Ballot Questions and Referendums 2012

Ballot Questions and Referendums 2012

By Delegate Mike McDermott

I have been contacted by many individuals during the past few weeks regarding balloting
questions and referendums. Here is a summary of those questions and my commentary:

1. Orphan’s Court-Prince George’s County...Would require Orphans Court Judgesin Prince Georges County to be members of the Maryland Bar (attorneys). This is
specific to Prince Georges County
and requested by their delegation members. Allof their current Orphan Court Judges are already attorneys and it was expressed that
an Orphans Court Judge (who is an attorney) can conduct certain hearings without the
need for other judges which saves time and energy. I will be voting "Yes".

2. Orphan’s Court-Baltimore County...Would require Orphans Court Judges in Baltimore
County to be members of the Maryland Bar (attorneys). This is specific to Baltimore
County
and requested by their delegation members. All of their current Orphan CourtJudges are already attorneys and it was expressed that an Orphans Court Judge (who is
an attorney) can conduct certain hearings without the need for other judges which saves
time and energy. I will be voting "Yes".

3. Removal of Elected Officials...
Would prevent corrupt elected officials convicted of acrime from profiting from their elected office and would remove them from office. It is
long overdue. I will be voting "Yes".

4. Benefits for Illegal Immigrants...
Would allow illegal immigrants to receive In-Statetuition rates at Maryland State Colleges and Universities if they attended Maryland
Public Schools. Montgomery County opted to provide this type of tuition rate at their
local community college and it has cost them millions in tax dollars. Since those
receiving the break would be counted against the Out-of-State tuition numbers, this
would result in budget shortfalls as we count on those out of state students to subsidize
the cost for our resident students. We should not reward illegal behavior at the taxpayers
expense. I will be voting "No".

5. Gerrymandered Redistricting...
Would approve the Redistricting Maps drawn up bythe governor and his committee. These Congressional maps represent some of the
worst gerrymandering in the country and will make it a real challenge to elect more
conservatives to congress. We need to have these maps redrawn by the courts. I will be
voting "No".

6. Gay and Lesbian Marriage...
Would change the definition of marriage in Marylandto include homosexual marriage. Marriage between one man and one woman is a
foundation stone of our society and should not be changed. "I will be voting "No".

7. Expanded Gaming...
Would expand gaming in Maryland to include table games andwould add a sixth casino site at National Harbor in Prince Georges County. It alters the
tax on casinos(currently the highest in the country) and provides $300 million in school
construction funds. The bill also allows Veteran organizations across Maryland to have
up to 5 non-profit slot machines with the proceeds directed to our Veterans. Locally, it
will also stop the flow of over $2 million dollars currently paid out to Baltimore City and
Prince Georges County from local impact fees at Ocean Downs. This money would stay
on the Eastern Shore for our local government needs. There will be over a thousand
jobs involved in construction projects related to the expansion and a billion dollar
investment in Maryland. It will also create hundreds of other good paying jobs at each
casino and keep Maryland money in Maryland. West Virginia and Delaware have filled
out mailboxes and spent tens of millions trying to discourage us from approving this bill.
This is not about gaming in Maryland, it is about the business of gaming. For this reason
along with the vast local benefits, I will be voting "Yes".