MC 912/09: Speed Camera Fairness Act

Of course nobody likes to get a ticket from one of the numerous speed cameras posted on Montgomery County's roads. However, many would agree that they are necessity to increase safety of our motorists and pedestrians. What many people don't know (and this came as a surpise to me too) is that Montgomery County Government is paying the contractors -- Affiliated Computer Services Inc (ACS) -- who own, maintain and run the speed cameras a $16.25 fee per ticket. Although this may not technically violate the language of state law, it certainly violates the spirit: "If a contractor operates a speed monitoring system on behalf of a local jurisdiction or agency, the contractor's fee may not be contingent on the number of citations issued or paid". The result is that ACS has a financial incentive to issue as many speed camera tickets as possible. In March, the Washington Times covered this story in detail. You can read that article by clicking here. I think this is an area that needs serious reform.

For this reason, Senator Mike Lenett (D-Olney) and I have teamed up to introduce the "Speed Camera Fairness Act". This bill clarifies and explicitly bans the aforementioned type of contractual arrangement. I'm a supporter of speed cameras because I think they lower speeds and save lives. However, they must be done right. It is crucial that our citizenry has every confidence that the goal of these cameras is to increase public safety -- not to pad the government's coffers or some company's bottom line. You can read the actual text of the bill by clicking here.

This bill will be voted on in Annapolis in January. However, there will be a public hearing for this bill at 7:00 pm on Thursday, December 11, 2008. It will be held in the 1st Floor Auditorium in the Executive Office Bldg (101 Monroe St., Rockville). If you support this bill and you live in Montgomery County, I urge you to attend and testify that evening. Just let me know by email in advance. You must sign up to testify by clicking here.

- Saqib

MC/PG 101/09: The WSSC Financial Oversight Act

The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) is the agency that delivers water to the homes and businesses in Montgomery County and Prince George's County. It is chartered in Maryland State Law. Elected officials from both counties approve the WSSC’s annual water and sewer fees as well as construction projects in the annual budgets. Montgomery County spends $757 million per fiscal year through the WSSC. Over the past three our county has ponied up $2.3 billion for the WSSC. 

Strangely though, when the Montgomery County Inspector General, Thomas Dagely (who is charged with eliminating waste, fraud and abuse in government) recently asked to see how that $2.3 billion dollars was spent the WSSC bluntly refused to provide him with their budgetary data. This is an intolerable situation. Montgomery County's citizens must know that their tax-dollars are not being wasted or pilfered. Anything that hinders such reasonable oversight is a major problem. And more importantly, the WSSC should not be in the business of stonewalling the public.

Montgomery County's Inspector General position was created as an agent of the County Council. WSSC lawyers cited a portion of state law saying that it only had to provide the information in question to the County Executive, but not the County Council. You can read about this standoff in a Washington Post article by clicking here. What makes this particular issue even more confounding is that due to a legislative quirk, the Prince George's Council enjoys this oversight authority that Montgomery County lacks. So Montgomery County's tax-payers aren't as well protected as their neighbors to the east.

For this reason, I have introduced MC/PG 101/09: The WSSC Financial Oversight Act. This bill would simply give Montgomery County Council the same oversight authority over WSSC's budget as the County Executive and Prince George's Councilmembers currently enjoy. You can read the full text of the bill by clicking here.

This bill will be voted on in Annapolis in January. However, there will be a public hearing for this bill at 7:00 pm on Monday December 8, 2008. It will be held in the 1st Floor Auditorium in the Executive Office Bldg (101 Monroe St. Rockville). If you are interested in observing this hearing, I urge you to attend.

- Saqib

MC 908/09: No So-Called Sexual Stimulants For Kids Act

When you walk into a gas-station convenience store do you pay much attention to the items on sale? Many of us don't. But if you did, you would see the usual fare: candy bars, sodas, cigarettes, first-aid supplies, etc. You might also see something more surprising: Aphrodesiac Pills.

