue Service to hire private firms to collect delinquent taxes. A yes vote was to pass the bill.

Voting yes: Reps. Wayne Gilchrest, R-Kent, C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, D-Baltimore, John Sarbanes, D-Baltimore, Alb...

Published on 04/19/08

Amount of slot machine revenue debated

ELLICOTT CITY (AP) - People on both sides of Maryland's slot machine debate sparred yesterday over how much money the state stands to gain if voters decide to legalize slots in a November referendum. Scott Arceneaux, a senior adviser to Marylanders United to Stop Slots, said it's impossible to know how much money an expansion of gambling will raise for state coffers, because gambling revenue would be strongly affected by overall economic trends. ...

Published on 04/19/08

Slots opponents kick off campaign

O'Malley, Franchot feuding on issue

By E.B. FURGURSON III, Staff Writer

Slot machine parlors would damage the state's economy and quality of life, a coalition of organizations said yesterday.

Marylanders United to Stop Slots kicked off its campaign to defeat the constitutional amendment authorizing slots.

The measure, which is on the November ballot, would allow some 15,000 slot machines at five locations in the state, including in Anne Arundel County. During the news conference held at Calvary United M...

Published on 04/17/08

Political Notes

EDITOR'S NOTE: Political Notes is a periodic compilation of political news items.

---

Harris leads in 1st Congressional Dist. fundraising

State Sen. Andy Harris has raised nearly twice as much campaign money during the past two months as his rival for the 1st Congressional District seat, according to campaign officials and Federal Election Commission reports.

Mr. Harris, a Republican, leads Queen Anne...

Published on 04/17/08

Gilchrest quirks will be missed, friends say

By WILL SKOWRONSKI Capital News Service

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Delaware Republican Rep. Mike Castle was holding a news conference in front of the Capitol a few years ago and noticed soldiers doing push-ups across the field. Then he saw a man take off his sport coat and join in. "I said 'What the heck is this?' And the guy got up and it was Wayne," Mr. Castle said.

"Wayne" is his good friend and colleague, Rep. Wayne Gilchrest, R-Kennedyville, who was voted out of office in February a...

Published on 04/13/08

States can't fix housing crisis alone, O'Malley tells congress

By WILL SKOWRONSKI Capital News Service

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Gov. Martin O'Malley told House members this week that the Maryland General Assembly worked this spring to stem the tide of future foreclosures, but homeowners in trouble now need federal rescue. Mr. O'Malley and three mayors testified before the House Financial Services Committee about a bill that would, among other things, give local governments $10 billion to confront the national housing crisis. Local governments would be a...

Published on 04/13/08

O'Malley issues ban on wind turbines in Md. state forests

By DAVID DISHNEAU, Associated Press Writer

BITTINGER, Md. (AP) - Gov. Martin O'Malley said Saturday that his administration will not allow commercial wind turbines on state forest land, ending a heated four-month debate.

"While we must continue to explore and make progress on creating a more sustainable and independent energy future for Maryland, we will not do so at the expense of the special lands we hold in the public trust," the Democratic governor said.

O'Malley spoke at...

Published on 04/12/08

House votes to delay action on Colombia trade pact

WASHINGTON - Here's how area members of Congress voted on major roll calls in the week ending April 11. House

U.S.-COLOMBIA TRADE: Voting 224 for and 195 against, the House on April 10 delayed indefinitely a U.S.-Colombia free-trade agreement. A yes vote was to delay the trade agreement.

Voting yes: Reps. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, D-Baltimore, John Sarbanes, D-Baltimore, Albert Wynn, D-Prince George's, Steny Hoyer, D-St. Mary'...

Published on 04/12/08

No money for Route 3 improvement

Greenip: BRAC siphons off state funding

By JOSHUA STEWART, Staff Writer

Lawmakers were unable to scrape up funds for long-awaited improvements to busy Route 3 during the General Assembly session that adjourned this week, state Sen. Janet Greenip told the Greater Crofton Council. Instead, the thousands of federal jobs coming to Maryland's military installations took priority for transportation spending, the Crofton Republican said Tuesday.

"The BRAC area sucked up the money," said Mrs. Greenip, referr...

Published on 04/10/08

Senator: U.S. must partner with Latin American countries

Dodd shares his national security outlook with Naval Academy audience

By EARL KELLY, Staff Writer

In the interest of national security, Americans must work closer with Latin American countries to develop a strong economic and military region, a senior U.S. senator told a Naval Academy audience last night. The United States traditionally considers only three things when working with Latin America - "elections, trade and drugs" - said Sen. Christopher J. Dodd, the senior senator from Connecticut.

A more comprehensive approach is ne...

Published on 04/10/08