Showing posts with label Rob Garagiola. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rob Garagiola. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 01, 2011
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Friday, September 10, 2010
Why Incumbents Lose, Part Five
Most incumbents lose because of themselves, but a few have the bad luck to face great challengers. Let’s look at the upstarts more closely.
Every challenger thinks he or she is top-notch, but very few of them are. We define a great challenger as having the following four qualities.
1. Well-financed
A challenger may not have more money than an incumbent, but a successful one needs enough to compete.
2. Pre-existing base of support in the district
Fly-by-night challengers to incumbents almost always lose. The best ones start off with a base of supporters and volunteers that can match, or even surpass, the incumbent.
3. Knows how to exploit incumbent’s problems
Most incumbents have vulnerabilities. Great challengers know how to expose them and use them to their advantage.
4. Works HARD
Incumbents almost always have money, institutional support and some base inside the district. Great challengers counter their advantages with sheer hard work, often over long periods of time.
Here are the best challengers from Montgomery County over the last four election cycles, along with why they were so special. Note the occasional input from our fabled spy network.
4. Rob Garagiola, defeated Republican Senator Jean Roesser (D-15) in 2002
Twenty-nine-year-old Rob Garagiola seemed cast by Hollywood as an ambitious, energetic young politician. The 2001 Montgomery County Democrat of the Year and former paratrooper started campaigning against the 72-year-old incumbent over a year before the general election. But the race almost did not happen as District 17 Delegate Cheryl Kagan was nearly redistricted into District 15 for a challenge to Roesser. When that fell through, Garagiola was off to the races for a clean shot at the incumbent.
In 2002, District 15 was a swing district. Roesser, a Republican, had knocked off incumbent Democrat Larry Levitan in 1994. Partisan dynamics did not guarantee Garagiola victory in a good year nationally for the GOP. So he knocked on tons of doors, poured in nearly $200,000 in self- and family-financing and beat the incumbent by just 755 votes, or two percentage points. Garagiola’s work ethic still shows in his excellent fundraising and ascension up the leadership ladder in Annapolis.
3. Phil Andrews, defeated County Council Member William Hanna (D-3) in 1998
Andrews, once a high-level amateur tennis player and then the director of Common Cause, is Montgomery County’s undisputed champion of door knocking. He put that skill to good work in defeating a four-term incumbent in a district race. Andrews, who is a former MCGEO member(!), also enjoyed substantial labor support in his first win. That is ironic considering that he is now one of labor’s greatest enemies in the county. Then and now, Andrews refuses PAC and developer contributions.
Spy: Long out of step politically with his district, Bill Hanna had almost been defeated more than once. In a three-way race, though, the anti-Bill votes were divided. In 1998, the field was just two candidates. Phil hustled the progressive votes and ran circles around Hanna.
Spy: Phil had already run an energetic, but unsuccessful campaign for Council at-large in 1994, so he knew a lot about campaigning. The district race was better suited to his strengths as a likable, retail, door-to-door campaigner. His youthful energy and good looks worked to his advantage against the then 77-year-old Bill Hanna, who had developed a reputation as a curmudgeon and a bit of an eccentric. Hanna had alienated labor unions (which Andrews would also eventually do) and had particularly alienated the gay community by opposing domestic partner benefits, which also hurt him among liberals.
2. Jamie Raskin, defeated Senator Ida Ruben (D-20) in 2006
It is certainly true that Senator Ruben, who had spent over thirty years in Annapolis, self-destructed in 2006. But Jamie Raskin was ideally suited to capitalize on her problems. Smart, liberal and devoid of pretense, Raskin was able to bring together Ruben’s enemies (including supporters of banished former Delegate Dana Dembrow) with District 20’s diehard leftists to engineer a stunning coup of Ruben. Raskin had an all-star campaign team boasting David Moon, Ryan O’Donnell, Miti Figueredo, Rebecca Lord and Jonathan Shurberg and a seemingly limitless army of volunteers. He even nearly equaled the incumbent’s fundraising, collecting $227,542 vs. Ruben’s $253,202. Despite making the Apple Ballot, Ruben was blown out by 33 points - the worst performance of any MCEA-endorsed incumbent in that cycle.
1. Chris Van Hollen, defeated Senator Patricia Sher (D-18) in 1994 and Congresswoman Connie Morella in 2002
How many Maryland politicians have knocked off a State Senator, a Member of Congress and a Kennedy? Just one: Chris Van Hollen.
Van Hollen’s 2002 campaign for Congress, during which he defeated District 15 Delegate Mark Shriver in the primary and incumbent Republican Congresswoman Connie Morella in the general, is well-known throughout the county and is even the subject of a book. But he would probably have never made it to Congress if he had not already knocked off another incumbent eight years before. Van Hollen was first elected to the House of Delegates from District 18 in 1990. Four years later, he ran against Senator Patricia Sher, a freshman in the upper chamber who had spent three terms in the House.
Spy: This is one of the most interesting races. Van Hollen was a Sher protegé - she picked him from a crowded field of aspirants to run on her “pro-choice” slate when she challenged longtime incumbent Margaret “Peg” Schweinhaut for the District 18 Senate seat in 1990. But then the young, ambitious Van Hollen bit the hand that fed him and took advantage of District 18’s history of volatility to take out his patron.
Spy: This was a combination of the self-destructing incumbent (see Ruben vs. Raskin, 2006) running into the ambitious, smart, hard-working young challenger.
Spy: Chris out-organized Patty and was already coasting to a big victory. She then shot herself in the foot in a Wash Post interview. Chris won huge and brought in newcomer Sharon Grosfeld on his coattails.
Spy: My most distinct memory of the campaign was this: Chris was already leading in the perception of those following the race (I don’t know if there were any polls), when Patti shot herself in the foot, head, and all parts of her body. During an interview with a TV station, she said in effect that “all the blacks in Annapolis are corrupt and on the take.” Whoa! Patti was not racist, but that stupid statement clinched it for Chris. She doubled her error by claiming she thought the conversation was off the record. Oy!
Spy: Sher did her best to vote pro-business and annoy EVERY municipal official in her district. Also, there was her racist comment at the end of the campaign. Chris just pointed all this out. Also, Chris smartly (does he ever make mistakes?) chose NOT to build a slate against the incumbent delegates (thereby assuring that they would not campaign).
The end result of all of the above was an incredible 50-point blowout for the then-35-year-old Delegate over the Annapolis veteran. Van Hollen’s ability to combine ground game, message, discipline and organization makes him both an outstanding candidate and a great adviser to other candidates, as national Democrats were pleased to find out in 2008. Maryland’s incumbent U.S. Senators better hope that he never runs against them.
So what are the lessons for incumbents from this series? First, if you are not lazy, perform your job decently and lack lots of enemies, you will very likely be re-elected. As one of our informants says, “Basically, if you are an incumbent, and you knock on doors, don’t offend anyone, vote the wrong way or pick your nose (in public) you win.” But as we have seen above, every election cycle generates at least one great challenger. Say a prayer every night that he or she is not living in your district!
