Really a non-story to me. So maybe the email could have done without urging residents to join him for Q7, but I appreciate when my officials take the time to communicate with us about their positions. Not all of them do that, so I'm not about to raise a big fuss for the few that do ... at least not over something as small as this. Also applaud his willingness to apologize if it is wrong. So next news story, please!

Thank you Bryan for taking the time to report this issue, and it is an issue. Mr. Thompson, just because you believe an issue isn't important doesn't mean it's not. Journalists work hard and their work should be appreciated, regardless of how you feel.

I think that this is more of an issue with the pose that he maintains in the photo provided...

Campaign finance laws exist for a reason. Incumbents should not be allowed to use taxpayer money to finance their political agenda. By overlooking what Jimmy Thompson views as "small", we open the door to more brazen violations. All my representatives communicate via mass emails to their constituents. They can do so without abusing the benefits of their office.

Perhaps Del. Bromwell can "make it right" by allowing the opposing view to blast their position out to his constituent list? Not serious of course, but it makes the point.

Ann, of the many that exist, which campagin finance law(s) are being violated here?

The one that prohibits legislators from using state resources for any uses outside of GA business and constituent service.

I was hoping for a specific citation, if you don't know it, no big deal. Though I'm not sure I see the 'resource' used since the man sent an email. Then there is the other issue...does an email from a legislator to their constituents about a referendum issue, even if it carries an opinion, not constitute GA business??? If not, I'm not sure what does.

This comment appeared in Red Maryland related to a similar issue.

>
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> Delegate Doyle Niemann
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> Maryland House of Delegates
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> District 47
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Of course it is incredibly illegal for Delegate Niemann to be using state resources, particularly his House of Delegates email address, to be raising funds for any political purposes. This includes ballot questions.

I'm guessing that Doyle Niemann figured that he was inconsequential enough that nobody would notice the multitude of ethics and campaign finance laws that he broke by sending this one particular email. That being said, Democrats have a pretty loose moral standard when it comes to applying fundraising laws toward their own activities.

What part of "Illegal" don't these people understand???

http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2012-10-15/news/bs-md-dream-act-ads-20121015_1_campaign-finance-anti-dream-illegal-immigrants

Matthew is right on here. Below are examples of two legislators using their official email to solicit funding (btw, one is a D and the other is an R):

http://www.gazette.net/article/20120209/NEWS/702099946/frederick-delegate-sends-campaign-email-from-state-address&template=gazette

http://redmaryland.blogspot.com/2012/09/ethics-are-for-little-people.html

And I've heard nothing about either even issuing an apology.... yet we're all fired up about this?

Arc since you're not very well read or learned, Red Maryland is on of the top blogs in the state according to the Sun.

There is more in the paper than the comics but I would guess you don't read very much.

I love the emails that Eric sends out, they are informative, but most importantly, they more than I have ever been before, let me know my representatives stand on the important items of the day. I would hope this absolutely correct in its nature sentence (because this establishment will help keep money in MD and give people jobs) will not change how he communicates with his friends/constituents. For those that say, let the other side send an email, I say, I don't care what they think, they don't represent me. Eric...keep the emails coming and thanks for always informing me of the issues of the day and your stand. I don't always agree with your position, but I really appreciate hearing where you stand. Thanks for the great job!

The solution is simple, Nancy. The unphotogenic delegate can send his opinion all he wants from his personal email accounts, just not his taxpayer funded ones. He needs to pay for his activism out of his own pocket, not ours.

Make it right, Mr. Bromwell. A simple acknowledgement of his wrongness and an apology sent to his constituent list is not much to ask for. Are you too small to meet that simple redress?

Ann, I think you missed my point the first two times. You need to educate yourself on the laws of campaign finance. He is free to offer his opinion from any email account he wants, that is in part, his job. He is not soliciting donations, he is not fundraising. He is communicating with his constituency about an issue that is important to him and many who elected him. If you disagree with him, don't vote for him. But that doesn't mean he's fractured the campaign finance laws of this state or nation. Communication, of fact or opinion, is the very intent of providing our lawmakers with state-funded email. Get over it.