Well, actually they claim to be aphrodesiac pills but its highly doubtful they have any effect at all. These products are not FDA approved and are sold under sleazy brand names such as "Horniest Goat Weed", "Stamina-Rx" and "All Nite Long".

Just like unregulated nutritional supplements sold at GNC stores, there is very little government control over what is in these pills. Not only is this a danger to public health. It is also a very big rip-off. It's just a scam to separate over-eager men from their hard-earned money.

Furthermore, these products are available to anybody who walks into the store. Including children. Maryland's age of consent is 16. So marketers of sexual products have no business targeting children under that age.

For this reason I have introduced the "No So-Called Sexual Stimulants For Kids Act". This bill would ban selling products marketed as sexual stimulants to minors (people under the age of 18) in Montgomery County. It would force gas-station owners to check IDs the same way they currently do for cigarettes. They will also have to keep these items behind the counter.

Here is the actual text of the bill.

This bill will be voted on in Annapolis in January. However, there will be a public hearing for this bill at 7:00 pm on Thursday, December 11, 2008. It will be held in the 1st Floor Auditorium in the Executive Office Bldg (101 Monroe St., Rockville). If you support this bill and you live in Montgomery County, I urge you to attend and testify that evening. Just let me know by email in advance. You must sign up to testify by clicking here.

- Saqib

Special Political Opportunity for High School Seniors

Every year, students from across Maryland come to Annapolis in the winter/spring to participate for two weeks in the Maryland Legislative Page Program. In their roles as Legislative Pages, these students receive an insider's look and get to actively participate in Maryland's legislative process.

Participants in the Legislative Page Program are selected from a large pool of applicants to spend two weeks throughout the legislative session (January - April) interacting with members of Maryland's General Assembly and performing various tasks to support the work of members and staff. Legislative Pages get inside access to Senators and Delegates. Pages do everything from assisting visitors to the State Capital to delivering messages to members on the floor of the Senate and House. Best of all, Montgomery County Public School system gives them excused absences from their school to do this work!

I encourage all high school seniors to apply for this excellent program. Many Senators and Delegates were themselves once legislative pages. If you are a high school senior or know one who is interested in the program, please learn more about and apply for this program by clicking here.

Applications are due October 24th and final selections will be announced by October 31.

Good luck to all who apply! Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions regarding the Legislative Page Program or any other matters of importance to you.

- Saqib


P.S.
High school seniors who attend private schools or schools outside Montgomery County should contact their guidance counselors for information about the Legislative Page Program.

My Letter for Light Rail in Montgomery County

In case you missed it, I wanted to quickly bring to your attention an my letter to the editor that appeared in last Wednesday's Montgomery County Gazette regarding the need for light-rail in Montgomery County.

Please take a look by clicking here.
(I have included the text of the entire article below for your convenience)

During this time of high gas prices and given the urgency of reducing green-house gas emissions, we need to do whatever we can to reduce the number of miles driven in personal automobiles. I firmly believe that rail-transport is a crucial tool to make that happen.

- Saqib

Upcounty Needs World-Class Transit to Support Needs

Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2008

I read the recent Gazette article in which some members of the Montgomery County Planning Board advocated for a bus route along the Corridor Cities Transitway (CCT) instead of light-rail. I respectfully disagree with their assessment.

Like most elected officials from upper Montgomery County, I am a strong advocate for the CCT. I also believe that a light-rail line is a far superior solution than a bus route.

Numerous studies demonstrate that light-rail may be more expensive upfront but is far more effective than express bus routes. More high quality economic development occurs near light-rail versus bus transit. People are far likelier to switch from cars to trains rather than buses. Light-rail is more scalable because as demand increases, cars can be added without paying more operators. Light-rail is perceived as more permanent and, once in place, operational funding is more secure. Travel-times tend to be more predictable because rail is routed along dedicated rights-of-way. Such predictability is crucial for passengers planning their journey with confidence.