Thursday, September 09, 2010
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
District 15 Leadership Team Lit Piece
This piece promotes the District 15 Leadership Team, which includes Senator Rob Garagiola, Delegates Brian Feldman and Kathleen Dumais and Delegate candidate Aruna Miller. This is the third slate to do joint literature after Districts 16 and 18.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Garagiola Sets Up Phone Bank for Forehand
The following is a transcript of a message left on an answering machine in District 17 last week.Hi, my name is Andrew, and I’m with the Jennie Forehand for Senate campaign, with Delegates Barve, Gilchrist and Simmons. We’ll be in your neighborhood this week, so please be on the watch for us. We hope we can count on your support for the upcoming primary election on September 14th. If you have any questions or comments, please visit our website at www.jennieforehand.com. Thanks and have a nice day.
The caller ID for this message was "Friends of Rob Ga 13012179054." That is the phone number of Senator Rob Garagiola's campaign.
Garagiola is the Deputy Majority Leader and the Chairman of the Senate Democratic Caucus. In the latter role, his job is to protect and expand the Democratic presence in the Senate. Since he has no opponent and has oodles of money, it is no surprise that he would devote his considerable energy to help Democratic incumbents like Forehand as well as to seize or retain open seats and knock off a few vulnerable Republicans.
This is the first tangible sign of on-the-ground help for Forehand from the leadership in Annapolis.
Tuesday, July 06, 2010
Aruna Miller Joins District 15 Team
The District 15 state legislators - Senator Rob Garagiola and Delegates Brian Feldman and Kathleen Dumais - have announced their inclusion of open seat Delegate candidate Aruna Miller on their team. Two other Democrats have filed for Delegate: businessman David Fraser-Hidalgo and Montgomery County NOW President Lara Wibeto. But we believe Miller's support from the incumbents plus her presence on the Apple Ballot gives her the edge. Following is the District 15 team's press release.
Press Release
For Immediate Release
Matthew Bohle
June 29, 2010 District 15 Democratic Team
Mmb088@gmail.com
Aruna Miller Joins the District 15 Democratic Team!
Senator Garagiola and Delegates Feldman and Dumais To Campaign with Delegate Candidate Miller
Rockville, Maryland – The District 15 Democratic Team is pleased to announce the formation of the 2010 District 15 Democratic Slate. Seeking reelection in 2010 are Senator Rob Garagiola, Delegate Kathleen Dumais and Delegate Brian Feldman. While the District 15 Team is going to miss Delegate Craig Rice as he makes his run for County Council District 2, the Team is enthusiastic about the addition of Aruna Miller as a candidate for the Maryland House of Delegates.
Aruna has been a community activist who has recently been endorsed by the Montgomery County Education Association and the Montgomery County National Organization for Women.
Miller is a transportation engineer who has over 20 years of experience promoting and implementing safe multi-modal access that is convenient for all users— pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit riders of all ages and abilities.
As a Democrat, she has worked on fund raising efforts for presidential candidates and was a precinct official. In December 2006, Aruna successfully ran as an At-Large member of the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee. As a member of the Central Committee, she helped initiate New Voter Education to motivate and mobilize young people to take advantage of their right to vote. She Chairs Serving Our Communities (SOC) an initiative to strengthen our communities with volunteers that promote core Democratic values such as healthcare for all, education, and to protect and improve the environment, cultivate leadership and philanthropy, and foster respect for all. To date the SOC has volunteered their talents to Women Who Care, The Tree House, S.H.A.R.E [Self Help and Resource Exchange], Montgomery County Homeless Coalition, Friends of Sligo Creek.
Aruna serves on the Board of Directors for the Montgomery County Public Schools Educational Foundation, Inc. (MCPS EF). The MCPS EF provides scholarships for MCPS students, academic-enriching opportunities for students/staff through grants. Since its inception, the MCPS EF has awarded over 1 million dollars in scholarships in addition to over $900,000 in grants.
Here is what the Team had to say about Aruna:
“Aruna Miller will make a great Delegate. I have witnessed her involvement in the community for several years. She is a hard worker, does her homework, and looks for commonsense solutions for the issues we face. As a Delegate, Aruna will be able to make a positive impact for District 15 and Montgomery immediately.” – Senator Rob Garagiola
“As Chair of the Montgomery County House Delegation, it is critical that our County send strong legislators to Annapolis who are smart, substantive and pragmatic. Aruna has all of those qualities.” – Delegate Brian Feldman
“Aruna is the perfect addition to our team. Her consistent dedication and commitment to public service is clearly evident. The breath of her experience will be an asset to our team and the citizens of Montgomery County.” -Delegate Kathleen Dumais
And District 15 Democratic Caucus Chair Daphne Bloomberg shared this about Aruna:
“In 2006, District 15 Democrats elected Aruna Miller to represent us on the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee. As our representative she understands the needs of our District and has a proven track record of working on behalf of our residents."
The District 15 Democratic Team will campaign together, go door-to-door, phone bank, and do other campaigning throughout the summer and fall. The District 15 Democratic Team is looking forward to the opportunity to head back to Annapolis, so they can continue to move Maryland forward.
# # #
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Garagiola Proposes Commission on Transportation Funding
Senator Rob Garagiola (D-15) is reviving a good idea that did not make it through the General Assembly last year: a commission to examine transportation revenues. Yes, we know that commissions by themselves do not fix problems. But transportation funding is a BIG problem with a solution that many politicians just don't want to talk about: new revenues. Last year, the State of Oregon passed a $300 million per year transportation funding bill after its Governor crusaded for it on the basis of job creation and a commission built widespread support for it. Garagiola's bill, which has many Republican co-sponsors, is a step towards getting serious about transportation.
We reprint Garagiola's press release below.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Monday, November 02, 2009
State Legislators Urge Council to Back Rail CCT, Question ACT All-Transit Option
A letter organized by Senator Rob Garagiola (D-15) and signed by seven other state legislators representing areas along the CCT's alignment urges the County Council to support rail for the project and expresses skepticism about Action Committee for Transit's (ACT) all-transit option for the corridor.
The County Council will soon make a recommendation to MDOT about its preferred option for the I-270 widening project as well as the CCT. In July, the council's Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy and Environment (T&E) Committee recommended adding express toll lanes to I-270 and using bus rapid transit (BRT) for the CCT. But the committee said it might change its mind about the CCT if higher density numbers from the pending Gaithersburg West Master Plan made rail feasible. That same month, a group of state legislators wrote MDOT in support of adding toll lanes as well as a light rail CCT. But ACT opposes widening I-270 and proposed an all-transit plan for the corridor instead. Another group of state legislators wrote MDOT to urge them to study the all-transit plan. Five legislators inexplicably signed both letters - one favoring extra lanes and the other opposing them.
Now MDOT has complicated the matter by insisting that ACT's all-transit option would delay the CCT for years because it would re-start the planning process for the corridor. That did not sit well with Senator Garagiola and seven of his colleagues, all of whom represent the area in which the CCT would be built and support light rail for the project. In the letter below, they urge the County Council to back a light rail CCT and they criticize ACT's proposal because - according to MDOT - it would delay the CCT "well over a decade."
Interestingly, two Delegates - Kathleen Dumais (D-15) and Jim Gilchrist (D-17) - signed all three letters. Those letters, respectively, called for widening I-270, studying ACT's all-transit plan and rejecting ACT's all-transit plan (below). Delegate Luiz Simmons (D-17) signed the latter two letters.
We reprint the newest letter below.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Montgomery County’s Most Influential People, Part Two
Our respondents collectively nominated 53 elected officials as the most influential leaders in Montgomery County. We present the leaders starting today, along with some commentary from myself and our spies, in reverse order of their number of votes.
