Section: GOV

Wright urges unity in NAACP speech

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:00

The Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright last night urged several hundred people at the NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet that Americans must learn to work past their differences.

After weeks of buildup as a firebrand, President Barack Obama's former pastor focused on the need to address voting inequalities, lingering segregation in schools and an unjust justice system.

"We resolve to learn how to live together with our different pasts as w...

Political Notes: 2 more candidates eye runs for County Council

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00

Two more candidates emerged this week for County Council seats, including the brother of an outgoing incumbent.

Gary Middlebrooks has announced he wants to run for District 2 next year - the same seat his brother, Councilman Ed Middlebrooks, has held for the past eight years. Ed Middlebrooks can't run again because of term limits.

Gary Middlebrooks, a small business owner, currently serves on the county Republican State Centra...

State slashes budget by $362M

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00

The latest round of state budget cuts imposed yesterday will limit student financial aid, slice Medicaid payments to hospitals and even reduce commuter bus trips for state employees when the legislature is not in session.

The state Board of Public Works approved about $362 million of general fund reductions and transfers to address a continuing deficit problem. A total of 112 state jobs were eliminated, with more than half of those fill...

Legislators fight closure of Eastern Shore mental health facility

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00

ANNAPOLIS - Maryland lawmakers and supporters of Kent County's Upper Shore Community Mental Health Center promised on Wednesday to use the upcoming legislative session to fight the facility's closure by the Board of Public Works. "That's not it," said Del. Mary Roe Walkup, R-Kent. "We haven't stopped yet. We won't turn our backs on them, that's not something I'm willing to do."

The Board of Public...

Maryland board considers budget cuts

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Gov. Martin O'Malley is expected to recommend almost $300 million in spending reductions to help meet Maryland's budget shortfall. The Board of Public Works was scheduled to meet Wednesday to vote on another round of budget cuts amid plunging revenue estimates. The state already reduced spending by about $736 million in the first two months of the current fiscal year, which began in July.

The union representi...

Controversial court nominee survives Senate test

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats on Tuesday crushed a Senate filibuster against a controversial appeals court nominee, demonstrating to Republicans they can't stop President Barack Obama from turning the federal judiciary to the left. The 70-29 vote limited debate over the qualifications of U.S. District Judge David Hamilton of Indiana, and assured his elevation to the Chicago-based appeals court. Sixty votes were needed to end the filibuste...

State auto insurer chided for bonuses

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00

Top executives of Maryland's last-resort auto insurer said they lowered goals for their employees to receive bonuses last year to keep consumer premiums down.

The representatives of the agency, the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund, said the decision, among many other revisions to the agency's financial goals, was in response to difficult economic conditions for the business and the customers they serve.

Despite the agenc...

County unveils energy proposal

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00

The county's first formal strategy to improve energy use would convert methane gas from the Millersville landfill into electricity and seek to cut energy consumption by 30 percent in both government and the private sector.

The plan uses nearly $4.5 million in federal stimulus funds plus an additional $3 million in bonds to implement a host of energy efficiency programs that include synchronizing traffic lights to cut the time motori...

County grants raises for jail workers

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00

A standoff over pay between the county and correctional officers ended last night when the County Council approved a bill granting the jail workers scaled-back raises.

"They didn't give us everything that we wanted, but oh well," said Dale Waldroff, president of the Fraternal Order of Detention Center Officers and Personnel.

The detention officers had threatened a lawsuit against the county in July after the council ...

Will bad winter bury slim budgets?

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00

While weather prognosticators predict this coming winter will be close to normal, though a bit chillier, local jurisdictions are wary that expensive snow removal will tax already tight budgets.

That's a worry that comes with every approaching winter season as county, city and state roads and public works managers line up their response to Ol' Man Winter's potential wrath.

"The bottom line is, no matter what it tak...

Property tax hike may be lone option, panel says

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:00:00

If the city wants to spend as much money next year as it does now it will have to come from a hike in property taxes, according to a report released last week.

The city's tax base isn't going to substantially increase for the next three years and the state isn't likely to give Annapolis a raise in its "allowance" - all factors that leave the city with a tax increase as the only option to maintain services, a report...

Infrastructure money drying up in the state

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00

Maryland's perilous budget situation and the tactics that have been used to patch deficits are going to make it more difficult to find money for new capital projects such as schools, jails and hospitals, according to legislative analysts.

Officials with the state Department of Legislative Services gave another gloomy economic update Tuesday to the Spending Affordability Committee in Annapolis, outlining how hard it will be to find m...

State set to OK slots plan

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00

A state panel appears poised to approve a license for slot machines at Arundel Mills mall in Hanover after hearing a report yesterday that the project will contribute hundreds of millions of dollars to the economy.

