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Suggested by Stephanie Boblooch...
From: Delegate Steve Lafferty [lafferty@delegatelafferty.com]
Sent: Saturday, April 13, 2013 10:01 PM
To: Boblooch, Stephanie
Subject: Delegate Steve Lafferty's End of Session Letter
The Maryland General Assembly has just concluded a very busy legislative
session where we addressed some of the most substantial legislation I
have seen in the seven years that I have served.
While there were a very large number of significant issues, I want to
highlight some that make Maryland an even better place to live and work.
I want to thank all of those who contacted me, or came by to visit my
office, with their comments and opinions about the legislation we
addressed. To see any of the bills that we considered, you can visit the
General Assembly web site at mgaleg.maryland.gov<http://dlcc.wiredforchange.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=LjOaXVMo3HN89Xh%2FteN%2BDdOuS37M1tk3>.
Although I did not agree with all of the major legislation that was
passed, I am very proud of the work of the General Assembly.
Maryland’s Death Penalty is Repealed
The Maryland General Assembly passed legislation that bans the use of
the death penalty. SB 276<http://dlcc.wiredforchange.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=DzENM1FHYmCT1IYW%2BqMZftOuS37M1tk3>
was one of the most important and emotional issues that we addressed.
Proponents and opponents were passionate and sincere in their debate.
During this extensive debate, legislators remained quiet and attentive
to all speakers. Personal experiences, the need for justice, a desire
for retribution and the need to have the ultimate punishment as part of
the prosecution’s tools were presented throughout the debate. And,
repeatedly, we heard about the need to be sure that innocent individuals
could not be sent to death.
I have always opposed the death penalty because I do not believe that
the state has the right to take someone’s life, even for the most
heinous killers. This is consistent with my belief that no one should be
able to take a person’s life. I voted in favor of repeal and am proud to
be part of this historic moment.
Addressing Gun Violence
The most intense discussion and debate involved SB 281<http://dlcc.wiredforchange.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=ooSINq4PCsOm4SI5qkoUk6w6KjJoSt2J>,
the Firearms Safety Act, which bans military style assault weapons and
requires new standards for handgun ownership, sales and transfers.
SB 281<http://dlcc.wiredforchange.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=LdVF48LsdrS%2FnMpixrxh8tOuS37M1tk3>
was the subject of over 14 hours of testimony in two committees, 8 hours
of discussion in the two committees and nearly 12 hours of discussion
and debate on the floor of the House. The process led to a substantial
number of changes to the Governor’s initial bill in order to address
concerns of gun owners, manufacturers, the police and advocates for
greater gun control.
I supported this legislation as being reasonable, and Constitutional. It
will:
* limit the future availability of assault weapons,
* reduce the number of bullets in a clip that is attached to a firearm,
and
* require background checks, training and licensing for those who
purchase a handgun.
The bill also addresses gun access and ownership by people with mental
illness. The bill requires that more information be reported to a
national database for background checks and, under certain
circumstances, those who are voluntarily or involuntarily committed will
be denied the right to own a regulated firearm.
It is also important to note that Marylanders who currently own an
assault weapon or a handgun are not impacted by this legislation. They
are not required to get licenses or to register their weapons. No one is
having their weapons confiscated or removed.
Job Creation and New Opportunities
HB 227<http://dlcc.wiredforchange.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=nwfSn%2Bofr1i%2FdDaRrrOT%2FtOuS37M1tk3>,
EARN (Employment Advancement Right Now), was also passed by the
legislature. This progressive bill provides funds for a workforce
training collaboration between businesses, local governments, community
colleges and non-profits to train and prepare workers for the jobs that
are truly needed in the private sector. I voted for this important
measure. Identifying actual job needs and marrying available educational
and training resources makes a lot of sense in this tough economy. I
fully supported this bill.
The Veterans’ Full Employment Act of 2013, HB 225, will support a
process for issuing professional licenses, registrations and
certifications to active duty military, veterans and their spouses who
are settling in Maryland. Military that relocate here often bring many
skills that are commensurate with various licensures. This legislation
will allow them to more readily qualify for jobs.
Funding Transportation Needs with a Gas Tax
The General Assembly passed a bill that will place the Transportation
Trust Fund into a “lockbox”. In order to access any of these funds for
non-transportation purposes, the Governor will have to declare a fiscal
emergency and the legislature will have to concur by 3/5 of the
legislature of each chamber. This will be a Constitutional amendment if
approved by the voters in November 2014.