15 (tie). Kumar Barve, House Majority Leader (D-17)
13 Votes
Reader: The Speaker’s point person on any number of issues, he is well liked in Annapolis and knows how to use the weight of the powerful Majority Leader position.
Reader: Universally liked, and that means something. I would bet there’s not an influential person on your list that hits ignore when he calls their cell phone.
Adam: Funny, charming, smart Bad Boy. Earns extra points for marrying way out of his league. Would be a wildly entertaining Speaker of the House if he could get there.
15 (tie). Karen Britto, Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee Chairwoman
13 Votes
Reader: She runs the Democratic Party with a tight fist and is working hard to see that all of the now-incumbents she selected for the legislature are re-elected in 2010.
Reader: Runs a tight ship that has helped keep the County Dems so popular.
Reader: She knows everything about every district and every precinct, and works day and night for the party and its electeds.
Reader: Puppet master, and I mean that in a good way. She understands what this county will look like in a few years and is making sure that the Democratic Party reflects that.
Reader: Our MCDCC head should be nicknamed the “hidden hand.” While your average voter likely knows little about her, Karen Britto works hard to try and keep the peace in the Democratic Party and has also been known to tip the scale when legislative vacancies occur. More importantly, she works hard to advance a vision for the party and its interests in the region. Remember that there are zero Republicans representing Montgomery County at the County Council, State House or Congress.
Adam: A gracious, wise and exceedingly well-connected woman. Easy charm conceals tempered steel. Anyone who wants to run for office in this county must see her first.
15 (tie). Marc Elrich, Montgomery County Council Member
13 Votes
Reader: I’ve been impressed with his pragmatism, and yet I believe he doesn’t stray from his core beliefs (which I don’t always agree with but I respect his commitment to them.) I don’t think any other Council Member enjoys the office more than Marc, or who puts the time into the job as he does.
Reader: Dogmatic and rigid, yet has managed to touch a chord with those that wish for a County of yesterday – rolling hills, cul-de-sacs, and a sprinkle of people of color so we can feel good about calling ourselves “liberals.”
Reader: Drops in influence now that he lacks a majority on the council and has to hustle for re-election. He should be fine, but doesn’t have a lot of money or bills to point to after four years.
Reader: A real opinion leader. First, you think he’s crazy. Next, you turn around and tell everyone about his ideas. Finally, you begin thinking they’re yours.
Adam: Show me a local politician with a more visionary idea than Elrich’s county-wide BRT system. No, I didn’t think you could.
13 (tie). Donna Edwards, U.S. House of Representatives
14 Votes
Reader: Now an icon of the netroots and the national progressive movement, Edwards has a lot of influence to wield. Some are disappointed in her performance so far, but the fact remains that for candidates for office in CD4, her endorsement will mean a hell of a lot.
Reader: Politico ranked her as one of the top incoming Congresswomen, and her super-liberal stances on every issue both reflect the liberal stances of CD-4 and her national donor network, but she has a lousy, unresponsive staff and her best skill seems to be burning bridges. She’s trying to play locally in Prince George’s to build a local base, but not in Montgomery. Most of the elected officials and activists who supported her in 2008 are dissatisfied, and she has a big problem with the local and national Jewish community. Apparently Van Hollen and Sheila Hixson got angry because they started receiving constituent calls because Donna’s office wouldn’t return them. Her poll numbers among black men are abysmal, and if Glenn Ivey runs and AIPAC raises money for him, along with a Herman Taylor challenge picking off a few votes in MoCo, she might not lose, but she’ll certainly have a fight.
Reader: At the Obama event at the University of Maryland campus when Obama introduced the top elected leaders from Maryland present at the rally, Donna Edwards was received like a rock star among the students. It was really remarkable considering she has only been in office for a year and a half. She appeals to young voters and is obviously really popular among young people. She is a relentless fighter on all the issues that matter to progressive democrats. She works hard, does her homework and is a relentless campaigner. I think that she has a brilliant future in Congress or whatever she chooses to do in the future. It is interesting to note that she is the first African American woman ever elected to congress from the state of Maryland. African American women vote in huge numbers in Democratic primaries in Maryland and in many other states. This fact alone could make her a contender in a statewide run for governor or the US Senate. There is nobody out there that can beat her in a debate. She has to make sure to listen to people who are telling her to beef up her staff which many perceive as weak.
Reader: Everyone knows her staff is her biggest problem, and her constituent services aren’t winning her any points, and she needs to be more thoughtful in how she speaks on Israel-Palestine issues, but overall Donna Edwards has shown herself to be a true progressive, bold, and highly intelligent in her approach to her job. Progressives in Montgomery County will stick with her, especially labor and the LGBT community, because despite her flaws, she’s everything we never got from Al Wynn.
Reader: Giant killer. If she can turn back prospective challengers from MoCo and PG next year, she has a bright future statewide.
Adam: Still a progressive hero despite the faults of her staff and her occasionally testy nature. Chews up opponents and spits out the broken bones.
13 (tie). Mike Knapp, Montgomery County Council Member
14 Votes
Reader: Being chair of the Planning, Housing and Economic Development Committee, he controls land use issues in MoCo.
Reader: Has respect of labor and business. Solid. Leader. Doesn’t knee-jerk like most politicians.
Adam: A decent, genial Upstate New Yorker who has never let his political success go to his head.
12. Rob Garagiola, Senator (D-15)
15 Votes
Reader: He has the ear of the Senate President, which can have a huge impact.
Reader: A rising star in the State Senate, he is Montgomery’s representative on the powerful Senate Finance Committee and has the ear of the current Senate President, Mike Miller, and the possible future President, Mac Middleton.
Reader: Politically, I think he’s way too conservative, but is a solid State Senator and is the county’s counterpoint to Jamie Raskin. In looking at people to fill Van Hollen’s seat, Garagiola is among the top contenders, especially for moderate Democratic voters.
Reader: Bright and decent man with a conservative bent – thinks it serves his district well – some wonder – in comparison to Raskin – very different agendas.
Reader: Paying his dues with Mike Miller while earning creds with workforce legislation.
Reader: Tough, courageous and smart. Willing to take risks and violate liberal orthodoxy. Another possible Senate President.
Adam: I know all you spies like to gossip about Garagiola’s relationship with Big Daddy. But it’s time that we respect him for his intelligence, his ability to work the levers of Annapolis and his aptitude for learning policy and politics quickly. He is a legitimate contender to be Senate President someday.
11. Peter Franchot, Maryland Comptroller
16 Votes
Reader: Doesn’t get much respect, doesn’t give much respect. But don’t underestimate the guy. No one out-hustles Franchot.
Reader: It is remarkable how someone holding statewide elected office could have so few friends and so many detractors. The ultimate self promoter in Maryland politics. He is on this list solely by virtue of the vast authority conferred upon his office.
Reader: The State Comptroller may rub some people the wrong way, but he knows how to garner ink and is one of three votes on the Board of Public Works. His position is powerful in the State as compared to Comptroller jobs in other States.
Reader: Outspoken. Love him or hate him – he’s still underrated. He was right on slots and has an agenda. Two terms as Comptroller a guarantee and will be a challenge for Gansler to hold MoCo votes in the Governor primary in 2014.
Reader: Now that he’s cooled his jets he can refashion himself. But for a Comptroller he casts a big shadow, he knows how to use media and isn’t averse to switching gears.
