Legislative leaders took a new approach to setting budget targets Tuesday, telling the governor and lawmakers that they wanted to see the persistent $2 billion structural deficit cut by a third next year, meaning a $670 million real reduction in general fund spending.
The Spending Affordability Committee, made up of 21 fiscal leaders in the General Assembly, abandoned setting a percentage target for budget growth as they had for the last 28 years -- a target sometimes disregarded by governors.
“We’ve been using non-structural solutions to balance the budget,” Warren Deschenaux, the legislature’s fiscal policy chief, told the lawmakers. The state has been using one-time things like transfers of special funds and federal stimulus dollars to balance the books.
“We’ve been doing that and doing that and doing that,” Deschenaux said. “The goal is to do less of that and less of that and less of that.”
GO HERE to read more.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
There's No Caps Lock On Google's New Laptop
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For Brain-Injured Soldiers, Top Quality Care From A Philanthropist, Not The Pentagon
Versions of this story were co-published with NPR [1] and Stars and Stripes [2]. For more coverage, listen to Morning Edition [3].
One afternoon this fall, Bobby McKinney hunched over a coffee table with a clear glass surface. A lamp with a bare light bulb illuminated it from below. Pencil in hand, the former Marine traced the pattern for a tattoo across delicate paper, a swirling, intricate design reminiscent of a Celtic cross.
McKinney's small apartment faded from his thoughts: The closet filled with shirts and pairs of jeans, hung three inches apart, all facing exactly the same direction, the way the Marines had taught him. The box packed with a dozen brown plastic medicine bottles. The worn couch that he slept on instead of the bed. The eraser board on his refrigerator where he had scrawled "A coward dies a 1,000 deaths. A warrior dies one."
Suddenly, a nurse's aide knocked on the door. Had he checked the oven? McKinney leapt up and ran to the kitchen, pulling out a tin of brownies on the point of burning.
"I guess I was just very focused on the tattoo design," he told a counselor later, pushing a camouflage baseball cap back on his head. "I set the alarm. I guess I just didn't hear it."
"Try to work on one thing at a time," she told him. "Multitasking is just asking the brain to do two or three things not too well."
McKinney, 29, nodded in agreement. It seemed so obvious once she said it. But his mind -- the mind that once helped sniper teams in Iraq, that navigated battlefield maps and complex rules of enemy engagement -- had just not come up with the idea to do one task instead of many. "When you think about it, it kinda makes sense. But I wouldn't think about it on my own," he said.
McKinney is an Iraq war veteran who suffered multiple concussions, also known as mild traumatic brain injuries. Bomb blasts jarred his brain, leaving him with no outside scars, but with nagging mental problems. His short-term memory is bad. He moves slowly through ordinary chores. He gets disoriented easily, and can't find his way to the home that he has lived in for months without the aid of a GPS.
A farm boy fond of the Georgia Bulldogs and chewing tobacco, McKinney has pinned his hopes for recovery on cognitive rehabilitation therapy, a subtle and complex treatment for a subtle and complex injury. Doctors and studies have shown that the therapy helps soldiers. But the Pentagon's primary health plan for soldiers and seriously wounded veterans, called Tricare, will not cover the treatment [4], saying it is still unproven.
To see what cognitive therapy looked like, ProPublica and NPR spent several days with McKinney and fellow soldiers and veterans at Project Share, a charity to help brain-damaged soldiers. The program is based out of the Shepherd Center for Brain and Spinal Cord Injury in Atlanta, a nationally recognized hospital for head injuries.
Former Home Depot magnate and philanthropist Bernie Marcus founded Project Share in January 2008 to fill the gaps left by Tricare and military and veterans hospitals, which often lack the expertise and staffing to provide a full-scale program of cognitive rehabilitation therapy.
GO HERE to read more.
One afternoon this fall, Bobby McKinney hunched over a coffee table with a clear glass surface. A lamp with a bare light bulb illuminated it from below. Pencil in hand, the former Marine traced the pattern for a tattoo across delicate paper, a swirling, intricate design reminiscent of a Celtic cross.
McKinney's small apartment faded from his thoughts: The closet filled with shirts and pairs of jeans, hung three inches apart, all facing exactly the same direction, the way the Marines had taught him. The box packed with a dozen brown plastic medicine bottles. The worn couch that he slept on instead of the bed. The eraser board on his refrigerator where he had scrawled "A coward dies a 1,000 deaths. A warrior dies one."
