FIRST LADY JUDGE KATIE O’MALLEY TO HONOR MARYLAND’S FOSTER PARENTS

Will join newly-named DHR Secretary to celebrate outstanding parents

ANNAPOLIS, MD (May 13, 2011) – On Sunday, May 15, 2011 at 3:00 p.m. at Government House, First Lady Judge Katie O’Malley and Department of Human Resources (DHR) Secretary Ted Dallas will recognize foster parents from every jurisdiction in Maryland for their outstanding contributions to children in foster care.  This annual event occurs during National Foster Parent Appreciation Month. 

This is the 4^th year that the First Lady has opened her home to foster parents and their children. 

"Foster parents are true heroes, creating a safe and nurturing home environment for our children," said First Lady O'Malley.  "I am proud to celebrate these remarkable individuals who care so deeply about creating a stable environment during a very unstable period for these children."

“I join First Lady Katie O’Malley in honoring Maryland’s exceptional foster parents,” said Lt. Governor Anthony Brown. “Foster parents have taken on an enormous responsibility because they understand that place really does matter. Our children need a place to call home. They need a place to learn and a place to love and be loved, and I am so thankful that Maryland’s foster parents have provided that place for so many children.”

During the O'Malley-Brown Administration, Maryland has changed its child welfare practices and strategies by implementing the Place Matters model, which includes the Family Centered Practice strategies. As a result, Maryland has achieved more than a 20 percent drop in the number of children in out of home care and a more than 50 percent reduction in group-home placements.

"Our foster parents are a critical resource," said DHR Secretary Dallas.  "These parents exemplify the true sense of community when they open their homes and hearts to a child in need." Across Maryland there are over 7,000 young people in foster care - 50 percent of them are 13 years of age or older. 

The foster parents being honored represent each of the 24 local departments of social services and were identified as parents who have demonstrated an extraordinary willingness to serve children.  A special focus has been placed on parents who have been instrumental in supporting foster parenting through their community service activities. 

For information about becoming a foster parent, call 1-888MDKIDS2 or 1-888-635-4372.

Reserve Your Booth Now

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Fans Arriving At Dover Downs

A fan of SBYNews.com just sent this image in from The Monster Mile Track at Dover Downs. This is NOT the weekend you want to travel to or from the Dover area, that's for sure. You know you're a redneck when.....

WE'RE BACK!!!!!!

Sorry about the delay, Blogger went down and we'll do what we can to get every one up to speed just as fast as we can. It was a nice short vacation for me. Sit tight Folks.

New Posts Are Just Below.

PUBLIC NOTICE

SPECIAL MEETING

In accordance with

The special meeting will be held at 1:30 p.m. immediately preceding the scheduled City Council work session.

§SC2-4 of the Salisbury City Charter, a majority of the City Council have called for a Special Meeting to be held on Monday, May 16, 2011, at 1:30 p.m. to authorize staff to lock in advantageous electric rates with the current provider and to authorize the Mayor, Council President and Director of Internal Services to sign the contract for locking in those rates for up to two additional years.

Stabbing A Tax Hike With a Pencil

Yesterday I compared a Wicomico County Council budget session to watching paint dry.  Actually, watching paint dry would have been more interesting than about 2/3 of the session.

From 10 AM to just after 3 PM, the councilmembers slogged through the budgets of:

• General Services
• the Humane Society
• Planning & Zoning
• Procurement
• Human Resources

