11 other local propositions also to be considered
By Larry Carson
Sun Staff
Originally published November 9, 2004
The Robey administration wants to create a quasi-governmental revenue authority in Howard County that would have the power to sell bonds to build, buy or operate facilities from parking garages to the Merriweather Post Pavilion.
The bill is among 12 local proposals -- ranging from increasing marriage license fees to financing domestic abuse programs, to allowing the school board to charge more for community use of buildings and fields -- set for consideration by the county's General Assembly delegation. A public hearing is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., Nov. 30 in the County Council chambers in Ellicott City.
County Executive James N. Robey said that using the authority to buy Merriweather is possible, but he had been considering the revenue authority concept -- used in Baltimore and Montgomery counties -- before the pavilion issue came up.
The county wants to finance a parking garage on Main Street in Ellicott City and build more parking at Howard Community College, he said.
"It takes the burden off the taxpayer and puts the burden on the user," Robey said. A revenue authority run by government appointees can sell revenue bonds without affecting the county government's debt load and use fees paid by parkers or concertgoers to pay them off.
"Initially, it seems like a good idea to me," said Del. Neil F. Quinter, a Democrat who is county House delegation chairman. "It gives the county tools to construct useful projects."
Merriweather concern
But the bill could run into opposition from some Republicans, who are wary of expanding government or oppose the Merriweather purchase.
"I would not support it if it were used for that," said state Sen. Allan H. Kittleman, a western county Republican who has consistently opposed what he considers government competition with private business.
"I'm vehemently opposed to the county buying Merriweather," he said, but he would not object to creating a revenue authority if its power were limited to parking projects.
Del. Gail H. Bates, a Republican who last year sponsored an unsuccessful bill seeking $500,000 in state bond funds for a Main Street garage, said she plans to put the bill in again but withheld judgment on the revenue authority idea. Fellow Republican Del. Warren E. Miller is against the concept as an expansion of government, he said.
Partnership
But County Councilman Christopher J. Merdon, a Republican who represents Ellicott City, said he liked the concept of a public-private partnership similar to the authority in Baltimore County, which operates parking garages and the county's five golf courses.
Council Chairman Guy Guzzone, a North Laurel-Savage Democrat, said he also favors the concept, partly because it could be used to help revitalize the U.S. 1 corridor.
George E. Hale, executive director of Baltimore County's 49-year-old authority, said it has built toll bridges and parking garages, and it has taken over operation of the five county golf courses.
The authority's bond powers have also been used to finance projects as diverse as a new District Court building in Towson, an addition to the county library in Towson and a dry-dock for Bethlehem Steel, which were then leased to the users.
Rising fees
Several other bills may attract public interest.
Courtney Watson, the school board chairman, said the board wants power to charge community groups for administrative costs and for using school athletic fields.
The money would pay for two board employees who do the scheduling and for better field maintenance.
"Our school fields are used almost 24/7, and we have no ability to take in funds," she said. "All we're trying to do is not lose money."
Another measure would increase the county's marriage license fee from $35 to $50 -- still lower than Anne Arundel, Frederick, Montgomery or Prince George's counties -- and would funnel the extra money to the nonprofit Domestic Violence Center.
Robey put $25,000 in this year's budget for the center in anticipation of the bill, he said.
Director Jodi Finkelstein told several legislators during a morning tour yesterday that federal money for nonprofits such as hers has been diverted for Homeland Security, resulting in a shortage.
"I think it's critical," Robey said of the one-year appropriation.
Other bills would ban leghold animal traps, seek state funding for more work on the Blandair mansion and to build a community park in North Laurel and raise the next county sheriff's salary to $85,000 by 2010.
Several more would revisit issues discussed last year, such as forcing Rouse Co. or its purchaser, General Growth Properties Inc., to pay more property taxes on undeveloped land, and eliminating a transfer tax loophole for businesses.
From the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC):
DEMOCRATS AT THE STATE LEGISLATIVE LEVEL BUCK NATIONAL TRENDS AND MAKE GAINS
At the state legislative level Democrats picked up a net of at least 3 chambers in last night's elections.
Of the 98 partisan controlled legislative chambers, Democrats went into the 2004 elections in control of 44 chambers, Republicans controlled 53 chambers and 1 chamber was tied. After last night, Democrats now control 47 chambers, Republicans control 49 chambers, 1 chamber is tied and 1 chamber (Montana House) still has undecided elections which may impact partisan control.
The following message was just sent to me by Del. Neil Quinter. I'll try to find out what local bills may be under consideration. - Ken Stevens
The Howard County Delegation will hold a public hearing on Tuesday,
November 30, on the attached timely filed local bills . The hearing
will be held at 7:30 in the Banneker Room of the George Howard Building,
Ellicott City.
Delegate Neil Quinter
Chair, Howard County Delegation
Maryland House of Delegates