Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist

Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Md Troopers Assoc #20 & Westminster Md Fire Dept Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Showing posts with label MD Assoc of Counties. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MD Assoc of Counties. Show all posts

Friday, September 25, 2009

Flight of MD Millionaires Haunts O'Malley Budget Policy

Flight of MD Millionaires Haunts O'Malley Budget Policy by: Mark

http://yrnetwork.com/blogs/2905/view.aspx?article=560

The #1 Republican Network of Young Professionals, Students, Entreprenuers, and Young Business Leaders: http://yrnetwork.com/
“Of course millionaires are leaving Maryland,” exclaimed Anirban Basu as he discussed the deteriorating economic conditions facing Maryland’s citizens and businesses.

Basu, an economist and CEO of Sage Policy Group, was the keynote speaker at the Maryland Association of Counties (MACO) summer conference last week. In analyzing the decline of revenues from personal income taxes paid to the state, Basu attributed part of the decline to Governor O’Malley’s initiative last year to raise the tax rate on earners of $1 million or more.

Under the O’Malley proposal enacted into law in the 2008 Session, the top marginal tax rate was increased from 5.5% to 6.25%. When coupled with the local income tax, some Maryland filers are now taxed at a combined 9.45% personal income tax rate – or they can move to a low tax state where there is no personal income tax.

Prior to the O’Malley tax increase, a miniscule 0.3% of Maryland taxpayers (taxpayers with $1 million or more income) contributed 15% of the total revenues for the state's personal income tax receipts.

We can expect the Comptroller’s office to provide final figures on the flight of millionaires from Maryland in October, but the initial analysis was not good. As reported in the Wall Street Journal (
click here) in May:

“One year later, nobody's grinning. One-third of the millionaires have disappeared from Maryland tax rolls. In 2008 roughly 3,000 million-dollar income tax returns were filed by the end of April. This year there were 2,000, which the state comptroller's office concedes is a ‘substantial decline.’ On those missing returns, the government collects 6.25% of nothing. Instead of the state coffers gaining the extra $106 million the politicians predicted, millionaires paid $100 million less in taxes than they did last year - even at higher rates.”

This ill-fated policy decision represents a $206 million shortfall of the current $800 million hole in the O’Malley deficit. It is likely that state employees will be forced to cough up at least $34 million (if the furlough is comparable to last year's furlough plan) although many analysts expect even deeper cuts into state employee salaries. O'Malley told local officials at the MACO conference that they should expect $250 million in cuts to local aid.

This is just one of a great number of bad policy decisions made by the O’Malley Administration. As state employees, local governments and others face the day of reckoning this week for the announcement of the next round of cuts, they will realize that it’s not just the “Great Recession” but also the misguided O'Malley budget policy that places on them the burden of cleaning up the state’s budget crisis.

- - Maryland Senate Republican Caucus

_______

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20090825 Flight of MD Millionaires Haunts OMalley Budget Policy

*****
My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/

Sunday, August 17, 2008

The Daily Record - On the Record: At MACo, wastewater’s on the table

20080815 The Daily Record - On the Record: At MACo, wastewater’s on the table

It’s an idea whose time has come. It is still a little expensive…

Perhaps you’ve heard of some western U.S. municipalities that are recycling water, or purifying their own wastewater for reuse in the community. Sounds a little nauseating, but it’s been an
apparent success in many communities.

[…]

Maryland Environment Secretary Shari Wilson said Thursday that Maryland is not working on any regulations for water reuse, but will be interested to discuss the concept with local governments.

ANDY ROSEN, Business Writer

Posted by The Daily Record Filed Under
business, government

Read the entire post here
At MACo, wastewater’s on the table – and follow the links in the post:

http://blogs.mddailyrecord.com/ontherecord/2008/08/15/at-maco-wastewaters-on-the-table/

Water Sewer, Water Sewer Maryland, Water Sewer recycled water, Water Sewer Westminster, Water Sewer Wster Wastewater Treat Plant

Monday, October 29, 2007

20071025 Counties association favors slots by James Drew Baltimore Sun

Counties association favors slots



Qualified support based on program of compensation



From Friday's Sun - baltimoresun.com



By James Drew, Sun reporter, October 25, 2007

The Maryland Association of Counties offered qualified backing Thursday for Gov. Martin O'Malley's call to legalize slot machine gambling, saying it "could be an acceptable long-term state revenue source, were such a program responsibly crafted."