Tough going would be an understatement.  Then, the council took the information they had gathered that day and started putting pencil to paper.  Meaningful cuts were proposed.
I’m not talking about, “Let’s cut 5% out of this department, or 8% out of that one”; that’s the cowardly version of fiscal conservatism.  No, the council proposed specific cuts.
Once a budget is passed, County Executive Rick Pollitt isn’t obligated to cut EXACTLY where the council recommends.  However, he won’t be able to spend more than the council appropriates to a particular category of a particular department.  While an argument can definitely be made for amending the charter to require a line-item budget, I was impressed (and gratified) to see all seven council members agree to detailed cuts (yes, that even includes Democrat Sheree Sample-Hughes).
Admittedly, this was the first session of this budget cycle that I was able to attend.  However, I sincerely hope that Thursday’s session was a harbinger of things to come. Can we all expect to see no increase in the real property rate?  It’s too early to tell.  One thing is for sure; the Wicomico Council is giving a go at stabbing Pollitt’s rate hike to death with their pencils.
The council meets again on Monday (9AM – 12 Noon) and again on Tuesday.  The fur should really fly on Tuesday.  That’s when the Board of Education is scheduled to appear.  Since they have neglected to provide council with any of the information requested by council, I expect that John Fredericksen and his merry little band of bureaucrats will meet with a favorable crowd.

Shanie Shields Responsible for Loss of Lord’s Prayer

On Monday night Salisbury councilwoman Shanie Shields managed to ensure the very thing that she has claimed to oppose – ending the Salisbury City Council’s half century old practice of saying the Lord’s Prayer at the beginning of each regular meeting.  This isn’t surprising given that Shields has spent the last six (6) years on council as part of a group that never hesitated to ignore the rules when it suited.  Perhaps she thought that Cohen wouldn’t bother following the rules either.
The council’s own rules of order require that each regular meeting of the council begin with the Lord’s Prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.  Council president Terry Cohen has stated during a previous work session that she would “err on the side of caution” and observe a “moment of silence” instead of the Lord’s Prayer at Monday’s meeting.
In order for Cohen to substitute a “moment of silence”, she was required to suspend the rules.  This requires a 2/3 affirmative vote.  In other words, Cohen needed FOUR (4) votes if all five council members were in attendance.
In an attempt to curry favor with constituents, Shields tried to be clever.  Shields announced ahead of time that she would refuse to enter the council chambers until AFTER the period for the Lord’s Prayer.
Councilwoman Debbie Campbell refused to vote with Cohen and councilmembers Laura Mitchell and Tim Spies.  HOWEVER, because Shields boycotted the opening of the meeting, there were only four (4) councilmembers present.  Therefore, only THREE (3) votes were needed to suspend the rules.  IF Shields had bothered to show up on time, AND voted against the rules suspension, the Lord’s Prayer would have been preserved for at least one more meeting.
Ultimately, it was Shields that made sure that the Lord’s Prayer was not said at the council’s last meeting.  Perhaps she will learn that being clever simply isn’t a tool in Shanie’s bag.

GLEN AVENUE CLOSED ON THURSDAY, MAY 19TH FROM 8 AM TO 6 PM FOR SALISBURY UNIVERSITY GRADUATION

In March, 2010, Wicomico County Executive Richard M. Pollitt, Jr., ordered the closing of Glen Avenue north of the Civic Center for all major events. Mr. Pollitt took the action in the interest of safety for Civic Center spectators and participants.

Salisbury University is holding commencement exercises at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center on Thursday, May 19^th. Accordingly, Glen Avenue north of the WY&CC will be closed from 8:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. on that day.

Bazaar

The young adults and singles of First Baptist Church in Salisbury MD will be held on Saturday May 14, 2011 from 730am to 3pm at 528 Booth Street. There will be a Flea Market selling all types of items from clothing to house wares. We will also have: food, fun, games, and prizes.  Please come out and show your support.

OMalley Looking To Hire A Butler?

Good Afternoon,

It appears the State of Maryland is looking to hire a butler for Governor O’Malley.  Since Governor O’Malley has failed to create a single net job since taking office, if he could in fact hire a butler, this position could become the cornerstone of his “Jobs Across Maryland” initiative. In the spirit of bipartisanship, we’ve decided to help the governor out.

 

Below is a link to a job listing created by the Maryland Republican Party to help Governor O’Malley finally find a good butler:

http://link.sc.states.gop.com/?65-1600-3136-125-12977

 

Here are links to the official job listing:

http://link.sc.states.gop.com/?65-1600-3136-125-12978

 

http://link.sc.states.gop.com/?65-1600-3136-125-12974

GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY TO CONTINUE “MARYLAND FORWARD” SERIES WITH ENERGY SUMMIT

ANNAPOLIS, MD (May 12, 2011) –TOMORROW, Governor Martin O’Malley will join key energy stakeholders for an important discussion on the future of energy in Maryland. Discussions will focus on energy efficiency; new generation, including renewables; greenhouse gas emissions; and energy-related jobs and the new economy.  

