http://www.pitchengine.com/free-release.php?id=59362
George Owings Campaign Kickoff FundraiserOwings launches run for Government House near hometown04.21.2010 – (Chesapeake Beach, MD)
Owings hails from the center, center-right wing of the Democratic Party, and has a strong voting record as a rural Democrat with pragmatic values and strong personal relationships in both major political parties.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Friday, March 19, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Voice Your Opinion on Healthcare Now Before Its Too Late
IMO: Eventually government workers are going to find themselves in whatever the fed plan is because it will be cheaper or, we'll be getting surcharged to keep our current health insurance plans. I don't want to get the feds permsision to see whatever doctor, whenever I want to ... do you?
Toll free phone number to Capitol hill - 877 762 8762 call and voice your objection to having this particular form of health care reform rammed down our throats.
Pelosi: 'Once we kick through this door,' more reform will follow
But since the current bill is unpopular, and Pelosi at the moment does not have enough Democratic, much less Republican, votes to pass it, the door she will be kicking through is the back door. Pelosi told the bloggers she favors using the "self-executing rule" strategy in which the House would pass the Senate health care bill without going on the record as specifically voting for it. "I like it," Pelosi said of the scheme, "because people don't have to vote on the Senate bill." The strategy of passing the Senate bill while avoiding a direct vote, writes Klein, "is all about plausible deniability for House members who don't want to vote for the Senate bill."
In a particularly Alice-in-Wonderland moment, Pelosi argued that the debate over health care reform can begin after the bill is passed. "Pelosi said passing the bill would allow Dems to undertake a 'debate' with Republicans over 'what is the balanced role that government should have,'" writes another pro-reform blogger at the Post, Greg Sargent. According to Sargent, Pelosi explained, "We have to take it to the American people, to say, this is the choice that you have. This is the vision that they have for your health and well being, and this is the vision that we have." Again, in Pelosi's scenario, that debate would occur after the bill is passed.
Toll free phone number to Capitol hill - 877 762 8762 call and voice your objection to having this particular form of health care reform rammed down our throats.
Pelosi: 'Once we kick through this door,' more reform will follow
But since the current bill is unpopular, and Pelosi at the moment does not have enough Democratic, much less Republican, votes to pass it, the door she will be kicking through is the back door. Pelosi told the bloggers she favors using the "self-executing rule" strategy in which the House would pass the Senate health care bill without going on the record as specifically voting for it. "I like it," Pelosi said of the scheme, "because people don't have to vote on the Senate bill." The strategy of passing the Senate bill while avoiding a direct vote, writes Klein, "is all about plausible deniability for House members who don't want to vote for the Senate bill."
In a particularly Alice-in-Wonderland moment, Pelosi argued that the debate over health care reform can begin after the bill is passed. "Pelosi said passing the bill would allow Dems to undertake a 'debate' with Republicans over 'what is the balanced role that government should have,'" writes another pro-reform blogger at the Post, Greg Sargent. According to Sargent, Pelosi explained, "We have to take it to the American people, to say, this is the choice that you have. This is the vision that they have for your health and well being, and this is the vision that we have." Again, in Pelosi's scenario, that debate would occur after the bill is passed.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Attention State Workers - WRITE TO YOUR LEGISLATOR
please pass this along to any state worker you have an email address for:
State Workers ... please email your legislators immediately regarding the repeal of the Fair Share Bill, HB 1346. It is important that we, as the state work force, let it be known, that WE DO NOT WANT TO BELONG AND/OR PAY FAIR SHARE FEES TO ANY UNION.
You can find your legislator's contact information at:
http://mlis.state.md.us/mgaweb/mail32.aspx
Here is a draft letter you can feel free to use if you would like:
RE: HB 1346 – State Employees – Collective Bargaining “The Fair Share Act” Repeal
Dear Delegate/Senator _____________:
I am writing as both your constituent and as a State of Maryland employee regarding the above-captioned Bill.
I strongly feel that membership in a union and participation in union activities should be on a voluntary basis ONLY. The State should not mandate to its employees that paying fair share fees to a union is mandatory in order to keep your job.
