This article is from the source 'washpo' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/hogan-vetoes-transportation-bill-setting-up-fight-with-legislature/2016/04/01/6fbf8990-f81d-11e5-a3ce-f06b5ba21f33_story.html

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Hogan vetoes transportation bill, setting up fight with legislature Hogan vetoes transportation bill, setting up fight with legislature
(about 4 hours later)
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) vetoed a bill on Friday that would create a new method for deciding which transportation projects are funded, setting the stage for a veto override battle with the Democratic-controlled legislature. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) vetoed a bill on Friday that would create a new method for deciding which transportation projects are funded, setting the stage for a veto-override battle with the Democratic-controlled General Assembly in the final days of the three-month legislative session.
The measure was one of several bills presented to Hogan on Friday as part of an effort by Democratic legislative leaders to give them time to overturn the governor’s vetoes before they adjourn on April 11. The measure was one of several bills presented to Hogan on Friday as part of an effort to force the governor to decide on vetoes in time for Democratic lawmakers to override before they adjourn on April 11.
[Md. Democrats plan preemptive strike on possible vetoes by GOP governor][Md. Democrats plan preemptive strike on possible vetoes by GOP governor]
In a letter explaining his veto to the legislature, Hogan called the transportation bill “the worst kind of policymaking.” In a letter explaining his veto to the legislature, Hogan called the transportation bill “the worst kind of policymaking” and said it establishes “arbitrary new criteria to guide transportation decisions in Maryland.”
“By establishing arbitrary new criteria to guide transportation decisions in Maryland, the bill may harm our State’s competitiveness and could degrade the quality of life for Marylanders for decades to come,” Hogan wrote in a three-page letter to House Speaker Michael E. Busch (D-Anne Arundel). “This bill was constructed in a secretive and haphazard manner with enormous input from political pressure groups but with no real thought and no meaningful input from the Department of Transportation.” The governor said the bill — which would require the state to rate transportation plans before deciding which projects to fund — “miserably fails” his “simple test” on whether a law or action makes it easier for families and small businesses to stay in the state and whether it helps to attract new families and businesses.
The governor said the bill did not meet his “simple test” on whether a law or action makes it easier for families and small businesses to stay in the state and whether it helps to attract new families and businesses. House Speaker Michael E. Busch (D-Anne Arundel) said the bill provides transparency. “People ought to understand where their $12 billion worth of taxes are being spent for road projects and mass transit,” he said. “It doesn’t limit the governor in any way; it doesn’t tie his hands; but it does disclose to the public where the greater needs are, where the economic impact is and what the safety implications are.”
“This bill miserably fails the simple test,” Hogan said. Overturning a veto requires the approval of three-fifths of both the 141-member House of Delegates and the 47-member Senate. Neither chamber passed the bill with a veto-proof majority, but several Democratic lawmakers were absent on the day of the vote.
The governor said the bill is “poorly conceived” and contains “vague and imprecise language.” There are 91 Democrats in the House, six more than are needed for an override, and 33 Democrats in the Senate, four more than needed.
In addition to the transportation bill, the General Assembly also presented Hogan with the capital budget, over which he has line-item veto power; a bill that provides aid to Baltimore City, including education and demolition programs; and a measure that strips Hogan of his five appointments to the Anne Arundel County school board. He has six days to decide whether to veto them.
Some of the other bills already presented to Hogan are not controversial. They include a measure that raises the maximum age that surviving children of police officers killed in the line of duty can receive benefits, from 18 to 26 years old. The bill will apply retroactively to the children of two Harford County sheriffs deputies who were killed in February.
Also on Friday, the Senate voted 34-11 on a bill that prohibits universities from reporting certain delinquent student accounts to collection bureaus. The bill allows certain part-time students to register for classes even if they have a small unpaid balance on their accounts. The measure now heads to the House for consideration.
In the House, lawmakers gave preliminary approval to a criminal justice bill designed to reduce the prison costs and population while alleviating sentencing disparities that have disproportionately affected African American men.
Lawmakers debated an amendment that would stiffen the penalty for child abuse that results in death, lifting the current maximum sentence of 40 years and allowing judges to sentence offenders to life in prison. The amendment passed 72-59.
Del. Kathleen M. Dumais (D-Montgomery), who opposed the provision, said the change would run counter to the goals of the legislation, saying the state needs a “shift in the paradigm.” Del. C.T. Wilson (D-Charles), who requested the amendment, agreed that Maryland needs to change the way it deals with nonviolent criminals, but said the state also needs to have a “shift in the way we treat our most violent offenders.”
The House criminal-justice measure is vastly different from the Senate version of the bill. Delegates added amendments that would eliminate mandatory minimum sentences for nonviolent drug offenders and increase penalties for leaders of gangs and organized crime. Those differences must be reconciled in a conference committee in order for the bill to go to Hogan’s desk.
The House on Friday also gave preliminary approval to a bill that would require businesses with 15 or more employees to provide an hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked. Lawmakers in the chamber rejected an amendment that would exempt restaurants from the requirement. Existing language in the legislation exempts agricultural employees.
Republicans raised concerns that the measure would create a burden for businesses and impact the state’s economic climate. Sick-leave supporters said the benefit would help businesses attract and retain employees.
The House voted 132-2 on a Senate bill that would increase penalties on adults who provide alcohol to underage drinkers. The bill was amended in the House and has to return to the Senate for final approval.
Busch said that Del. Sheila Hixson (D-Montgomery), who was transported to the hospital after becoming ill at the state house Thursday was expected to be released from the hospital sometime on Friday.