The Administration continues its commitment to a clean energy future for Maryland. Governor O’Malley has set strategic energy goals to move Maryland towards a strong renewable energy future and leverage Maryland’s assets to compete and win in the new economy. In the 2011 legislative session, Governor O’Malley fought for offshore wind legislation and successfully passed legislation for electric vehicles, solar water heating systems, electricity net metering, and reliability standards for Maryland utility companies.

WHAT:           Governor O’Malley to host Maryland Energy Summit

WHEN:           TOMORROW, Friday, May 13, 2011 at 9:30 a.m. (Before the 2011 Solar and Wind Expo)

WHERE:         Timonium Fair Grounds, 2200 York Road, Timonium, MD

ICYMI: GOVERNOR O'MALLEY NOMINATES YVETTE LEWIS TO SERVE AS MARYLAND DEMOCRATIC PARTY CHAIR

ANNAPOLIS (May 12, 2011) –  Governor Martin O'Malley sent the following letter to members of the Democratic State Central Committee urging them to appoint and confirm Yvette Lewis as Chair of the Maryland Democratic Party at their scheduled meetings later this year.

The text of the letter follows. 

---

May 12, 2011


Dear Democratic State Central Committee Member:


I’m writing to update you on two administrative developments regarding the Maryland Democratic Party.

Earlier today, Peter O’Malley announced that he is resigning as Chairman to become Chief of Staff to Baltimore City Mayor, Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.


As Peter moves on, I am proud to nominate Yvette Lewis to serve as Chair of the Maryland Democratic Party.

In accordance with the Maryland Democratic Party by-laws, I am recommending that the State Democratic Party’s Executive Committee and Democratic State Central Committee appoint and confirm Yvette Lewis as Chair at their scheduled meetings later this year.


As you know, Yvette currently serves as First Vice Chair, and as Prince George’s County’s representative on the Executive Board.   In this capacity she is a part of every facet of party strategy and outreach – including this week’s successful annual Gala which drew more than 800 supporters in an impressive display of unity and strength.


Yvette has been a lifelong grassroots activist in Maryland, most recently working to re-elect Congressman Hoyer in 2010, and electing President Obama in 2008.  She was appointed by President Barack Obama to serve on the Commission on Presidential Scholars, and I know she will be a strong voice committed to electing Democrats, promoting progressive policies and empowering our youth.


There is a lot at stake for Maryland and for our country in 2012.  And I know Yvette will  continue the work of our past chairs to re-elect Senator Ben Cardin and all Maryland Democrats, and send Barack Obama back to the White House
.

As we prepare for 2012, there is no doubt that together we can move our State and country forward to create jobs and expand opportunity for our families.  I sincerely hope you will welcome and approve Yvette Lewis as my choice to lead the Maryland Democratic Party.


Warmest Regards,
 


Martin O’Malley
Governor

Taliban Claims Responsibility For Deadly Pakistan Blasts

Pakistani Taliban says two explosions that killed at least 69 at a paramilitary training center in northwest Pakistan were ‘first revenge’ for Usama bin Laden’s death.

Consumer Prices Rise 0.4% In April

Inflation at the consumer level increased 0.4% in April, led by higher gasoline and energy prices. Excluding the food and energy component, prices were up 0.2% on the month.

GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY HOSTS MARYLAND ENERGY SUMMIT

Joins over 300 energy stakeholders for a discussion on Maryland’s energy future

TIMONIUM, MD (May 13, 2011)– Governor Martin O’Malley today hosted a panel discussion on Maryland’s energy future, the latest in his series of “Maryland Forward” policy forums. Today’s discussion was held at Timonium Fair Grounds before the 2011 Solar and Wind Expo. The Governor gathered with over 300 energy stakeholders, including utility and other energy business leaders, clean energy and environmental advocates, academics and state and local elected officials.

