Maryland « Old Line Elephant

21Feb/126

Wade Kach – Hypocrite

This year, Republican Delegate Wade Kach voted in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage. What makes him a huge hypocrite is the fact that he was one of the co-sponsors of the following last year, HB-474 - which is summarized as:

Adding a new section to the Maryland Constitution to establish that a marriage between one man and one woman shall be the only domestic legal union valid or recognized in the State; and submitting the amendment to the qualified voters of the State for their adoption or rejection.

Seriously. How do you go from supporting a Constitutional Amendment defining marriage one year, to voting in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage the next unless you have no moral backbone at all. Whatever side of this issue you're on, you have to admit - this wreaks.

Red Maryland has more on a reported promise of a job to Kach by the O'Malley administration which, if true, explains this vote and also reveals the character of this man.

HT to MSOP

Tagged as: 2012, Martin O'Malley, Maryland, same-sex marriage, Wade Kach 6 Comments

16Feb/1215

Pandering

State Senator Garagiola (D), who's also running for Congress in a district currently held by a Republican, has come out opposing O'Malley's proposed gas tax.

But wait - wasn't this the same man who drafted his own legislation last year pushing a different gas tax? Yes, yes it is. Garagiola also supported energy taxes and higher vehicle registration fees last year.

This is a little thing called pandering. It doesn't look good on you, Senator.

Tagged as: 2012, Asinine, Martin O'Malley, Maryland, Rob Garagiola, taxes 15 Comments

15Feb/121

Obviously It Hurts Small Business

Surprising no one who thinks, O'Malley's environmental proposals are predicted to have a negative impact on small businesses in the area. The Washington Post has more:

Fiscal reports released Monday conclude two proposals at the core of Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley’s (D) environmental agenda could hurt small businesses, despite previous claims to the contrary by the O’Malley administration.

Restricting large housing developments built with septic systems, which O’Malley said would safeguard farmland and protect the Chesapeake Bay, “may have a meaningful adverse impact on many small business residential developers, homebuilders, and associated contractors,” according to a nonpartisan analysis by the state’s Department of Legislative Services.

A separate analysis concluded a proposed increase in the “flush tax” on water usage for Chesapeake Bay restoration could also have a negative effect on business.

The analysis found that “many small businesses will pay an increase of more than 250% in bay restoration fees, which may represent a meaningful adverse impact on at least some small businesses, particularly those engaged in operations that require significant water usage.”

That's right - government analyses show that these will negatively impact small businesses. We really need to make sure this information gets out there because, frankly, it shows O'Malley being a) wrong or b) lying about the impact of his proposals on business. We already are choking our businesses in this state - we really don't need to do more to hurt them in this economy.

Tagged as: Economy, FAIL, Martin O'Malley, Maryland, Obvious, Small Business 1 Comment

14Feb/123

Baltimore County 3-12 May Get Amended

After hearings today, Baltimore County Councilmembers have proposed amendments to controversial measure 3-12, which would remove bathrooms and similar public restroom related facilities from the legislation. The bill seeks to prohibit discrimination of transgendered individuals, but as I mentioned previously it's very vague. This amendment may help to alleviate some concerns regarding the legislation - but I'm sure not all. Here's an excerpt from the Sun on the amendments:

After hearing hours of testimony on a bill to ban discrimination against transgender people, Baltimore County Council members said Tuesday they would consider exempting public restrooms and locker rooms from the measure.

Restrooms have emerged as a hot-button issue in the county's debate over the bill. At public hearings, the bill's opponents have said they fear that if the law is passed, men would sexually assault women in restrooms.

Supporters of the legislation say places with transgender laws have never reported such incidents, and accuse opponents of using the bathroom issue as a distraction. The bill would add gender identity to existing county laws that prohibit discrimination in housing, workplaces, and public places.

Four of the council's seven members have signed on to the proposed amendment, which says the law wouldn't apply to public places "that are designated for male or female use, such as restrooms, bath houses, locker rooms, dressing rooms, changing rooms, and similar facilities." The sponsors are: Democrat Cathy Bevins of Middle River, Republican Todd Huff of Lutherville, Republican David Marks of Perry Hall, and Democrat John Olszewski Sr. of Dundalk.

A vote on the bill and amendments is set for next week. Other proposed amendments would exempt certain institutions, including religious ones, from the law, and would allow employers to require that workers "adhere to reasonable workplace appearance, grooming, and dress standards" as long as the employer allows employees to dress as the gender with which they identify.

Again, this may alleviate some concerns, but there are others that will remain - such as religious institutional exemptions. Next week amendments will be heard / voted on. If you have concerns, call your representative.

EDIT 10:25 PM - Bryan Sears of the Patch has more on the proposed amendments. Vote is expected Monday. Here's an excerpt:

Olszewski's amendment is one of four amendments given to reporters after the hearing.

A second amendment, sponsored by Bevins, a Democrat, and Perry Hall Republican Councilman David Marks, adds language that restates exemptions to the law that are already part of county code.

Another, sponsored by Olszewski and Marks, allows employers to establish rules governing appearance in the work place while allowing employees to dress in a way that is consistent with their employee's gender identity.

A final amendment, sponsored by Quirk and Bevins, seeks to define the term "gender identity and expression" as a "persistent, bona fide gender-related identity and the consistent public manifestation of that identity" in the appearance of an individual regardless of the person's sex at birth.

Quirk's bill has three co-sponsors, enough to assure passage.

The amendment sponsored by Olszewski and Huff has three co-sponsors, including Councilwoman Cathy Bevins, a co-sponsor on Quirk's bill, and Marks.

The council is scheduled to vote on the bill and amendments Monday night at 6 p.m. at the Old Courthouse in Towson.