I urge members of the Planning Board and Transportation Secretary John Porcari to provide the upcounty with a world-class solution to our transportation problems. That means a light-rail line along the route of the CCT.

Saqib Ali, North Potomac

The writer, a Democrat, represents District 39 in the House of Delegates.

Take 2 Minutes to Defend Liberty.

As a Maryland State Representative I have direct influence over state legislation. Usually I contact you to keep you abreast of and seek your input on state-level issues. However, today I'm taking the unusual step of writing to you about a federal issue. I'm doing this because the issue at stake is of crucial importance to every American who takes their Constitution seriously. I'm writing to appeal for your help to stop federal legislation to allow warrantless wiretapping of our telephone and email conversations. I believe that it is not an overstatement to say that the rule-of-law and liberty itself are at stake.

You see, on Tuesday July 8th, the US Senate is scheduled to debate legislation that would allow the President, with the help of big telecommunication companies like AT&T spy on the telephone and email conversations of all Americans. You may have heard that over the past few years, these telecom companies -- at the behest of President Bush -- have been spying on innocent US Citizens without any warrants. There is widespread agreement that this un-American practice is illegal. On Tuesday our US Senators will be voting on a bill that would grant retro-active immunity from civil liability to those telecom companies. This is a very bad idea. Our nation is built on the rule of law and freedom from unlawful search and seizure. You can read about the FISA Amendments Act of 2008 by clicking here.

But because George Bush wants to grant immunity, Republicans in Congress, joining with many Democrats are trying to push this bill through. Many leading Democrats including Senators Dodd, Feingold and even Senator Obama have voiced their displeasure with retro-active immunity. Below you can see Senator Feingold's (D-Wisconsin) passionate video statement against this bill.

Unfortunately, our US Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-Maryland) has previously voted to immunize the telecom companies for warrantless wiretapping. (Our other Senator Ben Cardin thankfully voted against this measure). It seems likely that on Tuesday Senator Mikulski will again vote for this measure.

I'm urgently appealing for your help in this matter. I'm asking you to take 2 minutes of your time to call Senator Mikulski's office to politely ask her to oppose any bill that provides retro-active immunity for warrantless wiretapping. Please be very polite but firm, and don't forget to tell whoever answer's the phone that you are a voter in Maryland. Since this matter is expected to come up for a vote on Tuesday, it is crucially important that you make this brief call today.

• Who to call: Office of US Senator Barbara Mikulski
• Telephone Number: (202) 224-4654
• What to say: "Please defend the constitution by opposing any bill that provides retro-active immunity for warrantless wiretapping"

This is an issue of utmost importance for our nation. So I thank you for your support and for your time.

- Saqib

House Bill #80: The No Nooses Act

I would like to tell you about an important legislative initiative that I believe is crucial to preventing racial intolerance and intimidation in Maryland.

Over the past few months there have been numerous media accounts of people using nooses as a symbol of hate. Most well-known amongst these was the case in Jenna, Louisiana where such a noose sparked school-yard fighting. There have been noose-sightings much closer to home as well. Last September, a noose was found hanging on a tree at the University of Maryland in College Park. This noose was just outside the Nyumburu Cultural Center, home to the Black Faculty and Staff Association. This incident sparked widespread outrage amongst the student body and faculty. You can read the Washington Post article describing this very unfortunate incident by clicking here.

It is becoming clear to me that the noose is fast-becoming the preferred symbol of intimidation by those who express racial intolerance today. Nooses seem to have replaced other equally odious icons such as burning crosses. Burning a cross is already illegal in Maryland. However, hanging a noose isn’t illegal. I believe it is time for Maryland’s law to catch-up.