"A responsible slots program must provide continuing fair and full compensation to the host subdivisions for impact expenses and respect local land use authority," according to a statement distributed at a news conference at the State House.

[…]

The Democratic governor's package includes an increase in the state sales tax from 5 cents to 6 cents, extending the tax to cover more services, changing the income tax structure so that high earners pay more and low- and middle-income filers pay less, an increase in the corporate income tax rate from 7 percent to 8 percent, closing corporate loop holes and a property tax reduction.

The governor also backs legalizing slot machine gambling, but he has signaled he might back a referendum on that proposal.

… two days after O'Malley released a 20-page report, called the "Cost of Delay" budget, that outlines cuts of $850 million to local jurisdictions and $800 million to state agencies and programs.

Republicans referred to the governor's move as a scare tactic and noted that Democratic legislative leaders released a similar list of doomsday cuts over the summer in arguing for new revenue measures.

MACo officials said that if the state chooses spending cuts over tax increases, the burden of balancing the budget would be shifted to local governments, which would be forced to consider their own cuts and property tax increases.

[…]

Writing for the Baltimore Sun, Mr. Drew has written a quick and easy snapshot of the issues swirling much of the Maryland General Assembly Special Session which has begun today, October 29th, 2007. It is well worth the time it takes to give it a quick read. Find it here: Counties association favors slots.

Thursday, July 12, 2007

20070711 Senator Pipkin: “MACo E-Mail Shameless Blueprint To Force Local Tax Increase Support”


Senator Pipkin: “MACo E-Mail Shameless Blueprint To Force Local Tax Increase Support”

July 11th, 2007

Following on my earlier posts about the Maryland state budget matter: 20070703 the Maryland Municipal League discussion of the “Doomsday” budget and 20070705 MACo Exe. Dir. Bliden requests Md counties support tax increases and 20070709 Senator Pipkin This is Fiscal Magic at its Clumsiest.

Senator E. J. Pipkin has weighed-in on the budget discussions:

Senator E. J. Pipkin (R. Upper Shore 36) voiced outrage at “fear and strong-arm tactics to force counties to support tax increases.” He pointed to an e-mail, prompted by the O’Malley administration and sent on July 5 by the Maryland Association of Counties’ (MACO) chief lobbyist, Dave Bliden, to various county leaders to motivate local government support of impending tax increases.

Please see his entire statement pasted at the end of this post.

[It would appear that Senator Pipkin has “discovered” the power of the Maryland blogosphere… (On January 6th, 2006, thanks to the Westminster Eagle and Patuxent Publishing Co, I may very well be the first blogger to be credentialed in Annapolis. – See: 20060106 Security Badge) This analysis would be totally in keeping with the Senator’s modus operandi as he has consistently been an out-of-the-box thinker – and is definitely his own man… For an interesting read on Senator Pipkin by one of the best political minds in the business, Tom Dennison, who unfortunately is no longer writing for the Gazette, read: 20060331 Maverick Pipkin pulls no punches by Tom Dennison]

If you would like to listen Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley’s Maryland Municipal League speech click you may find it here. (Please be aware of my Disclosure.)

Or click on Audio: Maryland Municipal League Keynote 6.27.07 . June 27 Governor O'Malley Delivers Address to Maryland Municipal League.

Meanwhile, a few municipal officials who did not want their fears attributed – for fear of retribution - understood that what Governor O’Malley was saying, in essence, is that if the local governments do not support tax increases that the next budget will “retaliate.”

Apparently this is also Senator Pipkin’s take…

When the budget was being debated in January 2005, when then-Governor Robert L. Ehrlich was facing a difficult budget, the Baltimore Sun ran an analysis… See: 20050121 Baltimore Sun: Democrats see budget retaliation.

For some an in-depth look at how this pending budget is shaping-up, hopefully David Nitkin, Andrew A. Green, and Ivan Penn will do a similar look as they did on January 21, 2005 when they wrote:

[…]

Launching a review of the governor's budget proposal with eyes that may be jaundiced by recent battles, Democrats in the General Assembly say they see signs of retaliation in the $25.9 billion spending plan released this week.