The Video Lottery Facility Location Committee - which had two commissioners absent during a meeting in Annapolis - tabled a motion to approve Cordish Cos.' slots plan until all of its members are present.

The vote c...

State looks forward past grim budget outlook

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00

ANNAPOLIS - State revenues may be on the rise after plummeting over the last two years, according to the Maryland Department of Legislative Services. Although still lagging, revenues over the last month have started to move in the right direction.

In October, revenues were down 7.2 percent from the same period last year, an improvement from September, when they were down 9.2 percent from the previous year.

This gives budget analysts a rar...

MD, DE, VA enter offshore wind power partnership

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Maryland, Delaware and Virginia are joining forces to promote the offshore wind power. The governors of the three states announced Tuesday that they have signed an agreement to work together on promoting federal policies, transmission strategies and other issues to advance offshore power in the Mid-Atlantic region.

Delaware Gov. Jack Markell says his state is poised to become the first in the nation to develop an off...

County fire service targets overtime

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00

Looking for ways to control overtime pay, the county Fire Department is considering a strategy that would put paramedic and engine companies out of service at selected fire stations when manpower is needed elsewhere, according to a memorandum obtained by The Capital.

The unapproved memo from county Fire Chief J. Robert Ray was sent to county fire personnel Friday but then rescinded hours later.

The memo featured a budget ...

Feds back off on farm and stormwater rules

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00

The federal government is promising to crack down on pollution from factory farms and urban stormwater that harms the Chesapeake Bay - that is, unless the states do it first.

The federal government is offering the wiggle room after Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia government officials complained about potentially far-reaching new regulations on their farmers.

"The states generally believe they have a lot of local knowledge...

New TV ad asks residents to serve on juries

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:00:00

County residents have a nearly perfect report card when it comes to showing up for jury duty, according to statistics maintained by the county Circuit Court.

Of the 7,711 people called for jury duty during the first 10 months of 2009, only 10 failed to come to court, said Acting Jury Commissioner Marci L. Bailey. That is a failure rate of less than .0013 percent.

"It is fantastic," she said, describing the people of Anne...

Economy taking toll on road projects

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:00:00

The recession may be over according to some economic data, but budget issues are lingering in Maryland's transportation plans.

Officials from the state Department of Transportation are currently visiting each local jurisdiction to preview the six-year, $8.9 billion draft capital project plan covering fiscal 2010 to fiscal 2015.

That total is $1.7 billion less than originally estimated, as fiscal issues continue to take a toll,...

House health bill unacceptable to many in Senate

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:00:00

WASHINGTON (AP) — Don't look for the Senate to quickly follow the House on health care overhaul. A government health insurance plan included in the House bill is unacceptable to a few Democratic moderates who hold the balance of power in the Senate. They're locked in a battle with liberals, with the fate of President Barack Obama's signature issue at stake.

If a government plan is part of the deal, "as a matter of conscie...

Child support rates outdated

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:00:00

State officials want to increase how much most people pay in child support, arguing that the current guidelines were developed in 1988 and no longer represent the real cost of raising a child in Maryland.

The math is just too old and children will suffer if the guidelines aren't updated soon, said Stacy L. Rodgers, deputy secretary for the state's Department of Human Resources.

But the push for change comes during hard eco...

Slots linchpin: Will Cohen stay or will he go?

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:00:00

A new wrinkle has inched into the county's interminable slots debate as slots opponent and Annapolis Mayor-elect Josh Cohen contemplates when to leave the County Council behind.

Resign in the next week, and his fellow County Council members could theoretically appoint a slots supporter to get the elusive fourth vote to pass zoning for the casino. Wait until December, and Cohen's resignation will not affect the faltering proposal...

Navy ship built with WTC steel commissioned

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:00:00

NEW YORK (AP) — The USS New York, built with steel from the rubble of the World Trade Center, was put into service Saturday both as a symbol of healing and strength. "No matter how many times you attack us, we always come back," Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus said at the amphibious assault ship's commissioning. "America always comes back. That's what this ship represents."

He spoke on a Manhattan pier w...

Poll: O'Malley will face re-election challenges

unknown@hometownannapolis.com (Unknown) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00

Maryland may not exactly line up in the political landscape with New Jersey or Virginia, but a new poll shows voter dissatisfaction could plague Gov. Martin O'Malley in his re-election bid next year.

A poll by the Washington-based Clarus Research Group shows the Democrat with ratings of less than 50 percent in three key areas: job approval, whether voters want to re-elect him, and in a trial rematch with his Republican predecessor a...