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EMS Work Group Recommendations:
Support of the current fleet of MSP multi-mission helicopters with safety upgrades, flight simulator, maintenance and inventory management software and retrofitted to include night vision goggles, ELTs, TAWs and flight simulators
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Budgeting for the purchase of three helicopters in the FY10 budget,and three helicopters in each subsequent year, to avoid multiple versions of helicopter models and maintenance problems
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Establishing a Joint Oversight Committee on the EMS system to oversee the procurement of new assets for the State, to sunset in three to four years
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Transferring natural resources-related functions to MSP for the more efficient use of helicopter resources, following the elimination of the DNR Aviation Division in the fall of 2008, due to budgetary constraints
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Updating the Base Study, to be completed by MIEMMS, in consultation with MSP, with formal recommendations on the number of bases and helicopters necessary to provide statewide EMS coverage, based on data collected over a two year period from September 2008
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Review and evaluation of the current network of trauma and specialty referral centers by the Maryland Health Care Commission and recommendations to improve the current system. The review should include an analysis of current centers, possible closures and additions of new centers and the MSP base study
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The Governor should immediately fill expired terms on the EMS Board with members that have requisite experience in the specific career fields required under statute
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MIEMMS should respond to the findings of the Expert Panel on triage protocols and helicopter utilization, including national perspectives on best practices |
March Budget Revenue Estimates
The Board of Revenue Estimates released the latest revenue forecast on Wednesday, March 11th and put the projected FY09/FY10 general fund shortfall at $1.162 billion due to declining revenue as a result of the continued global economic crisis.
The Administration and House and Senate fiscal leaders are working together to balance the budget based upon the new revenue estimates and stimulus funds while preserving our priorities.
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Greetings!
Welcome to our latest 2009 General Assembly Weekly Update Newsletter, and thank you for your continued interest in my activities in Annapolis as your State Delegate.
We've been working on some very important pieces of legislation including bills on domestic violence and the death penalty. We've also had updates from work groups dealing with gas and electric service provision and the emergency medical system (EMS). Additionally, we have received our March Budget Revenue Estimates from the Board of Revenue.
We've provided a great deal of information on all of these items below. We hope you find this detail helpful and we'll continue to keep you informed. As always, please feel free to contact me directly with your questions, ideas, and concerns. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Delegate Galen Clagett, District 3A
Frederick County, Maryland
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Domestic Violence Legislation
Two of Governor O'Malley's bills on domestic violence have been heard and voted on in the Judiciary Committee. HB302 and HB296 both passed with amendments and would strengthen judges' ability to confiscate firearms when Temporary and Final Protective Orders have been issued.
In 2007, Maryland homicides attributed to domestic violence incidents totaled 30, an increase of over 15% compared to the calendar 2006 total of 26 homicides. The majority of these homicide victims were women, and the weapon used in a majority of these homicides was a firearm. Of the 4,261 aggravated assaults that occurred in calendar 2007, 172 involved a firearm.
HB 302 - Surrender of Firearms with Temporary Protective Orders
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Gives a judge the discretion to order abuse suspects to give up their firearms when served with a seven-day temporary protective order. The Committee accepted an amendment to HB 302 that establishes a nexus between surrender of the weapon in an ex-parte proceeding and the use of the firearm or fear of serious bodily harm. They accepted another amendment to provide for the safe transport and storage of the weapon during the time of the Temporary Protective Order.
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Temporary Protective Orders (TPO) are typically in effect for no more than 7 days and can be extended to up to 30 days to protect a victim until both parties have the opportunity to go before a judge. Under current law, judges do not have the authority to confiscate firearms in conjunction with a TPO.
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In fiscal 2007 (the latest information available), 1,936 temporary protective orders were granted in the circuit courts and 15,491 were granted in the District Court.
HB 296 - Surrender of Firearms with Protective Orders
- Requires a judge to order someone who is found by a court to be an abuser, and has a final protective order issued against them, to surrender all firearms for the full period of the protective order, typically one year. The Committee accepted an amendment to HB 296 to provide for the safe transport and storage of the weapon during the time of the Final Protective Order.