“Energy touches every aspect of our lives from the cost of heating our homes to sustaining our resources for future generations. We are all here today because we understand that we are in a fight for our children’s future,” said Governor O’Malley. “Maryland is leading the nation’s efforts in clean energy and sustainability, and our State’s growing ‘green’ sector is vital to our ability to create jobs and compete globally in the new economy.”

Governor O’Malley opened the panel discussion by framing the Administration’s goals and strategies for moving toward a renewable energy future. Following his opening remarks, the Governor, joined by Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) Director Malcolm Woolf, led an open dialogue on Maryland’s energy future.

“Maryland has emerged as a national leader in energy innovation, thanks to the smart choices we've made over the last five years,” said MEA Director Malcolm Woolf. “Today's energy summit further underscores Maryland's commitment to accelerating our transition to a clean energy future.”

Discussions included a review of existing strategies, industry trends, and opportunities relating to energy efficiency and new generation, including renewables as well as greenhouse gas emission concerns and implications relating to jobs and the new economy.

Governor O’Malley has set strategic energy goals to move Maryland towards a strong renewable energy future and leverage Maryland’s assets to compete and win in the new economy. In the 2011 legislative session, the Governor successfully fought for legislation for electric vehicles, solar water heating systems, electricity net metering, and reliability standards for Maryland utility companies. The Governor also fought for offshore wind legislation  and continues to remain committed to advancing this initiative in Maryland. The Administration has set a goal to increase Maryland’s Renewable Portfolio by 20 percent by 2022, and offshore wind remains one of the most critical components to achieving this goal, leveraging Maryland’s natural assets to promote ‘green’ job creation, and generating clean, renewable energy.

Since taking office, the O’Malley-Brown Administration has taken steps to lay the foundation for a clean energy future – establishing vital partnerships, providing resources and incentives for Maryland families and workforce, creating jobs, and fueling innovation. These actions include:

• Partnering with Delaware and Virginia to sign an MOU to advance Mid-Atlantic offshore wind development;
• Establishing the Maryland Climate Action Plan to recommend and adopt policies to achieve reductions in greenhouse gas emissions; passed the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act of 2009;
• Establishing the EmPower Maryland Program, which has resulted in over 700 newly trained energy retrofitters, thousands of homes benefitting from energy checkups and makeovers, and over 50,000 Marylanders receiving rebates for the purchase of Energy Star appliances and lighting;
• Increasing Maryland’s renewable energy portfolio standard to require that 20 percent of Maryland’s electricity come from renewable sources by 2022;
• Adopting the Clean Cars Act of 2007 to implement stricter emission standards to reduce greenhouse gas emissions;
• Making Maryland the leading member of the Regional Greenhouse Gad Initiative – the nation’s only successfully operating cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions;
• Actively working with a coalition of states to assess and develop a low carbon fuel standard for northeast States;
• Promoting electric vehicles by creating tax credits and constructing over 60 charging stations around Maryland; and
• Recycling and reducing waste to realize greenhouse gas savings.

Prior to his inauguration for a second term, Governor O’Malley convened a series of five “Maryland Forward” forums designed to gather the input of various stakeholders, including recommendations for legislative in areas including jobs and the economy; skills and education; sustainability; children and health; and public safety and security. These day-long summits brought together stakeholders to generate concrete actions and recommendations that support the Administration’s strategic goals. Following that series, Governor O’Malley has convened smaller groups of local stakeholders, including today’s discussion, which focused on specific policy areas that will help Maryland be a winner in the new economy, protect our neighborhoods, and create jobs.

Salisbury Police Department Press Releases

On May 11, 2011 at approximately 11:37 am, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to the Superfresh Store on East College Avenue for the report of two (2) shoplifters. Upon arrival, the officers met with store management who advised the officers that store employees had observed the below listed suspect take drinks from the store without attempting to make payment. The property was recovered and returned to the store.

