Growth has to be a cooperative effort
Times Record
General Assembly Review by Sen. Richard Colburn
March 22, 2006

One of the controversial and important concerns for Marylanders today is the issue of growth.

Growth is going to happen; yet, it must be implemented with best management practices done on a timely and cooperative basis between Maryland's Counties and Towns. Structure and guidelines are needed across the board to manage planned growth in order to grow sustainable communities that are environmentally sensitive. Infrastructure and capital impacts should be indentified as part of a planning process to minimize any residual cost back on our local taxpayers - e.g. excise taxes and impact fees. These fees need to represent both the municpality's and the county's infrastructure needs and costs.

Unfortunately, the "growth issue" has resulted in a rivalry between two traditional allies - the Maryland Association of Counties (MACO) vs. the Maryland Municipal League (MML).

Senate Bill 536 (Annexation Planning and Procedures Act of 2006) requested by MACO authorizes and provides the process by which a county a municipal corporation can enter into a joint planning agreement. It also provides that a county and a municipal corporation each designate representatives that are authorized and competent to discuss issues with regard to a joint planning agreement. This bill deals mainly with annexations.

On Thursday (March 16,2006), the Senate Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee heard Senate Bill 1013 (Maryland Growth Management Act of 2006) a bill that I have cosponsored. This bill requires planning commissions to include growth boundaries as part of a comprehensive plan. It authorizes a county and a municipal corporation to enter into joint planning agreements. This bill concentrates on growth in counties as well as in Municipalities. Also, I will offer amendments to Senate Bill 1013 to address Maryland Farm Bureau concerns with Senate Bill 1013.

On Wednesday, the Judicial Proceedings Committee heard Senate Bill 37 (Corrections - First Degree Murder Minimum Sentence). This bill would simply require a peson sentenced to life in prison for First Degree Murder to serve a minimum of 25 years before being eligible for parole and would not allow for any deductions of that sentence prior to the 25 years.

This legislation was drafted as a response to an issued raised by a retired local judge regarding convicted murderers being released from prison in just 15 years.

On August 4, 1972, two teenage sisters, Patsy and Cindy Dean were murdered at their parents' Laundromat in the Tuckahoe Shopping Center in Hillsboro.

Although their killers were arrested, tried and convicted, each receiving two life sentences, plus sentences for armed robbery and handgun charges, one of those killers was released after only serving 15 years.

Most Marylanders believe that "life" means life, which is not exactly true. Therefore as we see fewer and fewer death penalty sentences handed out, I believe that it is very important that convicted first-degree murderers serve a minimum of 25 years.

Frank M. Kravotil, Jr., President of the Maryland State's Attorney's Association testified, "Obviously, First Degree Murder is the most serious offense for which one can be convicted. Given the nature of the offense and the maximum exposure of the sentence, requiring an individual to serve at least 25 years of the sentence before being eligilble for parole is reasonable. Allowing him or her to be eligible for parole after having only served 15 years or less is not."

The Governor's Capital Budget passed the Senate on Friday, March 17.

The following amounts were approved for public school construction projects by the Board of Public Works on January 18, 2006 and will be allocated to each county:

In the budget, Caroline County would get $2.9 million.

Other Bond Bills would include: