Showing posts with label MD Gen Assembly Opera. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MD Gen Assembly Opera. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Maryland Reporter: AFSCME members ask legislators to keep pensions and health benefits the same

AFSCME members ask legislators to keep pensions and health benefits the same

January 13, 2011 By Megan Poinski

http://marylandreporter.com/2011/01/13/afscme-members-asks-legislators-to-keep-pensions-and-health-benefits-the-same/

More than 100 members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees came to Annapolis on Wednesday to lobby the 428th General Assembly for their No. 1 priority: preserving the health and pension benefits they have.

Before the session began at noon on Wednesday, union members from throughout the state filed into a public lounge in the House Office Building. AFSCME staff handed out green hats and scarves to the union members, as they signed onto a sheet with their names and legislative districts. Once they signed in, they sat at tables organized by district number and prepared to visit their newly elected representatives.

AFSCME is the largest union for state employees. Legislative director Sue Esty said that with several proposals circulating to make cuts in pension and health benefits – as well as recent furloughs, pay cuts and hiring freezes – the union members want to make sure they set the right tone for this General Assembly session.

[…]

Recent deliberations and recommendations from the Public Employees’ and Retirees’ Benefits Sustainability Commission galvanized the union members and spurred them into action. The eight-member commission created by legislation last year is recommending that the General Assembly cut state costs of health insurance 10% by hiking premiums and reducing coverage for state employees and retirees, and shift half the costs of teacher pensions to local school boards over the next three to five years.

[…]

At Wednesday’s rally, correctional officer Greg Currie, who works at the Metropolitan Transition Center in Baltimore, said he has attended pension commission meetings – even testifying about retirement benefits at a public hearing. Currie said that he just wants to see pensions and health care stay the same. He has written to his representatives in the General Assembly about the issue, and is hopeful that they will make a careful decision.

[…]

http://marylandreporter.com/2011/01/13/afscme-members-asks-legislators-to-keep-pensions-and-health-benefits-the-same/

Related – also see:
January 12, 2011
It’s going to be ugly http://www.thetentacle.com/ShowArticle.cfm?mydocid=4161
Kevin E. Dayhoff
Today is the first day of the 428th legislative session of the Maryland General Assembly and, as in past years, the main question on the minds of the leadership of this august body’s deliberations will be, “Welcome to Maryland, what’s in your wallet?”

January 5, 2011
The Fall of The House O’Malley Built?  http://www.thetentacle.com/ShowArticle.cfm?mydocid=4150
Kevin E. Dayhoff
Now that the hangover from last November’s Maryland General Election is becoming a memory, and Marylanders have begun to put away the Christmas lights and joined a local gym to shed those holiday pounds, many are beginning to set their sights on January 12, the beginning of the 2011 session of the Maryland General Assembly.

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Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/
My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/
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Monday, January 17, 2011

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.Carroll County NAACP Breakfast by Joe Getty

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

by Getty for Senate on Monday, January 17, 2011 at 2:35pm
Congratulations to the Carroll County Chapter of the NAACP for their excellent tribute to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., this past Saturday morning. I attended the eighth annual breakfast organized by Jean Lewis, President of Branch No. 7014, and other members of the local chapter.

An uplifting message was delivered by Ambassador Blango Ross, pastor of the Strawbridge United Methodist Church, New Windsor. While quoting scripture, Dr. King and text messages from his children, Pastor Ross offered an extraordinary commentary about the relevance of Dr. King's teachings in our modern world of technology.

As he referred to quotations from Dr. King's early speeches ("Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence, and toughness multiplies toughness in a descending spiral of destruction"), Pastor Ross repeatedly returned to the role of love, family and a Christian lifestyle to counter the corrupting forces in modern society.

Another highlight of the morning was a presentation by Carroll County students Jordan Costley, Janae Henson, Troy Henson, Jasmine Rock and Tyrice Rock who read "Letters to Dr. King" from a book published to show how today's students feel about the legacy of Dr. King.

The entire program was admirably coordinated by master of ceremonies Doug Metz. A presentation of artwork for the NAACP headquarters was made by former Westminster Mayor Kevin Dayhoff and Caroline Babylon.
I encourage you to view the video of this event when it becomes available from the Carroll County Community Media Center (http://www.carrollmediacenter.org/)

While much of state government is closed today in honor of Dr. King, the Maryland General Assembly will convene at 8:00 p.m. this evening. I plan to attend the annual wreath-laying ceremony in front of the State House and then attend the traditional MLK speech in the Senate Chamber which this year will be given by my Baltimore County colleague, Senator Delores G. Kelley.

