Delegate Jon S. Cardin

April 15, 2009
Dear Friend:

The 426th session of the Maryland General Assembly drew to a close Monday night, and I again thank you for giving me the opportunity to represent you. I have been honored to serve the 11th District with my teammates Bobby Zirkin, Dan Morhaim and Dana Stein. In a dire fiscal situation, we have worked hard to reflect your priorities. To that end, this letter is designed to give a modest synopsis of some of my 2009 accomplishments and a personal perspective on the legislative session at-large.

"The person who is waiting for something to turn up might start with their shirt sleeves." - Garth Henrichs

It is clear that we began this session in the shadow of a sputtering national economy and facing a significant Maryland budget deficit based on reduced revenue estimates. Given the hardships you communicated to us, we on the Ways and Means Committee agreed not to raise taxes. Instead the committee pursued alternative means to reduce wasteful spending. In the end, we passed a shrunken $14 billion budget - the first in decades that was smaller in real dollars than the previous year. Additionally, with Magna filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, the General Assembly is taking action to try to save our beloved Preakness.

In line with the committee's objectives, I introduced a bill to reduce energy consumption in state owned and operated buildings. This will additionally model environmental benefits to our partners in the private sector. As a result, state agencies and departments will send the legislature a comprehensive report detailing their energy policies and a written plan to reduce consumption.

Furthermore, I introduced a bill to help reforest Maryland. It calls for greater communication between the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and community groups in facilitating tree planting efforts. In doing so, I have learned that tree cover is the best-known way to improve air and water quality, reduce erosion and improve storm water management. In response to my bill, which received wide-ranging support, DNR is moving forward on my initiative to reforest Maryland, and will return next year if they need additional clarifying legislation.

Following up on previous years' legislation, I am thrilled to continue to champion physical fitness and nutrition matters. I worked together with Delegate Jay Walker this session to implement the recommendations of last year's task force through the Gwendolyn Britt Student Health and Fitness Act for children. Healthy children become fulfilled, productive and healthy adults, so I will continue to be the lead sponsor of the Healthy Lifestyles & Disease Prevention Act - a tax incentive to reduce healthcare costs through sound healthy living.

Regrettably, in this economic climate it was difficult to reach an agreement on one of my priorities -- voluntary public campaign finance. The program gained real momentum when Senate President Mike Miller came out in support of the measure. Another bill that gained significant momentum was my bicycle safety bill which calls for cars to maintain a three-foot buffer when passing cyclists or pedestrians. This bill passed overwhelmingly in the Senate, but stalled in the House Environmental Matters Committee. Both of these important measures attracted a great deal of media attention, and I look forward to working towards their success next session.

In my Election Law subcommittee, we passed legislation which would provide a paper trail for voters. This means that votes can be audited and traced, ensuring better accuracy and aiding efforts to eliminate voter fraud. Furthermore, the subcommittee worked tirelessly to fine-tune my proposed early voting statute, which passed constitutional referendum by nearly 75% last November. Early voting has proven to increase turnout and engage the electorate.

The death penalty was a topic of heated discussion. After passionate debates, we passed legislation restricting the death penalty to cases in which the State presents the court with DNA evidence, a videotaped confession, or video recording that conclusively links the defendant to the murder. After much consideration and consternation, I voted in favor of the final bill. While I am concerned that the Senate amendments place a case's evidentiary sufficiency above the heinousness of the crime, I am pleased to see a strengthened system which seeks a greater burden of proof before sentencing a Maryland citizen to death.

In a continued effort to ensure the safety of Maryland drivers, I co-sponsored legislation outlawing text messaging while driving. The practice has proven to be a significant distraction and the legislation, while not perfect, will bring a greater awareness to its dangers. On a related topic, there was a definite urgency in the House of Delegates as we sought to adhere to the Real ID Act of 2005 so that Maryland driver's licenses will continue to be accepted at airports and federal buildings.

Organizations in our community received favorable reports on bond bills I eagerly co-sponsored. Sinai Hospital received matching funds of $2.5 million towards the cost of building a new pediatric wing to service children in our community. The Owings Mills Jewish Community Center received $200,000 towards the cost of a generator in order to serve as a disaster recovery site for Northwest Baltimore County. Hopewell Cancer Support Facility received $200,000 to expand its ability to provide needed programming.
As always, I welcome your thoughts and comments. During the session, I endeavored to keep you updated on the legislative process through my weekly Annapolis Reports, discussing various pieces of measured legislation. Reaction from constituents and supporters to my comments has served as a good way to gauge the mood of our district.
Additionally, it is my pleasure to inform you that my enivronmentally-friendly home will be featured on Discovery Channel's Renovation Nation, a show which profiles homeowners who are making eco-friendly changes to their homes. Please visit the PRESS RELEASES section of my website for details.
I try my best to make our community my priority. Reconciling our local wishes with the needs of the state is a complex art that can always improve. Together, we continue to focus on the significant unfinished state business and continual challenges to our environment, health, education and economy. Again, thank you for your confidence, and please enjoy the following "Highlights."

