Support HB 653

On Thursday, the Maryland House Ways and Means Committee is due to consider HB 653.  Among other things, HB 653 would require a 2/3 vote to increase taxes.  It would also prohibit the state to assess real property at a value greater than its true cash value.

Among the sponsors of HB 653 are Del. Mike Smigiel (R-36) and Del. Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio (R-37).  Where are the names of our own delegates – Norm Conway, Page Elmore, and Jim Mathias?  As noted earlier, Conway and Mathias like to portray themselves as “fiscally conservative”.  Ditto for Elmore.

History has shown that the only way we can limit government is to “starve the beast”.  Politicians will simply not do it on their own.  Call or email your delegates and ask them to sponsor HB 653.

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Lowell Stoltzfus Not Seeking Re-election

Maryland Sen. J. Lowell Stoltzfus (R-38)  announced this evening that he will not seek re-election.  Speaking at the Fountains Conference Center, Stoltzfus said that he would not seek another term in 2010.

Contrary to rumors that have been circulating, Stoltzfus will not be resigning his seat.  Some have speculated that Stoltzfus would resign his seat so that a replacement could be appointed and run as an incumbent next year.

Currently there are three individuals that have either expressed interest in the seat, or are rumored to be interested.  Michael James, who narrowly lost to Maryland House Appropriations chair Norm Conway (D-38B) in 2006, along with Pocomoke City mayor Mike McDermott, have expressed interest in running for Stoltzfus’ seat if he did not seek re-election.  Del. Page Elmore (R-38A) is also rumored to be interested in the seat.

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Media Monday 090105 – Inaccuracy and a Strong Move Left

If we’re supposed to believe our local paper they need to work a little harder.  A little fact checking never hurt anyone.

Case in point – Sunday’s Daily Time’s piece about Del. Page Elmore showing “support of state workers” by taking part in the O’Malley administration’s furlough of non-essential state employees.  Reporter Liz Holland makes it sound as if Elmore is a leader in the movement of legislators taking part in the furlough.  He’s not.  I’ve got nothing against Elmore.  I’m not accusing him of anything.  It’s just a plain, easily verifiable fact that members of the legislature have been announcing that they will take part in the furlough for almost a month.

The first I remember reading about it was a piece by the Baltimore Sun’s Andy Green on December 8, 2008.  Green let us know that Del. Nic Kipke (R-31) had announced he was taking part AND that he was preceded by fellow Anne Arundel Del. Steve Schuh (R-31).  Since then, there has been a steady trickle of legislators announcing that they wouldn’t take their salary for five days as other state employees are having to do.

However, the Daily Times’ Holland makes it sound as if Elmore is the first: Read more

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