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Published Material from Baltimore County Members
These views are not necessarily the views of the organization as a whole.
Result from special session won't benefit the consumer
When the General Assembly is in session, the saying typically goes that you had better watch your wallet.
Now that the session has ended, our wallets are no safer.
From the start, politics dominated the session. Overriding Gov. Robert Ehrlich's vetoes seemed to be high on the assembly's agenda.
Whether it was the "Wal-Mart" bill in January, allowing early voting in select precincts without valid identification or sacrificing Baltimore City schoolchildren's education, politics seemed to be a driving force.
But one item, the pending 72 percent increase from BGE, was left without a solution. While the General Assembly seemed able to pass some bills in days when they were aimed solely at hurting the governor, the energy crisis couldn't be resolved in seven years and 90 days.
Even with an agreement pending, the Senate president was more interested in politics than giving Maryland relief.
Gov. Ehrlich stated that an agreement with BGE will be reached.
Hopefully, the governor will be able to reach a solution without having to call the General Assembly to a special session. Perhaps the General Assembly needs to be reminded that it's people first, not politics. Come November, they may get just that.
Paul Bunting
Arbutus
Democrats distort state's agenda
When the General Assembly is in session, the saying typically goes that you had better watch your wallet. But now that the session has ended, our wallets are no safer - as it seems that the General Assembly was chiefly interested in playing politics because this is an election year ("Governor calls Assembly session extremely partisan," April 12).
From the very start, politics dominated the session, and overriding Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.'s vetoes seemed to be high on the Assembly's agenda.
Politics seemed to be the driving force behind these veto overrides.
But the one issue high on most Marylanders' list of priorities, the pending 72 percent electricity rate increase, was left without a solution.
While the General Assembly was able to pass bills in days that seemed to be aimed solely at hurting the governor, it looked like it couldn't resolve the energy crisis in seven years and 90 days.
Even with an agreement pending, the Senate president seemed more interested in politics than in giving Maryland relief where it counts - in the wallet.
Mr. Ehrlich has suggested that an agreement with Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. will be reached.
I hope the governor will be able to reach a solution without having to call the General Assembly back for a special session, since history has shown Maryland what to expect if that happens.
Perhaps the General Assembly needs to be reminded that people come first, not politics.
And, come November, the lawmakers may get just that message.
Paul Bunting
Arbutus
Politics dominate legislative session
From the very start, politics dominated the session.
Overriding Gov. Robert Ehrlich’s vetoes seemed to be high on the Assembly’s agenda. Whether it was the “Wal-Mart” bill in January, or allowing early voting in select precincts without valid identification, or sacrificing Baltimore City school children’s education, politics seemed to be the driving force behind these and other veto overrides.
But the one item high on Maryland’s list, the pending 72 percent increase from BGE, was left without a solution.
Perhaps the General Assembly needs to be reminded that it’s people first, not politics. Come November, they may get just that.
Paul Bunting
Arbutus