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2006 GENERAL ASSEMBLY ENDS SESSION OF "PUNISHMENT POLITICS"
Down to the last minute bills were passed, defeated or ignored all too frequently with the intent of inflicting "punishment” on the Governor and conservatives.
Generally this means Republicans, but some Democrats felt the pain as good bills and needed bills went down in flame because of the “get even” mentality.
The promise of a contentious session began before January 8 when President Miller was quoted in the Washington Post as saying something like, “we are going to bury them so deep it will take them 10 years to dig out.” It all went downhill from there.
Below are listed the results in each of the major areas of interest to us. For a more complete list see www.fplmd.org for our BILL STATUS CHART. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
MARRIAGE–
HB 48- Constitutional Amendment to define marriage and restrict other unions was defeated by the use of some tactically clever, but mean-spirited procedures by the Speaker of the House.
SB 690-Valid Marriages suffered a similar fate since the Democratic leadership and party did not want the people of Maryland to be able to vote on this culturally foundational issue.
Voting FOR marriage were all 14 Republicans and 7 Democrats: BROCHIN / DEGRANGE / DYSON / GREEN / JIMENO / KLAUSMEIER / STONE
Of the other 13 bills dealing with marriage – none passed. Your right to vote was denied!
We also have the recorded vote on the House floor that indicates how your Delegate voted. It will be available in future reports and on our website. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -HOMOSEXUALITY –HB 23 Public Power of Attorney - Health Care Decisions to address, by providing powers of attorney, the problems homosexuals claim to be important to them - failed in committee.SB 369 Advance Directives - Selection of Health Care Agent and Treatment Preferences to allow the appointment of “health care agents” appears to provide similar help, but in fact allows assisted suicide to become law through the back door. This bill passed and was signed by the Governor.
ABORTION & PARENTAL RIGHTS–
SB 297 Licensed Pharmacists - Contraception Dispensing Program To allow “morning after” pill to be dispensed without a prescription failed on the Senate floor after a contentious floor debate, 23-24. Thanks are in order to all 14 Republican Senators and these 9 Democrats: DEGRANGE / DYSON / GREEN / JIMENO / KASEMEYER / KLAUSMEIER / LAWLAH / STONE
HB958 – Parental Notification was again defeated by the Health and Government Operations Committee. The question must be asked, “Whose health are they protecting?” - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
STEM CELL RESEARCH AND CLONING –
The rest of the world, through the UN has banned human cloning. Maryland, by defeating SB 160 Human Cloning Prohibition Act and passing SB 144- Maryland Stem Cell Research Act have made it law and unfortunately, the Governor signed it. Cloning is permitted by SB 144 because they changed the definition of cloning to be sure to allow embryonic destruction and research. The almost good news is that instead of $125 million over the next 5 years this bill is only for $15 million for 1 year. Additionally there will be a business coalition that will decide how much money will go to embryonic research, adult research and physical facilities. If we all work to get pro-life Senators and Delegates elected even the portion of the $15 million used to kill babies can be eliminated next year. HB 136 - Adult Stem Cell Research was killed in the Health and Government Affairs Committee. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
SEXUAL OFFENCES–
SB 1-Registered Sexual Offenders - Supervision, Notifications, and Penalties- Passed unanimously by both house with one amendment difference. The House added the Jessica’s Law which mandates a 25 yr. sentence for a second sexual offence against a minor under 13. Sen. Frosh refused to allow this because he doesn’t like mandatory sentences. So a major child protection bill died because time ran out. There were 54 Sexual Offence bills introduced. Only 1 (ONE) became law! That was HB 353-Teachers and Administrators–Sexual Conduct with students-Prohibited. Only one. Do you feel safer now? - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
ELECTION LAW–
As punishment for vetoing 2005 bills the Democrats overrode 17 of the Governor’s vetoes in the first week of the session, 3 dealing with election laws. These overrides included, allowing identification to vote by presenting a phone or gas bill as proof of residence and allowing provisional ballots to be cast in any precinct in the state; allowing 5 days of early voting, and allowing absentee ballots with not reason for need. In 2006 75 Election related bills were presented; some to correct or change these leniencies and others to allow even more potential for fraud or irregularities. These include HB 1368-Voters Bill of Rights which politically selects sites for early voting. It will be difficult to impossible to protect the integrity of these polling places over a five day period.
HB 539- Prohibits wearing a uniform near polling place and SB 124 Protection of Voter's Confidential Information and Secrecy of Absentee Ballot Results- may help protect some people needing identity protection, but also opens up to fraud because of early voting, provisional and absentee ballot leniencies. Because of the possible combinations of problems with these new laws the potential for law suits and claims of voter fraud is very real in this upcoming election. Be alert. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
GAMBLING–
38 bills presented, none passed. No one wanted this debate in an election year. Be ready for next year! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
EDUCATION–
HB 509- Character Education – Passed 138-1 in the House but failed in the Senate Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee.
HB 1228 – Intelligent Design – To be taught in Philosophy class, but not biology. ID is misunderstood to be Creationism, but in fact it is science. This bill failed in committee.
SB 174 Compulsory Attendance – Forces teachers and other students to put up with 17 and 18 year olds in the city that cannot graduate and do not want to be in school. Passed and signed by Governor. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
EMINENT DOMAIN–
36 bills introduced covering condemnation, property rights, purchase prices and defining “public use”. Some were withdrawn, a few never got out of committee and many never even got a hearing. This issue will be around for another session for sure! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
More results on www.fplmd.org Go to Bill Status Chart. We’ll be glad to come to your church or community group with our ISSUES AND ANSWERS FORUM. Just give us a call to set up a date.
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