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<title>Senator Paul G. Pinsky</title>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>FYI Town Talkers – Pinsky addresses
cameras @ rail crossings – and mentions Riverdale Park specifically.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 color=black face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:windowtext;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font
size=2 color=black face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;
color:windowtext'> Senator Paul G. Pinsky [mailto:ppinsky@senatorpinsky.org] <br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Thursday, May 17, 2007 10:52
AM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> update@senatorpinsky.org<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> Senator Paul G. Pinsky's
May <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Annapolis</st1:place></st1:City>
Advocate</span></font><font color=black><span style='color:windowtext'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><a name=story0></a><font size=3 color=black
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>If you can't read this
HTML email, please use this link to view in a web browser <a
href="http://senatorpinsky.org/emailTemplate/2007May16.html">http://www.senatorpinsky.org/email/email2007May16.html</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><img border=0 width=673 height=186 id="_x0000_i1025"
src="cid:part1.05020607.00080808@senatorpinsky.org"
alt="Senator Paul G. Pinsky ... your Annapolis Advocate"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><br>
<img border=0 width=210 height=20 id="_x0000_i1026"
src="cid:part2.08070706.07080107@senatorpinsky.org" alt="In this issue:"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<ul type=disc>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:
auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><font size=3 color=black
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><a href="#story1">Still
Running: Literally and Figuratively</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:
auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><font size=3 color=black
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><a href="#story2">Caution
in Annapolis, Chaos with P.G. Hospital: My Take on State and Local
Politics</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:
auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><font size=3 color=black
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><a href="#story3">Big
Wins, Losses in '07 Session</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:
auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><font size=3 color=black
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><a href="#story4">A
List of Pinsky-Sponsored bills</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:
auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><font size=3 color=black
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><a href="#story5">Loss
of a Friend to Us All</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:
auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><font size=3 color=black
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><a href="#story6">Upcoming
Events</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
</ul>
<p align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3 color=black
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3 color=black
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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</v:shapetype><v:shape id="_x0000_s1026" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="...Your Annapolis Advocate"
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size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><o:p></o:p></font></p>
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<p><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Dear Friends: <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>The 2007 Maryland General Assembly session concluded early last
month, and, in the weeks since, I've had a chance to recharge and reflect on
what this session did and did not do. I'd like to share my thoughts on this
— and more — in this issue of my e-newsletter.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><em><b><i><font size=4 color=black face="Comic Sans MS"><span
style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";font-weight:bold'>
Paul</span></font></i></b></em><o:p></o:p></p>
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<h3><!-- BEGIN Title --><a name=story1></a><b><font size=4 color="#000066"
face=Helvetica><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Helvetica;
color:#000066'>Still Running: Literally and Figuratively<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></h3>
<p><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>The Azalea Classic isn't a type of plant. Rather, it's a series of
races to raise money for a local school that has hundreds of joggers running
through a community full of blooming azaleas. (Actually, to be candid, either
the blooms were late this year or the race was early.)<br>
<br>
As a slow but steady jogger, I joined this fundraising effort. Now, moving
closer to the 60-and-over age group and further away from the 40-50 group, I
happily paid my entrance fee, got in my three-plus miles of running for the
day, and finished the race. Not fast but still proud. For those interested, I
almost broke 30 minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>I'm still running — and speaking out — on the political
front, as well. In an effort to meet supporters and constituents, as well as
help raise funds for my newsletters, <b><span style='font-weight:bold'>I'll
be holding a fundraiser Thursday, June 7 at the <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Riversdale</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Mansion</st1:PlaceType> in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Riverdale</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Park</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>
from 6-8 p.m. — and you're invited!</span></b><br>
<br>
You should be receiving an invitation in the mail this week, but, in case you
don't, the details for the fundraiser can be found at this link: <a
href="http://senatorpinsky.org/june72007finalinvitation.pdf">http://senatorpinsky.org/june72007finalinvitation.pdf.</a>
I'd love to meet you. We'll have plenty of food and friends on hand.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=right style='text-align:right'><font size=3
color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><a
href="#story0">Back to top</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<h3><a name=story2></a><b><font size=4 color="#000066" face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:#000066'>Caution in <st1:City
w:st="on">Annapolis</st1:City>, Chaos with <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">P.G.</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Hospital</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>:
My Take on State and Local Politics<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></h3>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=3 color=black
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Caution won the day in <st1:City