ARRESTED #1: Juvenile, 14 years of age
Fruitland, Maryland

ARRESTED #2: Juvenile, 16 years of age
Salisbury, Maryland

CHARGES (both): Theft (under $ 100)

DISPOSITIONS: Both released to guardians
CC # 201100017972


On May 11, 2011 at approximately 10:09 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police were on routine patrol in the area of U.S. Rt. 50 and stopped the below listed suspect for a traffic violation. During the stop, the suspect gave the officers consent to search his person and as a result, the officers located a bag containing several pieces of suspected “crack”/cocaine. Once the suspected “crack”/cocaine was discovered the suspect struck one of the officers and attempted to flee from the area on foot. During the foot chase the suspect produced a pocket knife, however the officers were able to apprehend the suspect without any injury to the suspect or officers.

ARRESTED: Aaron Cornelious Corbin, 19 years of age
Salisbury, Maryland

CHARGES: Possession of cocaine/intent to distribute
Possession of cocaine
Possession of CDS/Paraphernalia (9 counts)
Second degree assault
Resisting arrest
Obstruction and hindering an investigation
Failure to obey a lawful order
Disturbing the peace

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking
CC # 201100018054

On May 11, 2011 at approximately 10:51 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police Department received a call to respond to the Brew River Restaurant on East Main Street for the report of a theft. Upon arrival the officers met with restaurant management who advised the officers that the below listed suspect had consumed food and drink at the restaurant and had begun to act in a disorderly manner. Once asked to leave the restaurant, it was found that the suspect did not have the ability to make payment for the food that she had consumed.

ARRESTED: Shannon Ann Wilson, 29 years of age
Princess Anne, Maryland

CHARGES: Theft (under $ 100)

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking
CC # 201100018059

On May 12, 2011 at approximately 8:45 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police arrested the below listed suspect on an outstanding arrest warrant charging the suspect with a number of counts of credit card fraud. On March 27, 2011, Officers became involved in the investigation after responding to the Royal Farm Store on North Salisbury Boulevard for the report of a suspicious person. Upon arrival the officers met with employees who advised that a suspect, listed below, was making transactions with a credit card bearing another person’s name. The suspect had left the business but it was found that he was using a credit card that was later reported stolen.
As a result of the investigation, Salisbury detectives were able to positively identify the suspect and obtained the charges.

ARRESTED: Kenyatta Jameel Duncan, 39 years of age
Salisbury, Maryland

CHARGES: Use of another’s Credit Card (6 counts)
Identity theft-credit card (6 counts)
Identity theft – fraud

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking
CC # 201100012030

On May 12, 2011 at approximately 9:12 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to the area of West Isabella Street and Lake Street for the report of a hit and run motor vehicle accident. Upon arrival the officers met with a victim who advised that his vehicle had been struck in the rear area by another vehicle while stopped at a traffic light and that the other vehicle had fled from the scene. The officers were able to locate the suspect vehicle at an address on Patrick Avenue and made contact with the below listed suspect. The vehicle displayed damage consistent with that from a front – rear collision. The suspect was positively identified by witnesses and was taken into custody for leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident and for driving without a license. Routine checks of the suspect revealed that the suspect was in the United States illegally.

ARRESTED: Misael Morroquin Guzman, 29 years of age
Salisbury, Maryland

CHARGES: Failure to stop after accident involving damage
Failure to return and remain at scene of accident
Negligent Driving
Driving without a license
Arrest for others- U.S. Immigration Service

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking
CC # 201100018180/201100018214

Dow Takes a Tumble

The Dow shed more than 140 points as many commodities turned negative and the U.S. dollar moved higher.

Social Security, Medicare Worse Off Than Feared

Just-released reports on Social Security and Medicare say both are in worse shape than thought. Trustees for the programs say legislative corrections are needed if disruptive consequences for beneficiaries and taxpayers are to be avoided.

Ron Paul Announces 2012 Bid

Republican Rep. Ron Paul officially announces 2012 bid for President.