Additional information about the Carroll County Chapter of the NAACP is available on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Carroll-County-NAACP/108954305789921).
A presentation of a print of Dr. Martin Luther King was made by Kevin Dayhoff and Caroline Babylon for the offices of the Carroll County NAACP.
Ambassador Blango Ross, pastor of Strawbridge United Methodist Church, gave the keynote address at the breakfast.
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Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/
My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/
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Opening Day of the Maryland General Assembly by MD Sen. Joe Getty


Opening Day 2011
Marylanders for Joe GettyJanuary 14, 2011

Dear Kevin,  


      
I want to thank all of my friends and supporters for their contributions and efforts during the 2010 election campaign.  As a direct result of your support, I was sworn in last Wednesday as a Maryland State Senator representing Legislative District 5.
It was a great experience for my wife and children to attend the Opening Day session. Each Senator was only allowed two guests on the floor because of the space restrictions in the Senate Chamber.  I fudged and got a two-children-for-one-adult deal so that Susie and my two youngest children, Madison and Samuel, could accompany me on the floor.
My son Justus, daughter-in-law Sarah and daughter Laura were able to get seats in the gallery behind us. There was an additional Getty in the gallery (since Sarah is eight-and-three-quarters-months pregnant) whom we hope to meet in the near future.  Unable to attend were my son Nathan (who is on a deployment with the U.S. Navy) and my daughter Emma (who had to return to UNC-Wilmington earlier in the week).
The Carroll County Times covered the opening of the 2011 Legislative Session with a focus on the two "freshman" members of the Carroll County delegation - namely Delegate Justin Ready & me. The articles by Christian Alexandersen about Justin (click here) and by Ryan Marshall about me (click here) accurately captured the august ceremonies and family pride displayed for the occasion.
Times photographers Dylan Slagle and Dave Munch produced a photo gallery (click here) that illustrates the wide-ranging emotions of the day including the solemnity of the ceremony, the time spent with family and the joy and enthusiasm as we begin our jobs.
Senator David Brinkley offered the best perspective on the day: "The pomp and circumstance inspires you by serving as a reminder of what you've been entrusted with."  
There is no doubt that this session will be tough and there will be many legislative policy highs and lows over the next three months. Please contact me if issues arise during the session for which you wish to offer an opinion. I truly value your insights and advice.
My legislative contact information is: Phone - (410) 841-3683; Email -joseph.getty@senate.state.md.us; Address - James Senate Office Building Room 401, 11 Bladen Street, Annapolis, MD 21401.

Opening Day Senate Floor

 Getty for Senate GETTY2010 WEBSITE

In The Senate Chamber
Carroll County Times photographer Dylan Slagle took this photograph in the Senate Chamber prior to the commencement of the opening session. From left to right: Madison, Samuel, Susan and Joe Getty.


*****
Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/
My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/
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Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Kevin Dayhoff The Tentacle: 428 MGA It’s going to be ugly http://tinyurl.com/4ktmtk4


Kevin Dayhoff The Tentacle: 428 MGA It’s going to be ugly http://tinyurl.com/4ktmtk4

http://www.thetentacle.com/ShowArticle.cfm?mydocid=4161  January 12, 2011 “It’s going to be ugly” by Kevin E. Dayhoff  http://tinyurl.com/4ktmtk4

Today is the first day of the 428th legislative session of the Maryland General Assembly and, as in past years, the main question on the minds of the leadership of this august body’s deliberations will be, “Welcome to Maryland, what’s in your wallet?”

One of the many enigmas hovering over the upcoming session is the perception that this session will be a ho-hum gathering of lawmakers, filled with low expectations and high anxiety.

Nothing could be farther from the truth. Many tend to agree with the assessment offered by State Senator-elect Joe Getty (R., Carroll-Baltimore). At a legislative breakfast last Thursday, Mr. Getty summed up his analysis of the upcoming session with one word: It will be “ugly.” … http://www.thetentacle.com/ShowArticle.cfm?mydocid=4161

[20110112 TT sdosmetal it is going to be ugly]

http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/  

http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/post/2710211201/kevin-dayhoff-the-tentacle-428-mga-its-going-to

*****
Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/
My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/
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Monday, December 6, 2010

Alan Brody for The Gazette: This year's class of incoming legislators is looking to make immediate impact

"Meet the Freshmen" by Alan Brody 

Photos by Brian Lewis/The Gazette: Top row (from left): Keiffer J. Mitchell Jr. (D-Dist. 44), Bonnie Cullison (D-Dist. 19), C.T. Wilson (D-Dist. 28) and Cathleen M. Vitale (R-Dist. 33A). Bottom row (from left): Bill Ferguson (D-Dist. 46), Kelly Schulz (R-Dist. 4A), Joseph M. Getty (R-Dist. 5) and Geraldine Valentino-Smith (D-Dist. 23A).