State workers should not be penalized, especially during a recession, by being FORCED to pay agency fees to a union that can do absolutely nothing for them in times of financial hardship. The past year, since Fair Share was written into law, has proven that unions are essentially useless to government employees. State workers have had reduced pay checks for well over one year and will again, have reduced pay checks in FY 2011. To place another financial burden on us at this time is degrading considering the reason why this Fair Share Bill was passed to begin with.
Please vote in favor of this Bill.
Sincerely,
State Workers ... please email your legislators immediately regarding the repeal of the Fair Share Bill, HB 1346. It is important that we, as the state work force, let it be known, that WE DO NOT WANT TO BELONG AND/OR PAY FAIR SHARE FEES TO ANY UNION.
You can find your legislator's contact information at:
http://mlis.state.md.us/mgaweb/mail32.aspx
Here is a draft letter you can feel free to use if you would like:
RE: HB 1346 – State Employees – Collective Bargaining “The Fair Share Act” Repeal
Dear Delegate/Senator _____________:
I am writing as both your constituent and as a State of Maryland employee regarding the above-captioned Bill.
I strongly feel that membership in a union and participation in union activities should be on a voluntary basis ONLY. The State should not mandate to its employees that paying fair share fees to a union is mandatory in order to keep your job.
State workers should not be penalized, especially during a recession, by being FORCED to pay agency fees to a union that can do absolutely nothing for them in times of financial hardship. The past year, since Fair Share was written into law, has proven that unions are essentially useless to government employees. State workers have had reduced pay checks for well over one year and will again, have reduced pay checks in FY 2011. To place another financial burden on us at this time is degrading considering the reason why this Fair Share Bill was passed to begin with.
Please vote in favor of this Bill.
Sincerely,
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
SEIU political contributions to Maryland legislators 2010 election cycle
This group only includes 2009-2010:
Maryland Democratic State Central Committee:
2009: $8,875, $500, $5,000
Other contributions by SEIU ... only those over $1,000 are listed. Also, not sure if all 2010 have been reported yet it is still early in the year. Most of the people on this list (which is not finished yet) are sponsoring some type of collective bargaining bill in one way or another.
Middleton
$3,000 01/12/10
$1,000 01/08/10
$ 500 09/01/09
$1,000 01/14/09
$1,000 01/14/09
$ 500 01/12/09
Busch $2,000 07/02/09
$1500 01/14/09
Anderson $1,000 01/26/10
Astle
$1,000 12/16/09
$ 250 12/08/09
Conway
$4,000 01/13/10
$1,000 01/11/10
Derek Davis
$ 125 01/10/10
$1,000 01/10/10
$ 250 01/07/10
$1,000 01/07/10
Epps
$1,000 01/13/10
$ 100 12/29/09
$1,000 09/17/09
$4,000 06/23/09
$1,000 04/18/09
$1,000 03/19/09
Hubbard
$3,000 12/30/09
$1,000 09/30/09
$1,000 01/12/09
Miller $1,000 10/14/09
Frick $1,000 12/16/09
Gargiola $1,000 12/16/09
Gilchrist $1,000 12/30/09
Griffith $1,000 01/10/09
Hixson $1,000 01/11/10
Madeleno
$3,000 01/12/10
$ 500 05/21/09
McIntire $1,000 01/12/10
$ 250 01/12/10
King, N
$2,000 01/07/10
$ 250 05/13/09
Hubbard
$3,000 12/30/09
$1,000 09/30/09
$1,000 01/12/09
Pinsky
$1,000 12/30/09
$1,000 01/13/09
Pugh, C $1,000 12/30/09
Rosapepe $2,500 10/08/09
Vallaro $1,000 11/24/09
THESE ARE THE WORST SO FAR and they include all contributions made in the 2010 election cycle which is 2006-2010.
