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Delegate Schuh receives 100% Score from business watchdog organization
MBRG evaluated legislators' attitudes toward business, jobs, economic growth, and investment in the State by examining eighteen important votes. Some of these votes included the Maryland False Health Claims Act of 2010 (SB 279), Eminent Domain - Condemnation Proceedings and Limitation on Condemnation Authority (HB63), Earned Income Credit Information Act (HB 755), Prevailing Wage Rates - Public Works Contracts - Suits by Employees (HB 1100) and Labor and Employment - Job Creation and Recovery Tax Credit (SB 106).
"I am proud to have been one of only two members of the Maryland House of Delegates to achieve a perfect 100% rating on issues important to business in Maryland. Maryland currently ranks 6th from the bottom in business tax climate, and it is imperative that we make Maryland a more business friendly State," stated Delegate Schuh.
To view the complete report card, please visit www.mbrg.org.
DELEGATE SCHUH ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY
Pasadena, MD - Delegate Steve Schuh (Anne Arundel County, District 31) has officially announced that he would seek re-election to the Maryland House of Delegates.
Since being elected into office almost four years ago, Delegate Schuh has been a consistent voice for fiscal responsibility and lower taxes, limited government, a cleaner environment and traditional values. He is the only member of the Maryland General Assembly to receive a perfect 100% pro-business rating and a perfect 100% pro-environment rating from Maryland's two leading business and environmental advocacy organizations -- Maryland Business for Responsive Government (MBRG) and the Maryland League of Conservation Voters (MLCV).
Delegate Schuh was also recently honored by Citizens for Jessica's Law, a child advocacy organization, for his efforts in spearheading legislation that dramatically increased penalties for sexual predators of children. Under the new law, the minimum penalty for rape of a child was increased from 5 years in prison to 15 years, and the maximum penalty was increased from 20 years in prison to life. The new law also eliminated the possibility of parole for these worst-of-the-worst criminals.
"As many of you know, I am first and foremost a father and a businessman. I am not a career politician. In fact, 2006 was the first time I ever ran for elected office. I stated then and I continue to believe today that I will only stay in public office as long as I can make a positive and substantive contribution to our community and to the State of Maryland," continued Delegate Schuh.
"I consider legislative advocacy and constituent services as the foundation of a good State Delegate," said Schuh.
"Looking for help shortly after the passing of my husband, I reached out to Delegate Schuh for assistance," commented Charlotte Cooper, a resident of Brooklyn Park. "Though I had lost all faith in elected officials up to this point, I was pleasantly surprised by Delegate Schuh's concern and attention to my situation - he is second to none," said Mrs. Cooper.
Steve Schuh is a small business owner who volunteers his time with many community organizations. He was first elected to the House of Delegates in 2006, placing first among six candidates. Delegate Schuh is considered an expert in budgetary matters and is deeply respected by Democrats and Republicans alike for his non-partisan fiscal analysis of financial matters. District 31 comprises Pasadena, Glen Burnie East, Brooklyn Park and parts of Severna Park and Millersville.
In this MPT State Circle episode hosted by Jeff Salkin, Delegate Steve Schuh is debating Vincent DeMarco of the Maryland Citizens Health Initiative on a possible increase in the alcohol tax. 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 of the Maryland General Assembly ended at midnight on April 12th. I want to take this opportunity to update you on the major issues that were addressed by the Legislature this year. As discussed below, I believe we made significant steps forward in our efforts to stop sexual predators of children, to increase economic activity and job creation, and to address the growing problem of criminal gangs. However, I have grave concerns about the General Assembly’s failure to address the fundamental imbalance in the State budget and the consequences of that failure with respect to future tax policy.
Sexual Predators of Children: Shockingly, under the previous law, rapists of small children could get as little as 5 years behind bars and a maximum of 20 years. House Bill 254, which was sponsored by Delegate Michael Smigiel and me, increased the mandatory, non-parolable minimum sentence to 15 years and the maximum to life. I am extremely proud of this important piece of legislation. In addition, the Legislature passed bills that will end the practice of giving time off for good behavior and that will require lifetime monitoring of sexual predators of children.
