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Thursday, April 10, 2008

Session 2008: A True Success by any Measure

Amazing things happened on the way to the second "Bush" recession. Governor Martin O'Malley, Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown and our Democratic Lawmakers addressed a fiscal crisis, protected the people's priorities and forged a solid plan for progress.

Schools will continue to progress, college tuitions will stay frozen for the third year in a row, Chesapeake Bay restoration is expanded, public safety is enhanced and 100,000 more people will get the health care they need.

The news and analysis tell part of the story:

"The $2 billion settlement with Constellation Energy Group (including the $170 credit for BGE customers), the rollback of the much-reviled tax on computer services, the imposition of greater controls on development around the shores of the Chesapeake Bay, and an anti-crime initiative that expands the state's DNA databank all are likely to sit well with the public." [Baltimore Sun, 4.9.08]

"Compromises Play A Major Role in Legislative Success...But by and large, lawmakers say, the governor's flexibility helped him advance an agenda that included some of the country's most ambitious mortgage industry reforms and a package of energy conservation measures, some of which O'Malley highlighted yesterday at the first in a series of bill-signing ceremonies." [Washington Post, 4.9.08]

"...the Democrat-controlled Assembly approved a settlement between the state and Constellation Energy that will return nearly $2 billion to Baltimore Gas and Electric customers in coming decades...Lawmakers also approved measures to curb energy consumption and put $25 million into a trust fund to clean the Chesapeake Bay... "Not only have we restored fiscal responsibility to our state, but we've also been able to make very solid progress on education, on the environment and on coming up with a better and more secure energy future for our state," Gov. Martin O'Malley..." [Washington Times, 4.9.08]

A Message from Gov. Martin O'Malley

Dear Friend,

Over the last 14 months, we have come together to make real and steady progress for the people of Maryland even in these difficult economic times. And as we close another legislative session, Lt. Governor Brown and I wanted to share with you some of things we have been able to accomplish to protect our priorities working with the Maryland General Assembly.

Together we have restored fiscal accountability to our State of Maryland; we have reduced spending by $1.8 billion, and we have worked to protect our middle class families, expand opportunity and defend our quality of life.

Together, we have restored professional leadership at the Public Service Commission that resulted in $2 billon in immediate and long-term relief for Maryland ratepayers, and passed nation-leading legislation to protect homeowners from foreclosure. The Washington Post called our efforts to protect homeownership "among the most sweeping in the country."

Together, we are working to restore the health of the Chesapeake Bay, creating the Bay Trust Fund, updating our Critical Area law for the first time in almost 25 years, and fully funding Program Open Space.

Together, we repealed the $200 million computer tax to protect our middle class and small, innovative businesses, which are the engine of our global economy - and at the same time we made our tax system fairer and more progressive for our working families.

Together, we passed legislation to expand our State DNA fingerprint database to take violent predators off our streets, improve public safety in our communities and give our state and local law enforcement the tools they need to solve violent crimes.

Together, we made record investments in public education to build the workforce of tomorrow, including $733 million for school construction over the last two years and freezing college tuition for the third consecutive year to make college more affordable for Maryland families. In just three years, our public university tuition has gone from the 6th highest in the nation to 16th - making the goal of a college education attainable for many families.

As One Maryland, we have accomplished a great deal in the face of great adversity over these last 14 months. Despite an inherited $1.7 billion structural deficit and a downturn in the national economy, we have found a way forward. And together, we will continue to make steady progress because we will continue to protect our priorities.

Sincerely,

Gov. Martin O'Malley

O'Malley keeps eye on future needs
http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/articles/2008/04/09/news/local_news/newstory3.txt

Tax repeal, loan reforms become law
http://www.mddailyrecord.com/article.cfm?fuseaction=print&id=4993&type=UTTM

Session wraps up on a green note
http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080409/METRO/516368290/1004

DNA sampling extended to felony suspects
http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080408/METRO/364012598/1004/METRO

A session of compromise - Our view: Lawmakers wrap up a curative, cautious 90 days
http://www.baltimoresun.com/services/newspaper/printedition/wednesday/opinion/bal-ed.session09apr09,0,1171407,print.story

Democrats see victory as session concludes
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-te.md.session08apr08,0,7600247,print.story

Lawmakers tout progress as session closes
http://www.examiner.com/printa-1326659~Lawmakers_tout_progress_as_session_closes.html

Restraint In Bleak Times For Md.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/07/AR2008040702512_pf.html

Sweeping Bills Passed To Help Homeowners
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/02/AR2008040203638_pf.html