A politician’s most important asset – or debit – may be his or her reputation. What do our spies think of Delegate Ben Kramer (D-19)?
Our informants are divided on Kramer. Here is the good and the bad.
The Good
Some spies describe Kramer as intelligent, honest and competent. He has been involved in politics at least since his father Sid was County Executive (1986-1990) and is more knowledgeable than most politicians. A few describe him as resistant to pressure from “special interests” because, as a self-financed candidate, he does not depend on them to get elected.
Many Montgomery legislators I have spoken to do not emphasize the county’s economic interests. One of them once told me, “I don’t represent the county so much as I do the state as a whole.” Another said, “Why should I get money for schools in Bethesda when the Baltimore City schools need it more?” Kramer would not stand for this sort of thinking for a moment. He is a genuine Montgomery patriot. Whether you agree with him or not, Kramer voted against progressive income tax reform and the millionaire tax because he thought they would damage the county’s economy. Tough, Montgomery-focused and unyielding to pressure from the Governor or leadership – that is Ben Kramer at his best.
The Bad
As intelligent as he is, Kramer falls short on people skills. One informant describes him as alternately charming and bullying and others call him “arrogant.” A few spies have heard him refer to himself in the third person in public. Kramer did not pick his battles well in the first two years of his term, is not popular with leadership and does not have many defenders in the Montgomery delegation. One politician said he is “a loser in Annapolis and wants to run for Council to escape his reputation and ineffectiveness in Annapolis.” But despite all this, one of Kramer’s bills (prohibiting financial exploitation of the elderly) just passed the House and Senate with unanimous votes.
Perhaps the most infamous Kramer blow-up occurred over the 2008 DNA bill (which Kramer co-sponsored in the House). The black caucus objected to an early version of the bill, saying it was too broad and intrusive and would disproportionately impact African-Americans. The Post reported: When the bill came up at a private meeting of House Democrats, Del. Benjamin F. Kramer (D-Montgomery), who is white, infuriated many black delegates when he described some concerns about DNA as “irrational.”
My Impression
African American lawmakers said they walked out of the meeting in a display of anger.
“We were extremely offended by his remarks,” Benson said. “We felt that there was a deep degree of insensitivity to our plight.”
“We never, ever qualify what a person's concern is,” Del. Tawanna P. Gaines (D-Prince George's) said. “We simply assume it's a genuine concern.”
In an interview, Kramer said that his comments were taken out of context and that he did not intend to treat black lawmakers disrespectfully. “I'm very frustrated that somehow what I said got turned on its ear,” he said.
At last year’s Montgomery House Delegation’s hearing on local bills, I saw Kramer face off against District 19 Senator Mike Lenett over a speed camera bill sponsored by Lenett and Delegate Saqib Ali (D-39). Lenett and Kramer are not close, and it showed. Kramer grilled Lenett on the details of the bill, which would have prohibited contractor fees from being contingent on the number of speed tickets issued. Kramer, who is whip-smart and would have made an intimidating prosecutor, scored lots of points on the merits of his arguments. But Kramer’s relentless demeanor suggested that his purpose was not merely to critique the bill but also to demonstrate his overall superiority over Lenett. He showed no deference and no collegiality to his District 19 colleague.
Ben Kramer could handle the duties of County Council office from Day One. But is a council that is already full of tender egos and volatile personalities ready for him? We may find out soon enough.
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Ben Kramer’s Record in Annapolis, Part Three
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Ben Kramer’s Record in Annapolis, Part Two
Today, we look at Delegate Ben Kramer’s (D-19) record on environmental issues, GLBT rights and crime.
Environment
The Maryland League of Conservation Voters (LCV) gave Kramer an 86% score in 2007 and a 75% score in 2008. In his favor, Kramer voted for the clean cars bill, the stormwater management bill, an energy efficiency fund and against harmful hydraulic dredging in the Chesapeake Bay. But LCV knocked him for voting against a 2007 bill that limited industrial construction on land designated as Critical Areas near the bay and voting for a 2008 bill that delayed anti-phosphorus regulations. Kramer’s lifetime score of 79% is the lowest of any Montgomery County state legislator other than his sister, District 14 Senator Rona Kramer (who scores 68%). The average score for House Democrats was 85% in 2008 and 91% in 2007.
