ROG Recap: Legislators Stop In, President Makes Call for New Leadership

Sen. Bobby Zirkin, Del. Dana Stein and Del. Jon S. Cardin made appearances at the Reisterstown-Owings Mills-Glyndon Coordinating Council meeting Monday to reflect on the last few months in the Maryland General Assembly. 

Del. Stein discussed the fact that like almost every state government, Maryland was faced with a significant budget deficit this year. Despite the $1 to $2 billion budget hole, Stein said legislators maintained the K-12 budget, leaving more than half of Maryland's money alone for education.

"But, a bulk of the balancing was done with cuts," he said.

Those hoping for a pension in Maryland were displeased this year, he said. A bill passed that will require current members of the pension system to pay more starting July 1 to keep their benefits, while new members after that will be required to pay more and get less benefits. 

Del. Jon S. Cardin was on hand as well, discussing similar victories in the session and noting that he plans to make a wind energy program in Maryland a priority in coming sessions. He also warned that the General Assembly will most likely hold special sessions in September to approve redistricting changes. Every 10 years, counties are required to redraw districting lines based on Census data. 

Sen. Bobby Zirkin discussed some controversies in legislation this year, noting his new position on the Senate Judicial Proceedings committee, which sees a lot of circumstances in criminal law, family law and states in trust. 

The most significant drunk driving legislation that was passed in his 13 years in office was passed this session, Zirkin said. It dictated the rules around using an ignition interlock for DUI and DWI offenders. 

An important distinction in divorce law was also passed, no longer requiring that a couple remain together after a year of separation just because one party did not want to continue the divorce proceedings. Previous law required that the couple remain together for a second year, but statistics have consistently shown that did not result in a reconciliation, Zirken said.

He also spoke about the in-state tuition bill for immigrant students, which drew controversy across the state this year and failed. District 11 unanimously voted against the bill.

"I voted against it based on principle," Sen. Zirkin said. "It didn't really matter what the details were. I don't think you can reward behavior in that way. It's just not the right policy."

On a county level, Jonathan Schwarz, representing Councilwoman Vicki Almond, D-Reisterstown, said redistricting and commercial ventures appearing in residential neighborhoods are hot on the agenda.

"In Baltimore County, you have to work from the bottom corners up (because) it's landlocked at the bottom—You have to take care of Arbutus, Catonsville, Dundalk … " he said. "But we don't anticipate many problems in this area."

In ROG news, president Mary Molinaro announced that she is seeking volunteers to fill her position for the next term. Molinaro has served as ROG president for two years.

"The biggest part of the job is delegating," she said." And we need to encourage more people to come (to the meetings) throughout the year."

In development, an unusual variance request by the Giant grocery store to add 11 signs to its facade had at least one attendee confused.

"Why do we have sign regulations and sign limits when people can walk in and get a variance for 11 signs?" asked George Harman, former ROG president. "It just boggles my mind."

Plans for the Reisterstown Bloomin' ArtFest are on track, reported committee member Calvin Reter and Reisterstown Festival Director Norma Bosley. The festival cannot use Franklin Middle School's electricity, so the group is arranging for electricity via generators, Reter said. 

Reisterstown residents might also notice several more Main Street banners and benches added along the sidewalks in preparation for the event.