Adrienne Jones
Bills Sponsored: HB1016/SB801 - FEES - PUBLIC SCHOOL EMPLOYEES
HB1412/SB972 - ST. POLICE
HB815 - TRANSIT AUTHORITY ***FISCAL NOTE: COST TO STATE $75,000-109,000
HB465/SB284 - FAMILY CHILD CARE PROVIDERS
***FISCAL NOTE: WILL COST AN EMPLOYEES' TIME TO TRACK CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS AND THE COST OF CHANING THE COMPUTER SYSTEM FOR TRACKING
SEIU contributions:
01/0410 $1,000
01/04/10 $ 250
01/13/10 $5,000
11/24/09 $1,000
01/09/08 $1,000
01/09/08 $1,500
06/25/08 $ 125
07/02/08 $ 124
Deboy
Bills Sponsored: HB1016/SB801 - FEES - PUBLIC SCHOOL EMPLOYEES
HB948/SB884 - PUBLIC SCHOOL EMPLOYEES
HB1412/SB972 - ST. POLICE
HB815 - TRANSIT AUTHORITY ***FISCAL NOTE: COST TO STATE $75,000-109,000
SEIU contributions:
01/09/08 $1000
01/09/08 $1500
01/10/06 $1000
11/03/06 $ 500
Klausmeier
(Same Bills Sponsored)
SEIU contributions:
01/17/10 $2000
11/09/09 $100
10/17/08 $100
10/17/08 $500
10/01/07 $250
01/09/06 $750
06/16/06 $500
08/15/06 $1500
10/16/06 $6000
10/30/06 $1500
Maryland Democratic State Central Committee:
2009: $8,875, $500, $5,000
Other contributions by SEIU ... only those over $1,000 are listed. Also, not sure if all 2010 have been reported yet it is still early in the year. Most of the people on this list (which is not finished yet) are sponsoring some type of collective bargaining bill in one way or another.
Middleton
$3,000 01/12/10
$1,000 01/08/10
$ 500 09/01/09
$1,000 01/14/09
$1,000 01/14/09
$ 500 01/12/09
Busch $2,000 07/02/09
$1500 01/14/09
Anderson $1,000 01/26/10
Astle
$1,000 12/16/09
$ 250 12/08/09
Conway
$4,000 01/13/10
$1,000 01/11/10
Derek Davis
$ 125 01/10/10
$1,000 01/10/10
$ 250 01/07/10
$1,000 01/07/10
Epps
$1,000 01/13/10
$ 100 12/29/09
$1,000 09/17/09
$4,000 06/23/09
$1,000 04/18/09
$1,000 03/19/09
Hubbard
$3,000 12/30/09
$1,000 09/30/09
$1,000 01/12/09
Miller $1,000 10/14/09
Frick $1,000 12/16/09
Gargiola $1,000 12/16/09
Gilchrist $1,000 12/30/09
Griffith $1,000 01/10/09
Hixson $1,000 01/11/10
Madeleno
$3,000 01/12/10
$ 500 05/21/09
McIntire $1,000 01/12/10
$ 250 01/12/10
King, N
$2,000 01/07/10
$ 250 05/13/09
Hubbard
$3,000 12/30/09
$1,000 09/30/09
$1,000 01/12/09
Pinsky
$1,000 12/30/09
$1,000 01/13/09
Pugh, C $1,000 12/30/09
Rosapepe $2,500 10/08/09
Vallaro $1,000 11/24/09
THESE ARE THE WORST SO FAR and they include all contributions made in the 2010 election cycle which is 2006-2010.
Adrienne Jones
Bills Sponsored: HB1016/SB801 - FEES - PUBLIC SCHOOL EMPLOYEES
HB1412/SB972 - ST. POLICE
HB815 - TRANSIT AUTHORITY ***FISCAL NOTE: COST TO STATE $75,000-109,000
HB465/SB284 - FAMILY CHILD CARE PROVIDERS
***FISCAL NOTE: WILL COST AN EMPLOYEES' TIME TO TRACK CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS AND THE COST OF CHANING THE COMPUTER SYSTEM FOR TRACKING
SEIU contributions:
01/0410 $1,000
01/04/10 $ 250
01/13/10 $5,000
11/24/09 $1,000
01/09/08 $1,000
01/09/08 $1,500
06/25/08 $ 125
07/02/08 $ 124
Deboy
Bills Sponsored: HB1016/SB801 - FEES - PUBLIC SCHOOL EMPLOYEES
HB948/SB884 - PUBLIC SCHOOL EMPLOYEES
HB1412/SB972 - ST. POLICE
HB815 - TRANSIT AUTHORITY ***FISCAL NOTE: COST TO STATE $75,000-109,000
SEIU contributions:
01/09/08 $1000
01/09/08 $1500
01/10/06 $1000
11/03/06 $ 500
Klausmeier
(Same Bills Sponsored)
SEIU contributions:
01/17/10 $2000
11/09/09 $100
10/17/08 $100
10/17/08 $500
10/01/07 $250
01/09/06 $750
06/16/06 $500
08/15/06 $1500
10/16/06 $6000
10/30/06 $1500
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Detroit Mayor Bing Lashes Out at AFSCME
We've never run from the fact that the city has a financial problem. So, we're willing to give the 26 furlough days, but nothing else," said Chief AFSCME Negotiator Catherine Phillips.