Reader: In contrast to some of our more conciliatory County politicians, Comptroller Peter Franchot has been willing to ruffle feathers. Where others see challenging Governor O'Malley and Mike Miller as heresy, Franchot has stepped into the ring and usually on the progressive side of the equation. Unfortunately, though many of our politicians act like lemmings, Franchot almost always finds himself alone in his crusades. One would think this would be a sign of his lack of influence, but in fact, somehow it has all worked out and Franchot looks headed for safe reelection.
Adam: Here’s Franchot’s dilemma. When he’s noisy, he gains visibility but infuriates other politicians with whom he needs to have relationships to get anything done (assuming he’s interested). But when he quiets down, he loses influence. Franchot can still make a splash in the media but because he is not at all a team player – and never will be – his ability to move any policy issues is limited.
10. Jamie Raskin, Senator (D-20)
22 Votes
Reader: Jamie Raskin has proven that outspoken liberal does not have to mean ineffective. He’s peripatetic but still gets a lot done.
Reader: Our legislatures are filled with lawyers, too many of whom give that noble profession a bad name. Jamie Raskin, on the other hand, is exactly the kind of lawyer I want in my legislature: smart, principled, liberal, and academic. Officials and activists in Annapolis turn to him because of the knowledge and skills he brings to the table as a constitutional lawyer, qualities that make him unique in the Montgomery County state legislative delegation.
Reader: From freshman Senator to instant leader! It is as if Jamie has been in Annapolis for ever! Or he is just one smart politician. Either case, none of the other freshman from 2006 have had the impact he’s had. People from other counties who could care less for Montgomery County know his name. That’s got to be influence baby!
Reader: Since he beat Ida in 2006, his base has only kept growing. He’s a progressive star in the state, and will move up to higher office soon – he’s a favorite for Maryland AG once Gansler vacates for governor in 2014 or Van Hollen’s seat, whichever he chooses or comes first. In a county represented by Donna Edwards and Chris Van Hollen, Jamie could not be better positioned to run for higher office. He’s particularly influential now, as many potential and declared 2010 challengers look to him for advice.
Reader: Has emerged as a leader of the Progressives – some say he is too brash and will not be content to grow and become part of leadership in the traditional seniority and favor driven Senate of Mike Miller. He does have good, sometimes quirky ideas, but he is shaking up the formerly sleepy District 20.
Reader: Well loved by progressives, managed to be effective in Annapolis without being marginalized which is no small feat given how outspoken he is. But he has humor and great integrity.
Reader: No other Montgomery County politician can claim the legions of diehard groundtroops that Jamie Raskin has mobilized since first taking office in 2006. He is a true movement progressive, as evidenced by his inspiring speeches, involvement at the national level, and the true grassroots organizing he engages in with his supporters. The rumors are persistent that Raskin is planning a 2014 run for Attorney General, a position he should be a natural for, given his background as a Constitutional law professor, but he is also often mentioned as a successor to Rep. Chris Van Hollen.
Adam: Raskin is becoming an icon who is embraced by all the feuding camps of people who call themselves progressives.
8 (tie). Phil Andrews, Montgomery County Council President
24 Votes
Reader: Continues to set the standard for graciousness and how elected officials should conduct themselves.
Reader: You always know where he is on issues. He will not play games, even when one does not agree with his positions. He is to be respected for standing his ground.
Reader: He was at least a year ahead of his colleagues in understanding what was coming with the county budget, and he got a bunch of crap for it.
Reader: As his year as Council President comes to an end, Andrews made sure that issues affecting his district - the controversial I-270 widening and even more controversial Gaithersburg West Master Plan - are in the spotlight, framing the conversation of how Montgomery County will grow in the future. Like Adam wrote before, he is the person to watch in the I-270 debate.
Reader: Any higher aspirations that Andrews has will be stymied by his having pissed off so many core democratic constituencies during his time on the council.
Reader: For all of my disagreements with Phil Andrews, it is hard to say that he is not providing a steady and measured hand as Council President. It just proves that you can take strong positions on issues, tangle with those who disagree with you, and still get along with others at the end of the day. Andrews’ colleagues and especially those that wish to succeed him as Council President would be wise to take notes.
Adam: A budget-cutting President in a budget-cutting year. Andrews was a lone ranger on fiscal issues three years ago but now many of his views are dominant. He is also a decent, competent and civil public servant in a county that could use more of them.
8 (tie). Doug Gansler, Maryland Attorney General
24 Votes
Reader: By his own standards, he has been low key. But the Office of Attorney General in Maryland routinely makes legal decisions that impact the lives of every Marylander.
Reader: The antics of Peter Franchot aside, if he wants it, I think Gansler's the next Governor. Both reasonable and effective.
Reader: Doug Gansler has positioned himself well to be Maryland’s first governor from Montgomery in awhile. Accomplished good things and gained a reputation as a workhorse, not a show horse, especially in comparison with Peter Franchot but also in comparison to his rep as State’s Attorney.
Reader: His race for governor begins in November of 2010. He manages to show up to everything in the county while still being an active presence everywhere else in the state.
Reader: Not mixing it up in local or state circles right now, but almost certain to be the next Governor.
Reader: I suspect that Doug Gansler has been preparing a run for governor since at least 1987. Since becoming Attorney General, Doug Gansler has set himself up nicely for when he decides to run for the Democratic Party nomination. For instance, his vocal support for marriage equality legislation in early 2008 provided a strong contrast to Governor O'Malley’s deeply offensive reaction to the state high court's anti-equality decision a few months earlier. I suspect there are a lot of Montgomery County Democrats who are looking forward to volunteering for a Gansler For Governor campain in 2014 - and wish he were running instead of O'Malley in 2010.
Reader: Montgomery County’s strongest statewide office holder. Unlike Franchot, he understands how to accomplish things in Annapolis. He also hasn’t made any enemies, but he isn’t actually too influential on the lives of Montgomery County residents. He’s a strong candidate for Governor in 2014, but he’s not too progressive, and while he has an early money lead, who knows what will happen in 2014.
Reader: Mr. Gansler is a fundraising machine and has name recognition throughout the state. Let's hope he doesn't disappoint progressives, who are waiting with baited breath to see if he will do the right thing and issue the opinion that, according to longstanding legal precedent, Maryland must honor marriages between same-sex couples legalized in other states.
Reader: Doug Gansler has taken a strong stand in the past on marriage equality, and is about to issue a ruling on marriage equality that will have a direct effect upon my life. While that might not make everyone’s list of “Most Influential,” to me, few things matter more than an official who takes seriously the concept of equal protection under the law.
Reader: Not much impact directly on Montgomery County, but clearly a force to reckoned with at the State. He’s avoided letting his ambition push him into attention getting behavior. I think he’s better behaved than he was as the County Attorney.
Reader: Our Attorney General seems to have many enemies and haters but somehow continues steamrolling up the political ladder. The “silent majority” would be a term best used to describe Gansler voters, because I can’t seem to locate anyone who is willing to admit they actually voted for him. To his credit, he has raised ungodly amounts of money and at this point in time is entering the 2014 gubernatorial contest from a much stronger position than any of his potential rivals. Unless something changes, I predict we will be bowing down to Governor Gansler in a few short years.
Adam: Goes everywhere and raises money for everybody. Clearly running for Governor once O’Malley leaves and is, right now, the heavy favorite to win.
