The Week Ahead

Last week MBTPI blogged about sequestration and Maryland's annual average employment in 2012. We also testified in support of bills to create a tiered earned income disregard for recipients of temporary cash assistance, and earned sick and safe leave for employees.

For the week of March 4th to March 10th:

• Budget hearings are wrapping up. There are a few hearings on higher education, and in the Senate Health and Human Services Subcommittee. Most other subcommittees start making decisions. More information can be found on the budget hearing calendar.  
• Other issues with hearings and floor sessions this week include gun control, abolishing the death penalty, corporate tax reform, and possibly transportation funding. More information can be found on the committee calendar and floor agendas (click on a date to get more detailed information).
• Board of Public Works meets Wednesday, March 6th.
• Governor's Office of Healthcare Reform holds a stakeholder meeting in the Joint Hearing Room at 10am on Thursday, March 7th.
• Bureau of Labor Statistics releases national employment figures for February on Friday, March 8th.
• Bond Bill Saturday is March 9th.

The Week Ahead

The General Assembly returns to Annapolis today in a special session to pass budget and revenue legislation eliminating the need for the doomsday budget. On Wednesday the governor outlined what state leaders expect to accomplish over the next three days, but regardless it is going to be a stressful week.

Monday, May 14th

• Senate Budget and Taxation Committee will hold hearings on the Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act (BRFA), the State and Local Revenue and Financing Act, and Qualified Zone Academy Bonds (a federal tax credit program to help local jurisdictions borrow for education spending, excluding new construction). MBTPI has prepared testimony in support of the revenue bill in both chambers. 11am in 3 West, Senate Office Building, Annapolis. 
• House Appropriations Committee will hold a hearing on the BRFA. Testimony is due by 11am today. 1pm in room 120, House Office Building.
• House Ways and Means Committee will hold a hearing on the State and Local Revenue and Financing Act. Testimony is due by noon today. 2pm in room 130, House Office Building.
• We expect the Senate will have its second reading of the BRFA and revenue bills late Monday.

Tuesday, May 15th

• We expect the Senate to vote on the BRFA and revenue bills Tuesday morning.
• We expect the House to begin its consideration of the BRFA and revenue bills late Tuesday.

Wednesday, May 16th

• If all goes according to plan, the legislature will wrap up the special session sometime on Wednesday.
• MBTPI co-hosts our annual Legislative Wrap-Up with Maryland Nonprofits, the Maryland CASH Campaign, Advocates for Children and Youth, Job Opportunities Task Force, and the Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition. This free event will focus on what came out of the 2012 regular session, what is happening with the special session, and our budget briefing.  Lea Gilmore from the Moving Maryland Forward Network will speak, as will representatives from each of the sponsoring organizations. Leading legislators will stop by as available. Lunch is included. You must register for this free event, and the deadline to register is today (Monday) at 4 pm. 10am to 2pm, Senate Office Building, Annapolis.
• To register, download a registration form. Complete your information at the top of the form, write "Legislative Wrap-Up" for 'course name', and May 16 for 'course date', and ignore all payment related fields. Fax the completed form to Maryland Nonprofits at 410-235-2190.
• If you are a Maryland Nonprofits member you can register online.  Scroll down to "Legislative Wrap-Up" and click on Register . 

Friday, May 18th

• Friday is Bike to Work Day.  In an effort to encourage more bicycling, communities across the country sponsor events, pit stops, and support teams for the day.  If you live in the Baltimore region you can find out more here.  If in the DC region, look here. 
• Bureau of Labor Statistics releases state employment figures for April 2012.  Maryland's unemployment rate ticked up slightly in March, to 6.6 percent.  The rate rose because the labor force grew faster than employment (MD added more than 2,000 jobs in March). 

The Week Ahead

Monday, February 5th

• Senate Education, Business, and Administration Subcommittee held decision hearings on a variety of committee reports.
• Senate Health and Human Services Subcommittee also held decision hearings on various committee reports.
• Senate Public Safety, Transportation, and Environment Subcommittee held budget hearings on the Workers' Compensation Commission, Department of Juvenile Services, Police and Correctional Training Commissions (DPSCS), and Criminal Injuries Compensation Board (DPSCS).
• House Education and Economic Development Subcommittee held budget hearings on the Maryland Food Center Authority, the University of Maryland, College Park, the University of Maryland, Baltimore, and Coppin State University.
• House Transportation and the Environment Subcommittee held budget hearings on the Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT) and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.

Tuesday, March 6th

• Senate Education, Business, and Administration Subcommittee holds decision hearings on a variety of committee reports.1pm in 3 West, Senate Office Building.
• Senate Health and Human Services Subcommittee holds decision hearings on a variety of committee reports.1pm in Amoss, Senate Office Building.
  Senate Public Safety, Transportation, and Environment Subcommittee holds decision hearings on a variety of committee reports.1pm in Schweinhaut, Senate Office Building.

Wednesday, March 7th

• House Education and Economic Development Subcommittee holds budget hearings on the Department of Business and Economic Development and Early Childhood Development (MSDE). 1pm in room 145, House Office Building.
• House Health and Human Resources Subcommittee holds a budget hearing on the Medical Care Programs Administration (DHMH). 1pm in room 150, House Office Building.
• House Transportation and the Environment Subcommittee holds budget hearings on the Department of Natural Resources, Maryland Insurance Administration, Maryland Energy Administration, and the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund. 1pm in room 120, House Office Building.

Thursday, March 8th 

• Senate Budget and Taxation committee holds decision hearings on a variety of committee reports. 1pm in 3 West, Senate Office Building.

Friday, March 9th
 

The Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes national employment figures for February 2012.
 

Saturday, March 10th 

Saturday is Bond Bill Day.