Bing says AFSCME will not get special treatment.
"AFSCME would like to have something different than the other 30 contracts that have been ratified, and I'm not going to do that," Bing said.
The mayor says the longer he waits for concessions, the more workers will be laid off.
http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/news/local/detroit-mayor-bing-lashes-out-at-afscme
Bing says AFSCME will not get special treatment.
"AFSCME would like to have something different than the other 30 contracts that have been ratified, and I'm not going to do that," Bing said.
The mayor says the longer he waits for concessions, the more workers will be laid off.
http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/news/local/detroit-mayor-bing-lashes-out-at-afscme
GOP's budget suggestions
http://www.herald-mail.com/?cmd=displaystory&story_id=240414&format=html
The following reductions are recommended in the House plan:
• Medicaid audits for a savings of $195 million
• Reducing Geographic Cost of Education Index funding for schools by $126 million
• Eliminating 500 positions for a savings of $29.9 million
• Converting retirees to Medicare Part D with supplement for a savings of $30 million
• Reducing executive salaries to $1 below the governor’s salary of $150,000.
http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2010-02-14/news/bal-annapolis-budget-talks-0214_1_budget-talks-republicans-maryland-democrats
The terms of all 188 members of the Assembly expire this year, and election-year anxiety is suppressing debate on the most contentious issues.
http://www.hometownannapolis.com/news/gov/2010/02/24-23/GOP-makes-its-budget-case.html
Both plans presented yesterday include items such as cutting 500 executive branch employees, eliminating an education subsidy to high-cost jurisdictions that is worth millions to Anne Arundel County, and stopping built-in inflationary increases that drive mandates such as education aid. The $20 million set aside in a special fund for the Chesapeake Bay - likely a Democratic target as well - also would be cut.
The following reductions are recommended in the House plan:
• Medicaid audits for a savings of $195 million
• Reducing Geographic Cost of Education Index funding for schools by $126 million
• Eliminating 500 positions for a savings of $29.9 million
• Converting retirees to Medicare Part D with supplement for a savings of $30 million
• Reducing executive salaries to $1 below the governor’s salary of $150,000.
http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2010-02-14/news/bal-annapolis-budget-talks-0214_1_budget-talks-republicans-maryland-democrats
The terms of all 188 members of the Assembly expire this year, and election-year anxiety is suppressing debate on the most contentious issues.
http://www.hometownannapolis.com/news/gov/2010/02/24-23/GOP-makes-its-budget-case.html
Both plans presented yesterday include items such as cutting 500 executive branch employees, eliminating an education subsidy to high-cost jurisdictions that is worth millions to Anne Arundel County, and stopping built-in inflationary increases that drive mandates such as education aid. The $20 million set aside in a special fund for the Chesapeake Bay - likely a Democratic target as well - also would be cut.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Md. lawmakers target teacher pensions, Univ. of Maryland
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/local/Md_-lawmakers-target-teacher-pensions_-Univ_-of-Maryland-85109012.html
"Local aid is breaking the back of the state's finances," Brinkley said at a joint hearing before House and Senate budget committees on Tuesday.
Brinkley said much of the state's budget is being determined "on autopilot" because of a number of archaic mandates, or forumulaic funding requirements, that need to be reassessed. Education, pension and Medicaid mandates were at the top of his list of formulas needing revision.