Suddenly, a nurse's aide knocked on the door. Had he checked the oven? McKinney leapt up and ran to the kitchen, pulling out a tin of brownies on the point of burning.
"I guess I was just very focused on the tattoo design," he told a counselor later, pushing a camouflage baseball cap back on his head. "I set the alarm. I guess I just didn't hear it."
"Try to work on one thing at a time," she told him. "Multitasking is just asking the brain to do two or three things not too well."
McKinney, 29, nodded in agreement. It seemed so obvious once she said it. But his mind -- the mind that once helped sniper teams in Iraq, that navigated battlefield maps and complex rules of enemy engagement -- had just not come up with the idea to do one task instead of many. "When you think about it, it kinda makes sense. But I wouldn't think about it on my own," he said.
McKinney is an Iraq war veteran who suffered multiple concussions, also known as mild traumatic brain injuries. Bomb blasts jarred his brain, leaving him with no outside scars, but with nagging mental problems. His short-term memory is bad. He moves slowly through ordinary chores. He gets disoriented easily, and can't find his way to the home that he has lived in for months without the aid of a GPS.
A farm boy fond of the Georgia Bulldogs and chewing tobacco, McKinney has pinned his hopes for recovery on cognitive rehabilitation therapy, a subtle and complex treatment for a subtle and complex injury. Doctors and studies have shown that the therapy helps soldiers. But the Pentagon's primary health plan for soldiers and seriously wounded veterans, called Tricare, will not cover the treatment [4], saying it is still unproven.
To see what cognitive therapy looked like, ProPublica and NPR spent several days with McKinney and fellow soldiers and veterans at Project Share, a charity to help brain-damaged soldiers. The program is based out of the Shepherd Center for Brain and Spinal Cord Injury in Atlanta, a nationally recognized hospital for head injuries.
Former Home Depot magnate and philanthropist Bernie Marcus founded Project Share in January 2008 to fill the gaps left by Tricare and military and veterans hospitals, which often lack the expertise and staffing to provide a full-scale program of cognitive rehabilitation therapy.
GO HERE to read more.
Social Security Payments To Go Paperless On May 1st
Before too long, the government check will no longer be in the mail.
Officials have settled on the dates when millions of people will no longer be able to get their Social Security and other benefit checks by mail.
New recipients of benefits will have to accept paperless payments starting on May 1, three months later than first proposed.
Those already on Social Security will have until March 1, 2013, to make the switch to direct deposits or debit cards.
More than 58 million retirees, disabled people and surviving family members receive Social Security or Supplemental Security benefits. Eight out of 10 people getting federal benefits receive those payments electronically, officials say.
The switch to electronic payments will eliminate the problem of lost or stolen checks and the problems faced by people displaced from their homes who have to worry about getting their checks mailed to them, said Richard L. Gregg, the Treasury Department's assistant fiscal secretary.
"Even though we have done a good job of encouraging people to switch over, we still are making 120 million payments by mail for Social Security every year and another 15 million annually for veterans and other types of benefits," Mr. Gregg said.
Every year, the government has to process about 600,000 claims for lost or stolen checks. Social Security will save $1 billion over the next decade from phasing out paper checks, he said.
The final rules, announced Tuesday, are similar to the proposal the government put forward in June.
But in response to public comments, the government has decided to allow people 90 and older who are still getting Social Security benefit checks to continue to receive their benefits the same way. The government estimates that 275,000 people fall into that category.
More from The Washington Times.
Officials have settled on the dates when millions of people will no longer be able to get their Social Security and other benefit checks by mail.
New recipients of benefits will have to accept paperless payments starting on May 1, three months later than first proposed.
Those already on Social Security will have until March 1, 2013, to make the switch to direct deposits or debit cards.
More than 58 million retirees, disabled people and surviving family members receive Social Security or Supplemental Security benefits. Eight out of 10 people getting federal benefits receive those payments electronically, officials say.
The switch to electronic payments will eliminate the problem of lost or stolen checks and the problems faced by people displaced from their homes who have to worry about getting their checks mailed to them, said Richard L. Gregg, the Treasury Department's assistant fiscal secretary.
"Even though we have done a good job of encouraging people to switch over, we still are making 120 million payments by mail for Social Security every year and another 15 million annually for veterans and other types of benefits," Mr. Gregg said.
Every year, the government has to process about 600,000 claims for lost or stolen checks. Social Security will save $1 billion over the next decade from phasing out paper checks, he said.
The final rules, announced Tuesday, are similar to the proposal the government put forward in June.
