Below is Rich's report on local issues for the 2007 Legislative Season, the Fiscal Year 2008 State Budget, in addition to a list of the bills that Rich introduced, co-sponsored or supported. The lists speak for themselves in terms of Rich's continued dedication to his constituents of the Eastern Shore.
To view a list of all of the bills sponsored or co-sponsored by Senator Colburn from 1999-2006, click this link.

ANNAPOLIS – Senator Richard F. Colburn (R. Eastern Shore) reported on Governor O’Malley’s FY 2008 budget and key capital bond bill projects for the Mid-Shore area.  Senator Colburn stated, “The budget is the only bill that must be passed by law.  The Maryland General Assembly passed a $30 billion budget which includes record spending on education.  All legislation to address next year’s projected $1.5 billion deficit stalled.  Some of these measures included an attempt to raise the gas tax by 12 cents per gallon, a bill to legalize 15,500 slot machines in seven venues, bills to increase the income and sales tax, and a so-called green fund tax which would have added up to $1,500 to the cost of a new home.  However, many of these bills are expected to resurface during a special Fall Session to address budget shortfalls.  Some of the highlights of the Budget Bill (HB 50) include:

Maintains the State’s Commitment to the Public Schools – Education aid will be almost $5.2 billion, including an unprecedented increase of $691 million, or 15.4%.  Education aid now represents 35% of the general fund budget.

Makes Higher Education More Affordable While Continuing to Enhance Programs – Additional general funds will be available for higher education increase 11.7%.  This provides Maryland’s State colleges and universities sufficient funding to hold undergraduate tuition rates level and accommodate additional enrollment.  Community colleges will receive an additional $38 million – an increase of over 18%.

Protects Healthcare Programs for Low-Income Marylanders – Medicaid funding grows $294 million and includes monies to increase physician reimbursement rates, restore Medicaid services for legal immigrants, and raise reimbursement rates for nursing homes.

Provides Full Funding for State and Local Land Preservation and Parkland Enhancement – There is $273 million in funds for land preservation and related programs.  About $98 million of this funding will go to local governments through Program Open Space.

Continues Efforts to Protect the Environment and Restore the Chesapeake Bay – Bay Restoration Funds for enhanced nutrient removal, septic system upgrades, and sewer rehabilitation total $91 million, an increase of $5 million, or 6%.

Enhances Salaries and Benefits for State Workers – All employees will receive a 2% general salary increase, and the budget includes funding for pension system enhancements enacted last year.

Earmarks New Funds for Important Initiatives – There is $23 million set aside for stem cell research, an increase of $8 million, $17.6 million to continue phasing out hospital day limits under the Medicaid program, new funding for developing community-based services for children with mental or developmental disabilities ($16.5 million), and $5 million additional for drug treatment programs.

Constrains Growth in the Budget and Leaves a Significant Fund Balance – The general fund budget, adjusting for the commitment to fully fund K – 12 education, only grows 1.5%.  Cash balances total $930 million.

Meets the Spending Affordability Limit – Spending subject to spending affordability limits is reduced $113 million, resulting in a budget that is under the 7.9% Spending Affordability Committee limit on spending growth.”

Regarding the Capital Budget (HB 51), Senator Colburn stated, $400 million or half of the Capital Budget will go to public school construction; $9.6 million will go towards the New Teacher Education and Technology Complex at Salisbury University.  This provides funds to supplement previous appropriations to construct the new Teacher Education and Technology Complex and funds to equip this complex and $3 million for a detailed design of the new Perdue School of Business.  There is $1 million for the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center in Salisbury.  And finally, The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science’s $9.2 million request to construct an oyster production facility at the Horn Point Laboratory located in Dorchester County, which was amended out of the bill by the Senate, was approved in Conference Committee. 

There were 200 bond bill requests totaling $111 million.  $10 million was allocated specifically for Senate projects.   Senate/House bond bill requests granted were as follows:

• Dorchester County Family YMCA - $50,000 (SB 451) Sen. Richard Colburn; $250,000 (HB 552) Del. Addie Eckardt and Eastern Shore Delegation.  The combined $300,000 will allow the YMCA in Cambridge to continue an extensive renovation project begun in October, 2005.  It will consist of renovating the gym, areas for a teen center, ballet, karate, wellness, and fitness and weight rooms, front desk, lobby, snack bar, and restrooms, resurfacing the roof, replacing and repairing window, ceilings, walls, and floors, and moving the main entrance.
• Caroline Hospice - $50,000 (SB 446) Sen. Colburn; $100,000 (HB 306) Del. Richard Sossi.  The $150,000 will go towards renovations and additions to the Caroline Home for Hospice in Denton.
• Talbot Agriculture Service Center - $50,000 (SB 454) Sen. Richard Colburn; $50,000 (HB 308) Del. Haddaway.  The combined $100,000 in bond monies are for a $2.6 million project to create a 15,000-square-foot building to house agricultural and natural resources conservation agencies near Easton.
• Dorchester County Historical Society Museums - $50,000 (SB 448) Sen. Richard Colburn.  This will go towards completion of the construction of a new museum building and to install air conditioning and heat in the Neild Museum in Cambridge.
• Easton Memorial Walk - $47,000 (HB 1258) Del. Jeannie Haddaway.  This walk will honor deceased military veterans, police officers, and firefighters.  This was proposed by Easton Mayor Willey.
• Wicomico County Epilepsy Association Facility - $150,000 (HB 985) Del. Norm Conway.  This matching fund will be used by the Board of Directors of the Epilepsy Association of the Eastern Shore, Inc. for the construction, repair, renovation, and capital equipping of a building to be used as a facility for the Epilepsy Association of the Eastern Shore, located in Salisbury.
• Salisbury Zoo - $100,000 (HB 312) Del. Norm Conway.  This grant provides a $100,000 matching fund to the Board of Directors of the Salisbury Zoo Commission, Inc. for the planning, design, construction, and capital equipping of an animal health facility at the Salisbury Zoo, located in Salisbury.
• The Benedictine School - $250,000 (HB 814) Del. Norm Conway/S(SB 769) Sen. Richard Colburn for the planning, design, repair, renovation, and capital equipping of the fire protection and HVAC systems and infrastructure of the Benedictine School located in Ridgely.

SB 459

SB 717

SB 920

SB 770

SB 440

SB 271

SB 445

SB 456

SB 813

SB 1008, 1009, 1010, 1011