Writing for the Gazette, Alan Brody has written a wonderful primer on the freshman class of legislators in the upcoming Maryland General Assembly: http://www.gazette.net/stories/12032010/polinew204140_32544.php

Friday, Dec. 3, 2010

Meet the Freshmen

This year's class of incoming legislators is looking to make immediate impact
by Alan Brody | Staff Writer  

http://www.gazette.net/stories/12032010/polinew204140_32544.php

The 40 freshmen legislators who make up the General Assembly's Class of 2011 possess various backgrounds.

Only two of the 10 incoming senators have not served previously in the House of Delegates, and three House Republicans are reclaiming seats they lost or relinquished four years ago, so the number of "true freshmen" is lower. Several more have held local office, and others have Annapolis experience as one-time legislative staffers.

There are entrepreneurs, educators and, of course, numerous attorneys.

Predicting the political stars of tomorrow is something of a crapshoot, but here is a handful of newbies to keep an eye on during the upcoming legislative session — and beyond…  http://www.gazette.net/stories/12032010/polinew204140_32544.php

*****
Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/
My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/
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Tuesday, September 14, 2010

September 14, 2010 Unofficial Carroll County Primary Election Early Voting Results as of 9:23 p.m.

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/
My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/
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Ehrlich wins Maryland gubernatorial primary


The Washington Post is carrying an AP story: Politics News Alert: Ehrlich wins Maryland gubernatorial primary
September 14, 2010 8:47:45 PM
----------------------------------------

Former Maryland governor Bob Ehrlich bests tea party-backed Brian Murphy in the Republican primary, the Associated Press projects. He will face Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) in a rematch of their 2006 race.

http://link.email.washingtonpost.com/r/JDFA9Q/3OOHWU/00WOW5/JB8C8E/H1FL1/LE/h

Tuesday September 14, 2010 8:52 

For more election coverage throughout the evening: http://bit.ly/d7WRoK
*****
Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/
My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/
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Explore Carroll: Carroll County turnout low in today’s Maryland primary


http://bit.ly/d7WRoK At Westminster Elementary School, precinct 7-7 in Carroll Co, there were more signs than campaign workers, judges, or voters: http://twitpic.com/2ogcjd


http://bit.ly/d7WRoK only a handful of campaign poll workers at Precinct 7-7 polls in Carroll Co at around 3:15 pm http://twitpic.com/2ogm7y: There were only a handful of campaign polling place workers at the Westminster Elementary School Precinct 7-7 polls in Carroll County at around 3:15 pm.  The unopposed Republican candidate for register of Wills, Paul G. Zimmerman, in the red shirt, stopped by to chat with Marcus Lee Primm, white shirt, a campaign worker for Republican commissioner candidate for District 3, Dave Roush and several other unidentified poll workers.


Karen Fassett, stopped for a moment while discussing the voter turnout with fellow judges, Joe Shaw and Gerry Wiseman at Westminster Elementary School, precinct 7-7 polls in Carroll County, earlier today.  Fassett reported that by 3:15, 509 had voted, out of 3,672 on the voting rolls in the precinct. http://twitpic.com/2oh7rs

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Carroll County turnout low in today’s Maryland primary

September 14, 2010

By Kevin Dayhoff

In spite of the nearly perfect weather, various reports throughout the state and Carroll County indicate that voter turnout for today’s Maryland primary election, is low.

For much of the day the temperature was in the low seventies.  There were blue skies and plenty of sunshine; the only thing missing was voters.

There were only a handful of campaign polling place workers at the Westminster Elementary School Precinct 7-7 polls in Carroll County at around 3:15 pm. 

And there were more campaign signs that campaign workers, election judges and voters.

The unopposed Republican candidate for register of Wills, Paul G. Zimmerman, stopped by to chat with Marcus Lee Primm, a campaign worker for Republican commissioner candidate for District 3, Dave Roush, and several other poll workers.

Primm said that this was really the first campaign he has ever worked-on and he has found the experience rewarding.

Zimmerman said, “I’ve been a whole bunch of places (today) and (voters are) just trickling-in.  I’ve just returned from (the polls at) at Carrolltowne (Elementary School, precinct 5-4 in the Freedom District) and they had 660 voters or so around 2 p.m…  South Carroll (High School, precinct 14-2, Berrett District was) fairly consistent.  Always someone coming in at around 10 a.m.”

