In State Tuition Petition

In case you have not already heard the news, this week the Board of Elections certified 47,288 valid signatures on the in-state tuition petition. This is an amazing accomplishment and illustrates the intense amount of work that everyone has put into this effort, particularly Delegates Neil Parrott and Pat McDonough who have led this charge!

But, our work is not yet done. To get this measure on the ballot, the Board of Elections must certify 55,736 signatures. That means we need over 8,000 more signatures by June 30th to meet this requirement. Additionally, we have to account for the fact that the Board of Elections will disqualify some signatures (and potential court challenges from the ACLU and Casa de Maryland) – so even more signatures are needed.
Please visit http://www.mdpetitions.com/ today! The citizens of Maryland deserve to be heard on this issue!

Bridge Toll Hearings Announced

I am very concerned about the impact that the proposed toll increases will have on the Eastern Shore. In addition to impacting commuters, visitors and Eastern Shore residents, raising the tolls at these drastic rates will increase the cost of our goods and services. The proposed toll increase for 6-axle trucks, for example, will go from $18 to $60 in just two years.


Unfortunately, the Governor and the Maryland Department of Transportation are side-stepping the legislature and they will be the sole decision makers on how much more we will have to pay.


That makes it all the more important for you to join me in voicing your concern! Please consider attending a public hearing, writing a letter or emailing your comments to them as soon as possible!

Sincerely,

NFWL and NRA Announce Scholarship Contest!

The National Foundation for Women Legislators and the National Rifle Association are co-sponsoring their fourteenth annual Bill of Rights Essay Contest for college-bound female high school juniors and seniors, which this year will be entitled “The Impact of the First Amendment on Women Leaders and Social Media.” The contest’s seven winners will each receive a $3,000 college scholarship and an all-expenses-paid trip to NFWL’s Annual Conference and 73^rd Anniversary August 11-15, 2011 at The Marriott in downtown Des Moines, Iowa where they will network with, be mentored by, and speak to hundreds of women lawmakers from across the United States.

Click here to download the application!

Maryland Budget Grows by $1 Billion

This week the House of Delegates debated and voted on the State’s budget. Despite a $1.6 billion deficit still looming, the House Appropriations Committee only reduced the Governor’s budget by $6.5 million and the total budget grows by over $1 billion. Members of the House Republican Caucus, including Delegate Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio voted against the budget and raised concerns about spending levels and tax and fee increases that are included in this year’s budget bills.



The taxes and fees include:

-Vehicle Titling Tax doubled from $50 to $100

-Vanity Plate Fee doubled from $25 to $50

-Land Recording Fees doubled from $20 to $40

-Birth Certificate Fees doubled from $12 to $24

-Increase in Hospital Assessments adding 2.5% to rates

-Increase in Nursing Home Tax from 4% to 5.5%

-Parole Supervision Fee doubled from $25 to $50

-2% Premium Tax on the Injured Worker Insurance Fund (IWIF)

-Payroll Garnishment Fee for State Employees

The budget also relies heavily on bonding projects that the State has traditionally paid for with cash which could result in an increase in the property tax in the near future.  Over $191 million of operating budget expenses are replaced with debt.

For more information on the Maryland’s debt increase, see the Washington Post.