For this reason I have teamed up with Delegate Herman Taylor to introduce House Bill #80: The No Nooses Act in the Maryland General Assembly which commenced on January 9th. This bill will make it a hate-crime for anyone to place a noose on any real-property based on the ethnic animosity. Such a hate-crime would be a misdemeanor if committed by itself (up to 3 years imprisonment and a $5,000 fine) or a felony if committed with another serious crime (up to 20 years imprisonment and a $20,000 fine).

A similar law was recently passed in New York. In the coming weeks, I will work hard to ensure that this much-needed, common-sense legislation is passed into law in Maryland.

You can read the actual text of the bill by clicking here.

- Saqib

[UPDATE 3/22/2008]: I was successful in getting this issue passed through the House of Delegates. To see an article about this issue, click here.

Saqib Ali's Annapolis Report 2/26/2008

Dear Friends,

Maryland's annual 90-day legislative session in Annapolis has reached its midway point. I have been working very hard on numerous initiatives. I believe the remaining 45 days will be decisive in making progress for our state on numerous fronts.

At the bottom of this email I have included an extensive list of legislation I am working on this session. Please browse through it and feel free to read the actual text of the bills by clicking on the bill number. Keep in mind that bills are simply proposed laws. Just because a bill is proposed doesn't mean that it will become law. In fact only about one third of all proposals become law.

As the second half of the 2008 session begins, I will have many challenging decisions to make as Delegate. To help me make wise decisions, I need to hear from you, my constituents, neighbors and friends. Please contact me about your stance on issues & legislation of concern to you, so that I can be the best representative possible.

It is a great honor to represent the people of District 39. Over the coming weeks, I will keep you up-to-date on my efforts here in Annapolis. Please read my blog which can be found at my website: www.SaqibAli.org. I'll try to update it as often as possible.