7. Brian Feldman, Delegate (D-15)
29 Votes
Reader: House Chair of Montgomery County Delegation. Going places.
Reader: House Delegation Chair, finishing his second term in the House. Helps give the whole delegation credibility with his demeanor and talent.
Reader: Strong job as Chair with no competitors.
Reader: As head of the Delegation, he can help unite the state delegation to pass (or stop) priority legislation for the state. Smart and respected as well.
Reader: Cool, calm and collected. A measured and serious legislator.
Reader: Does a good job as Montgomery County Delegation House Chair. Is seen by others in Annapolis as a calm, reasonable representative for Montgomery County issues.
Reader: As head of the County Delegation – holds a lot of power in setting the Legislative Agenda – since he is among the more cautious members of the Delegation – wonder when he is going to step up with a more progressive agenda.
Reader: He is Chair of the Delegation for a reason. He is confident and smart and understands the politics of everything very well. He plays the game well in MoCo and in Annapolis where he is well respected.
Reader: Mover and shaker in Annapolis who knows how to get things done.
Reader: I’ve gotten to like him a lot better. He’s quietly effective and has a lot going on in his head that you don’t see. He’s good with his colleagues, he’s respected and thoughtful.
Adam: Grows in stature every year.
Come back tomorrow for the Super Six!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
District 15 Delegation Gives Up Eight Days of Pay (Updated)
In solidarity with furloughed state employees, District 15 Senator Rob Garagiola and Delegates Brian Feldman, Kathleen Dumais and Craig Rice are surrendering eight days of pay. That is close to the compensation lost by the highest paid state workers, who will be furloughed for ten days. Will any other delegation match them? Following is their press release.
Update: Delegate Kirill Reznik states in our comment section that the District 39 Delegation is also giving up eight days of pay.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Rob Garagiola on Bill Frick’s Credit Card Bill
Senator Rob Garagiola (D-15), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, sent us this statement on Delegate Bill Frick’s (D-16) credit card bill.
*****
First, the bill would have covered every conceivable contract beyond just credit cards. We heard from many industries who said that they would be affected under the bill as passed by the House and expressed concerns about unintended consequences. Delegate Frick said that was not his intent so he went back to the drawing board and had some suggested amendments drafted to his bill. He presented them before a work group (a handful of Senate Finance members), which included me. However, the amendments would have brought in all regulations of the Federal Trade Commission, Federal Reserve, and I am not sure which other federal agencies, since the beginning of time - and did it by reference to a federal statutory provision - rather than by saying specifically which federal regulations we wanted the State Attorney General’s office to enforce.
His bill as it came before us, and the suggested amendments that he presented, were both overly broad beyond what he was trying to accomplish. He essentially acknowledged that his original language was overly broad by trying to remedy it with an amendment. Unfortunately, his amendment was also overly broad and we were not presented answers to questions about what federal regulations we would actually bring under the enforcement of the State Attorney General if we passed the bill with his amendments. He could not answer what regulations he was essentially bringing under Maryland law via simple statutory reference.
Delegate Frick stated that he was aware that the Federal Reserve considered thousands of pages of comments on their proposed regulations on credit cards (the same issue Delegate Frick sought to address with his bill) prior to the Federal Reserve deciding to make such regulations final. The federal regulations on credit cards will be effective on July 1, 2010. Was there reasoning for such delay? Did the Federal Reserve consider all sides when deciding upon an effective date? One has to assume that the Federal Reserve saw a problem, studied it, promulgated proposed regulations, took in thousands of pages of comments, and issued final regulations because they wanted to do something to protect consumers. I am for protecting consumers. Was there some balancing of interests in having an effective date on July 1, 2010? Are there issues with timing to get national banks to comply in a shorter time period?
Finally, there were concerns about whether state law would be preempted under the notion that the state can’t impose its laws on federally chartered banks. It is my understanding that last year, Delegate Frick had an Attorney General letter that said such state law would be preempted. It is my understanding that his bill last year only focused on credit card interest rates and not broad contract law that this year’s bill was drafted to do. This year, he said he had an Attorney General letter saying that it was not preempted, perhaps because it was more broadly drafted to affect contract law in multiple other industries (not just credit cards). Nevertheless, there were still concerns by Committee members.
Delegate Frick’s legislation, even if it wasn’t so broadly drafted to affect industries he did not intend to impact, had an effective date of October 1, 2009. So Delegate Frick wanted us to pass a bill that sought to remedy problems with credit card interest rates being changed on consumers nine months earlier in Maryland. It’s not that the overwhelming majority of members of the Senate Finance Committee are anti-consumer - in fact, we crafted model mortgage lending legislation in 2008 that the federal government used for national legislation, and I could cite other multiple examples of consumer-friendly legislation worked on by the Senate Finance Committee - it was that Delegate Frick’s bill was too broad without knowing fully what the implications of it would be. Perhaps there would have been support for legislation that said “do just the federal regulations on credit card interest rates in Maryland 9 months earlier,” however, in isolation without a broader contract impact, it may have been preempted by federal law. The Committee was not willing to pass legislation that had a broader impact or unknown impact (with his amendments).
Friday, March 27, 2009
Pass the Garagiola Task Force Bill
Traditionally, sending an issue to a commission or task force is merely a convenient way to study it to death. As MPW contributor Marc Korman has written, many state commissions issue reports that “usually just gather dust and do nothing to fight chronic inaction on intractable issues.” Senate President Mike Miller asked his chamber to refrain from creating new commissions “during these times of fiscal austerity.” In general, both are right. But there is one gigantic exception to this rule: transportation.
The General Assembly’s recent record on transportation leaves a lot to be desired. Prior to the 2007 special session, Governor O’Malley recommended indexing the gas tax to fund transportation projects. Instead, the legislature increased the titling tax from 5% to 6% and devoted a portion of the sales tax and corporate income tax increases to the Transportation Trust Fund (TTF), thereby raising a projected $400 million a year. Of that amount, $250 million was destined for system preservation and $150 million was intended for new projects. The latter figure roughly equals the cost of one interchange.
Soon enough, the new transportation revenues began to disappear. In 2008, Senator Rich Madaleno (D-18) floated a plan to cut $150 million from the annual increase as an alternative to the millionaire tax. Ultimately, the legislature chose to cut $50 million a year from transportation instead. At the same time, rising prices for construction materials steadily eroded the purchasing power of the extra revenues. By November, MDOT Secretary John Porcari said that the special session increase was only generating $265 million a year in new money – barely enough to cover extra system maintenance needs. By then, the shrinking economy had forced Porcari to cut Maryland’s six-year transportation spending plan by $1.1 billion with more cuts to come. The legislature’s reaction was to cut transportation aid to the counties, a move that would have pleased former Governor (and TTF raider) Bob Ehrlich. The situation has become so dire that the Montgomery County Council has decided to use county money to jumpstart state projects.
