Peter Murphy District 28 Delegate - Welcome » annapolis update

Boy Scout Troop 424 Visit Annapolis

Peter — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 00:30:59 +0000

This evening, Boy Scout Troop 424 of Waldorf visited Annapolis to take a guided tour of the State House, and to meet their State Senator and County Delegates. This served in part to fulfill a requirement for their Citizenship in the Nation merit badges, but also, they were the happy recipients of two official Resolutions – one from Senator Mac Middleton and one from the Charles County Delegation. It’s always a pleasure when young people who contribute in their communities are interested to see their government in action.

Proclamation for North Point H.S. Basketball Team

Peter — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 23:29:04 +0000

We in Charles County are all so proud of our North Point High School Basketball Team. What a season they have had this year! Today Team Captain Devonte Thomas, Athletic Director Johnson, and Coach Ball came to Annapolis to represent the team for the presentation of a proclamation in recognition of their victory in the Maryland 4A State Championship. The Eagles defeated Patterson High School on March 12th at the Comcast Center with a score of 76 to 72. The Eagles finished their overall season undefeated with a 27 to zero record. It was an honor to recognize their achievement.

In the photo below (l to r) are: Speaker Mike Busch, Delegate Murphy, Devonte Thomas (Captain), A.K. Johnson (Athletic Director), Delegate Jameson, Coach Jimmy Ball, and Delegate Wilson.

Cat in the Hat in Annapolis

Peter — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 17:03:19 +0000

The Cat in the Hat came to visit in the State House lobby today! In a national celebration of Dr. Seuss’s March 2nd birthday, the Maryland State Education Association (MSEA) and the National Education Association (NEA) celebrated the 14th anniversary of Read Across America Day. This has become the nation’s largest reading event, and in 2010 more than 45 million children, teens and adults took part in it.

In conjunction with this important event, book donations were collected in the State House lobby for public school libraries. This yearly service helps ensure that reading becomes a strong foundation in our kids’ lives. I’m so glad the Cat in the Hat came back!

Students Visit Annapolis

Peter — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 18:08:11 +0000

I am always excited when students get interested and involved in their community issues and politics, so today was a special day for me as I received a visit here in Annapolis from Manny Bakare, Student Board Member of the Board of Education, and Deborah Cline, Representative of the Charles County Association of Student Councils. They spoke to me about how students could get more involved in state legislation. These two students exemplify how citizens of any age can become active in issues important to our county and state. I look forward to seeing more civic involvement from them and other students.

Charles County Teacher of the Year

Peter — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 08:08:58 +0000

Today was a very proud day for me as I had the opportunity to meet the Charles County Teacher of the Year, Mark Howell of Westlake High School. He strives every day to teach his social studies classes in a creative way that informs and excites the interest of his students. He’s the kind of teacher we all wished for in our school days. For this reason, I was so pleased to present my citation to him, along with Delegate Jameson and Senator Middleton. Congratulations, Mark!

Teachers and Maryland Native American Status

Peter — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 03:14:12 +0000

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.

Annapolis Update

Peter — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 18:49:02 +0000

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.