Sincerely,
- Saqib

(301) 685-3407
www.SaqibAli.org

Bill Number	Support Level	Description
HB 10	Lead Sponsor	The Unattended Child Protection Act: Creating Maryland's first ever child neglect statute, covering crimes against children which do not rise to the level of child abuse. Read more here.
HB 80	Lead Sponsor	The No Nooses Act: Prohibiting the placement of a noose on someone's property for the purpose of racial intimidation. Read more here.
HB 110	Lead Sponsor	The Wireless Telephone Billing Change Notification Act: Forcing cell phone companies to send a written receipt to customers within 10 days after any change in monthly billing fee. Read more here.
HB 111	Lead Sponsor	The Malfunctioning Traffic Light Act: Requiring drivers to treat a broken or malfunctioning traffic light as a four-way stop sign. Read more here.
HB 129	Lead Sponsor	The Plastic Card Security Act: Forcing retailers to expunge data collected on credit-card swipe machines within 48 hours of the sales transaction.
HB 284	Lead Sponsor	The Consumer Loyalty Card Privacy Act: Preventing supermarkets from selling customers' detailed purchasing history (as recorded by supermarket "Club Cards" or "Bonus Cards") to marketers. Read more here.
HB 328	Lead Sponsor	Preventing the use of the Program Open Space environmental fund to replace natural grass fields with Astroturf.
HB 347	Lead Sponsor	The Special Legislative Session Campaign Finance Reform Act: Prohibiting state-level elected officials from accepting campaign contributions during Special Sessions of the legislature. Read more here.
HB 513	Lead Sponsor	Allocating $150,000 in matching funds to buy advanced medical equipment for the MCC Medical Clinic in Silver Spring.
HB 614	Lead Sponsor	Expanding the 6% sales tax to "medically unnecessary" cosmetic procedures hopefully to offset the repeal of the 2007 Computer Services Tax.
HB 829	Lead Sponsor	Preventing drivers from getting double-ticketed in a very short time by speed-cameras.
HB 1119	Lead Sponsor	Creating new safety standards for vehicles using a trailer-hitch to pull another vehicle or a trailer.
HB 1401	Lead Sponsor	The Radio Frequency Identification Chip Insertion Prevention Act: Preventing employers from implanting radio frequency identification (RFID) chips into employees' bodies. Read more here.
HB 1410	Lead Sponsor	The Truth in Advertising Real-Estate Taxes Act: Requiring realtors to disclose the actual amount a buyer will pay in property taxes after purchasing a home. Read more here.
HB 1414	Lead Sponsor	Patient Referrals for Radiation Therapy Services: Expanding access to cancer radiation therapy by allowing a larger set of medical facilities to administer the treatment. Read more here.
HB 1462	Lead Sponsor	Preventing credit card companies from changing loan terms without having the borrowers signed consent.
HB 75	Co-Sponsor	Requiring that the public school system be notified when a nonpublic-school student is arrested.
HB 76	Co-Sponsor	Increasing the severity of punishment to providing a minor with alcohol from a fine to a misdemeanor crime (jail time).
HB 138	Co-Sponsor	Requiring the disclosure of large contributions to campaigns for state-wide ballot initiatives.
HB 139	Co-Sponsor	Requiring principals to report multiply suspended students to the county school superintendant for a remedial action plan.
HB 161	Co-Sponsor	Suspending minors' drivers licenses if convicted of graffiti.
HB 196	Co-Sponsor	Repealing the computer services tax which passed during the 2007 special legislative session as part of a larger compromise.
HB 247	Co-Sponsor	Establishing a fund in each county for a residential drug abuse treatment program.
HB 283	Co-Sponsor	Allowing the prosecution of drug traffickers for having drug-money up to $10,000.
HB 302	Co-Sponsor	Allocating $1,000,000 in matching funds for the Montgomery General Hospital Emergency Room.
HB 326	Co-Sponsor	Repealing the computer services tax which passed during the 2007 special legislative session as part of a larger compromise.
HB 332	Co-Sponsor	Allocating $1,000,000 in matching funds for an Up-county senior citizens center in Gaithersburg.
HB 334	Co-Sponsor	Allocating $1,000,000 in matching funds for the Bioscience Education Center in Germantown.
HB 336	Co-Sponsor	Allocating $250,000 in matching funds for the Plum Gar Neighborhood Recreation Center in Germantown.
HB 346	Co-Sponsor	Requiring that court orders circumscribing parental rights of a member of the US military deployed overseas apply only temporarily until that deployment is complete.
HB 357	Co-Sponsor	Prohibiting newspaper delivery to homes that have requested stoppage.
HB 358	Co-Sponsor	Creating a searchable website showing all state expenditures over $25,000.
HB 368	Co-Sponsor	Creating the Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Program to encourage the development of renewable energy sources.
HB 370	Co-Sponsor	Allowing for the collection of DNA from people who have been arrested for violent crime, burglary or auto-theft.
