Dear Friends,
We held bond bill hearings all day Saturday and Monday. Sessions are becoming longer and longer as we start to refine the budget process.
Sex Offender Legislation
A 30 year old registered sex-offender was arrested in the death of 11 year old Sarah Foxwell of the Eastern Shore. This tragedy highlighted the need for more stringent sex offender laws. On Tuesday, six bills dealing with sexual predators came to the House floor dealing with the following matters:
- HB 289 – Prohibiting good time credits for child sex offenders. These credits would otherwise shorten time served. This applies to first and second degree sexual offenses with children less than 16 years of age.
- HB 473 – Requiring lifetime supervision for the most violent and repeat sex offenders after they have served their sentences.
- HB 599 – Similar to HB 289, but applying to repeat offenders who have committed third degree sexual contact with children less than 16 years of age.
- HB 931 – Add members to the Sexual Offender Advisory Board that was created in 2006 but never met.
- HB 936 – Includes additional crimes for which offenders must register for the sex offender registry list and includes provisions for homeless people who currently list no fixed address. This sets up tiers of offenses that would standardize the way they are supervised in the community and described in the registry.
- HB 1046 – Provides for use of RAP sheets for use by judges in pretrial release determination.
It was noted in floor debate that if the Administration chooses not to enforce these laws as has happened with previously passed legislation that required assessments as to the threat the offender poses to the community and the functioning of the Sexual Offender Advisory Board, it would not matter how many laws are passed. Amendments were offered and rejected in floor debate on Wednesday which would strengthen these laws even more. The safety of our children should be our top priority.
HB 92 – Labor and Employment – Job Creation and Recovery Tax Credit.
This week we heard on the floor HB 92 Labor and Employment-Job Creation and Recovery Tax Credit. It is a good bill that allows a tax credit to employers who hire new employees are able to receive a $5000.00 per employee hired tax credit. The tax credit cap is limited to $20,000.000. Delegate McDonough offered an amendment that would require that any new hires be evaluated through E-Verify to ensure the new hires are citizens of the state before the tax credit is granted. The E-Verify program is an attempt to combat the prevalence of document and identity fraud in the employment verification process by providing a voluntary means for employers to verify employee status electronically against federal Social Security and immigration databases. We talked about this issue in our weekly caucus and felt this was the right thing to do. The amendment number is 803729/2.
Delegate O’Donnell offered amendment number 643221/1 that would direct the tax credits to small businesses who employ fewer than 50 employees. Ten million dollars would go to minority businesses, and the other ten million would go to small businesses. I supported both of these amendments because they would help small businesses and ensure that those hiring are hiring legal citizens of the state.
HB 192 – Motor Vehicles – Reading Text Message While Driving – Prohibition
This bill extends the current ban on writing or sending text messages while driving to also include a ban on reading text messages while driving. I voted for HB 192 and it passed the House floor with a vote of 135-2. It now moves to the Senate Judiciary Proceedings Committee for consideration.
HB 973 – Public Schools – Maryland Youth Crisis Hotline – Distribution of Information
This week I presented HB 973 to the Ways and Means Committee. This bill will require each Board of Education to provide students in grades 6 through 12th the phone number of the Maryland Youth Crisis Hotline and to hold assemblies that inform students of the purpose of the hotline and how to contact the hotline.
The State Superintendent of Schools has encouraged some of the school systems to include the crisis prevention number and safety related contact numbers on the back of the student ID cards to high school students. It would expand the program to all public middle and high school students. The Federal Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported that suicide is the third leading cause of death for youth between the ages of 10 and 24.
Maryland’s middle and high school students are dealing with great pressures socially, financially and academically. In providing information and the opportunity for outreach when someone is suffering and in crisis may prevent a death. Having to provide an easily accessible phone number for the Maryland youth crisis hotline and instructing school administrators in ways to help resolve and direct the youth to potentially lifesaving information is invaluable. The bill was very well received.
Capital Budget
Each year the State issues General Obligations bonds to support road projects, the building of state buildings, prisons, schools and other items such as land purchases. The Governor proposed in his budget that the state issue $1.14 billion worth of new debt. I am concerned that the debt service costs paid for by a portion of the property taxes will exceed the funding stream and start to rely on the General Fund to pay for the obligations. The State has reached the Debt limit which is calculated to be no more than 8% of the State revenues due to declining in taxes received. I have proposed a moderate reduction in some of the capital projects to retain the original recommendation of issuing $990 million. This would require reducing and postponing $211.2 million worth of projects until our economic climate improves. The debt service (principle and interest) is paid by a portion of our property taxes. If the revenue stream is not adequate to cover this expense than General Funds will be used. We know that the State’s deficit is over two billion dollars now and if we don’t rein in our spending more taxations will be placed on our citizens. This proposal was presented to Speaker Busch, President Miller, Chairman Conway and Budget Secretary Foster for consideration. If you would like to receive a copy please call my office at 410-841-3258 or email me at susan.aumann@house.state.md.us.
Ladies in Leadership
Each year the Ladies in Leadership have a dinner with Governor Marvin Mandel and Governor Robert Ehrlich in Annapolis and this year was no exception. We had a lovely conversation and dinner at Paul’s Homewood Café while we celebrated Governor Mandel 90th birthday. I hope he writes his book and memoirs because he has had a fascinating career. Every time we have this dinner we learn how challenging being governor has been and ways to be more effective as legislators. The more we learn the more we can share that knowledge with others. It was wonderful to have time with these two fascinating leaders in Maryland history.
Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scout councils throughout Maryland recently participated in the 100th Anniversary Boy Scout Report to the State. I was honored to help coordinate the annual event. The Report was presented to Speaker Busch, President Mike Miller. The written report was submitted by each council outlining what scouting means to them. The event was well attended.
Very truly yours,
Susan L.M. Aumann
District 42, Baltimore County
410-841-3258
Susan.Aumann@house.state.md.us
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