Bryan Sears, reporting for Explore Baltimore County, said that the First Congressional District (mostly on the eastern shore of Maryland) had the best early voting turnout in the area where almost 4 percent of voters participated in the precincts that make up that district.  That's about a full percent higher than the Baltimore County and state turnout.

Similar reports of low voter turnout filtered in from Howard and Baltimore County.

In an e-mail interview late this morning with former Carroll County Delegate Joe Getty – a longtime political observer and Republican Maryland Senate candidate for District 5 in Carroll and Baltimore County – he commented on voter turnout: “I’m not sure that you can judge this election as being ‘low turnout’ just because of the lunchtime numbers. 

“Unlike other Maryland primaries, today’s election suffers from a “Raven’s effect” – a Monday-night football game before the Tuesday election. 

“Those Carroll County football fans may not have been able to get an early start this morning – but instead will vote on their way home from work this evening. Republican turnout four years ago was 28% - we may get close to that with the evening voters added to the 1% early voters.”

Richard Cross, former Ehrlich speechwriter and GOP political analyst, observed, “In a primary election, low turnout benefits challengers in a year where a strong anti-incumbent wave is present.

“Only the most passionate voters show up during a primary.  Passion is less inclined to be felt by supporters of candidates whose victory is a foregone conclusion.

“In the GOP gubernatorial primary, for example, many of Bob Ehrlich’s backers know he’s going to win, and are waiting for the chance to vote for him in November.  Brian Murphy’s supporters are motivated by ideology, or because they want to send Ehrlich a message before voting for him in November.”

Meanwhile, Jay Voight, one of the chief judges for the 7-7 precinct in Westminster, said that voter turnout was “slow – 12 percent – very low.  Very slow morning.”

Voting at 3:15 p.m was a breeze.  There were no lines and many more election judges than voters.  The judges were more than happy to stop and chat.  Most election polling places in Carroll County are often the scene of a community reunion and get-together on election day.  But not today.

A unit judge, Mary Lathroum, noted, “people have been coming in at a trickle.”

Karen Fassett, another election judge at Westminster Elementary School, stopped for a moment while discussing the turnout with fellow judges, Joe Shaw and Gerry Wiseman.

Fassett reported that by 3:15, 509 had voted, out of 3,672 on the voting rolls in the precinct.

For more coverage of today’s Maryland primary, check with Explore Carroll http://bit.ly/d7WRoK later in the evening.

Explore Carroll: Carroll County turnout low in today’s Maryland primary
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*****
Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/
My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/
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Friday, September 3, 2010

Republican Lt. Gov. candidate, Mary Kane, visits Westminster


Republican Lt. Gov. candidate, Mary Kane, visits Westminster

www.explorecarroll.com August 31, 2010 By Kevin Dayhoff

http://www.explorecarroll.com/news/4695/republican-lt-gov-candidate-mary-kane-visits-westminster/

Find a video of the event here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYi5syLxGxg


The Republican candidate for Maryland lieutenant governor, Mary D. Kane, 48, came to Westminster Tuesday for a listening tour of downtown Westminster merchants, restaurateurs, and agriculture leaders…

The Republican candidate for Maryland lieutenant governor, Mary D. Kane, 48, stops in front of Heinz Bakery on West Main Street on Tuesday, with Joe Getty, (center) the Republican state senate candidate for District 5 and Larry Haines, the current retiring District 5 state senator…

Allen Baugher, center, plays the harmonica at his family restaurant before having a discussion about the challenges of agriculture with the Republican candidate for Maryland lieutenant governor, Mary D. Kane at his family restaurant on Tuesday; as his son, Dwight, looks on…

Allen Baugher goes back to work, after having lunch with the Republican candidate for Maryland lieutenant governor, Mary D. Kane at his family restaurant on Tuesday…

For the full story, go to: http://www.explorecarroll.com/news/4695/republican-lt-gov-candidate-mary-kane-visits-westminster/

Written and filmed by Kevin Dayhoff for www.explorecarroll.com.

With editorial assistance by Jim Joyner and Charles Schelle

All rights reserved by Kevin Dayhoff and www.explorecarroll.com.

August 31, 2010

Republican candidate Maryland lieutenant governor Mary Kane Westminster Explore Carroll Eagle Dayhoff Getty Haines Baugher’s

Explore Carroll: Dayhoff - Republican candidate for Md lt gov Mary Kane came to Westminster Aug 31 shar.es/0rmGS

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*****
Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/
My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/
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