- Currently, when judges order a Final Protective Order (FPO), the confiscation of firearms is at their discretion.
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Status of Death Penalty Legislation
Senate Bill 279 and House Bill 316 were heard on March 17 in the Judiciary Committee.
- HB 316 is the Administration's bill which repeals the death penalty and all provisions relating to it,
 including those relating to its administration and post death sentencing proceedings. A person found guilty of murder in the first degree must be sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
- SB 279 would restrict the death penalty to a case in which the State presents the court or jury with specified biological or DNA evidence, a videotaped confession, or a video recording that conclusively links the defendant to the murder; and prohibit a prosecutor from seeking the death penalty in a case in which the State relies solely on evidence provided by eyewitnesses. The Administration has made the decision to support SB 279 moving forward.
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EMS System Work Group Update
 In January 2009, Speaker Michael E. Busch appointed a special 14 member workgroup to review the emergency medical system (EMS) in Maryland.
The Maryland State Police currently operates under a multi-mission system, wherein the helicopters serve to provide Medevac, search/rescue, law enforcement, and homeland security missions using 12 helicopters, purchased between 1989 and 1999, from 8 bases across the state (prior to the Trooper 2 crash).
Since it's inception in the early 70's as the first civilian agency to transport critically injured trauma patients, the MSP Aviation Command has transported over 130,000 patients. Medevac transports peaked in 2004 and subsequently dropped 23% by 2008, due to increased ground transports.
In September 2008, Trooper 2, a Medevac crew based in Southern Maryland, crashed for the first time in 22 years, resulting in increased attention to the State's trauma system.
The EMS Workgroup focused on:
- The structure of the Statewide EMS System including the role of local and state agencies
- Funding of the Statewide EMS system
- Structure and mission of the MSP Aviation Division, including the recent legislative audit and review of the National Expert Review Panel; and Helicopter Procurement, including the role of commercial carriers
For a full listing of the finalized recommendations of the EMS Work Group, please see the space to your left. |
PSC Temporarily Delays Terminations of Residential Gas and Electric Service
The Public Service Commission (PSC) has issued an order that will temporarily delay the terminations of residential gas and electric customers' service for delinquent payment or an outstanding balance.
A work group led by the Commission's Office of External  Relations and consisting of all parties involved will develop payment plan procedures and criteria for residents, and report its findings to the Commission at a hearing on April 7, 2009. After that hearing, the Commission will review the work group's recommendation, and decide whether to end or continue the delay in residential terminations. The Electric Universal Service Workgroup met with Senate Finance on March 16 and held a hearing with representatives from each of the utilities companies and the PSC to review the order to temporarily delay residential shutoffs and how they are currently working to keep customers connected.
Here are a few key statistics that are important to the current situation:
- Electricity rates are up approximately 12.5% due to increased cost of purchasing energy. Natural gas prices are up 5%.
- Energy usage has risen dramatically with the colder weather. November was the fifth coldest November since 1871 and Nov.-Jan. 09 was the coldest period since 2004.
- The average temperature for January was 40 degrees in 2008 and 31.6 degrees in 2009. A home with a thermostat set at 65 degrees needs double the amount of energy to heat when the average temperature outside is 30 degrees instead of 40 degrees.
- Roughly 200,000 Maryland households are currently behind on their energy bills.
The State of Maryland offers many programs to assist its citizens with their energy bills and consumption:
- The Office of Home Energy Programs exists to help low-income Maryland citizens pay their heating bills, minimize heating crises, and make energy costs more affordable.
- The Utility Service Protection Program protects families from utility cut-offs.
- The Weatherization Assistance Program exists to help Maryland citizens make their homes more energy efficient.
More information about energy assistance and how to apply can be found at: www.dhr.state.md.us/meap. It is also important to remember to contact your utility if you are having problems paying your energy bill. They are working with customers during these difficult times. If you need assistance in dealing with your utility company, the Office of People's Counsel is the advocate for Maryland's residential utility rate payer. More information about how they can help can be found at: www.opc.state.md.us. |
Send your questions, feedback
and ideas directly to Delegate Clagett at:
Talk to Galen@yahoo.com
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