Criminal Gangs: Gang activity has been increasing throughout Maryland. The Legislature approved a package of reforms that will make it easier to prosecute gang-related crimes, facilitate communications between schools and police, increase sentences for gang-related crimes. I had the opportunity to serve as Chairman of a Districts 31 and 32 anti-gang work group that developed 10 anti-gang bills, several of which were incorporated into the final package.
Budget and Tax: As of January, the State faced a $2.2 billion budget deficit for next year – about $1,000 per Maryland family. The Governor proposed $1 billion of spending restraint to partially address the deficit. Unfortunately, he also proposed covering over the remaining $1.2 billion shortfall with transfers from savings accounts and proceeds from debt. The Legislature essentially approved the Governor’s proposal without alteration, thereby setting the State on course for a $1.5 billion deficit next year and the near certainty of a major tax increase. As Maryland is already the 4th most-taxed State in the U.S., I will continue to fight any attempts to raise taxes.
Economic Activity and Job Creation: The rate of unemployment remains unacceptably high in Maryland. Accordingly, the General Assembly supported the Governor’s proposals to provide tax credits to businesses that hire unemployed Marylanders and to reform our system of unemployment insurance. Additionally, Delegate James King and I proposed legislation that would have utilized tax credits to channel funds to small businesses in support of their expansion plans. Unfortunately, that proposal died in Committee.
Environment: Legislation was adopted to reduce the amount of pollution entering the Chesapeake Bay by improving management of stormwater run-off. This important legislation represents an example of compromise between the environmental and business communities. Outside of legislation, Delegate Nic Kipke’s work group on Clean and Healthy Waterways continued its effort to clean up the three creeks of Northern Anne Arundel County, which, astonishingly, have been closed to human touch since the 1970s.
Constitutional Issues (Marriage and Gun Rights): The issue of same-sex marriage continues to vex the General Assembly. The Legislature has not acted to change the status of marriage since 1973, when marriage in Maryland was defined as between a man and a woman only. Attorney General Doug Gansler sparked a Constitutional challenge by declaring that Maryland should recognize same-sex marriages performed in other States. Delegate Don Dwyer objected to the Attorney General’s encroachment into the domain of the Legislature and presented articles of impeachment, whereupon the Attorney General declared himself unimpeachable by the Legislature. Importantly and appropriately, House Speaker Michael Busch did not concur with the AG’s opinion as to his un-impeachability and thereby protected the Constitutional powers of the House of Delegates. The bill to impeach the AG was referred to committee and defeated.
Separately, on the issue of Second Amendment rights, the Legislature passed a bill that will prevent homeowners from being sued if they use a firearm to protect themselves or their families from intruders. However, a petition to require Maryland to recognize permits to carry a firearm issued by other States failed.
Quality of Life: The General Assembly banned the practice of using a cell phone in an automobile without a hands-free device. Also, the Legislature updated the guidelines for child support payments, which had not been updated since 1989.
With the end of this Session, I have now completed my fourth year as a Maryland State Delegate representing District 31. The role of Delegate has two distinct components. The first is constituent service. My office has handled over 5,000 constituent issues during my term, the vast majority of which were resolved with positive outcomes for constituents. The second is to cast votes in the Legislature on behalf of the residents of District 31. I have done my utmost to cast votes that are consistent with the views of the citizens and with my own core principles and values.
It is an honor to represent you.
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Annapolis, MD - Delegate Steve Schuh (Anne Arundel County, District 31) was recently honored by Maryland Business for Responsive Government (MBRG) for receiving a score of 100% in the organization's Roll Call legislative scorecard for the 2010 Legislative Session. The award was presented by MBRG Co-Chairs, former Governor Marvin Mandel and former United Nations Ambassador Ellen Sauerbrey. Delegate Schuh was one of only two Delegates to receive a 100% rating.
