MARYLAND LEGISLATURE UPDATE

Just when you think you have just about seen everything in life then along comes another Maryland Legislative Bill that attempts to correct an action that has been going on for decades.

In fact - I had to go back and read it twice. It appears that while a prisoner is being incarcerated and he/she is working for the County and/or another employer -(work release) - and receiving compensation while working on the County dole -(chain gang)- and the County administers the savings account for the prisoner. Then, if the prisoner sustains permanent or partial disability while performing the work for the County and/or employer he is entitled to receive Permanent or Partial Disability funds while the individual is incarcerated. HB-1036 attempts to correct this defect.

There are also several interesting House Bills that continue to seek State grant funding for museums, frat houses, and even the girl scouts despite our State claiming that the treasury is empty.

HB-880 - $200,000 Creation of State Debt - Baltimore City - Girl Scout Training Center

HB-1082 - $200,000 Creation of State Debt - Baltimore City - Iota Phi Theta Fraternity

HB-1242 - $300,000 Creation of State Debt - Montgomery County - Dance Exchange

HB-672 - $175,000 Creation of State Debt - Baltimore City - Women's Industrial Exchange

I could go on-and-on as I look at the list of dozens of these frivolous projects I have accumulated during this current session but I believe one can get a good idea after reading the above links.

And believe it or not, we have some legislators that actually want to increase you Motor Fuel Tax - by another 7 cents per gallon - HB-1214.

Here locally, there are a few good bills that you might want to take a look at. Once in particular SB-302 - sponsored by Rich Colburn would change the triennial assessment period back to one year intervals so as to correct the latency deficiency in tax assessments many residents are currently experiencing as the housing meltdown continues. If you are like me, my house still shows considerable appreciation because my triennial period began at the height of the housing boom - thus penalizing me.

Stay tuned as I will inevitably have more revelations as more Bills continue to be sponsored.