But in response to public comments, the government has decided to allow people 90 and older who are still getting Social Security benefit checks to continue to receive their benefits the same way. The government estimates that 275,000 people fall into that category.
More from The Washington Times.
White House Drafts Executive Order For Indefinite Detention
GO HERE to read more.
Dunbar Or Dumber?
I wanted to share with you an experience that I had on Tuesday morning. I decided to leave the house a few minutes early to stop and get some coffee from the Royal Farms in Hebron. I pulled in got my goods and headed for the door. While exiting the store I noticed that a Dunbar truck had parked behind me. I asked the driver if he could pull forward to allow me to exit, he told me that I would have to speak to the Dunbar rep inside of the store. I returned inside and asked the gentleman if he could please move his truck forward to allow me to
exit as I had to be to work. The response I got, "Well if you ask him real nicely he might, but I'm not going to move it either way." This statement made with a snicker and laugh. I explained that I had to be to work and would be late. That's when the store manager got involved asking the Dunbar rep to move his truck. The Dunbar rep informed both of us he was going to do NO such thing.
With further review I noticed that the truck could have easily been parked in front of the curb not blocking anyone in. The Royal Farms manager was very upset with the Dunbar rep and stated that this was not the first time that he had an issue at this location. She began to call Dunbar and file a complaint. Mean while, I waited approximately 20 minutes before I could leave the location.
At this point I was late for work and very frustrated with how I was treated. I have attached a photo showing that the truck could have easily been pulled all of the way up next to the curb blocking no one. I think that is called common sense???? Oh, they gave this guy a gun!!!
Merry Christmas from SbyNEWS
Salisbury News and its GENEROUS advertisers will be providing 300 turkeys to needy families on Thursday, December 23rd.
If you or anyone you know is in need, we encourage you to come out to Pohanka’s new Nissan dealership on the west side of US 13. We will be giving out the turkeys between 5PM and 7PM on Thursday. It is our sincere hope that this small gesture will help make Christmas a little better for our Delmarva neighbors.
Those of us here at Salisbury News want to thank our generous advertisers, particularly Pohanka of Salisbury for providing a central location. Without the generosity of our advertisers, this would not be possible.
Help make our Christmas brighter by allowing us to serve you or someone you know.
Merry Christmas.
23% Of Our Students Fail Army Entrance Exam
Nearly one-fourth of the students who try to join the U.S. Army fail its entrance exam, painting a grim picture of an education system that produces graduates who can't answer basic math, science and reading questions, according to a new study released Tuesday.
The report by the Education Trust bolsters a growing worry among military and education leaders that the pool of young people qualified for military service will grow too small.
"Too many of our high school students are not graduating ready to begin college or a career - and many are not eligible to serve in our armed forces," Education Secretary Arne Duncan told the Associated Press. "I am deeply troubled by the national security burden created by America's underperforming education system."
The effect of the low eligibility rate might not be noticeable now - the Department of Defense says it is meeting its recruitment goals - but that could change as the economy improves, said retired Navy Rear Adm. Jamie Barnett.
"If you can't get the people that you need, there's a potential for a decline in your readiness," said Adm. Barnett, who is part of the group Mission: Readiness, a coalition of retired military leaders working to bring awareness to the high ineligibility rates.
The report by the Education Trust found that 23 percent of recent high school graduates don't get the minimum score needed on the enlistment test to join any branch of the military. Questions are often basic, such as: "If 2 plus x equals 4, what is the value of x?"
More from The Washington Times.
The report by the Education Trust bolsters a growing worry among military and education leaders that the pool of young people qualified for military service will grow too small.
"Too many of our high school students are not graduating ready to begin college or a career - and many are not eligible to serve in our armed forces," Education Secretary Arne Duncan told the Associated Press. "I am deeply troubled by the national security burden created by America's underperforming education system."
The effect of the low eligibility rate might not be noticeable now - the Department of Defense says it is meeting its recruitment goals - but that could change as the economy improves, said retired Navy Rear Adm. Jamie Barnett.
"If you can't get the people that you need, there's a potential for a decline in your readiness," said Adm. Barnett, who is part of the group Mission: Readiness, a coalition of retired military leaders working to bring awareness to the high ineligibility rates.
The report by the Education Trust found that 23 percent of recent high school graduates don't get the minimum score needed on the enlistment test to join any branch of the military. Questions are often basic, such as: "If 2 plus x equals 4, what is the value of x?"
More from The Washington Times.
