MARC KORMAN
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LATEST NEWS

Increasing Government Transparency

2/16/2016

 
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One of my pieces of legislation this session is the Board of Public Works Transparency Act (HB 368).  The Board of Public Works is made up of the Governor, Treasurer, and Comptroller.  The Board has expansive authority over state government, including the ability to cut line items of the budget by up to 25% when the legislature is not in session. ​
Amazingly, there has not historically been a requirement that such budget reductions be publicized in advance.  For example, in January of 2015, the Board of Public Works cut $200 million from the budget affecting many areas of state government including causing a rare mid-year tuition increase at institutions of higher education, yet the contents of the cuts were not made available until after the reductions were made.

Last year, the General Assembly included language in the budget to require 72 hours of public notice before such cuts were made.  The language expires at the end of the fiscal year, but has already had an impact.  In the spring, Governor Hogan proposed a reduction to the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services and thanks to the budget language, the reduction was publicized and the Department's workforce was able to work with the Governor to achieve his goal without the cut or anyone losing their position.  This year's bill would make a public notice requirement permanent and require 10 days advance notice of any reductions.

The legislation has been endorsed by a broad array of public interest groups including Common Cause, the League of Women Voters, and the ACLU.  Senator Rich Madaleno is carrying the legislation in the Senate.

Legislative News

Unlike Congress, the Maryland General Assembly is part-time.  We meet for 90 days between mid-January and mid-April annually.  In order to get all our work done in 90 days, we follow a series of deadlines for bill drafting, bill introduction, and a cross-over deadline (the date by which a bill must pass one chamber to be heard in the other).  Last week was the bill introduction deadline.  1,509 bills were introduced in the House by the filing deadline.  Any bill filed after the deadline is automatically referred to the Rules Committee which can determine if the bill can continue through the legislative process.
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Last week, three common sense firearms regulation bills were introduced that I hope will be passed this session.  HB 1000 prohibits anyone on the terrorist watch list from legally obtaining a firearm.  HB 1001 clarifies that persons convicted of criminal offenses that require them to surrender their firearms must be informed of this by the judge.  Currently, judges are not informing those in court of their obligation under the law and many remain unaware.  HB 1002 would make institutions of higher education gun free zones, with certain exceptions for law enforcement, ROTC, and other valid reasons to possess a firearm.  Currently, this decision is left to the individual campuses.

Administration News

Governor Hogan recently established the Commission to Modernize State Procurement to review Maryland's procurement code and regulations.

I agree with the Governor that the state's procurement mechanisms are out of date.  I support legislation introduced by my colleague, Delegate Kirill Reznik, to reorganize state procurement.  The legislation is based on the findings of a Department of Legislative Services study of procurement issues and an outside consultant's report completed a few years ago:   An interesting commentary regarding the need for procurement reform can be found here.

Community News
  • The Montgomery County Democratic Party Annual Brunch is this Sunday(February 21) at 12:30pm at the Marriott Conference Center.
  • Save the Date for the District 16 Democratic Club debate for 8th Congressional District Democratic Primary candidates at Walt Whitman High School.  The event will be held on Sunday, February 28 from 3pm to 5pm.  
  • On March 5 and 6, Walter Johnson High School is holding a used book sale.
  • On March 7, the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Democratic Breakfast Club will hear from Congressional District 8 candidate William Jawando.  The club meets at7:30am at the Original Pancake House in Bethesda.
  • On March 12 and 13, BCC High School is holding its annual used book sale.  As a personal aside, I have been to this book sale in the past and found many great items.
  • On March 21, the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Democratic Breakfast Club will hear from Congressional District 8 candidate David Trone.  The club meets at 7:30amat the Original Pancake House in Bethesda.
  • On April 4, the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Democratic Breakfast Club will hear from Congressional District 8 candidate Joel Rubin.  The club meets at 7:30am at the Original Pancake House in Bethesda.
If you know of an upcoming community event, please email marc@marckorman.com.

District 16 Notes
  • Kramer Architects—the firm of District 16 resident and my former Bethesda Urban Partnership colleague Mark Kramer—recently collaborated with The Gary Sinise Foundation, RISE and other groups to design and build a Smart House in our Community for an extraordinary wounded hero, Captain Luis Avila, his wife, and their three children.
  • Village of Friendship Heights Mayor Clara Lovett has announced her intention to step down as Mayor next month, but to continue serving as a Councilmember.  Thank you Mayor Lovett for your service.
  • Last week I mentioned District 16 resident Sam Deutsch's success on College Jeopardy.  It turns out he actually won.  An article from my college newspaper, The Daily Trojan, tells the story. 
  • Condolences to my former central committee colleague Simon Atlas and his family on the passing of his sister, Sonia Atlas Levin.
If you know of a District 16 resident who merits recognition or condolences, please email marc@marckorman.com.

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