The primary purpose of each session of the General Assembly is to pass the Budget for the State of Maryland.  The budget bill is heard alternate years in each chamber, and this year the budget was first reviewed by the Appropriations Committee of the House of Delegates.

On March 25, the budget for Fiscal Year 2010 passed the House of Delegates by a vote of 116 -21.  There were 235 amendments representing the review work and cuts proposed by Appropriations.  Many of the amendments spark debate and represent diverging views of how government should operate.  The bill next goes to the Senate which will do their own review work and make proposed cuts.

These are long days with two sessions per day and debate lasting to 8 pm or more to finish the work.

With the economic downturn and the changes in our economy, quite a few bills have emerged this session to bring relief to workers.

HB310 Unemployment Insurance – Eligibility – Part-Time Work has passed the House of Delegates and crossed over to the Senate.  A cross-filed bill in the Senate has also passed the Senate and crossed over to the House.  The purpose of the bill is to make an individual who is able to work only part time to be deemed eligible for unemployment benefits if they lose their job.  The worker must be able and available to work and actively seeking work.

The part time worker would be eligible if they predominately work on a part time basis throughout the year for at least 20 hours per week and do not place other restrictions on their ability or availability to work.

Congratulations to Annabelle Warren who celebrated her 90^th birthday on March 18^th.  A birthday party was held for her at the Nanjemoy Community Center on March 21^st.  Sorry, that I missed this – I understand that they had a great time.

On Friday, more than 100 students from La Plata High had their annual freshmen government trip to the state capitol and also made the papers.  Local Maryland Independent reporter Alan Brody attended their meeting with Charles County legislators.  I am glad that the students were up on current events and current legislation, such as the repeal of the death penalty supported by Governor O’Malley.

My views on capital punishment are well known – I am personally against the death penalty.  This year the House of Delegates was not asked to vote on any bill that would decide if Maryland had a death penalty or not.  We were asked to vote on one bill that came from the Senate which had been heavily amended and tightened the evidentiary standards to be used in capital punishment cases.  Because this legislation would further tighten the rules and perhaps guard against an innocent person getting the death penalty, I voted for this bill.

It was a pleasure to have Jo Bond and the Waldorf La Plata NARFE come to Annapolis to see their legislature in action.  I had spoken to this group last fall and they had many questions about the legislative system and how bills are crafted.  We hear from many NARFE groups from around the State who are representing and lobbying for issues which affect senior citizens.