From the office of state Del. Rick Impallaria, District 7:
We are just about wrapping up the first third of the 90-day Session.
I have introduced 3 bills: the first being HB 488, the “shall issue” bill, which will make it easier for law-abiding citizens in the State of Maryland to legally carry a sidearm for personal protection, bringing us in line with the majority of States in the Union.
The second bill (HB 496) is Failure to Report Sexual Abuse of a Minor. Maryland is one of 5 states that have no regulations that require the reporting of such offensive crimes against minors. We often see in these cases that while the sexual abuse has been going on over a long period of time, those who have knowledge of these acts have failed to report it, not only putting the victim at greater harm but also allowing others to be preyed upon. In cases like these, I feel failure to report the crime is nearly as bad as committing the acts.
And finally, a third bill (HB 495) which will bar sexual predators from voting at polling places. While it is my personal feeling felons should not be able to vote at all, unfortunately in the wisdom of the General Assembly, they are allowed not only to vote but to vote in person at their precincts. This includes the sexual predators who have been banned by a court from going near elementary schools, churches and community halls. My polling place is a church where the kindergarten actually meets on the day of the elections. This is a dangerous situation for kids and hopefully the General Assembly will see the error in its judgment and pass this very reasonable law which will allow these offenders to vote only by absentee ballot.
And, as for the Governor’s agenda, I have yet to find anything in it to support. I am not supportive of any of the three different methods they have come up with to charge tax on gasoline; I am not in favor of the one cent increase on the sales tax; I am not in support of an internet tax; not in support of the septic tax; not in support of higher fees on automobile registration; not in support of the repeal of the mortgage interest deduction, and over all, not in support of the other numerous taxes and fees that the Governor has proposed for the citizens of the State of Maryland.
Approximately 5 years ago, I introduced legislation to flat line the State budget –meaning no increases and no deductions. According to the State’s Budget Analyst, that would have brought the State 100% out of debt in 5 years. If we enacted that same proposed legislation this year, it would take the State 30 years to get out of debt. The interest on the State’s debts are heading to the point where they are outpacing the spending by the State. The only way to get this under control is for the State to live within its means and pay the debt down and get off the back of Maryland taxpayers and Maryland businesses and allow additional revenues to come in through a vibrant and expanded private sector economy.
Finally, it does appear that the pressure that the Governor has put on the Democratic members of the General Assembly could backfire on him and hopefully, will do so, preventing him from taking the State into even greater debt.
Why not support the gay marriage? Oh and why not support all the taxes he wants? This is a lame duck governor who wants to tax the middle class and force gay marriage on the citizens of maryland. His wife called us idiots for opposing the gay marriage act. Gotta love those people who say things like that. Then they claim it’s not religion but a civil right. I am not opposed to civil unions, but marriage is between a man and a woman. Civil Unions would give the protection for property and medical issuses. I consider myself to be an educated voter and don’t like to be called an idiot for my position. Oh and she did retract the statement about an hour later. Hope we can live with 16 more cents a gallon and 6 percent sales tax………..that is why I didn’t vote for him and oh I am a republican and voted for the two sitting senators…so this is not a party debate….ITS A MARYLANDER DEBATE.
Mrs O’Malley called us cowards not idiots. I assume she meant the Pope too since he is also against gay marraige. Name calling usually shows the limited intelligence of the caller. It is sort of a party debate because the Dems want ever increasing spending and taxing while the Repubs want less of each. I guess that the majority agrees w/the Dems because they put them back in office again and again. I don’t understand the mindset that thinks spending and taxing until we’re broke is a good idea. Oh well, lets not worry about it and leave it for our kids & grandkids to figure out.
Hydesmann – It’s actually quite easy to understand. The voters that validate the ‘tax and spend’ liberal agenda are of an ‘entitled’ mindset. They have been raised and taught that, for whatever reason, they are entitled to, well, anything. Personal responsibility is a thing of the past in this society, sadly.
As far as the original post, I appreciate that there are still some in the legislature who are ‘coward’ enough to stand up to Gov. Owe’Malley and his taxpayer funded spending spree.
I would like to read the ‘flatline’ bill from 5 years ago, though.
It’s not just the liberals or “progressives” who want to stick it to us regular Joe taxpayers. All of a sudden there are people that I always thought were fairly conservative who now seem to think new taxes are what we need to save Harfords economy. And if we dont vote for a gas tax, the Susquehanna bridge will fall down. And we need to double or triple the flush tax “because a flushed toilet in Hagarstown dumps into the Bay”. They also want to take away the mortgage interest deduction. What a great country.
TR and Lincoln were the “progressives” of their time. I think they were Republicans. Maybe it is career politicians of both political parties that need to be tossed out on the street. I don’t trust either the “Big Government” Democrats or the “Big Government” Republicans. I don’t blame the conservatives or liberals because the are clear where they stand. It is politicians who will say just about anything to get elected and put it to the taxpayers after they get in political office. Toss them all out!