Howard County voters elected them, so what has the county?s state delegation been up to this session?
On the Economic Matters Committee, Del. Warren Miller, R-District 9A, faces bills he does not particularly favor. The smoking ban in bars and restaurants would hurt small businesses, he said, and the living wage bill, which would require contractors to pay workers at least $11.95 an hour, prevents contractors from competing on state work.
Among the more positive measures is his push to amend the language of a 2001 law that protects gas stations from large chain stores by not letting the chains sell gas for lower than the state published price. Miller wants to boost pricing competition.
For Del. Guy Guzzone, D-District 13, “It?s all about the money,” he said. On the Appropriations Committee, Guzzone has been focused on the budget, logging in some long days for hearings. On Saturday, a list of some 200 state bond bills was heard in Annapolis, he said.
When it comes to the budget, Guzzone?s committee trimmed close to $150 million from the plan before the House passed it.
“It?s not easy, because there are a lot of needs in our community,” Guzzone said.
Besides budgets and health care, Del. Gail Bates, R-District 9A, has pushed Andrew?s Law, which would allow people to name up to three people for primary notification should they suffer an injury or die.
Police and emergency workers favor the bill since it helps them find the next of kin.
The bill is named after the son of Bates? second cousin. Andrew was involved in an accident with his wife, his lone emergency notification contact. He died, but she also was injured. Twelve hours later than Andrew?s parents heard the news of his death, Bates said.
Howard local bills move through House
The House has passed three of the Howard state delegation?s 10 local bills. Based on the Maryland General Assembly Web site, status of the bills is as follows:
» House Bill 167: Granting residents a property tax credit for land owned jointly with Howard Housing Commission.
The House passed the bill March 8.
It has been presented in the Senate Budget and Taxation committee.
» House Bill 168: Allotting $500,000 in state money for the planning and construction of Blandair Regional Park in Columbia.
» House Bill 175: Allotting $500,000 in state money for the planning and construction of the Robinson Nature Center in Columbia.
» House Bill 177: Allotting $500,000 in state money for the planning and construction of the North Laurel Community Center in Laurel.
» House Bill 255: Allotting $500,000 of state money for the construction of a parking garage for historic Main Street in Ellicott City.
The four measures are included with all state bond bills in a larger appropriations bill.
» House Bill 198: Changing the date Howard must file its annual financial report with the Department of Legislative Services from Nov. 1 to Dec. 1.
The House passed this bill March 2.
It has been presented in the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee.
» House Bill 513: Granting certain voting rights to the student member of the Howard School Board.
The House passed this bill March 8. It was introduced in the Senate Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee. Hearing set for 1 p.m. March 27.
» House Bill 1089: Broadening the scope of wine tasting licenses in Howard to allow beer tasting as well. Re-assigned to House Economic Matters Committee; hearing set for 1 p.m. Tuesday.
? Sara Michael