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Annapolis</st1:place></st1:City> this past
winter — some appropriate and some not.<br>
<br>
Gov. O'Malley moved slowly, and that's generally a good strategy in your
first year in office. He didn't want to come in and raise taxes his first
year, even though <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Maryland</st1:place></st1:State>
is facing a major budget shortfall. Instead, the governor wanted to spend a
year building a case – and consensus – for tax increases. Not a
bad plan. It just meant, in this year's session, no new legislative
initiatives which required new spending or raising revenue.<br>
<br>
But the governor could have taken, in my view, bolder stances on several
non-budget policy issues. Whether the cautious approach went too far, or he
deferred to more conservative legislative leaders, is not clear. We could
have done more. We should have done more. I shared these views in an op-ed
article which appeared in the <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Baltimore</st1:place></st1:City>
Sun a few weeks ago. You can read it at this link: <br>
<a
href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.assemblydem27apr27,1,1328285.story?ctrack=1&cset=true">http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/</a><br>
<a
href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.assemblydem27apr27,1,1328285.story?ctrack=1&cset=true">oped/bal-op.assemblydem27apr27,1,1328285.story.</a><br>
<br>
As I noted in that <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Baltimore</st1:place></st1:City>
Sun commentary, a bill I introduced to address climate change and global
warming was blocked from a floor vote, despite the bill's widespread support
among my fellow legislators. The reason? Industry leaders, afraid of the cost
to implement the necessary changes, heavily lobbied the senate president to
kill the bill.<br>
<br>
The new O'Malley administration didn't come to the rescue of this Global
Warming Solutions legislation during the session. But the governor at least
did call for a global Warming Task force after the session to look into the
very same issues.<br>
<br>
Another bill I sponsored this session, to create a public campaign financing
system for <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Maryland</st1:place></st1:State>
politics and end the domination of Big Money, also lost, falling a vote
short. And, needless to say, this session also made no progress on another
major concern of mine, the need to solve our health care crisis.<br>
<br>
We did have some important victories, however, most notably passage of the
first-in-the-country Living Wage bill. In this case, major credit should go
to the governor — and the labor unions and Progressive Maryland —
that pushed for the bill.<br>
<br>
Which leads to my final point: Important policy change only happens when
large numbers of people speak out and legislative bodies, like <st1:State
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Maryland</st1:place></st1:State>'s state house
or Congress, have no option but to legislate change. And even then,
grassroots pressure doesn't always bring immediate results, as we can see
from the broad opposition to the Iraq War and President Bush's unwillingness
to bring the troops home.<br>
<br>
So what do we have to do? Organize more — in our neighborhoods, at
work, and in our churches, synagogues, and mosques.<br>
<br>
Closer to home, local state legislators and the governor proposed a solution
to solve the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">P.G.</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Hospital</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> morass. The
plan aimed to shift authority to the state to stabilize the hospital's
finances and then look for a buyer to come in with new management.<br>
<br>
The county executive, at first resistant to this idea, eventually came on
board, leaving only the county council opposing the effort. The chair and
vice chair of the council were able to maintain a tight grip on the council,
defeating the proposal on the last night of the session. That was truly
unfortunate, since the county hospital plays an important role in the health
of its citizens. Rest assured, we will continue to pressure the council until
a solution is achieved.<br>
<br>
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=right style='text-align:right'><font size=3
color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><a
href="#story0">Back to top</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<h3><a name=story3></a><b><font size=4 color="#000066" face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:#000066'>Big Wins, Losses
in '07 Session<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></h3>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><b><u><font size=3
color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:
bold'>Wins</span></font></u></b><br>
<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Living Wage.</span></b> Legislation enacted
in this year's session will require any company that wins a state contract to
pay their employees working on the contract at least $11.30 an hour (in a
metro area) and $8.50 in a rural area (Eastern Shore, western mountains).<br>
<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Freezing Tuition at the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">University</st1:PlaceType> of <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Maryland</st1:PlaceName></st1:place>.</span></b>
Lawmakers passed a bill that freezes the tuition for students attending USM
institutions for the second consecutive year.<br>
<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Clean Cars Bill.</span></b> In an effort to
cut carbon dioxide, this new law requires cars sold in Maryland, beginning in
2011, to meet higher emissions standards similar those set by California.<br>
<br>
<b><u><span style='font-weight:bold'>Losses</span></u></b><br>
<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Green Fund.</span></b> This would have set
an 'impervious surfaces' fee for builders, with higher rates in more
sensitive areas and lower rates in already developed areas. The hope was to
dissuade the building and paving over of open space in less developed areas
and drive it to already developed areas.<br>
<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Death Penalty</span></b>. Once again,
efforts to prohibit the death penalty were killed in committee. (Sorry for
the choice of words.)<br>
<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>ICC.</span></b> Efforts to derail the
Inter-County Connector (ICC) were again rebuffed. This toll road will do
nothing to relieve traffic on the beltway or get local workers to their jobs.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=right style='text-align:right'><font size=3
color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><a
href="#story0">Back to top</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<h3><a name=story4></a><b><font size=4 color="#000066" face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:#000066'>A List of
Pinsky-Sponsored bills<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></h3>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=3 color=black
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>A number of bills I
introduced passed while, sadly, some very important ones ran into roadblocks.