[…]

Maryland governors have long used their budgetary authority - considered by experts to be the strongest in the nation - to reward friends and punish enemies. Ehrlich's predecessor, Gov. Parris N. Glendening, was considered a master at using the tool to maximum advantage.

[…]

Others say Democrats are being too sensitive, and deny that Ehrlich is trying to punish the opposing party. "They are looking at the bogeyman that doesn't exist. Or to put another way, maybe they are running a little scared and overreacting," said Del. Anthony J. O'Donnell, the House minority whip, whose Southern Maryland district includes parts of Calvert County.

Getting back to the future, over at Monoblogue, Michael Schwartz has some excellent analysis. Click on More Maryland budget grousing. While you are on his site, you should also see Celebrities in Crisfield?

The Howard County Maryland Blog, David Keelan also has some excellent analysis. Read Tax Increases Being Prepared…

For some additional context read Delusional Duck’s post O’Malley budget cuts OK’d by public works board

In a previous post, the MML had mentioned: “The product of that analysis was released under the title 'Balancing the State Budget Without New Revenues' and can be accessed through the General Assembly's website under the heading of budget information: http://mlis.state.md.us/#budg.”

I have been asked just what information can be found there. See pasted here:

Budget Information

The budget bill is introduced in both chambers. The House will move the bill in the 2007 Session.

Bond Bill Submissions - For guidelines to applicants seeking State grants through the submission of individual bond bills, click here.

June 27, 2007 Fiscal Briefing:

Maryland's Fiscal Structure and the Deficit Within

Mandated Appropriations in the Maryland State Budget

Balancing the Budget Without New Revenues

Appendices

Spending Affordability Committee:

Briefing: December 5, 2006 (PDF)

Briefing: November 15, 2006 (PDF)

2006 Committee Report: December 2006 (PDF)

Effect of Long-term Debt on the Financial Condition of the State:

Report: December 5, 2006 (PDF)

Analysis of Supplemental Budget No. 1, Presentation to the House Committee on Appropriations, March 7, 2007 (PDF)

Analysis of Supplemental Budget No. 2, Presentation to the House Committee on Appropriations, March 8, 2007 (PDF)

Analysis of Supplemental Budget No. 1, Presentation to the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee, March 12, 2007 (PDF)

Analysis of Supplemental Budget No. 2, Presentation to the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee, March 12, 2007 (PDF)

_____ _____

July 11, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PIPKIN – “MACO E-MAIL SHAMELESS BLUEPRINT TO FORCE LOCAL TAX INCREASE SUPPORT”

Senator E. J. Pipkin (R. Upper Shore 36) voiced outrage at “fear and strong-arm tactics to force counties to support tax increases.” He pointed to an e-mail, prompted by the O’Malley administration and sent on July 5 by the Maryland Association of Counties’ (MACO) chief lobbyist, Dave Bliden, to various county leaders to motivate local government support of impending tax increases.

Pipkin characterized the e-mail as “an end-run around most local elected officials which resembles the type of arm-twisting used by Tony Soprano and his ilk.”

Referring to Josh White, the Governor’s Intergovernmental Relations Chief, the e-mail said, “Josh is interested in coordinating a message for the Governor as he goes on roadtrips to the counties. He (Josh White) is looking for not just the property tax equivalents, but real vignettes of the county ‘doomsday budgets’…like closing libraries, reductions in deputies, larger class size, no support for volunteer firefighters. I (Bliden) suggested a goal of 10 examples for each county, if the proposed State ‘doomsday budget’ comes to fruition…..”

Bliden goes on to say, “the Gov could be visiting the counties during the next weeks, which presents an opportunity to deliver. And, with a good product, we could share with the other counties to get them motivated. Something for discussion at our July 13 meeting.”

“It boggles the mind that such terms as ‘opportunity to deliver’ and ‘good product’ would be used to bamboozle Marylanders into handing over more of their hard earned money to the state,” said Pipkin.

Bliden continued, “Another good perspective would be having interested constituencies there to show their interest, e.g. the volunteer ff’ers (firefighters).”

Pipkin said, “I thought I was beyond shock and outrage until I read about using volunteer firefighters to help beef up the propaganda campaign to get locals to rally behind the state tax increases. The e-mail lays out an arrogant and shameless blueprint for getting locals to back tax increases. As Bliden says, the next few weeks of gubernatorial visits to the counties ‘is a good opportunity to make a case, and, even more important to convince the Governor we (the counties) are there 100% to help him help us.’”