GLBT Rights
Equality Maryland gave Kramer a 60% score in 2008, tied for the lowest among Montgomery legislators with Senators Rob Garagiola (D-15), Brian Frosh (D-16) and Nancy King (D-39) and Delegates Luiz Simmons (D-17) and Herman Taylor (D-14). While all of the above legislators supported domestic partner rights, none of them co-sponsored HB 351, which would have allowed gay marriage. Kramer is co-sponsoring the 2009 gay marriage bill, the only legislator above to change his mind.
Crime
As a member of the House Judiciary Committee, crime has been Kramer’s top priority. Twelve of the twenty bills he has lead-sponsored have dealt with crime. This year, Kramer has lead-sponsored bills targeting hate crimes, crimes against the elderly, identity and credit fraud against the elderly and disabled and financial exploitation of the elderly. Kramer has lead-sponsored a bill mandating ignition interlocks on cars owned by convicted drunk drivers and two bills limiting “good-time credits” for violent inmates. Kramer’s bills often attract support from Republicans, including Delegates Don Dwyer (R-31), Susan McComas (R-35B), Christopher Shank (R-2B) and Michael Smigiel (R-36).
Two other bills merit comment.
Kramer co-sponsored a bill by Republican Delegate Tony McConkey (R-33A) that would have made it easier for domestic abuse victims to acquire firearms permits. The bill failed on an 86-51 vote. Kramer and District 17 Delegate Luiz Simmons were the only Montgomery legislators who voted for it. Lieutenant Governor Brown’s spokesman Mike Raia called it a “misguided measure.”
Kramer voted for Simmons’ abuser expungement bill three times - once in committee and twice on the floor. The bill, which would have allowed accused abusers whose petitions were denied or dismissed by a judge to expunge their records, was opposed by female legislators by a nearly 2-1 margin.
Tomorrow, we will conclude by assessing Kramer’s reputation in Annapolis.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Ben Kramer’s Record in Annapolis, Part One
Delegate Ben Kramer (D-19) has compiled a significant record in Annapolis over the last three years. In this series, we examine his votes on six subject areas – budget and taxation, slots, labor issues, environmental issues, GLBT rights and crime. We also tap into our spy network to evaluate his reputation in the General Assembly. Is his record suitable for a County Council Member? That’s up to District 4 voters to decide.
Budget and Taxation
Kramer voted for the special session budget but against the special session tax package. He was one of 18 House Democrats to vote against the tax bill, joining Montgomery County legislators Kathleen Dumais (D-15), Brian Feldman (D-15) and Luiz Simmons (D-17). Kramer also voted against the millionaire tax. He was one of 13 House Democrats to do so, joining Charles Barkley (D-39), Al Carr (D-18), Kathleen Dumais (D-15), Brian Feldman (D-15), Bill Frick (D-16), Ana Sol Gutierrez (D-18), Craig Rice (D-15), Luiz Simmons (D-17) and Jeff Waldstreicher (D-18).
Slots
In 2006, Kramer was asked about slots by the Gazette:Do you support slot machines for Maryland? Why or why not?
Kramer went on to vote against both the slots amendment and the authorizing bill during the special session. Last year, he said the following to the Montgomery Sentinel:
Slot machines are not a preferred source for raising revenue. However, the state will be facing a projected budget deficit of approximately 4 billion dollars in the next 2-3 years. If funding is not available to provide for the needs of those individuals who do not have the financial resources to pay for necessities (food, health care, housing, etc.), then I would be willing to consider slots at certain Maryland race tracks.Kramer voted against the referendum during the special session and said he has some difficulty understanding why many voted for the referendum last year and now claim they oppose it. “I question their rationale,” he said.
Kramer later told me he was referring to the 1997 Glendening income tax cut, a major contributor to the structural deficits that have been plaguing the state ever since.
Kramer said he would like to see, as an alternative to slots, a repeal of a tax cut that was disapproved.
Labor Issues
Progressive Maryland gave Kramer a 92% score in 2007 and a 63% score in 2008. On the positive side, Kramer voted in favor of living wage, re-enfranchising former felons, health care coverage expansion, extending children’s health insurance under their parents’ coverage for four years, flexible leave for employees to take care of sick family members, and foreclosure prevention. But Progressive Maryland’s major problem with Kramer was his vote against progressive income tax reform, which it called, “the most significant pro-working families tax reform in recent Maryland history.” Kramer’s opposition to progressive taxation accounted for the precipitous drop in his score in 2008. In fact, his 2008 score was the lowest of any Montgomery County state legislator other than his sister, District 14 Senator Rona Kramer, who scored 46%.
In Part Two, we’ll examine Kramer’s record on environmental issues, GLBT rights and crime.
