Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Governor calls budget package "good for all Marylanders." Republicans say burden to local governments may force county governments to increase taxes.
The Maryland House of Delegates gave final approval Wednesday to a package of three bills that increases taxes on some state residents, shifts part of teacher pensions to local governments and undoes the so-called "doomsday budget." The votes Wednesday afternoon capped the three-day special session called by Gov. Martin O'Malley in order to override more than $500 million in cuts made in a budget passed in early April. The Senate approved the same three bills Tuesday. As part of the package, legislators approved by a vote of 86-51 what amounts to a 50-50 split of teacher pension costs with local governments. The split will be phased in over the next four years beginning July 1 with the new budget year. That bill also includes a doubling of…
The outdoor festival on May 19 will include local organizations supporting the Perry Paw Dog Park.
The Avenue at White Marsh is lending a paw to Perry Hall's dog park efforts. Management for the outdoor shopping center have announced plans to present a $3,000 check to the Perry Paw Dog Park Committee on May 19, during the Avenue's Family Fun Day Summer Countdown. The committee is leading the fundraising effort for the recently approved dog park at Honeygo Run Regional Park. On Saturday, between noon and 4 p.m. at 8125 Honeygo Blvd., the festival is expected to feature music by Lloyd Dobler Effect, games and crafts for children, animal displays by the Maryland Zoo and Wildlife Adventures, mascots, a character appearance by Tyrone from the Backyardigans and participation by local police and fire departments. Lynn Richardson, president of …
The new grocery store is expected to open at 8905 Belair Rd. in fall 2012.
UPDATE (2 p.m.)—A Giant Food grocery store is expected to replace the former Perry Hall Superfresh, County Councilman David Marks announced Wednesday afternoon. Kimco Realty, the management company over Perry Hall Square Shopping Center, recently confirmed that a lease had been finalized. The new store is expected to employ about 200 full- and part-time employees, according to Marks. "The revitalization of the Perry Hall Square Shopping Center is one of my top priorities in Perry Hall, and I have had regular conversations with Kimco Realty pushing for a new tenant for this site," Marks stated. "Everyone has a wish list for this site, but I am very happy to have a vacant space occupied with 200 more jobs in Perry Hall." Dennis Robinson, …
The annual Bike to Work celebration this Friday includes freebies and food.
IKEA workers are looking for a little company Friday morning during their annual celebration of Bike to Work Day. Anyone is invited to participate in the event, sponsored by Baltimore County and Baltimore Metro Council. Beginning at 8:30 a.m. on May 18 at the Community College of Baltimore County Essex campus off King Avenue, cyclists plan to travel about 3.5 miles to the IKEA on Honeygo Boulevard in White Marsh. Those who register may receive a free T-Shirt, giveaways, water, snacks, a "Free Small Breakfast" coupon and a map, according to IKEA Baltimore store spokesman Bill Meiswinkel. Registration information can be found here. Check out this year's event listing and photos from last year's event. Are streets and drivers in the area bike…
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Republican Todd Huff went to the 2011 game in Dallas with a shopping center and apartment complex owner.
Todd Huff says he's not a big football fan, but in 2011 he attended at least four games, including taking a trip to Dallas to see the Super Bowl with a local shopping center and apartment complex owner. The games highlight a hole that the State Ethics Commission says exists in legislation passed by the County Council earlier this year. The legislation was meant to bring county law substantially into sync with the state ethics law. Huff, a Timonium Republican, attended at least four games in 2011, including the Super Bowl. He wrote about the games, which include three Baltimore Ravens games, on his official council Facebook page. Tickets to one of the games were provided by Merritt Properties, as first reported by the Baltimore Sun. None of…
Protestors argued that pit bulls are being unfairly targeted by the Maryland Court of Appeals.
Annapolis resident Stehle Harris is afraid she won't have a home. As the owner of a bull terrier, Harris said the recent Maryland Court of Appeals opinion that pit bulls and pit bull crossbreeds are dangerous could lead to a slippery slope. The opinion also states that landlords can prohibit the dogs from their properties. "I think pit bulls capacity to do damage is no greater than a chihuahua," she said. "I'm more apprehensive about smaller dogs." Harris was one of a group of Marylanders protesting the court's opinion at Lawyer's Mall in Annapolis on Tuesday afternoon. Erin Harty, of Baltimore, said Harris' fears aren't unfounded. As a volunteer at Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter, she said the center is already being …
Monday, May 14, 2012
The Baltimore Sun released a ranking of Baltimore County high schools with the highest average class sizes.
UPDATE (5 p.m.)—Baltimore County's highest populated school also has some of the most crowded classrooms. According to a Baltimore Sun report, Perry Hall High School ranks seventh in the county with 25.1 percent of classes with 30 or more students. Dulaney High School ranks first with 36.3 percent. Perry Hall is currently about 4 percent over-capacity with a total enrollment of 2,199 students, according to the school's county profile. The school faced budget cuts last year and was forced to reduce its faculty by 18 positions. In response to the Sun article on class sizes, Baltimore County Public Schools officials announced on Monday afternoon, "There is no empirical research that links student performance to class size." Also stated in …
Baltimore County has approved a traffic calming measure near Gunpowder Elementary School in Perry Hall.
Baker Lane in Perry Hall will likely receive two speed bumps by summer 2012, County Councilman David Marks announced Monday. Baker Lane connects Belair Road to Gunpowder Elementary School on Holiday Manor Road. Speed bumps are planned for areas near 4112 Baker Lane and 4128 Baker Lane, according to Marks. While Baltimore County has approved the project, the traffic calming measure requires approval from 75 percent of impacted residents. Marks said that he spent time this past weekend walking Baker Lane and visiting residents to gain support. "Our traffic engineers have concluded that Baker Lane has the traffic volume and speed to warrant changes along this route," he said. "The improvements can advance once a majority of residents along …
Marylanders need to understand the magnitude of cuts on the table—as well as the revenue proposals up for debate—as our legislature goes back to work on the state budget.
Since the Maryland General Assembly adjourned at midnight on April 9—with fiscal uncertainties still rampant—there has been extensive debate as to where things really stand. With legislators reconvening today to assess the situation and consider alternatives, it is vital for all of us to understand the stakes. By now, everyone realizes that the budget that ended up being approved on the last day of session was actually never meant to succeed. Legislative leaders introduced the "doomsday budget," which contains a host of unpopular program cuts, in order to pressure lawmakers to approve a range of revenue enhancements, as well as a shift of teacher pension costs to the counties. Here is a quick look at the package of cuts that make up the …
Thursday, May 10, 2012
The Perry Hall Improvement Association hosted its annual legislative session wrap-up on Wednesday.
With a special session planned for May 14, state legislators have more work waiting for them in Annapolis. Still, representatives reported back to the community on major trends and legislation Wednesday night at the Perry Hall Library. The Perry Hall Improvement Association's annual legislative wrap-up began at 7:30 p.m. on May 9. The following updates were recorded live during the meeting. 7:40 p.m. Patch was absent for the beginning of State Sen. Kathy Klausmeier's remarks. Klausmeier spoke about several pieces of legislation she faced during the most recent session, including her opposition to tax increases in the state budget and the special session. Her final point covered banking legislation, including a possible sweepstakes program…
bill bissenas
6:27 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
As a conservative (and not a Republican), I agree with you. The Dems will continue to take an ever increasing share of our property and our liberty until we stop them (through the ballot box, of course). more ›