“Absolutely shameless!” said Pipkin.

0000000000000


Wednesday, July 11, 2007

20070705 MACo Exe. Dir. Bliden requests Md counties support tax increases

MACo Executive Director Bliden requests that Maryland counties support tax increases

Posted July 11th, 2007

Maryland Association of Counties executive director Dave Bliden has sent out an e-mail in which it could be concluded that he is specifically requesting the support of Maryland counties for what is anticipated to be, a request for raising taxes in the state of Maryland in order to meet to structural deficit of approximately $1.5 million dollars…

Certainly it Mr. Bliden is within his rights to advocate support of the administration for a particular initiative but the rub is that it certainly appears on face value that he is following his professional responsibilities to the counties at the expense of the public good.

I have heard that at the recent Maryland Municipal League summer convention in Ocean City that the governor told municipal officials that they need to support tax increases in order to avoid the Maryland state budget being balanced on the backs of municipalities.

[In the interest of full Disclosure, I served on the Maryland Municipal League Board of Directors annually for five consecutive years, from June 2000 to May 2005… I was first elected to the Westminster City Council in May of 1999 and served as the Mayor of Westminster from May 2001 until May 16th, 2005.]

Now that we have gotten that housekeeping out of the way, the one thing that always impressed me about the approach of the MML was that is always seemed preoccupied with the caveat that whatever was in the best interests of out citizens was in the best interests of the MML. [see: 20070703 the Maryland Municipal League discussion of the “Doomsday” budget]

It could be easily understood that advocating a tax increase in the state of Maryland so as to benefit local county government may not necessarily be favored by many county taxpayers in the state.

Especially as they continues to be a perception that large amounts of money were spend in the past four years by the Maryland General Assembly in the pursuit of political expediency (read, seeing to it that then-Governor Robert L. Ehrlich was not re-elected.)

One needs to look no farther than the $1.1 million that was spent on the investigation of the governor’s hiring and firing practices when Democratic governors before and after Governor Ehrlich also insisted on having their own team in state positions and if anything, Governor Parris Glendening was far more blatant that Governor Ehrlich in hiring and firing employees based on their political allegiances.

To make matters worse, if slots were to have been approved when they were first proposed by Governor Ehrlich reports have it that the current revenues would be approximately equal to the amount of the current budget shortfall.

(No, I am not a huge fan of slots, however, there is a compelling pragmatic argument in favor of slots in Maryland…)

Further suggestions that the budget shortfall are as a result of the Ehrlich administration as simply not supported by the facts… The Thornton education legislative initiative was passed, before Governor Ehrlich took office, without funding and much of the current budgetary shortfall lies at the feet of Thornton initiative (and increased costs in Medicaid…)

Below is Mr. Bliden’s e-mail. You read it and decide for yourself…

-----Original Message-----

From: David Bliden [e-mail address redacted]

Sent: Thursday, July 05, 2007 4:52 PM

To: [redacted]

Subject: Govenor's (sic) Office Request

Ladies and Gentlemen--

I just spoke to the County Executive Smith and Jan Gardner about a conversation I had with Josh White, the Governor's Intergovernmental Relations Chief, about which we wanted to motivate a a response.

Josh is interested in coordinating a message for the Governor as he goes on roadtrips to the counties. He is looking for not just the property tax equivalents, but real vignettes of the county "doomsday"

budgets"... like closing libraries, reductions in deputies, larger class size, no support for volunteers firefighters. I suggested a goal of 10 examples for each county, if the proposed State "doomsday budget"

comes to fruition..

The Gov could be visiting the counties during the next weeks , which presents an opportunity to deliver. And, with a good product, we could share with the other counties to get them motivated. Something for discussion at our July 13 meeting. Another good perspective would be having interested constituencies there to show their interest, e.g. the volunteer ff'ers.

This is a good opportunity to make a case and, even more important, to convince the Governor we are there 100% to help him help us.

Can you get your team motivated? We would be most willing to work with them.

Best wishes.

David

Friday, December 29, 2006

20070101 CCBOC Agenda

The agenda for the Carroll County Commissioners for the first week of the New Year.

December 29, 2006

The agenda for the Carroll County Commissioners for the first week of the New Year seems to be, for the most part, the Winter Meetings of the Maryland Association of Counties.

