Keeping Drunk Drivers Off Of Our Roads
The Drunk Driving Reduction Act of 2016 (Noah's Law)
- Gov. Hogan signed Noah's Law, making Maryland's Ignition Interlock Program the strongest in the nation.
Ignition interlock requires a driver to blow into a breathalyzer before their car will start, thereby decreasing the likelihood of continued drunk driving offenses. This bill expands the penalties for drunk driving, including first-time offenders and lowers the blood-alcohol level at which ignition locks are required from 0.15 to 0.08. It also requires ignition interlocks for anyone who has failed a breath-alcohol test, not just those who have been convicted of driving under the influence.
Increasing Penalties for Providing Alcohol to Underage Drinkers
- Discourages adults from hosting underage drinking parties by toughening penalties for parents and other adults who provide alcohol to an individual under the age of 21 years who
(1) the person knew or reasonably should have known would operate a motor vehicle after consuming the alcohol and 2) as a result of operating the vehicle while under the influence causes serious physical injury or death. The penalty would include up to a $5000 fine and a year in jail.
Carroll County Legislation
Additional $4 Million for Carroll County Public Schools
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Thanks to Governor Hogan and the Carroll County Delegation, Carroll County Public Schools will receive $4 million in hold harmless funding this year to offset some of our formula decreases due to declining student enrollment. We also passed legislation to exempt our school buses from paying the gas tax, which will save our local Board of Education and Carroll County taxpayers.
The Arc of Carroll County Building Renovation
- We received $100,000 for much needed renovations to the Arc of Carroll County. The Arc is an important resource for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities within our community, providing a wide range of programs from employment services to educational partnerships. With this funding secured, the Arc of Carroll County will be able to upgrade their facilities to meet growing demand.
Sykesville Freedom District Fire Department
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We secured $50,000 for some renovations to the Sykesville Freedom District Fire Department that is sorely needed as they continue to recover from a devastating fire several years ago. These funds will enable the facility to provide necessary electrical upgrades to buildings on the carnival grounds.
Child Support Enforcement Administration - Transfer of Personnel
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At the request of Carroll County's State's Attorney Brian DeLeonardo, we passed legislation to transfer payroll costs for the Child Support Unit of the State's Attorney's Office. These employees will continue to work out of the same offices, handle the same responsibilities, and enjoy the same benefits. The only difference is that the state's Child Support Enforcement Administration will now be shouldering the annual cost of $300,400, saving Carroll County taxpayers this expense.
Warrant Intercept Program - Requested by Sheriff DeWees
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The warrant intercept program authorizes an official of the government, charged with serving a criminal arrest warrant, to allow the Comptroller to withhold an individual's income tax refund if they have an outstanding warrant. The Comptroller is required to notify the individual of the withholding and the outstanding warrant. The refund is released when the serving of the warrant has been satisfied, usually by the person being served presenting themselves at the Sheriff's Office. This program has been very successful as a pilot program in Anne Arundel and Washington Counties and prevents confrontations and embarrassing situations between police and citizens.
Community Colleges- Collective Bargaining
- Not Passed
This legislation would have established statewide collective bargaining for our community colleges. Despite our protests, it passed the House but, thankfully, died in the Senate, after being opposed by all of the community colleges it impacts. It would have forced community colleges to participate in collective bargaining and was a union power-grab that will ultimately raise tuition at community colleges. This would remove local control and replace the current bargaining process that has existed for years in our local communities and limit local decision-making. This legislation was sponsored by a legislator in Baltimore City, a jurisdiction that already has collective bargaining, through their own local choice. It is very disturbing that they would try to impose this on our counties. So much for local courtesy!
Part 3 coming soon,