No state politician I talk to is satisfied with the current condition of transportation funding. Many admit privately that the state will have great difficulty in meeting its obligations for any of its three transit projects as well as the challenges of dealing with BRAC. But the vast majority of state politicians simply will not tolerate any tax increases for transportation. Delegate Bill Bronrott (D-16), whose constituents are about to be swamped by traffic from the Walter Reed BRAC expansion, introduced a bill to index gas taxes (as the Governor originally proposed). It attracted no co-sponsors and has not moved out of committee. Senator Madaleno’s bill increasing the gas tax by 5 cents has also attracted no co-sponsors and has not moved. The same fate has befallen Delegate Charles Barkley’s (D-39) bill raising the gas tax by 10 cents. Delegate Sheila Hixson’s (D-20) bill raising the gas tax by 5 cents drew two co-sponsors (District 16 Delegate Bill Frick and District 11 Delegate Jon Cardin) but has not moved in Ways and Means despite the fact that Hixson chairs the committee. And a Republican bill to suspend gas taxes for new vehicles has attracted more sponsors (five) than any of the increase bills.
Since the special session, the state’s political leadership has demonstrated no will, no strategy and no interest in meeting the transportation needs of its citizens. The reason for this is that while state politicians have correctly diagnosed voter resistance to new taxes, they do not perceive overwhelming support for new transportation spending. But that is a miscalculation. The business community has called for new transportation revenues over and over and over again. Building trades unions and contractor associations would celebrate the opportunity to go to work. Groups like Action Committee for Transit and Purple Line Now would embrace any opportunity to steer money to transit. And many ordinary voters are fed up with traffic congestion, a problem beyond the ability of county governments to fix by themselves. By bringing in stakeholders like these, the state can build political support and formulate a strategy for moving new projects forward.
And that is exactly what Senator Rob Garagiola (D-15) proposes to accomplish with his bill calling for the creation of a transportation infrastructure funding task force. The task force will be comprised of 15 individuals, including four state legislators, four Cabinet secretaries, a representative from WMATA and 6 individuals from the private sector who will examine revenues, public/private partnerships, economic development and infrastructure maintenance. Oregon started its new push on transportation with a similar task force. Their report has formed the basis for a strategic approach to dealing with the state’s problems that is now working its way through the legislature. There is no reason why Maryland cannot do the same.
Finally, there are significant political benefits for state leadership in creating the Garagiola Task Force. The measure will please business, labor and transportation advocates. Because the final report is not due until January 2011, it gives state politicians a way to park the issue until after the next election. Transportation stakeholders will provide lots of political cover for any solution based on the task force’s report. And all of this can be bought for a paltry cost of MDOT and DLS staff time.
Senate President Mike Miller has called for a new commission to examine the state song. What is more worthy of consideration: the state song or state transportation?
Friday, February 20, 2009
MoCo’s Least Liberal Senator? (Updated)
Montgomery County is known for sending liberal Senators to Annapolis. But we may have found an exception to the rule.
Six Montgomery Senators are co-sponsoring a bill allowing employees to sue employers for violations of the state prevailing wage law: Jennie Forehand (D-17), Brian Frosh (D-16), Nancy King (D-39), Mike Lenett (D-19), Rich Madaleno (D-18) and Jamie Raskin (D-20).
Five Montgomery Senators are co-sponsoring a bill to repeal the death penalty: Brian Frosh (D-16), Nancy King (D-39), Mike Lenett (D-19), Rich Madaleno (D-18) and Jamie Raskin (D-20).
Five Montgomery Senators are co-sponsoring a bill that provides for marriage equality: Rich Madaleno (D-18), Jamie Raskin (D-20), Jennie Forehand (D-17), Rona Kramer (D-14) and Mike Lenett (D-19).
Four Montgomery Senators are co-sponsoring a bill denying corporations the ability to deduct executive compensation exceeding 25 times the pay of their lowest employees from their taxable income: Brian Frosh (D-20), Mike Lenett (D-19), Rich Madaleno (D-18) and Jamie Raskin (D-20).
Three Montgomery Senators are co-sponsoring a bill that authorizes judges to order people subject to temporary protective orders to give up their firearms: Brian Frosh (D-16), Jennie Forehand (D-17) and Jamie Raskin (D-20).
The one name missing from the above lists is Rob Garagiola (D-15). In addition, the Sun lists him as the only Montgomery opponent of death penalty repeal in the Senate. Rona Kramer declined to answer the question.
Update: The Gazette has more on Garagiola, Kramer and the death penalty.
Monday, February 09, 2009
Barbara Mikulski and the MoCo Dominoes
Rumors are swirling that President Obama is considering Maryland Senator Barbara Mikulski to be the next Health and Human Services Secretary. So let’s play a game, shall we? What if the President asked Senator Mikulski to take the job? And what if Governor O’Malley picked Maryland’s most formidable Congressman, Chris Van Hollen, to be the next U.S. Senator? Then who in Montgomery County would run in a special election for the District 8 seat? And who would win? Let’s find out what the spies had to say!
First of all, several informants spanked me for even bringing up the scenario. “Don’t be silly!” one of them scolded. Many sources believe that the Governor would face irresistible political pressure to create Maryland’s first African-American Senator – probably Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown or Congressman Elijah Cummings. One spy said this:As much as we might like to see Van Hollen in the seat, the racial politics of the state will be too much to bear for O'Malley. Anthony Brown is too young for the Senate seat and would only continue the tradition of creating political backlog. Elijah Cummings in the more attractive pick for all involved because of his race and age.
Others believe that Van Hollen may want to stay where he is. But our sources were willing to play the game just for fun. After all, Van Hollen’s seat will open up someday and it’s never too early to stir the pot!
Our informants collectively named the following people as most likely to run for Van Hollen’s seat if he leaves: Senator Jamie Raskin (D-20), Senator Rob Garagiola (D-15), DNC Member Susan Turnbull, Senator Rich Madaleno (D-18) and Montgomery County Council Member Phil Andrews. Garagiola lives in Congressional District 4 at the moment but that's something a real estate agent could easily fix. Many sources also speculated that Senator Brian Frosh (D-16), Delegates Saqib Ali (D-39), Heather Mizeur (D-20) and Brian Feldman (D-15) and County Council Members Nancy Floreen and Valerie Ervin might consider a race.
Our informants had no consensus on who would be most likely to win. Four spies picked Raskin, three picked Madaleno and two each picked Garagiola and Mizeur. One source makes this case for a Raskin victory:I think Raskin would be the odds on favorite to win this seat for two reasons – none of the other candidates have had to run serious races recently, so they haven't been forced to stay visible and build a current crop of activists. Plus, Raskin’s followers are Kool-Aid drinkers – ie: they really believe in him (and with good reason, I would add). People sometimes laugh at D-20’s activists, but I have to say, if you’re trying to get something done, there's no other District I’d rather represent – the constituents are progressive workhorses, and Raskin’s a real motivator. He could run a campaign that would be more impassioned than Van Hollen’s... The big question for him would be whether he sits this out, lets the bloodbath happen, and then waits for Gansler to leave the AG’s post in 2014.
Raskin supporters do need to remember an important fact listed by another of my informants: 14 of District 20’s 24 precincts are located in Congressional District 4. Only 2 of District 18’s 37 precincts and 9 of District 15’s 32 precincts are located outside Congressional District 8. That gives Madaleno and Garagiola a leg up.
Haven’t heard enough rumors? Check out these tidbits from our informants:
Spy #1:If for whatever reason Van Hollen leaves his safe, 8th district Congressional seat, Montgomery County politics will never be the same. My crystal ball says watch for two scenarios – either a realization that a battering primary (in which many current state elected and county politicians would have to give up their seats) would be bad for the County in the big picture, especially in Annapolis, and people start to get behind a consensus pick. Or the second scenario – all out political warfare that will shape county politics for a decade.