Never Pay a Debt Collector the Full Amount

The dirty little secret of debt collecting is that most of them are not working directly for the original company you ran up the debt with. They're an outside third party and they bought your debt for pennies on the dollar. The debt collector's goal is to get the most money out of you for the least amount of effort. This means all you have to do to make this calculus work to your advantage is settle with the debt collector for around the same price he paid to buy your debt. So start low.

Make an offer like 30% of what you owe. Or somewhere between 10 to 25 cents on the dollar. If you owe $1,000, offer to pay $250. If you owe $5,000, see if they will take $500. At this point it's all in the art of the deal and how good a haggler you are.

READ MORE …

YARD SALES

Apparently, Blogger was down this morning. It's now up, but I have no draft. I believe I had 2 or so upcoming yard sales to post, but they have disappeared. If yours did not show up, please comment on this post, and Joe will post it for you. I apologize for any inconvenience.

Here's what I have:

Saturday, May 14th 7:00 a.m. - noon. No Early Birds please!!
205 Glen Avenue (short, one-way section of Glen Ave near the park)
Salisbury MD

Clothing & shoes (womens, mens, girls, juniors)
Household items
Dishes
Books
VHS tapes
Bathroom vanity - white
Bathroom vanity, light & mirror - oak

How To Repair Your Credit

Frugal for Life lists the 14 Best Ways to Repair Credit.  This informative article includes sample letters to use when working on this sometimes frustrating, but infinitely manageable task:

• Letter to get inaccurate info removed from credit report
• Followup letter if there's no response from the credit bureau
• Letter telling debt collector to cease contact
• Letter asking debt collector to validate or prove that they own the debt they're collecting on
• Letter asking creditor to remove an unauthorized credit inquiry from your account (because it brings down your credit score)

H/T – The Consumerist

The Hidden Fee That’s Adding Thousands to the Price of Your New Car

It's called an "acquisition fee," and it's a fee that banks charge the dealerships just to approve a loan. The dealerships aren't supposed to pass it on to customers, but some do anyway. And because the person actually paying the fee, the customer, has no idea it exists, there's no pressure to keep the fee competitive at all. It amounts to a hush-hush interest rate jack-up that just pours on the gravy for the bank. In one case, it effectively increased the interest rate on the car loan from 18 to 25%.

READ MORE …

Joining Fiancee’s Verizon Plan Voids Your Warranty

David and his fiancée decided that it was finally time to take their commitment to the next level: joining their mobile phone plans together. Unfortunately, they were both already Verizon customers and wanted to upgrade their phones. If you can't imagine why this would be a problem, you've never upgraded phones and then joined plans at Verizon. The process seems to be specifically designed to keep customers from doing this.

READ MORE …

Peter O’Malley Resigns as Chairman of MD DEMS

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Maryland Democratic Chairman Peter O'Malley is leaving the post to be chief of staff for Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, the mayor's office announced Thursday.

Peter O'Malley, who is Gov. Martin O'Malley's brother, was chosen to be the party chairman two months ago. That job is an unpaid and volunteer position.

The mayor's office says he will begin his new job on Friday.

Peter O'Malley served as former Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith's chief of staff. He also worked on his brother's successful Baltimore mayoral races in 1999 and 2003, as well as his gubernatorial victories in 2006 and 2010.

Peter O'Malley is a Baltimore resident. He worked as a special assistant for CitiStat, a government accountability tool in the mayor's office, from late 2000 to 2002.

David Sloan, the state party's executive director, said Yvette Lewis, the party's first vice chair, will be the acting chair of the party. Lewis is from Prince George's County. Sloan said the governor already has sent letters to the party's central committee members recommending her for the position.

from WTOP

Jury Convicts MD Man of Faking Own Death

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) - A federal jury has convicted a Maryland man accused of conspiracy by faking his own death.

Larry Deffenbaugh also was found guilty Thursday of communicating a false distress signal to the Coast Guard during his retrial. A previous jury had deadlocked on whether to convict him on that charge.

Prosecutors say Deffenbaugh faked his death by jumping into the Chesapeake Bay from a rented fishing boat in 2009. His disappearance came two days before he was scheduled to appear at a hearing on a probation violation in Calvert County, Md.

