Teachers and educational support professionals from Charles, Calvert and St. Mary’s Counties came to Annapolis tonight to meet with their legislators and give us their views on legislation pending before the General Assembly.  Teachers are very concerned that public school education should not suffer in this downturn economy.  They are particularly concerned that the State may take back the overpayment to the counties that resulted through errors at the state level.

I also had an opportunity tonight to attend a meeting of the Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs. On Wednesday my bill HB691 – Maryland Native American Status – Standards for Recognition will be presented to the Health and Government Operations Committee in the House of Delegates.  It was a pleasure to meet with the tribal leaders and get their support for the recognition process.

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.