Senator Richard F. Colburn - A Shore Senator

Colburn answers critics' letter
Times Record
March 15, 2006

When reading Mr. Gerry Beamer's Letter to the Editor (March 1st, 2006) I found myself humming the melody to a popular country western song but paraphrasing the lyrics, "You can hate Wal-Mart if it makes you feel better." We know there are people that do not like Wal-Mart and their little yellow smiley faces.

Mr. Beemer is right on a few points. Wal-Mart was the only company directly affected by the so-called "Wal-Mart Bill". As the bill was written, its only effect was on companies with over 10,000 employees.

My point was that the Wal-Mart Bill would lay the groundwork for a Maryland Universal Health Care Bill.

Vincent DeMarco, the lead advocate for the Wal-Mart Biill stated, "I would like to see the concepts expanded to cover smaller employers". (The Washington Post, 4-2-05) Apparently Mr. Beemer is not familiar with the liberal wing of the Maryland Democratic Party and those who sponsored and pushed for the legislation.

The reasons for my opposition remain the same. While no business can be considered small with 10,000 employees, the "Wal-Mart Bill" was the opening salvo in an attack on all of Maryland's employers.

I did not, however, think that Mr. Beemer's comrades would act so hastily regarding this issue. But, Delegate James Hubbare (D-Prince George's Co.), one of Mr. Beemer's beloved Democrats, filed House Bill 1510 on February 15, 2006. This bill is exactly what Vincent DeMarco promised when he said, "I would like to see the concepts expanded to cover smaller employers." (Washington Post, 4-2-05) House Bill 1510 would force every employer in the state to put 4.5 percent of their payroll costs into health care and 3 percent for non-profit employers.

Supporters of the "Wal-Mart Bill" promised, "Don't worry this bill only affects Wal-Mart not small business." Now we have HB 1510, the "Small-Mart" bill. I fought the "Wal-Mart Bill" because of its implications, because I know that government's sole concern is its own expansion: its expansion in size, its expansion in taxes, and its expansion in regulation. HB 1510 regulates how small business owners run their own enterprises and treat their own employees. Who knows how to do this better than the owners of small businesses themselves?

To defend the best interest of Small Businesses, Mr. Beemer, and his Democrat cronies, and NB 1510, the "Small-Mart" bill must be stopped.


Paid for by Citizens for Colburn Committee. Authority John W. Phillips, Jr., Treasurer		Colburn answers critics' letter Times Record March 15, 2006 When reading Mr. Gerry Beamer's Letter to the Editor (March 1st, 2006) I found myself humming the melody to a popular country western song but paraphrasing the lyrics, "You can hate Wal-Mart if it makes you feel better." We know there are people that do not like Wal-Mart and their little yellow smiley faces. Mr. Beemer is right on a few points. Wal-Mart was the only company directly affected by the so-called "Wal-Mart Bill". As the bill was written, its only effect was on companies with over 10,000 employees. My point was that the Wal-Mart Bill would lay the groundwork for a Maryland Universal Health Care Bill. Vincent DeMarco, the lead advocate for the Wal-Mart Biill stated, "I would like to see the concepts expanded to cover smaller employers". (The Washington Post, 4-2-05) Apparently Mr. Beemer is not familiar with the liberal wing of the Maryland Democratic Party and those who sponsored and pushed for the legislation. The reasons for my opposition remain the same. While no business can be considered small with 10,000 employees, the "Wal-Mart Bill" was the opening salvo in an attack on all of Maryland's employers. I did not, however, think that Mr. Beemer's comrades would act so hastily regarding this issue. But, Delegate James Hubbare (D-Prince George's Co.), one of Mr. Beemer's beloved Democrats, filed House Bill 1510 on February 15, 2006. This bill is exactly what Vincent DeMarco promised when he said, "I would like to see the concepts expanded to cover smaller employers." (Washington Post, 4-2-05) House Bill 1510 would force every employer in the state to put 4.5 percent of their payroll costs into health care and 3 percent for non-profit employers. Supporters of the "Wal-Mart Bill" promised, "Don't worry this bill only affects Wal-Mart not small business." Now we have HB 1510, the "Small-Mart" bill. I fought the "Wal-Mart Bill" because of its implications, because I know that government's sole concern is its own expansion: its expansion in size, its expansion in taxes, and its expansion in regulation. HB 1510 regulates how small business owners run their own enterprises and treat their own employees. Who knows how to do this better than the owners of small businesses themselves? To defend the best interest of Small Businesses, Mr. Beemer, and his Democrat cronies, and NB 1510, the "Small-Mart" bill must be stopped.