Senator Steve Waugh (pictured, foreground) spoke to a capacity crowd at Leonardtown’s Olde Towne Pub Saturday, Feb. 21 during his first “A Word and Lunch With Waugh” meeting, hosted by the St. Mary’s County Republican Central Committee. He enthusiastically summarized recent and upcoming plans and goals, and answered questions from his constituents. Highlights included several topics.

Senator Waugh has been selected to give the Maryland Day speech. Maryland Day is celebrated March 25.  The speech will be given in the Old Senate Chamber where Gen. George Washington resigned his military commission to the Continental Congress Saturday, Dec. 23, 1783. Note, roll call on that day recorded delegates from only seven states—Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina. On Feb. 16 the original draft of Washington’s speech was put on permanent display in the Maryland State House in a new protective case. Waugh will be giving a positive speech on Maryland’s place in history.

The senator addressed the third building at the Southern Maryland Higher Education Center, saying that it would be a good thing for the county and a good use of our money as a long-term investment.

Regarding the Museum at Pax, and how it would be funded, Senator Waugh says that this is a good thing and money will be steered to the project if the St. Mary’s County Commissioners need it. This would be coordinated with the Committee.

Updating the Newtowne Neck Park status, the senator said that priorities will be adjusted within the budget and can be rebalanced into the Department of Natural Resource’s overall plans.

St. Mary’s County School Board President Rita Weaver said that she was proud to have seen Senator Waugh in Annapolis and thanked him for cosponsoring a bill.
How will the Governor abate the flood of the 8,000 businesses that have left Maryland in the past 8 years under former Governor O’Malley? Senator Waugh responded that an ombudsman could be set up and that there is an opportunity to make changes.

When asked why he hadn’t co-sponsored a late-term abortion bill, he first commended the person who had asked the question for coming out to see him. His response was that he thought the wording of the bill was aggressive and he knew that it would fail. It would get a hearing but has no chance of passing in its current form. The Senator has drafted his own pro-life bill called “Jennifer’s Law” and he thinks there will be enough of a middle ground to actually pass.

Waugh Proposes Concealed Carry Bill
Senator Waugh has proposed a new bill to allow Maryland residents to carry concealed weapons in Maryland if they can obtain an out-of-state license. This reciprocity bill is cross-filed with a bill proposed by Delegate Deb Rey, and would serve to make Maryland a full reciprocity state.

Senator Waugh thanked all those who have called, emailed, or visited him with concerns, topics of interest, positions on legislation or support.

For more information on Senator Steve Waugh you may contact him or Legislative Aide Drema Grunst at: www.senatorstevewaugh.comhttp://www.senatorstevewaugh.com or at Steve.Waugh.District@senate.state.md.us.

Photo courtesy of Tony Avak

Delegate Deb Rey Holds town hall meeting
Delegate Deb Rey [District 29B] (above) held a town hall meeting at the Lexington Park Library Saturday, Feb. 21 at 2 p.m. Her next three town hall meetings are scheduled for Saturdays March 7, March 22 and April 25 at the Lexington Park Library from 2 to 4 p.m.

Delegate Morgan and the Business Personal Property Tax Cut HB184
As Delegate Matt Morgan [District 29A] pledged during the 2014 campaign, he remains committed to improving the business and tax climate in Maryland, and has sponsored HB184 to exempt St. Mary’s County businesses from personal property taxes. This legislation has unanimous support by all elected officials, county and state, of St. Mary’s County. It is believed that this exemption will help existing businesses grow and will attract new businesses to start up in St. Mary’s County.

Note, Governor Hogan has announced House Bill 480,Small Business Personal Property Tax Relief Act of 2015 that when signed into law eliminates personal property income tax for those businesses that have less than $10,000 in personal property.

If you live in Delegate Morgan’s District and are pursuing a degree, you may apply for a Legislative Scholarship. For applications you may contact: www.voteformattmorgan.com.

Delegate Tony O’Donnell
House Bill14, regarding hunting licenses and an exemption for retired members of the armed forces, introduced by Delegate O’Donnell and supported by Delegate Morgan, passed on the House floor. This bill allows veterans to hunt on private property with permission of the property owner without having to obtain a hunting license.

From the Desk of Deb Rey
Delegate Rey’s website, Deborah.Rey@House.State.Md.us, lists upcoming bills in Annapolis.

HB911 Marijuana Control and Revenue Act of 2015 would legalize the manufacturing sale and use of marijuana for adults 21 years and older.

HB405 Maryland False Claims Act would prohibit specified actions constituting false claims against a government entity.

HB244 Maryland Second Chance Act would authorize a person to petition the court to shield court records and police records relating to convictions that may be shielded no earlier than three years after the person satisfies the sentence imposed for all convictions.

Maryland Federation of Republican Women
The Maryland Federation of Republican Women invites you to see a list of bills coming up for hearings during the week in Annapolis at: smc54@atlanticbb.net.

News from the Minority Report 2015 Session Update, Week 6
Transportation Truths – Governor Hogan has proposed an end to the automatic gas tax increases that were part of legislation passed several years ago. Since 2013, Maryland’s gas taxes have increased three times in less than two years, Maryland’s gas tax has increased nearly 30 percent. What Governor Hogan’s proposal does is to eliminate the future automatic gas tax increases to keep dollars in the pockets of Marylanders, a novel concept after eight years of consecutive tax increases. Hogan has made it a priority to return the local share of roads money to county and municipal governments. He has appointed Peter K. Rahn as new Secretary of Transportation. Rahn has a long career in building roads in a cost-effective and innovative manner. For more information from the Minority Report, you may contact: www.houserepublicancaucus.com.

GOP Events
The Mother County Republicans meeting scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 26 from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Golden Corral Restaurant located on Route 235 in Lexington Park has been cancelled due to the possibility of inclement weather. The next meeting will be held on Thursday, March 26. For more information, you may contact: mothercountyreps@yahoo.com.

Events around town
The French farce, Boeing-Boeing, by Marc Camoletti, continues with the Newtowne Players at Three Notch Theatre Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3:30 p.m. through March 8. It’s the 1960’s and swinging American bachelor-in-Paris Bernard is juggling three gorgeous international stewardesses. The jet age arrives and all three women are in town at the same time. Be prepared to fasten your seat belt. For tickets you may contact: www.newtowneplayers.org or (301)737-5447.

Southern Maryland Traditional Music and Dance holds the first HomeSpun CoffeeHouse Open Mic Night of 2015 at Christ Church Episcopal Parish Hall located at 37497 Zach Fowler Road in Chaptico on Friday, February 27.  Doors open at 7 p.m.; music starts at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $7 per person (performers are admitted free of charge). Light refreshments will be served (donations will be cheerfully accepted!).  For more information you may contact: www.smtmd.org.