Spy #2If it winds up being a donnybrook, it may break down according to demographics and how many candidates are from the same base. So if there are 2-3 Takoma / Silver Spring people, that could open the door for upcounty or western county people, or allow Josh Rales to parachute in with all his money.
Spy #3:Say Garagiola, Raskin, and Madaleno run during a regular election (not a special election to fill the seat) and leave their Senate seats open. In D-15, Feldman likely wins that seat in a cakewalk. Heather and Tom run like hell to take Raskin’s office. District 18 is a different story. Ana Sol would give it thought, I think, but D-18 is used to having someone on B&T with a wealth of knowledge on budget issues. Also, the GLBT community would want to keep a seat in the Senate. Mizeur can fill that slot in D-20, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see some lobbying and support behind Pete Fosselman (Kensington mayor). Pete’s an ally of Governor O’Malley and the only elected Democrat in Montgomery County to have endorsed MOM’s campaign during the primaries. If it went to the Central Committee, which it likely will, Pete’s stock should rise.
Spy #4:Who would win? The one with the most money.
Well now. I think that’s enough gossip for one day, don’t you?
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Just Say No to Both
Sorry, Adam. I gotta disagree with you on this one. The computer tax is a terrible tax. However, I think the rest of the legislature must have started chuckling to themselves when Sen. Rob Garagiola proposed the surcharge on millionaires to replace it. Here's why I think Sen. Rich Madaleno is right and neither tax is a good idea.
1. You're replacing one tax which targets Montgomery County with another that does exactly the same. No wonder the rest of the legislature is willing to go along if Montgomery's delegation says yes.
2. The recession is just beginning. Unlike the federal government, Maryland cannot just endlessly borrow more money to cover expenses since it must balance its budget. Do we really want to do all the painful tax increases at once? Perhaps legislators ought to take another look at the budget or some of the other alternatives you've proposed as well.
3. Del. Tom Hucker's argument is politically appealing in the Democratic primary but doesn't make economic sense for the State. While it is hard for people to escape higher federal taxes by leaving the U.S., getting out of Maryland isn't too hard. At what point do the very wealthy start retiring even earlier to Florida or moving across the Potomac to Virginia. Just because they can afford to pay the tax doesn't mean that they are going to pay it. And I don't want to bash the very wealthy: I like having wealthy taxpayers live here--even at lower tax rates they still pay a heck of a lot which means others can pay less or we can have more services.
4. The federal tax cuts which favor the wealthy referred to by Del. Hucker are soon to end under existing federal law--the Republicans set it up that way because it is the only way they could claim that they would balance the budget over the long term. This shift becomes even more certain with Democratic majorities in Congress and if a Democratic president is elected next year.
5. Progressive or regressive is measured not at each level of government but the whole scheme of taxation. State taxes tend to be much less progressive than federal taxes precisely because the states compete for them. Moreover, you have to compare how progressive states are not just in terms of taxes but in spending. We do well here.
6. I don't buy that the governor's tax package was incredibly regressive (or necessarily regressive at all). Yes, the sales tax went up with wealthy people tend to spend more and pay more of it even if it ends up being somewhat regressive. However, the income tax change was progressive. The sin taxes are voluntary, after all.
In short, Rich is right on this one. Interestingly, both Rob and Rich deserve kudos for taking stands against their immediate political self-interest. I can't imagine that a surcharge on the wealthy gets Sen. Garagiola that many kudos in his affluent and marginal legislative district. Similarly, Rich represents a very Democratic district and doesn't gain any points in the critical Democratic primary for suggesting that there are costs to the same proposal.
Monday, March 10, 2008
What Are Our State Senators Doing?
From Marc Korman.
With approximately a month left in the state legislative session, are you wondering what Montgomery County’s Senators are working on? To save you the trouble, I have assembled a list below of each Montgomery County State Senator’s sponsored bills.
The list includes the total number of sponsored bills, how many are bond bills authorizing state debt for a particular local spending project, how many are substantive bills, a brief description of the substantive bills, and what the legislator’s major theme appears to be.
The list tries to capture the bills’ major purpose and includes a link to media where possible, but I encourage you to visit the General Assembly website for detailed information about the legislation and its status.
Sponsored legislation is not the only indicator of what our legislators are doing, but it should demonstrate what their priorities are during the 2008 session.
Rona Kramer
District 14
Total Bills Sponsored: 13
Bond Bills: 7
Substantive Bills: 6
Major Theme: Senior Citizen Protection
SB 333-Requiring collection of DNA from arrested violent crime suspects.
SB 498-Requires the creation of an “Amber Alert” type program for missing senior citizens with cognitive impairment like Alzheimer’s.
SB 499-Establishes a task force to study off shore wind farms.
SB 500-Criminalizes obtaining the property of a senior by deception, intimidation, or undue influence.
SB 501-Criminalizes offenses against a senior with a disability.
SB 597-Exempts domestic partners from paying recordation taxes when transferring property between them.
Rob Garagiola
District 15
Total Bills Sponsored: 19
Bond Bills: 5
Substantive Bills: 19
Major Theme: Energy
SB 294-Expands the definition of law enforcement official for crimes committed against law enforcement officials.
SB 342-Mandates that 50% of the state’s flexible fuel fleet run exclusively on E85 (ethanol and gasoline mix) by 2012.
SB 343-Mandates that 50% of the diesel vehicles in the state’s fleet use a diesel blend that is at least 10% biodiesel.
SB 344-Allows flexible use of leave with pay to care for sick, immediate family members.
SB 473-Requires parental consent forms before schools can administer a Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey.
SB 474-Exempts county and municipality biodiesel vehicles from the state motor fuel tax.
SB 565-Provides a state income tax credit for the purchase of home heating oil with biodisesal.
SB 566-Provides visitation and other medical rights to domestic partners.
SB 567-Repeals the computer sales tax and increases the state gas tax from 23.5 to 27.5 cents a gallon.
SB 570-Alters the state program for automated external defibrillators.
SB 608-Extends the ‘Veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts’ scholarship program.
SB 677-Reforms the state’s nursing facilities program including developing a plan for pay-for-performance.
SB 884-Allows certain uses of alternative medical treatments.
SB 991-Requires consideration of energy alternatives before electric companies can enter into long term contracts.
Brian Frosh
District 16
Total Bills Sponsored: 17
Bond Bills: 3
Substantive Bills: 14
Major Theme: Judiciary Bills
SB 42-Allows judge’s to require persons subject to temporary protective orders to surrender their firearms.
SB 103-Alters Maryland’s procedures for depositions and discovery in legal cases.
SB 245-Business subsidiaries or businesses with substantial overlapping ownership are subject to the campaign finance limits of one business.
SB 246-Requiring a phase out of phosphate content in fertilizer.
SB 293-A constitutional amendment authorizing some counties and the City of Baltimore to request additional qualifications for orphan court judges.
SB 389-Limits trustee commissions and attorney’s fees on foreclosure actions.
SB 441-Makes changes to the offender registry as it relates to juvenile offenders.
SB 442-Increases the fees for clean air permits.
SB 443-Sets requirements for subpoenaing mental health records.
SB 492-Allows the Maryland Transportation Authority to designate vehicular crossings for bikes and pedestrians.
SB 493-Alters the requirements for lawyers paying taxes and unemployment insurance.