Perhaps appropriately so, what with the changes as a result of the general election last November, not only in the Maryland Statehouse and the Maryland General Assembly, but among the ranks of the leadership in Maryland counties.

The winter meetings will be important for the commissioners to get to know their counterparts and develop some thoughts and plans for promoting the agenda of Maryland counties and Carroll County in the upcoming session of the Maryland General Assembly.

For more on the Maryland Association of Counties – go here.

For the agenda of the Maryland Association of Counties’ winter meetings – go here.

For previous posts on “Soundtrack” about the Maryland Association of Counties – go here.

Board of County Commissioners

Julia W. Gouge, President

Dean L. Minnich, Vice President

Michael D. Zimmer, Secretary

Carroll County Government

225 North Center Street

Westminster, Maryland 21157

410-386-2043; 1-888-302-8978

fax 410-386-2485; TT 410-848-9747

Agenda for the Week of January 1, 2007

Please Note: This weekly agenda is subject to change. Please call 410-386-2043 to confirm a meeting you plan to attend. All meetings will be in Room 300A, (Unless otherwise noted) Carroll County Office Building.

  • Indicates Outside Activities

Monday – January 1, 2007

Closed ~ Holiday

Tuesday – January 2, 2007

Wednesday – January 3, 2007

Maryland Association of Counties Winter Conference

Commissioners Gouge, Minnich and Zimmer

Thursday – January 4, 2007

Maryland Association of Counties Winter Conference

Commissioners Gouge, Minnich and Zimmer

Friday – January 5, 2007

Maryland Association of Counties Winter Conference

Commissioners Gouge, Minnich and Zimmer

Saturday – January 6, 2007

Sunday – January 7, 2007

8:05 a.m. “The Commissioners’ Report” – WTTR

Commissioner Minnich

ACCESSIBILITY NOTICE: The Americans with Disabilities Act applies to the Carroll County Government and its programs, services, activities, and facilities. If you have questions, suggestions, or complaints, please contact Ms. Jolene Sullivan, the Carroll County Government Americans With Disabilities Act Coordinator, at 410-386-3600/1-888-302-8978 or TTY No. 410-848-9747. The mailing address is 225 North Center Street, Westminster, Maryland 21157.

dms~12/28/06

CARROLL COUNTY

a great place to live, a great place to work, a great place to play

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

20061220 MACo designates interim leadership

Board Names Interim President & 1 st VP

http://www.mdcounties.org/publications/ctnews.cfm

December 20th, 2006


On December 11th, 2006, the Maryland Association of Counties announced the designation of an interim president and 1st vice-president:

As a result of Board turnover due to elections and voluntary decisions, the five Officer positions for MACo became vacant. Consistent with the MACo By-Laws the Board designated an interim President[1] and 1st Vice President to serve until the Winter Conference business meeting at which time Officer and Board positions will be filled.


Frederick County Commissioner Jan Gardner was designated Interim President with Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith designated as 1 st Vice President.


The Board has nominated them to continue in these roles for the year following the Winter Conference.


Also nominated for Officer positions were:


Effie M. Elzey, Dorchester County - 2nd Vice President Wilson H. Parran, Calvert County - Secretary David R. Craig, Harford County – Treasurer


Nominees for the remaining positions on the Board are: Robert M. Hutcheson, Allegany County Cathleen M. Vitale, Anne Arundel County Rochelle “Rikki” Spector, Baltimore City Wayne Cooper, Charles County Frederick A. Holliday, Garrett County Kenneth Ulman, Howard County Marilyn J. Praisner, Montgomery County David Harrington, Prince George's County Thomas A. Mattingly, St. Mary's County Thomas G. Duncan, Talbot County