Here's a quick recap of my key bills:<br>
<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Improving Teacher Quality.</span></b>
Passed. My bill will increase state efforts to support the National Board for
Professional Teaching Standards, a rigorous program that encourages and
acknowledges outstanding teaching. <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Prince
George</st1:place></st1:City>'s County is recommending nearly 200
additional teachers to the state program to pursue this national
certification. At the request of <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Prince
George</st1:place></st1:City>'s County school superintendent Deasy, I also
worked successfully to expand the law allowing retired teachers to be rehired
in high-needs schools.<br>
<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Expanding Energy Efficiency.</span></b>
Passed. Continuing my efforts to reduce energy consumption, I introduced
legislation this session that requires several new consumer appliance
products to reach higher energy-efficiency standards. This bill also helps
reduce energy consumption, with the intent of reducing harmful emissions from
these power plants, including greenhouse gases.<br>
<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Cameras at Railroad Crossings.</span></b>
Passed. This allows <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Riverdale</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Park</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>, or any other
affected town, to install cameras at at-grade railroad crossings to catch
drivers endangering others — and themselves — by going around
barriers and ignoring flashing lights during train crossings.<br>
<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Protecting Hospital Workers and Patients. </span></b>Passed.
Requires safe patient lifting policies in hospitals to reduce employee
– and patient – injuries associated with patient lifting. <br>
<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Local Grants: <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Latin</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">American</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Youth</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Center</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>
in Riverdale and historic Greenbelt Theater.</span></b> Passed. I was able to
acquire funds to renovate the multi-purpose room at the newly opened youth
center in Riverdale for after-school and evening enrichment activities, as
well as funds to help complete necessary renovations at the historic
Greenbelt Theater.<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'><br>
Global Warming Solutions Act. </span></b>Not voted on. Patterned on action
take by <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">California</st1:place></st1:State>,
the bill would reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. As
mentioned above, despite widespread support, the Senate president kept the
bill locked in the committee drawer. We'll be back next year to try again
– with a lot of grassroots support.<br>
<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Public Campaign Financing.</span></b>
Defeated on Senate floor. Despite heavy lobbying against this legislation, I
was able to get this bill onto the Senate floor for a vote, where the
legislation fell one vote short. Again, we're coming back next year.<br>
<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Universal Health Coverage: a Single Payer
System.</span></b> Not voted on. No health reform proposal was acted on
this year in the Senate. We desperately need more than band-aids for our
deeply flawed health care system.<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'><br>
Combined Reporting. </span></b>Not voted on. This bill would have
prevented big companies from avoiding <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Maryland</st1:place></st1:State>
corporate taxes. Currently, large companies create and incorporate
subsidiaries in different states to sidestep <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Maryland</st1:place></st1:State> taxes. Loss of this tax revenue
places a greater tax burden on you and me.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<h3><a name=story5></a><b><font size=4 color="#000066" face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:#000066'>Loss of A Friend
to Us All<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></h3>
<p><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Marc Amiel, a dedicated teacher and long-time Democratic Party
activist, died earlier this month of pancreatic cancer. I've known Marc for
over 25 years, and he was one of the more selfless, caring people you'd ever
want to know.<br>
<br>
A native of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">France</st1:place></st1:country-region>
with a rich accent, you always knew when Marc was asking the question. He was
not hesitant and would engage in conversation, but he was also one of the
first to pull up his sleeves and help when work was called for.<br>
<br>
Marc taught math and French in the public schools for 30 years and, for
enjoyment, refereed soccer games. He was also a loyal member of the Greenbelt
Democratic Club and an outspoken critic of George Bush. Marc will be missed.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<h3><a name=story6></a><b><font size=4 color="#000066" face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:#000066'>Upcoming Events<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></h3>
<p><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>I and the rest of the 22nd district delegation will be offering an
end-of-session wrap-up <b><span style='font-weight:bold'>this Friday night,
May 18, in <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Greenbelt</st1:place></st1:City>
</span></b>at the Roosevelt Democratic Club meeting. The discussion will
start at 7:30 p.m. in the Greenbriar Room at <st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address
w:st="on">7600 Hanover Pkwy.</st1:address></st1:Street> All are invited.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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