Benefit For Cpl. Craig Ashley
"Political Correctness."
"Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a piece of poop by the clean end. "
Stolen Trailer
I would like to thank you and your website again for helping to locate the owners of the stranded dog I found last winter in Delmar: http://sbynews.blogspot.com/2010/02/lost-dog-out-in-snow-delmar.html
If you would be so kind, I would appreciate your help one more time.
A trailer was stolen from the parking spaces on Rolling Green Drive in the Wood Creek Golf Community in Delmar.
The theft occurred late Sunday evening or on Monday. When I returned home on Monday around 8:00pm, I noticed that it was missing.
It is a black framed 5' wide x 8' long trailer with light blue painted plywood sides. The sides are about 2' high.
The license plate was previously broken off the frame and was lying in the trailer next to the spare tire.
See the attached image that is a close resemblance to the missing trailer.
If you can post this information on your website, hopefully the good and responsible citizens who read this post can help us thwart these thoughtless criminals.
Please contact me at 410-202-9844 with any information.
Thank you for your help!
Eric
OCPD NEEDY DRIVE DONATES 75 FOOD BASKETS AND HUNDREDS OF TOYS TO OCEAN CITY FAMILIES
The OCPD Christmas Needy Drive proved to be a blessing to many local families. With a volunteer crew of more than 50 people, Chief Bernadette DiPino and her staff tended to more than 75 families, including more than 150 children, this past Saturday at the Public Safety Building.
The OCPD Christmas Needy Drive was started by Chief DiPino’s grandfather in the
Baltimore Police Department many years ago. The tradition was continued by her father in Baltimore, and later by Chief DiPino in Ocean City. This year is the 15th year for the OCPD Christmas Needy Drive and each year the event has grown.
The OCPD Christmas Needy Drive volunteers not only helped families load toys and boxes of food for the holidays, but also assisted in transportation for some people who otherwise would have had to take the bus. Chief DiPino was very pleased with the event. “Every year I worry about whether or not we will have enough donated toys and food to give the families,” said Chief DiPino. “But every year the Ocean City community comes together to provide for those who are less fortunate.”
FOLLOW UP -DOMESTIC ASSAULT LEADS TO STABBING AND OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING
On December 20, 2010, at approximately 11:07 a.m., Ocean City Police officers responded to a 911 call for a domestic dispute on 82nd Street.
When officers arrived at the scene they discovered an armed suspect with a knife who was attacking a female. Officers were forced to shoot the suspect who has been identified as Marvin Jefferson Mitchell, 27, of Berlin, Maryland. The female victim has been identified as Mitchell’s estranged wife, Shanna Mitchell, 27, of Berlin, Maryland.
As previously reported, Shanna Mitchell had obtained an active Protective Order against her husband. Shanna Mitchell suffered a stab wound as a result of the attack. Both the suspect and the victim were treated at the scene by Ocean City Fire Department Paramedics and transported to Peninsula Regional Medical Center. As of December 21, 2010, the victim and the suspect remain
hospitalized and are both in stable condition.
Marvin Mitchell has been charged by the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation with:
• 1st Degree Attempted Murder
• 2nd Degree Attempted Murder
• 1st Degree Burglary
• 3rd Degree Burglary
• Possession of a Dangerous Weapon with the Intent to Injure
• 1st Degree Assault
• 2nd Degree Assault
• Reckless Endangerment
• Violation of a Protective Order
Marvin Mitchell is currently hospitalized and remains in police custody pending an initial appearance before a Maryland District Court Commissioner.
When officers arrived at the scene they discovered an armed suspect with a knife who was attacking a female. Officers were forced to shoot the suspect who has been identified as Marvin Jefferson Mitchell, 27, of Berlin, Maryland. The female victim has been identified as Mitchell’s estranged wife, Shanna Mitchell, 27, of Berlin, Maryland.
As previously reported, Shanna Mitchell had obtained an active Protective Order against her husband. Shanna Mitchell suffered a stab wound as a result of the attack. Both the suspect and the victim were treated at the scene by Ocean City Fire Department Paramedics and transported to Peninsula Regional Medical Center. As of December 21, 2010, the victim and the suspect remain
hospitalized and are both in stable condition.
Marvin Mitchell has been charged by the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation with:
• 1st Degree Attempted Murder
• 2nd Degree Attempted Murder
• 1st Degree Burglary
• 3rd Degree Burglary
• Possession of a Dangerous Weapon with the Intent to Injure
• 1st Degree Assault
• 2nd Degree Assault
• Reckless Endangerment
• Violation of a Protective Order
Marvin Mitchell is currently hospitalized and remains in police custody pending an initial appearance before a Maryland District Court Commissioner.