DELEGATE JON S. CARDIN
2009 LEGISLATIVE HIGHLIGHTS

ELECTION LAW

Early Voting: As Chair of the Election Law Subcommittee, I lead the fight to implement Early Voting for Marylanders, which was approved with 75% of the vote in the last election. Passing this bill gives Maryland citizens the same access to early voting as takes place in many other states.

Paper Trail: I also championed creating a paper voting trail for future elections to guarantee that all votes are counted. I am pleased to report that on the final day of session this bill passed.

PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT

Chesapeake Bay: I was proud to support the Bay Restoration Act of 2009, which would prohibit the installation of on-site sewage disposal systems unless the system has nitrogen-removal technology.

Reforesting Maryland: The Governor drew inspiration from my tree planting bill and recently trumpeted the benefits of planting trees. DNR has launched a website www.trees.maryland.gov to facilitate communications with civic groups interested in planting trees.

Smart Growth: I was thrilled when the Administration drew from my impervious surface bill to insert a requirement into the Smart Growth Measures and Indicators Bill to monitor and track the growth of impervious surfaces in the State. The Chesapeake Bay Commission has expressed concern over the rapid increase of impervious surfaces, and this requirement is an essential first step towards combating out-of-control sprawl.

Recycling in State Buildings: My colleague, Del. John Olszewski, Jr., and I sponsored a bill that requires State-owned and State-operated office buildings to develop recycling programs. This legislation will require the recovery of aluminum, glass, paper, and plastic generated for disposal by the State government and mandate the placement of recycling bins in State buildings. If we are asking others to recycle, the least we in government can do is model good behavior.

LEGAL MATTERS

Stay of Sentence: In conjunction with Del. Jill Carter, I worked to pass a bill this session authorizing the Circuit Court to stay a sentence of imprisonment imposed by the District Court and release a defendant pending trial in a criminal appeal. This will provide significant protection for defendants' rights while pursuing lawful appeals.

Domestic Violence: I commend my teammate Sen. Bobby Zirkin for continuing his focus on public safety. This session SB 601, Domestic Violence-Temporary Protective Orders-Extension was passed. This legislation, one of a package of domestic violence bills, passed this year helping to protect victims of domestic abuse by giving judges greater discretion to extend protective orders against their abusers.

Deceptive Automotive Advertising: I commend my teammate Del. Dana Stein for his leadership on HB 547, which would require prices in auto advertisements to be the "full delivered cash price." This would eliminate the deceptive practice of incorporating into prices certain rebates for which many buyers may not qualify.

Speed Cameras: I understand the intent of this policy is to utilize improvements in technology to decrease dangerous driving in specific speed zones. However, I have always felt uncertain about this type of legislation. I have yet to be convinced that the benefits outweigh the costs and that no other method of accomplishing our goal exists. In spite of my skepticism, the bill passed.

Teen Driving: I grudgingly voted in favor of a bill which, among other things, raises the driving age to 16 and 6 months. While the bill may create safer driving conditions, I stay cautious to limit the privileges of the many responsible teens in our community. Had I not been able to drive my friends as a high-schooler, my basketball team would have been unable to participate in "away" games.

Maryland Disability Law Center: Leading the fight on the floor of the House to restore funding to this important community service, I was pleased that the Conference Committee supported my position that cutting legal services to the disabled was imprudent, and struck the amendment.

BILLS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST

Small Group Health Care Insurance: I commend my teammate Del. Dan Morhaim for making the first real reform on this issue since 1993. It will allow increased flexibility for small businesses seeking to provide health care coverage for employees.

Arts Funding: I appreciated receiving a considerable amount of correspondence in support of maintaining the funding for Maryland's cultural treasures. We, on the Ways and Means Committee, included on the Electronic Bingo extension bill an additional fee earmarked for the arts to compensate for the loss of Art's Council funding in the budget.

Community Projects: I would like to let you know that I am closely following the planned renovations of Main Street in Reisterstown. Many constituents are also concerned about the disposition of the Rosewood property once the State-run facility closes. I will continue to ensure that the interests of the local community are considered.

Baltimore County: The Owings Mills Metro Center project, which will include the long-sought Owings Mills Library and the CCBC Owings Mills campus, took a major step towards becoming a reality with the passage of HB300 - a bill that leverages financing from MEDCO. However, I opposed legislation to allow deer hunting on Sundays, as many constituents expressed significant concerns with this proposal.

Protecting Our Pets: I was honored to receive the 2008 Humane Legislator Award from the Humane Society of the United States. Legislation I sponsored last session protected the ability of animal shelters to be able to store and use sedatives in accordance with DEA requirements. This session I cosponsored legislation to require the ethical breeding of dogs.

Rosewood: A budget amendment would have prevented the state from earning revenue to support DDA programs by prohibiting leases at Rosewood before the property is sold. Working in conjunction with the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene that has leases ongoing and looking out for any new leases that may be established, I successfully lobbied to have this language struck.

Class Size Monitoring: Del. Olszewski and I sponsored legislation to require the State Department of Education to develop a uniform data-collection method to track the number of students who regularly participate in a classroom. This will provide accurate and consistent class size data so as to ensure that our children's needs are being met in the classroom.

Working hard for Maryland,

Jon S. Cardin