The first bills given favorable recommendation by the Ways and Means Committee crossed over to the Senate today after being passed by the full House of Delegates.

HB120 – Task Force to Study How to Improve Financial Literacy in State

This bill adds members to the task force and extends the reporting date to December 1, 2009.  This task force was established last year in light of the foreclosure crisis in housing.  With the downturn of the stock market and banking crisis, the task force will extend its focus into improving the financial literacy of citizens in understanding basic financial concepts and how various financial institutions work.

HB169 – Tax Sales – Fees

This bill alters the types of expenses for which a holder of a certificate of sale may be reimbursed.  If an action to foreclose the right of redemption has not been filed, and the property is redeemed more than four months after the date of the tax sale, the holder of the certificate may be reimbursed for costs for recording the certificate of sale, a title search fee up to $250, and reasonable attorney’s fees up to $500.

HB244 – Joint Committee on Children, Youth and Families – Repeal of Sunset

The Joint Committee was created in 1999 and this bill would continue the committee indefinitely. Among the issues reviewed by this committee are:  child abuse and neglect, juvenile arrests, domestic violence, infant mortality, child immunizations, child substance abuse, quality of childcare, early childhood education, school safety, and access to health care.

Tonight is our annual Southern Maryland Delegation Reception at the Loew’s Hotel. The Tri-County Council coordinates the ticket sales to local residents who want to attend this event.  Chair Sally Jameson and her office staff work very hard on this event each year and make it memorable for all who attend.  Almost all of the local Charles County elected officials attended this year and had a chance to exchange ideas with local businesses as well as their counterparts in Calvert and St. Mary’s County.  It was great to see so many friends having a good time and talking about various issues which affect the three counties.

I had a chance to stop by this reception which was advertised as “the safest place to be on February 25.”  I continue to be impressed with the dedication and commitment that law enforcement officers bring to their jobs.  Charles County was well represented by our Sheriff Rex Coffey.  These associations not only monitor activities within their own jurisdictions, but meet and share “best practices” so they stay up to date efforts around the State.

While I am up in Annapolis during the week, I often ask people to represent me at different meetings that take place in the county.  Today there was a meeting by the newly formed South Potomac Civilian-Military Community Relations Council in Waldorf.  I asked my Field Director Jewell Bragunier and our intern from CSM Amber Conway to attend.  This group is hoping to increase the communication between the Navy installations at Indian Head and Dahlgren, local and state officials, and the local communities in Charles County.

The County reviewed plans for their energetics tech park in Indian Head and their promotion of math and science within the county public school system. The Navy is seeking to prevent encroachment and issues that could potentially impede the performance of their mission.  They want to strengthen joint land use studies and develop relationships with conservation groups.

My thanks to all of you who have responded to my Annapolis Updates.  I believe that government should be open to all and an exchange of ideas makes for the best policy decisions.

Last week my first 2009 bill was heard in the Ways and Means Committee.  In 2006 the General Assembly passed legislation providing for an exemption from the sales and use tax for sales to veterans’ organizations through June 30, 2009.  This legislation allowed veterans organizations to join nonprofit religious, educational, and charitable organizations, cemeteries, credit unions, and volunteer fire companies and rescue squads who are eligible for the exemption from sales and use tax on their purchases used to complete their mission.

HB95 – Sales and Use Tax Exemption – Veterans Organizations seeks to extend the exemption date until September 30, 2012 – the same date of the other nonprofit organizations.

Under the current economic climate, all nonprofits are reporting uncertainty in their fundraising.  There are ninety (90) veterans’ organizations with this exemption currently operating through Maryland, and they have shown that their programs are needed to help our returning veterans from all past conflicts.  This bill would be a step in helping them plan their budgets for the next few years.

The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Vietnam Veterans, and the Disabled Veterans of Maryland all submitted testimony in support of the bill.

I wanted to remind you that the open house for my District Office is scheduled for Sunday, March 1^st between 1 and 3 pm.  The ribbon cutting will be at 2 pm.  The address is 3221 Old Washington Road, Waldorf, Maryland 20602 in the Southern Maryland Business Center II.  This additional office gives me a place to meet with you and hear your concerns.

This year we have an intern from the College of Southern Maryland, Amber Conway.  She is working one day a week in the Annapolis Office and attending some public meetings in Charles County for me.  This will allow us cover more areas of interest in Charles County.

If you have any questions about issues before the legislature, do not hesitate to contact my office at 301-858-3247 or send me an e-mail at peter.murphy@house.state.md.us.  If you want to get a snapshot of my day and the issues coming across my desk,  please go to my website www.delegatepetermurphy.com and read my personal blog to learn more.