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Staff Report

                                       

MEMORANDUM

February 11, 2010

 

TO:                  David Deutsch, City Manager

FR:                   Leonard L. Lucchi

RE:                   Legislative Report

            With the 2010 Maryland General Assembly one-third completed, the following are issues that have arisen of interest to the City of Bowie:

  1. STATE BUDGET – As you know, under the Maryland Constitution, the Governor must submit a balanced budget and the General Assembly is only authorized to reduce items in the budget, not to increase them.  The budget submitted by the Governor for Fiscal Year 2011 maintains the cuts made for municipalities in Fiscal Year 2010, including a major slashing of the Highway User Fund and a reduction in police aid.  Beyond those two categories, there are not really any other state programs that directly aid municipalities.
  1. MNCPPC STUDY TASK FORCE – House Bill 577 was introduced as a bicounty bill by the 23rd District Delegation to establish a task force to study the structure of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission and its applicability to Prince George’s County in the 21st Century.  The last such task force was convened in 1996 and resulted in many recommendations that were adopted into law.  Needless to say, the Commission has strongly objected to this external review.
  1. BOWIE HEALTH CENTER – The Prince George’s Hospital Authority has stated that there will not be a need for further legislation regarding the Prince George’s Hospital System, including the Bowie Health Center, during the 2010 Session as it is in active discussions with the University of Maryland Medical System.  Since the Authority expires in May, future funding of the System may be decided during state budget discussions.
  1. STATE ETHICS REVIEW – Senate Bill 315 would require review of municipal ethics ordinances by the State Ethics Commission to assure that conflict of interest and financial disclosure requirements are at least as stringent as state law.
  1. COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS – Senate Bill 394 would allow municipalities to enter into agreements to jointly provide municipal services or functions, such as procurement.
  1. PARKING ENFORCEMENT – Senate Bill 707 would allow municipalities to establish their own alternate parking violation adjudication systems while still providing an appeal to the District Court of Maryland
  1. BOND BILLS – Senate Bill 490 has been introduced to create a state debt in the amount of $100,000 as a matching contribution for the development of Allen Pond Park and Senate Bill 489/House Bill 545 has been introduced to provide $25,000 in capital funding for the Bowie Interfaith Food Pantry and Emergency Aid Fund