Contact David S. Bliden
Maryland Association of Counties


####


[1] 20061210 Past Presidents of the Maryland Association of Counties:


http://www.mdcounties.org/about/past_presidents.cfm
1951 - U. Grant Hooper - Frederick County1952 - U. Grant Hooper - Frederick County1953 - Paul M. Widdownson, Sr. - Wicomico County1954 - Walter V. Bennett - Carroll County1955 - J. Thomas Kibler - Kent County1956 - Ralph L. Lowman - Anne Arundel County1957 - Thomas N. Kay - Cecil County1958 - Herbert W. Reichelt - Prince George’s County1959 - Joseph G. Harrison - Worcester County1960 - Delbert S. Null - Frederick County1961 - H. T. Slaughter - Talbot County1962 - Christian Kahl - Baltimore County1963 - Wade H. Insley, Jr. - Wicomico County1963 - Leslie H. Evans - Wicomico County1964 - Jesse S. Baggett - Prince George’s County1965 - John W. Eveland - Caroline County1966 - Francis J. Crawford - Carroll County1967 - David C. Racine - Cecil County1968 - Evan Crossley - Washington County1969 - Ray F. Redden - Worcester County1970 - Dale Anderson - Baltimore County1971 - Douglas M. Sullivan - Talbot County1972 - Charles E. Miller - Howard County1973 - Lewis R. Riley - Wicomico County1974 - John H. O’Neill - Harford County1975 - C. Bernard Fowler - Calvert County1976 - S. Glyn Edwards - Kent County1977 - Leonard W. Dayton - Dorchester County1978 - Francis B. Francois- Prince George’s County1979 - Burton R. Hoffman - Washington County1980 - William Donald Schaefer - Baltimore City1981 - James F. Dent - Charles County1982 - Leonard E. Smith - Queen Anne’s County1983 - John W. O’Rourke - Baltimore County1984 - Esther P. Gelman - Montgomery County1985 - Edwin D. McGee - Somerset County1986 - J. Hugh Nichols - Howard County1986 - George R. Aud - St. Mary’s County1986 - Frank J. Hutchins - Harford County1986 - Parris N. Glendening-Prince George’s County1987 - Parris N. Glendening-Prince George’s County1988 - Maureen Lamb - Anne Arundel County1989 - John G. Braskey - Garrett County1990 - K. Bennett Bozman - Worcester County1991 - Frank P. Casula - Prince George’s County1992 - C. Vernon Gray - Howard County 1993 - Henry S. Parker - Wicomico County1994 - Julia W. Gouge - Carroll County1995 - Rochelle “Rikki” Spector - Baltimore City1996 - C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger - Baltimore County1997 - Clinton S. Bradley - Talbot County1998 - Joanne S. Parrott - Harford County1999 - Murray D. Levy - Charles County2000 - Terre R. Rhoderick - Frederick County2001 - Marvin F. Wilson - Prince George’s County2002 - Clarence I. Laird - Somerset County2003 - Marilyn J. Praisner - Montgomery County 2004 - James M. Harkins - Harford County 2005 - Nelson Bolender, Cecil County

Tuesday, February 28, 2006

20060228 Information you can use on annexation legislation

“Information you can use on annexation legislation”

February 28, 2006 By Kevin Dayhoff (1050 words)

To judge from the feedback on “Annex This” which appeared in The Tentacle on February 22, 2006, there is no doubt that issues concerning growth, development and annexation are a hot topic.

[February 22, 2006 – “Annex This” – “Once again the Maryland General Assembly is being asked to step between municipalities and county governments over an issue that threatens the peace and tranquility that should exist between them. This time another crisis is building over growth and development.”]

Many who responded had a fair point - we know how you feel, we want to make up our own minds on this issue – give us the talking points from both points of view, without any spin or commentary.

Okay.

First, to refresh your memory, Senate Bill 536 and its counterpart in the House of Delegates, House Bill 1239 are titled the “Annexation Planning and Procedures Act of 2006.”

The Fiscal and Policy Notes explain: “This bill provides for the implementation of a joint planning agreement (JPA) between a county and a municipal corporation, and sets forth provisions under which land may be annexed and developed by a municipal corporation. The bill takes effect June 1, 2006.”

As this column is being written, a hearing on SB536 is scheduled on March 1, 2006, in the Senate’s Education Health and Environmental Affairs Committee.

The House Environmental Matters Committee has scheduled a hearing on HB1239 for March 2, 2006.

One very good place to begin a thorough analysis of this legislation is to review the “Fiscal and Policy Note,” which is dated February 28, 2006. It can be found on the web at: http://mlis.state.md.us/2006rs/fnotes/bil_0006/sb0536.pdf. It is six pages long, so this column will not rehash what you can easily read for yourself.