SB 610-Requires license suspension for children who violate alcohol prohibitions.
SB 654-Requires public utilities to do more to protect and preserve trees.
SB 771-Makes technical changes to laws governing personal representatives and fiduciaries.
Jennie Forehand
District 17
Total Bills Sponsored: 25
Bond Bills: 3
Substantive Bills: 22
Major Theme: Domestic Violence
SB 28-Creates a task force to study All Terrain Vehicle Safety
SB 46-Repeals the computer services sales tax.
SB 232-Increases the alcohol tax by $3.00/gallon of distilled spirits, $.80/gallon of wine, $.45/gallon of beer.
SB 392-Authorizes judges to use law enforcement to return a minor child to a custodial parent if a protective order has been issued.
SB 393-Makes protective orders permanent if the party subject to the order is convicted and sentenced.
SB 394-Makes it a misdemeanor for a suspect to violate an order of “no contact” with the alleged victim.
SB 412-Establishes a task force for automotive warranty enforcement.
SB 546-Requires the Governor to declare June 20th as Maryland Charter Day, the day the British granted the initial charter for the Maryland colony.
SB 575-Requiring collection of DNA from arrested violent crime suspects.
SB 576-Prohibits the state from implementing the federal REAL ID Act involving uniform identification.
SB 577-Providing further protections and services for animals assisting the disabled.
SB 578-Allows the use of state collected statistical medical information for research purposes.
SB 579-Creates an immunity from liability for the use of automated external defibrillators.
SB 700-Authorizes the use of GPS electronic monitoring of domestic violence offenders.
SB 789-Strengthens the requirements that any child under eight years old be secured in a car seat.
SB 790-Requires the titling of off-highway recreational vehicles.
SB 791-Authorizes municipal corporations to impose building excise taxes.
SB 917-Authorizes arrests for violating health quarantines.
SB 918-Makes long term care insurance subject to genetic non-discrimination requirements.
SB 942-Makes changes to the “Master Settlement Agreement,” the 1990s tobacco company settlement with states.
SB 943-Regulates the relationship between auto manufacturers and distributors and dealers.
SB 972-Allows for government seizure of instruments used in support of identity theft.
Rich Madaleno
District 18
Total Bills Sponsored: 22
Bond Bills: 4
Substantive Bills: 18
Major Theme: Budget and Tax Issues.
SB 290-Legalizes gay marriage.
SB 423-Requires increased campaign finance disclosure for committees supporting or opposing the slots referendum.
SB 424-Establishes a task force to study the notary commission process.
SB 475-Establishes a commission to study the impact of immigration in Maryland.
SB 476-Provides for information sharing between health insurance companies and the state Department of Budget and Management.
SB 477-Establishes May as “Dandy-Walker Syndrome and Hydrocephalus Awareness Month.”
SB 478-Makes technical changes to the state property tax law
SB 559-Applies the state recordation tax to different types of mortgages.
SB 560-Allows state employee health insurance to be extended to other members of a family.
SB 561-Authorizes counties to impose different levels of property tax on different classes of property.
SB 562-Increases the alcohol tax to pay for addiction treatment and prevention services.
SB 690-Requires “Limited Service Pregnancy Centers” to disclose that they are not medical centers.
SB 691-Establishes a task force to study the budget needs and expenditures of state programs.
SB 692-Makes technical changes to line items presented in the state budget.
SB 693-Requires some state legislative vacancies to be filled by special election.
SB 728-Allows non-State employees to contribute to tax-deferred retirement plan accounts under the state retirement program.
SB 885-Consoldiates existing Maryland energy and conservation programs as the Jane E. Lawton Conservation Loan Program.
SB 976-Prohibits transgender discrimination.
Mike Lenett
District 19
Total Bills Sponsored: 16
Bond Bills: 0
Substantive Bills: 16
Major Theme: End of Life Care
SB 2-Prohibits text messaging while driving.
SB 45-Alters the membership of the State Advisory Council on Quality Care at the End of Life.
SB 289-Increases the tax deduction for seniors.
SB 315-Expands the tax benefit for members of the military.
SB 355-Requires disclosure by medical facilities of their practices involving life sustaining care.
SB 612-Sets state procurement preference programs to include businesses owned by disabled individuals.
SB 709-Authorizes optometrists to prescribe and dispense contact lenses.
SB 710-Extends by six months the date a ban on phosphate in dish washing detergent begins.
SB 711-Prohibits the advertising of live musical performances without appropriate copyright disclosure.
SB 785-Prohibits smoking in vehicles with minor passengers.
SB 792-Alters the Maryland Building Performance standards for residential homes.
SB 845-Establishes a state false claims act to punish contractor fraud.
SB 851-Limits the issuance of fire arm dealer licenses to ensure that someone prohibited from holding one is in no way involved in a new license application.
SB 857-Allows other state’s licensed health practitioners to volunteer in Maryland during an emergency.
SB 888-Establishes a biotechnology scholarship program.
SB 995-Authorizes increased disclosure to improve minority owned business participation in state procurement.
Jamie Raskin
District 20
Total Bills Sponsored: 19
Bond Bills: 5
Substantive Bills: 14
Theme: Legal Issues
SB 92-Authorizes those under 18 to vote in primaries if they will be 18 by the general election.
SB 158-Establishes a farm to school program to bring local farm products into local schools.
SB 336-Establishes a task force to study required deposits on returnable beverage containers.
SB 337-Altering the definition of legal newspapers.
SB 515-Requires the Public Services Commission to collect increase data on the deployment of broadband services from broadband providers.
SB 516-Providing a procedure to end a father’s parental rights if he rapes his child.
SB 528-Makes changes to the Maryland Human Relations Commission in cases involving employment discrimination cases.
SB 529-Allows defendants to remove state constitutional claims to the Anne Arundel Circuit Court.
SB 563-Extends the length of time back pay can be recovered in unlawful employment practice cases.
SB 614-Establishes the Maryland Commission on Capital Punishment.
SB 615-Extends stalking laws to protect animals.
SB 616-Authorizes direct wine selling, removing wholesalers from wine sales.
SB 617-Extends collective bargaining rights to adjunct faculty and graduate students at the University of Maryland. (Disclosure: As a graduate student employee at the University of Maryland this legislation may have affected me).
SB 689-Repeals all references to marriage in Maryland law and replaces with domestic partnerships.
Nancy King
District 39
Total Bills Sponsored: 10
Bond Bills: 3
Major Theme: Adult Education and Horse Industry.
SB 131-Authorizes municipalities to levy a hotel tax not to exceed 2%.
SB 257-Exempting computer services used in fulfilling government contracts from the computer services sales tax.
SB 297-Authorizes a state income tax credit for work based education programs.
SB 298-Authorizes a state income tax credit for adult literacy programs.
SB 444-Alters corporate tax reporting to the Comptroller.
SB 658-Allocates certain state lottery funds for horse racing purses and bred funds.
SB 784-Alters the horse racing and bred funds allocation of slots revenue.
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
On Political Pulse
Maryland State Senator Rob Garagiola (D-15) will be on the 'Political Pulse' TV Show on Thursday, January 3rd at 9 p.m. and Tuesday, January 8th at 9:30 p.m. to discuss the upcoming 90-day Maryland Legislative Session which will begin on January 9, 2008. Political Pulse is on Channel 16 TV in Montgomery County.
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