Latest Blogs from the Delegate

February 16, 2012

STATEMENT FROM DELEGATE JOHN A. OLSZEWSKI, JR.

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Today, Delegate John A. Olszewski, Jr. issued the following statement:

“Through the course of this debate, I have always tried to strike a balance between providing equal rights under the law and ensuring that religious freedoms remain wholly intact.    That is why I worked closely with the Governor, legislative leaders, and attorneys to strengthen the religious protections in the bill.  I am confident that this legislation now has some of the strongest language in the country to protect religious institutions.  While m... read more >>

Recent talk about the possible issues of the 2012 session has the potential to divert attention from what should be the core focus of our efforts this legislative session: growing the economy. 

In particular, I look forward to supporting three particular initiatives that will improve business operations in the state: regulatory reform, a Maryland innovation initiative, and legislation to facilitate the implementation of public-private partnerships (P3). 

Governor O’Malley signed an Executive Order on October 17th and I am anxious to review the regulatory reforms that will be proposed in response.  Along with other pro-business Democ... read more >>

The 2012 legislative session is now underway, and the legislative agenda of the Maryland General Assembly is poised to be packed to the brim. There are several issues that are making an encore appearance along with some new unchartered material.

One returning issue is the gas tax, as some state legislators are expressing their desires to see the tax raised by as much as 15 cents per gallon. Such an increase, coupled with the recent spike in toll rates and other tax increases, places an undue strain on the working person’s pocketbook.  Needless to say, I will be doing all that I can this session to block an increase in the gas tax.  Additionally, the legislatu... read more >>

Having recently reviewed the state legislative district map proposed by the Governor’s Redistricting Advisory Committee, all signs point to our legislative district faring very well during the redistricting process. 

As many residents will recall, we were not so fortunate when then-Governor Paris Glendenning unveiled his redistricting map a decade ago.  During the process, it took a lawsuit filed with our state’s highest court to overturn an ill-advised division of the communities that, among other changes, would have had Dundalk sharing a district with some of the western-most parts of Baltimore City.  This time around, our district will not only ... read more >>

It is no secret that that our national economy – as well as Maryland’s – has struggled mightily over the past few years. As our nation and our state seek to rebound from the largest economic downturn since the Great Depression, the attention and energies of legislative leaders at all levels of government should be focused entirely on job growth and creation.  Accordingly, I have joined forces with a working group of fellow legislators with a focus to encourage Governor O’Malley to hone in on efforts to grow our state’s business community. 

Already our efforts are beginning to yield results, as the Governor has taken input and suggestio... read more >>

The recent decision by the Dundalk United Methodist Church to cancel plans for a homeless shelter in the heart of the Old Dundalk community has brought the issue of homelessness into the forefront.  As we consider the issue objectively, we should be able to agree that the issue merits our attention and calls us to consider our response in action.

First, we have an obligation to care for one another and, as such, to identify solutions to the pressing challenges we face as a community.  Indeed, finding the right housing and rehabilitation options are critical if we ever hope not only to meet the needs of the homeless, but also to end their dependency on government se... read more >>

It is no small secret that all levels of government have been struggling to find a way to navigate the challenges of ever-increasing costs of providing services that people have come to rely on during a time of revenue decline, largely driven by the great recession. 

Until recently, I have been especially impressed by the ways in which Baltimore County has tackled these challenges.  Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz and the County Council planned well for these days, amassing a sizable surplus when times were good.  Moreover, they have not been reluctant to make difficult reductions in government, merging departments and finding efficiencies that are s... read more >>

While not yet official, all indications point to October 17 as the date the Governor will convene the Maryland General Assembly for a Special Legislative Session to consider his plan for the re-drawing of the state’s eight Congressional districts.  This action is necessary because our state’s primary election date for the 2012 elections falls on April 3, 2012 – a date that is before the conclusion of the regularly-scheduled Session of the legislature.  We will not address our state legislative districts during the Special Session.   

To share a bit of background on Congressional redistricting: Every ten years following the Census (m... read more >>

Once again, the Maryland Transportation Authority seems poised to use its non-elected position to pass along ill-advised toll increases on residents of southeast Baltimore County and the entire Baltimore metropolitan region.  This decision comes despite considerable public outcry, suggesting that the members were either not listening or did not care about what local residents had to say.

Indeed, plans to raise the basic round-trip rates at all Baltimore-area crossings to $8.00 (up from the current $4.00) for a round trip beginning in 2013 remain intact.  Meanwhile, the MTA did agree to scale back the proposed hike at the Bay Bridge (from $8.00 to $6.00), leaving an... read more >>

September 11, 2001 is a date that most people who experienced it will remember for the rest of their lives. I personally will never forget my own experience with that date. Events like September 11 re-shape one's perspective. For most of my life, it was simply the day after my birthday (September 10) and the date of my parent's anniversary. Since 2001, however, it's never been the same. After the attacks on 9/11, Americans resolved that we would join in solidarity in protecting ourselves and neighbors against those whom bore ill-will towards us. Moreover, our nation also has annually taken the time to remember those we have lost in the tragedy and to renew that solidarity. ... read more >>

Add a Comment!

Name:
Comments:
	CLOSE X
Enter characters above