The TV show "America's Most Wanted" broadcast a segment about Deffenbaugh that led to his arrest last year in Baytown, Texas.

from WTOP

Check Out the Best Printable Coupon Sites

Do you like to save money when you shop?  In these hard economic times just about everyone does.  Check out Smart Money’s list of the best printable coupon sites and keep a little of that hard earned cash in your own pocket.

School Budget: Separate Facts From Emotions

Thanks to Denise Lovelady!  Denise is Vice-Chair of the Talbot County Republican Central Committee and has posted a great op-ed by their chairman, Nick Panuzio.

It seems that folks in Talbot County are just as concerned about how their tax dollars are spent as we are down here on the Lower Shore:

************************

After attending the budget meeting about the 4 percent appropriation reduction, I read the various news articles and Superintendent Dr. Karen Salmon's comments that the sky was falling and the very welfare of our children is in dire jeopardy.

Opponents of budget reality want us to think there's some magic pot of money that the evil council members are keeping to themselves.

The swell in tax revenues associated with the real estate boom of the mid-2000s is now gone as the bubble popped and is arguably still deflating. There simply isn't the money that there used to be.

Republicans support education. We believe in a strong educational system where students are provided every possible choice and opportunity to make their lives successful.

Republicans recognize the importance of public schools. We believe modest reductions today can be made with minimal pain. The alternative is to do nothing until such point as we find ourselves facing massive cuts similar to Queen Anne's County.

The school system is up in arms because the huge increases they received during the boom years are not there.

They want us to have emotional images in our heads of children without lunches, packed classrooms, no supplies, special need children being denied. They want to tug at our hearts rather than talk about the facts.

We are not the wealthiest county when our average household income is $57,000 and the average salary is $39,000. Wealth based on property values is flawed and the state is wrong in considering it.

These are the facts:

In 2003, TCPS had 4,210 students and spent $29.7 million. Local appropriation was $25.8 million and each student cost $6,129.

In 2011, TCPS has 4,273 students. The total budget is $44.7 million.

An increase of just 1.5 percent in students, but there is about a 50 percent increase in spending. Local pupil cost is $9,070 if you include laptops.

In 2003, TCPS spent $26.4 million on salaries and benefits.

This year, they will spend about $38.7 million on salaries and benefits: An increase of 47 percent.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, from 2003-2011 inflation has been about 21 percent. The growth in TCPS salaries and benefits has been more than twice the rate of the taxpayers' wage growth and overall price increases.

Either we've hired a lot of new employees when the student population has been stagnant or we're paying people a lot more. I believe in paying teachers good wages. These folks don't have an easy job and for the most part do an excellent job. I commend anyone who enters the field of teaching.

The TCPS budget debate is about salaries and benefits.

Nobody wants TCPS staff to take a wage cut; that's not been discussed, and I hope it never has to come up for debate.

Because the money that was there during the boom is now gone, we need to find reasonable ways to develop efficiencies to save money precisely to avoid a wage cut discussion.

I wish the facts could count instead of creating a false image of catastrophe if a $1.8 million reduction in a $44.7 million budget comes to pass. The taxpayers deserve better.

Senate Ethics Committee Refers Ensign Case to DOJ

WASHINGTON (AP) - Former Sen. John Ensign of Nevada broke federal law, made false statements to the Federal Election Commission and obstructed a Senate Ethics Committee's investigation into his conduct, the panel said Thursday in a scathing report that sent the matter to the Justice Department for possible prosecution.

The former Republican lawmaker "created a web of deceit that entangled and compromised numerous people," the committee said, adding that it had assembled enough evidence to warrant possible expulsion had Ensign not resigned.

Ensign quit May 3, one day before he was to have testified under oath about an affair with the wife of a top aide, the aide's subsequent lobbying of Ensign's office, and a payment from Ensign's parents to the one-time aide's family.

The committee asked the FEC to conduct its own investigation, concluding that Ensign made false statements to the agency about the payment to the former aide's family.