For the first time in twenty years, Maryland’s gas tax will increase!
Maryland has been facing a transportation funding crisis for many years.
We have reached the point where, without the added funding, the state
cannot afford any new projects but only make repairs. In order for
Maryland to remain competitive, funding is needed for the construction
of new road, bridge, transit and aviation projects.
The new gas tax will be phased in over the next few years. There will be
a tax on the wholesale price of gas and will include automatic increases
using the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The phase in will be as follows:
* 1% tax on the wholesale price on July 1, 2013; this is estimated to be
3.8 cents
* A ½ cent increase on July 1, 2014 based on the CPI
* A 1% tax on the wholesale price on January 1, 2015
* A 2% tax on the wholesale price on July 1, 2015 if Congress does not
pass legislation allowing the recovery of a tax on internet sales
While I recognize the serious need for funds, I voted against the gas
tax. I was, and am, concerned about the automatic CPI adjustment, the
impact on low income drivers and that added gas costs will be passed
along to consumers.
Health Care Coverage and Provision
The legislature adopted a number of proposals to address how low income
and uninsured residents and small businesses will be able to access
health care when the federal Affordable Care Act becomes effective. This
includes:
* Adding an additional 109,000 citizens - children and adults younger
than 65 with household incomes less than 133% of poverty - to the
Medicaid roles
* Dedicating the existing 2% tax on health insurance premiums to
operating the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange
* After working with businesses and the insurance industry, setting
guidelines to determine the amount that small businesses will contribute
to employees’ health care if they choose to provide it
* Outlining the types of plans and levels of coverage insurance
companies will be required to offer
* Preparing the transition from the Maryland Health Insurance Plan
(MHIP) to the Exchange
In light of the heightened attention to the needs of the mentally ill,
the Governor added funds in his supplemental budget to provide further
crisis intervention, crisis response and mental health first aid
services. I fully supported this effort in order to expand treatment and
care for those who have mental illness, including those who could be a
danger to themselves and/or others.
Medical Marijuana
After many years, legislation was passed to enable academic medical
centers to treat patients with medical marijuana. I supported HB 1101<http://dlcc.wiredforchange.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=Xp30FDrFYw%2Bgk63EkWQGktOuS37M1tk3>
to allow these centers to apply to distribute marijuana grown by
licensed growers for use in treating patients with illnesses like cancer
and multiple sclerosis. The centers will be regulated and required to
monitor patients and publish their findings.
Education
I supported the Governor’s proposal to increase funding for public
schools to over $6 billion dollars and to keep college tuitions stable.
Furthermore, I was pleased to support his commitment of $25 million for
a School Safety program that should assist all jurisdictions to make the
school buildings safer from outside intruders.
My efforts to change the way that the Baltimore County board of
Education is selected failed again this year. I remain convinced that we
must have a Board that is accountable to the residents and public and
not be solely appointed by the Governor.
The legislature made an extraordinary commitment to Baltimore City’s
schools by agreeing to provide $20 million per year to fund the
construction of new schools and the renovation and upgrade of others in
the city. The City and city public schools were also required to commit
$20 million each into this construction fund. With the oldest schools in
the state, the City needs to bolster its educational facilities if it is
to attract and retain families. This is a good investment so that the
schools have the needed equipment, technology and facilities needed for
a better education.
Use of Cell Phones while Driving
Finally, after five years of efforts to make the roads safer, the
General Assembly has passed legislation that makes driving while using a
hand-held cell phone a “primary offense”. This means that a driver can
be stopped if he/she is driving with a cell phone in their hand.
Currently, the use of a cell phone while driving is a “secondary
offense”; this means that you must commit another offense to be stopped
but can be cited for use of the cell phone. HB 753<http://dlcc.wiredforchange.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=wZ4ie4VeCwGT6PFLjn%2BsF9OuS37M1tk3>
changes that standard so that driving with a cell phone in one’s hand is
a moving violation.
Having heard extensive testimony and hearing from constituents about the
dangers of driving with a cell phone in one’s hand, I supported this
bill. I believe this will promote greater safety on our roads.
Providing further Environmental Protections
During my service in Annapolis, I have focused substantial time on
improving the condition of our environment and finding added strategies
that can strengthen the laws that we rely upon to reduce pollution, to
increase the water quality of the Bay and to increase the fish, oysters
and crabs in our waterways. This year, I looked at different ways to
reduce toxins and pollutants that enter the Bay and to increase
recycling.
