In this MPT State Circle episode hosted by Jeff Salkin, Delegate Steve Schuh is debating Vincent DeMarco of the Maryland Citizens Health Initiative on the contemplated tax increase of alcohol that is expected to be introduced in the upcoming 2010 Legislative Session. Watch the video now! Be sure to skip forward to 12 minutes in the program to the point where the debate with Steve begins.
DELEGATE STEVE SCHUH’S CONSTITUENT UPDATE
The 427th Session (which is my fourth Session) of the Maryland General Assembly began on January 13, 2010. Having now reached the half-way point, the major issues of the Session have now made themselves evident. They include resolving the budget crisis, stopping sexual predators of children and preventing gang violence.
Budget: When we arrived to Annapolis, we faced a $2.2 billion budget shortfall. The Governor's budget proposal included about $1 billion in spending restraint but about $1.2 billion in accounting gimmicks and savings-account raids. By failing to address the fundamental imbalance in the budget, the Governor's proposal would set us on a course for another major tax increase next year - right after the election.
A group of us in the House has proposed an alternative budget that would further constrain growth and bring the budget into near- and long-term balance without new taxes. We are in discussions with the Governor to advance our ideas.
Sexual Predators: The General Assembly is considering over 70 bills to stop sexual predators of children. These bills fall into three categories: improved monitoring, longer prison sentences and elimination of time-off credits for good behavior. Delegate Mike Smigiel and I have sponsored two bills in this area. One would increase the mandatory minimum sentence for the second-degree rape of a child from 5 to 20 years. The other bill would eliminate the practice of giving time off for good behavior to sexual predators of children so as to assure they serve the entirety of their sentences.
Gangs: Gangs are growing rapidly throughout Maryland, particularly in areas that, like Northern Anne Arundel County, abut urban areas. I recently chaired a bi-partisan work group consisting of all six District 31 and 32 Delegates that developed an anti-gang legislative package consisting of ten bills. These bills would make prosecution easier, block easy bail, lengthen sentences, eliminate good-time credits, confiscate ill-gotten gains, and block cell-phone use in prisons.
It is an honor to represent you in the Maryland House of Delegates.
Sincerely,
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