COUNTY RECEIVES CLEAN OPINION ON FISCAL YEAR 2010 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Following the annual external audit, Wicomico County received an unqualified, clean opinion on its fiscal year 2010 financial statements – the highest assurance given by external auditors. In addition, the auditors found no material weaknesses in County operations.
“I am justifiably proud of the County management team,” said County Executive Richard M. Pollitt, Jr. “The clean opinion assures our citizens that we continue to be accountable for responsibly managing their tax dollars. The lack of any material weaknesses demonstrates that County operations are being conducted properly and in accordance with established policies and procedures.”
Further, Mr. Pollitt noted that only $1.8 million of the county’s fund balance was used in FY 2010. Pollitt said, “Our amended Operating Budget included utilizing $4.7 million of our fund balance, but thanks to my orders to our departments to curtail spending, only 38% of that amount was spent. This type of frugality only serves to reinforce the recent vote of confidence we received from Wall Street’s top bond rating agencies.”
The County auditors, PKS & Company, P.A., presented the report to the Wicomico County Council today at its regular meeting.
Salisbury Police Department Press Release
On December 21, 2010 at approximately 12:04 am, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to the parking lot of the Boscov’s Department store at the Centre at Salisbury for the report of a suspicious subject. Upon arrival the officers made contact with Centre Security and the below listed suspect. As the officers attempted contact with the suspect, the suspect became disorderly and refused to cooperate with the officer and quit yelling. The officer continued to try to communicate with the suspect however was assaulted by the suspect who was subsequently placed under arrest. There were no injuries.
ARRESTED: Joshua Daniel Landry-Gass, 21 years of age
Salisbury, Maryland
CHARGES: Disorderly Conduct
Second degree assault
DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking
CC # 201000049489
ARRESTED: Joshua Daniel Landry-Gass, 21 years of age
Salisbury, Maryland
CHARGES: Disorderly Conduct
Second degree assault
DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking
CC # 201000049489
Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Press Release
During the upcoming holiday season, the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office is reminding all, please drive responsibly. Maryland is currently in a Drunk Driving enforcement wave. Law Enforcement Officers in Worcester County and throughout the State of Maryland will be on the roads enforcing Maryland’s Drunk Driving Laws.
Too many lives are lost during the holiday season needlessly due to drunk driving crashes. Officers have to notify family members of a loved one’s death, time and time again due to a drunk driving crash during the holidays, a task that could be prevented by not drinking and driving.
Remember if you are going to drink, don’t drive. If you are going to drive don’t drink.
If you are over the limit, you will be under arrest.
Buzzed driving IS Drunk Driving
You can make a difference this holiday season saving a life by not drinking and driving
Holiday Story Time
WHAT: Story Time with Santa's Elves
WHO: Children aged 0 – 5 years
WHEN: Wednesday, December 22, from 10:30 a.m. until 11 a.m.
WHERE: Wicomico Public Library, Main Library
BACKGROUND: Kids leave their shoes and enjoy a story time, to find treats when they return
STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR MARTIN O'MALLEY ON THE STATE OF HORSE RACING IN MARYLAND
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Martin O’Malley issued this statement on the future prospects of horse racing in Maryland:
“It's disappointing the parties involved could not reach an agreement. We are prepared to aggressively protect the State’s interests, as we did two years ago when presented with the threat of losing Maryland"s treasured Preakness Stakes.
“I would encourage the track owners, industry representatives, and horsemen and breeders to return to the table and reach an agreement that protects the jobs that depend on our rich history of racing in Maryland. We will continue to explore the legal options available to us.”
GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY, MAYOR STEPHANIE RAWLINGS-BLAKE TO URGE FIRE, CARBON MONOXIDE SAFETY
ANNAPOLIS, MD Governor Martin O’Malley and Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake will join the Maryland State Fire Marshal, the President of the Fire Fighters of Maryland, members of the Maryland State Firemen’s Association, and others to urge safety for all Marylanders this holiday season.
The holiday season and the cold winter months often carry with them fire hazards in the home, including holiday decorations and unsafe home heating. Generators and other appliances can also cause carbon monoxide poisoning if unmonitored.
Firefighters from throughout Maryland will join the event to urge safety for all Maryland families. The event will take place at the Herman Williams, Jr. Fire Station in Baltimore City.
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