House Republicans suggested cutting roughly $825 million from O'Malley's 2011 budget plan by changing education funding formulas, laying off 500 state workers and eliminating the Chesapeake Bay 2010 fund, among other proposals.
The House plan would cut the University System of Maryland budget by axing 1,000 positions, cutting in half employees' travel budgets, and taking away free tuition for employees -- instead giving them a 50 percent discount-- for a total of $52 million in savings.
"Local aid is breaking the back of the state's finances," Brinkley said at a joint hearing before House and Senate budget committees on Tuesday.
Brinkley said much of the state's budget is being determined "on autopilot" because of a number of archaic mandates, or forumulaic funding requirements, that need to be reassessed. Education, pension and Medicaid mandates were at the top of his list of formulas needing revision.
House Republicans suggested cutting roughly $825 million from O'Malley's 2011 budget plan by changing education funding formulas, laying off 500 state workers and eliminating the Chesapeake Bay 2010 fund, among other proposals.
The House plan would cut the University System of Maryland budget by axing 1,000 positions, cutting in half employees' travel budgets, and taking away free tuition for employees -- instead giving them a 50 percent discount-- for a total of $52 million in savings.
Monday, February 22, 2010
PLEASE pass this along to every state worker you know
Please pass this along to everyone ... however you can get the word out.
Ask them to take 5 minutes to write to their legislator regarding HB 1346 State Employees - Collective Bargaining - "The Fair Share Act" - Repeal
In the event that this Bill gets a hearing, we are looking for state workers that would like to go down to Annapolis and attend the hearing. Taking a few leave hours to go to the hearing could end up saving you hundreds of dollars a year in fees to a union.
If you're interested, please email me at mdus09@yahoo.com
The reason this bill even made it through last year is because thousands of workers were unaware of its existence. We need to speak up about this or else we're going to be screwed.
Ask them to take 5 minutes to write to their legislator regarding HB 1346 State Employees - Collective Bargaining - "The Fair Share Act" - Repeal
In the event that this Bill gets a hearing, we are looking for state workers that would like to go down to Annapolis and attend the hearing. Taking a few leave hours to go to the hearing could end up saving you hundreds of dollars a year in fees to a union.
If you're interested, please email me at mdus09@yahoo.com
The reason this bill even made it through last year is because thousands of workers were unaware of its existence. We need to speak up about this or else we're going to be screwed.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
URGENTLY IMPORTANT TO STATE WORKERS
HB 1346 - State Employees - Collective Bargaining - "The Fair Share Act" - Repeal.
State workers, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for you to speak out, finally, and let your legislators know just how you, as a state worker, feel about being forced to pay a union whether you are a member or not ... i.e., so-called fair share.
Last year the fair share bill was back-doored and approved and an executive order was signed before state workers were even aware what happened.
A couple of decent legislators are sponsoring this Bill and it is up to us to write to our legislators and show up at any hearing with regard to this. This will most likely be the only opportunity we will have to have this repealed prior to the unions renegotiating an MOU this year that will include fair share fees to non members. The unions stand to make millions out of your paychecks should that occur.
This does not have to be just a state worker endeavor ... we could use all of the help we can get to have these unions banned from taking over state government fully and completely.
When I get the hearing date I will post it here. We need to take back our lives. No one is going to do it for us.
State workers, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for you to speak out, finally, and let your legislators know just how you, as a state worker, feel about being forced to pay a union whether you are a member or not ... i.e., so-called fair share.
Last year the fair share bill was back-doored and approved and an executive order was signed before state workers were even aware what happened.
A couple of decent legislators are sponsoring this Bill and it is up to us to write to our legislators and show up at any hearing with regard to this. This will most likely be the only opportunity we will have to have this repealed prior to the unions renegotiating an MOU this year that will include fair share fees to non members. The unions stand to make millions out of your paychecks should that occur.
This does not have to be just a state worker endeavor ... we could use all of the help we can get to have these unions banned from taking over state government fully and completely.
When I get the hearing date I will post it here. We need to take back our lives. No one is going to do it for us.
We're Back Up and Running
After 50" of snow, we're back at it here. Please keep checking back for news of what's happening in the General Assembly.
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