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Maryland House overrides three of Gov. Hogan’s vetoes Maryland House overrides three of Gov. Hogan’s vetoes
(about 3 hours later)
Maryland’s House of Delegates on Wednesday voted to override three of Gov. Larry Hogan’s 2015 vetoes, a reminder to the Republican chief executive that — despite his sky-high approval ratings — Democrats still wield some power in the state capital. Maryland’s House of Delegates voted Wednesday to override three of Gov. Larry Hogan’s 2015 vetoes, a reminder to the Republican chief executive that — despite his sky-high approval ratings — Democrats still wield some power in the state capital.
The House voted to restore voting rights to felons who are on parole and probation and to resurrect a bill that would require online hotel booking companies to collect sales tax for the cost of a hotel room in Howard County and give the full amount to the state, rather than keeping part of it as a service fee. Delegates also voted to override Hogan’s removal of $2 million in capital funds from a performing-arts hall in Annapolis. The House voted to restore voting rights to felons who are on parole and probation and to resurrect a bill that requires online hotel booking companies to collect sales tax for the cost of hotel rooms they reserve in Howard County and give the full amount to the state, rather than keeping part of it as a service fee. Delegates also voted to override Hogan’s removal of $2 million in capital funds from a performing-arts hall in Annapolis.
Hogan vetoed six bills last spring after they were passed by the Democratically-controlled state legislature. Advocates quickly mounted a challenge, and Democrats said they would attempt to override the vetoes, including three vetoes of bills that originated in the state Senate. The votes on the hotel-tax bill and the $2 million for Maryland Hall passed 90-51, with little debate. In each case, every Democrat in the chamber except one voted to override, and every Republican voted against doing so.
But lawmakers on both sides of the aisle made impassioned pleas for and against overriding Hogan’s veto of the voting-rights bill.
“This is one of the last vestiges of Jim Crow in our law,” said Del. Eric G. Luedtke (D-Montgomery), referring to the disproportionate percentage of felons in the state who are African American. “We have a sacred responsibility to ensure the right to vote.”
Republican delegates who supported Hogan’s veto said losing the right to vote is a consequence of committing a crime; restoring it before felons complete their probation and parole, they said, goes too far. Under current law, felons can vote after they finish parole and probation.
Eventually, with several felons who had pushed for the law watching from the gallery, the House voted 85-56 vote to override the veto and restore the bill. In addition to the Republican caucus, the votes against the override came from Democratic Dels. Eric M. Bromwell (Baltimore County), Ned Carey (Anne Arundel), Mark S. Chang (Anne Arundel), Mary Ann Lisanti (Harford), Theodore Sophocleus (Anne Arundel) and C.T. Wilson (Charles).
[Hogan’s 2015 vetoes could all be overriden, Maryland Democrats say][Hogan’s 2015 vetoes could all be overriden, Maryland Democrats say]
The veto overrides need a three-fifths vote in the House and the Senate. The Senate is scheduled to address its bills on Thursday, and both chambers are expected to take final votes on the overrides in coming days. Hogan vetoed six bills last spring that had been passed by the Democratic-controlled state legislature. Democrats are trying to override the vetoes, which requires a three-fifths majority in each legislative chamber.
Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (D-Calvert) has said reversing Hogan’s veto of the voting rights bill would be the biggest challenge. He said the Senate will definitely vote, but he wants to make certain that all 46 members are present when it does. On Thursday, the Senate will attempt to override the governor’s vetoes of three bills that originated in that chamber. One would decriminalize drug paraphernalia. One would prevent police from seizing a certain amount of property and money from people without charging them with a crime. One would require online booking companies to collect sales tax on hotel rooms booked throughout the state.
“We continue to count votes,” Miller said. “We believe we have votes for overrides on each of the bills.” Alexandra Hughes, chief of staff to House Speaker Michael E. Busch (D-Anne Arundel), said the House plans to vote later Thursday on whatever overrides are passed by the Senate.
Under current law, felons can vote after they finish parole and probation. Hogan says that should not change, because parole and probation are part of their punishment. The Senate also must take action on the three bills that were considered by the House on Wednesday.
Miller said this week that he and many others believe that voting helps felons as they re-enter society. “If they are citizens, they are entitled to vote,” Miller said. Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (D-Calvert) has said reversing Hogan’s veto of the voting rights bill would be the biggest challenge. He said the Senate will definitely vote on the bill, but not on Thursday, adding that he wants to make sure all senators are present for the vote. “We continue to count votes,” Miller said. “We believe we have votes for overrides on each of the bills.”
The Senate will attempt three veto overrides on Thursday, including a bill that would decriminalize drug paraphernalia; and one that would prevent police from seizing a certain amount of property and money from people without charging them with a crime. Currently, one Senate seat is vacant, due to the recent retirement of former Sen. Karen Montgomery (D-Montgomery). The Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee is scheduled to meet Thursday to offer a name to Hogan to fill the seat. Hogan will have 15 days to act on the nomination.
The Senate will also consider a statewide online-booking bill, known by many as the Marriott bill. The hotel chain has pushed for the measure and threatened to move its headquarters out of Maryland if the legislation is not enacted. It was not immediately clear on Wednesday whether Miller planned to wait for the seat to be filled before his chamber considers the voting-rights override.
Miller said this week that he and many others believe voting helps felons as they re-enter society. “If they are citizens, they are entitled to vote,” Miller said.