READ MORE …

Bill Would Make UD and Del State “Public Bodies”

DOVER -- The University of Delaware and Delaware State University would be forced to lift a cloak of secrecy surrounding their operations under a bill expected to be introduced in the General Assembly today.

Citing several recent gripes with each university, a contingent of lawmakers wants to redefine UD and DSU as "public bodies," which would force them to comply with all provisions of the state's Freedom of Information Act.

The bill's primary sponsor, state Rep. John Kowalko, said the two schools need to operate with more transparency in light of controversies over construction on each campus as well as UD's decision to disband its men's track and cross-country teams.

"They can't be private one day and public the next," said Kowalko, D-Newark-South. "We give them entirely too much money that we cannot track."

READ MORE …

Group Claims Discrimination Against Maryland HBC’s

Maryland's four historically black colleges and universities are more segregated today than in decades past because of discriminatory practices and policies maintained by the state's Higher Education Commission, lawyers told a federal court judge Wednesday.

"The result is [that the four colleges] fall farther and farther behind," said John Greenbaum, a civil rights attorney representing an advocacy group that sued the commission.

The lawsuit, originally filed in 2006 and since amended four times, contends that the state underfunds black schools, particularly in capital improvement projects, and allows unnecessary duplication of programs by surrounding institutions.

But attorneys for the commission say there's no proof that disparities, if any, are intentional or even the result of policies that have roots in segregation.

READ MORE …

MD Pension System Doesn’t “Over-Invest” in Maryland

A new national study found that many state pension systems over-invest in their own states and lose money, but Maryland is not one of them.

The study, published earlier this month by two faculty members at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, looked at whether state pension systems seemed to be biased toward making investments in their own states. The study found that when states keep their pension investment dollars close to home, they tend to lose more.

The study authors figured out what percentage of investments nationwide were made in each state. They compared that to the percentage of investments each state pension fund made at home. According to the report, 0.93% of all pension investments nationwide are made in Maryland. However, the Maryland State Pension and Retirement System puts 3.3% of its investments in Maryland entities.

With an “over-investment” of about 2%, Maryland was below the median for the amount invested in its borders.

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Michaels Debit Card Breach Across 20 States

Last week we told you about a debit card breach found in Chicago area Michaels arts and craft stores. This week, the Chicago Tribune says that the impact is much more widespread than thought, as it turns out that actually, thieves stole debit card info at Michaels in 20 different states.

The crooks tampered with the PIN pads at checkout, either by hacking into them or by replacing them with their own, compromised PIN pads.

The store said they had discovered 90 pads across the following states that were tampered with: Illinois, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Virginia and Washington.

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Speaker Howell on Phil Hamilton’s Conviction

Virginia House Speaker Bill Howell has issued the following statement regarding the conviction of former Delegate Phil Hamilton (R-93):

“Like everyone who values Virginia’s reputation for honest government, I am saddened that a federal jury in Richmond this afternoon found former Delegate Phillip A. Hamilton guilty of bribery and extortion for actions he took a number of years ago as Vice-Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. In the summer of 2009, I acted to protect the institutional integrity of the Virginia House of Delegates when I initiated a legislative inquiry into what struck many of us as possible violations of the Commonwealth’s Conflict of Interest Act by then-Delegate Hamilton. The House Ethics Panel ended its inquiry after he lost his re-election bid because it lacked statutory jurisdiction following his resignation from the Virginia House of Delegates on November 15, 2009. It is good for all who care about good government that the facts ultimately were determined, the actions impartially reviewed and this matter finally resolved.

“Appropriate ethical conduct by state lawmakers is vital to ensuring trust in government for those elected to represent and serve the public. Today’s verdict underscores the seriousness with which I and others viewed the offenses for which former Delegate Hamilton now has been found guilty. No matter the issue or individual, how any public official performs his or her governmental duties must be above reproach and unquestionably within the bounds of law.

“Neither ethical lapses nor public corruption are commonplace let alone tolerated in Virginia. We long have had a reputation for good government and today’s jury verdict demonstrates that Virginians intend to keep it that way.”

H/T – Bearing Drift