The Feb. 6, 2006 Maryland Municipal League (MML) bulletin reports that in a meeting between the MML leadership and House Speaker Michael Busch, D., Anne Arundel County:

“Speaker Busch also indicated that he is monitoring the land use/growth issue and reassured MML that the Chairman of the Environmental Matters Committee Delegate Maggie McIntosh will not pass any legislation relating to growth or annexation that is not fair and balanced or more detrimental to one organization or another.”

The same MML bulletin reports on a meeting between Governor Ehrlich's new Director of Legislative Policy Alan Friedman and the MML Legislative Committee on Wednesday, February 1:

“When asked about the land use and growth issue, Mr. Friedman stated that, "The administration is sorry that MACo is going after MML." According to Mr. Friedman, it is obvious that growth is an issue and Maryland Department of Planning and Maryland Department of Environment have recognized growth issues. Mr. Friedman also said that the administration recognizes that planning is primarily a local issue and they are hopeful that the organizations can work it out.”

MML Legislative Chairman and Rockville Mayor Larry Giammo: “noted that it is unfair for the counties to attempt to shift the blame for crowded roads and schools to the municipalities and MACo's efforts to derail annexation are merely a smokescreen to hide the fact that counties are also responsible for controlling growth.”

As many requested, the arguments for both points of view (the MML and Maryland Association of Counties) are presented below – in their own words.

The Maryland Association of Counties’ website supports the legislation by stating:

“Annexation is increasingly becoming a mechanism to circumvent county land use policies and laws.

The problem has become more pronounced recently as developers more frequently partner with municipalities to annex large tracts for intense development. This practice arises from the existing annexation law denying county perspectives meaningful weight in annexation decisions.

To create a fair balance the existing annexation law must be refined to provide reasonable deference to adopted county land use policies and affected citizen concerns.

Annexations should be subject to all statutory Smart Growth standards now applicable to counties and development on annexed property should be consistent with county adequate public facility laws and zoning.

And, existing referendum rights should be extended to citizens living outside the annexing municipality, but proximate to the boundary of the property to be annexed, with a county having the ability to initiative a referendum not just in the property to be annexed, but also in the municipality.”

From the MML point of view, again, in their own words, in the beginning of February 2006, the MML explained its position on planning for growth:

“To better control growth and encourage mutual land use communication and cooperation between municipalities and counties, MML supports the establishment of joint municipal-county planning agreements and the development of growth boundaries around both incorporated and unincorporated population centers. This ensures that all parties are in agreement pursuant to future population allocation between incorporated and unincorporated areas.”

The MML continued by saying:

“According to MACo, growth boundaries should be established ONLY around incorporated cities and towns. Why shouldn’t counties also be required to establish growth boundaries around unincorporated areas such as Towson, Silver Spring, Bethesda, Waldorf, Kent Island, Columbia, Crofton, Germantown, Beltsville, Catonsville, Ocean Pines, Glen Burnie, Edgewater. MACo’s bill would do nothing to address out of control growth around these and other unincorporated population centers in the State.”

“Counties are not required by law to establish growth boundaries in county comprehensive master plans. Shouldn’t growth around unincorporated population centers also be accountable, responsible and subject to public input and scrutiny? If it makes sense for municipalities to establish growth boundaries, why shouldn’t counties also be required to do the same?”

“It is important that a distinction be made between annexation and growth. The issue is not annexation - the issue is growth. Restricting annexation will not restrict growth. Growth will simply occur in rural areas of the State on well and septic systems instead of around existing population centers on wastewater treatment plants.”

Finally, the MML offers this information:

“In 1990, excluding Baltimore City, 2.7% of Maryland's total land mass was located inside municipal borders. As of the year 2004, that percentage has increased to 3.3% in total land mass located within municipal boundaries. This represents an increase in total municipal landmass of just over 0.5% in the past fourteen years.”

There you have it. Both sides, in their own words.

This legislation, will at some time in the future, affect almost each and every Tentacle reader. If you have profound feelings about this legislation, now is the best time to weigh in.

Contact information on the Senate Education Health and Environmental Matters Committee is found at: http://www.mdarchives.state.md.us/msa/mdmanual/05sen/html/com/02eco.html.

Contact information on the House Environmental Matters Committee can be found at: http://www.mdarchives.state.md.us/msa/mdmanual/06hse/html/com/04env.html.


Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster. E-mail him at: kdayhoff(at)carr.org

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