Reports indicate that we have too little data on the pesticides that are
applied in communities and on farms. Personal, public and environmental
healths are at issue. My bill HB 775<http://dlcc.wiredforchange.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=LkYBQ71aUcim4SI5qkoUk6w6KjJoSt2J>
provided reporting of pesticide application. The state has hundreds of
legitimate pesticide applicators in the state. While they are required
to maintain records of the applications, they are not required to report
this data. There was debate involving farmers, commercial applicators
and public and environmental health advocates without reaching
agreement. Therefore, a workgroup of advocates, experts and government
will convene before the next session to address the data gap and examine
ways to provide reporting.
My bill, HB 184<http://dlcc.wiredforchange.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=D7HE6BaK48DwpV0pIghqqtOuS37M1tk3>,
was passed and will provide an income tax credit to encourage the
recycling of oyster shells. Oyster shells are the best material on which
young oysters (spat) can grow. In order to increase the oyster
population – and reverse the decline - we must have more material on
which oysters can grow. We need to encourage more restaurants,
businesses and individuals to save and recycle shells. HB 184<http://dlcc.wiredforchange.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=ksbbP0C5d8mZpU%2FAFkmRc9OuS37M1tk3>
is a step in that direction and was supported by e3nvironmentalists,
watermen and business owners.
Waste management continues to be a challenge in Maryland. While
recycling has increased throughout the state, the amount of material
going into the landfills will soon exceed the capacity. I want to find
additional ways to reduce the amount of waste we generate, the waste
that goes into landfills, and increase our reuse and recycling. My HB
1266<http://dlcc.wiredforchange.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=XwW9jJF34o189Xh%2FteN%2BDdOuS37M1tk3>
would have created a broad based study group to examine how Maryland can
become a zero waste state. Unfortunately, it failed on the last day.
Encouraging Private Investment in Existing Communities
As a long time advocate for neighborhoods, I strongly believe that we
must strengthen and improve the state’s older communities. I have worked
on and supported initiatives to increase investment, encourage
homeownership, bring more businesses into our communities, foster more
open space and renovate our schools.
My bill, HB 1170<http://dlcc.wiredforchange.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=mC7DJhBrio6T1IYW%2BqMZftOuS37M1tk3>,
requires the Secretary of Housing and Community Development to convene a
workgroup to determine how to create a Smart Growth Investment Fund.
This Fund will be a vehicle for private investors to invest in
development, redevelopment and revitalization in the State’s existing
communities. As public money is limited, we need to be more creative and
to find private sector sources to support our communities.
HB 613<http://dlcc.wiredforchange.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=IoCCsgHik2210PsEvolYlNOuS37M1tk3>
expands the potential use of Tax Increment Financing (TIFs) in
designated “Sustainable Communities”. TIFs are a means for financing
infrastructure such as roads, water lines and parking can be built using
the increase in the assessable tax base of a development. HB 613<http://dlcc.wiredforchange.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=ellAYdpiSDim4SI5qkoUk6w6KjJoSt2J>
allows this financing tool to be used to build schools, stormwater
management facilities, parking garages and affordable housing. The local
government is also protected from having any added tax burden.
The General Assembly endorsed the Governor’s $10 million Sustainable
Communities Tax Credit to further assist communities throughout the
state with financial support. These funds will be used for economic
development, historic preservation and to foster homeownership in the
state’s older communities.
Baltimore Regional Revitalization
I was honored to be appointed to the Speaker’s Baltimore Regional
Revitalization Workgroup. The workgroup is examining ways to ensure that
state programs can better serve the region, including Baltimore County
communities inside the Beltway. The Governor has placed $3.75 million in
his budget to support revitalization initiatives in the city and county
to support population growth and to strengthen local economies.
I am honored to represent the 42nd District in the Maryland General
Assembly. If I can be of any assistance, please contact me at
Stephen.Lafferty@house.state.md.us<mailto:Stephen.Lafferty@house.state.md.us>
or at 410-841-3487.
Sincerely,
Steve Lafferty
Delegate Steve Lafferty
Maryland House of Delegates, District 42
410-841-3487
stephen.lafferty@house.state.md.us<mailto:stephen.lafferty@house.state.md.us>
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