HB 372	Co-Sponsor	Providing mental health services for Maryland veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
HB 373	Co-Sponsor	Establishing a state goal of increasing development near transit centers (bus stations, train stations, etc).
HB 374	Co-Sponsor	Establishing the state goal of reducing per capita electricity by 15% by 2015.
HB 375	Co-Sponsor	Increasing the percentages of electricity that has to be produced by renewable energy sources over the next few years.
HB 376	Co-Sponsor	Mandating that newly constructed state government buildings meet federal standards for being highly energy efficient.
HB 377	Co-Sponsor	Increasing the tax-credit for homes powered by solar or geo-thermal energy.
HB 378	Co-Sponsor	Increasing the penalties for abuse or neglect of animals and aggravated cruelty to animals.
HB 419	Co-Sponsor	Creating a registry for pharmacy benefit managers.
HB 420	Co-Sponsor	Allocating $300,000 in matching funds for historic preservation and rehabilitation of Button Farm.
HB 447	Co-Sponsor	Banning phosphorous from fertilizers intended for personal usage.
HB 500	Co-Sponsor	Denying paternity, visitation and custody rights to rapists for offspring produced by that crime.
HB 506	Co-Sponsor	Reviewing weather Towson State University is unnecessarily duplicating academic programs at Morgan State University.
HB 509	Co-Sponsor	Establishing a task-force to study recyclable beverage bottle/can deposit programs.
HB 512	Co-Sponsor	Establishing the Maryland Affordable Housing Investment Fund and its corresponding Board.
HB 528	Co-Sponsor	Including the homeless as a protected class in Maryland's hate-crime statute.
HB 555	Co-Sponsor	Forcing trailer-park owners pay relocation expenses of their residents when the trailer-park closes.
HB 585	Co-Sponsor	Creating a workgroup to establish a safe patient-lifting policy for nursing homes.
HB 598	Co-Sponsor	Establishing a commission on minority business enterprise.
HB 603	Co-Sponsor	Allowing college students to claim health insurance as an "educational cost" for the purposes of financial aid application.
HB 609	Co-Sponsor	Prohibiting the sale of cigars in packages of less than 5 (except in a cigar shop).
HB 610	Co-Sponsor	Establishing a task-force to study the preservation of heritage languages.
HB 613	Co-Sponsor	Establishing a fund to pay for higher education through excess remainder funds on gift cards.
HB 617	Co-Sponsor	Altering the definition of cigarettes to include cigars for taxation purposes.
HB 618	Co-Sponsor	Mandating that apartment buildings make reasonable religious accommodations for residents.
HB 619	Co-Sponsor	Preventing sex-offenders from having their imprisonment duration reduced due to good behavior.
HB 620	Co-Sponsor	Preventing witness intimidators from having their imprisonment duration reduced due to good behavior.
HB 625	Co-Sponsor	Making the use of state parks free of charge by eliminating the annual fee paid by the Park Reserve Fund to the counties.
HB 654	Co-Sponsor	Mandating that employees be given at least 15-minute breaks every six hours of work.
HB 660	Co-Sponsor	Allocating $250,000 in matching funds for capital improvements for the Jewish Foundation for Group Homes.
HB 711	Co-Sponsor	Preventing school bus drivers from using cell phones.
HB 712	Co-Sponsor	Reducing 25% of green-house gas emissions by 2020 and 90% by 2050.
HB 719	Co-Sponsor	Making it a felony to knowingly watch a dog-fight.
HB 724	Co-Sponsor	Establishing a 12-member joint Senate/House committee on information technology and Biotechnology.
HB 729	Co-Sponsor	Requiring the DNA collection from people arrested for kidnapping and sexual offenses.
HB 730	Co-Sponsor	Allowing the legal practice of Ayurvedic & Homeopathic medicine.
HB 777	Co-Sponsor	Giving gas-station owners right-of-first-refusal when big oil companies sell the business to regional gasoline wholesalers or "jobbers".
HB 785	Co-Sponsor	Converting the troubled Rosewood Center to a state a recreational facility if/when it is closed.
HB 790	Co-Sponsor	Establishing a program to provide medical services specifically to children who have been abused.
HB 795	Co-Sponsor	Allowing State Athletic Commission to issue licenses for mixed martial arts competitions.
HB 834	Co-Sponsor	Mandating that the labels of all fur clothing identify the country of origin and the animal used.
HB 835	Co-Sponsor	Mandating that mercury switches be removed from older automobiles to the Chesapeake Bay from contamination.
HB 857	Co-Sponsor	Giving municipalities the right to annex lots that straddle their municipal borders.
HB 904	Co-Sponsor	Raising the alcoholic beverage tax rate.
HB 905	Co-Sponsor	Requiring private universities to issue annual reports regarding their cultural diversity programs.
HB 971	Co-Sponsor	Creating a publicly financed state legislative election campaign program.
HB 984	Co-Sponsor	Establishing a mental health pilot program for Maryland veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars at Montgomery County General Hospital.
HB 987	Co-Sponsor	Forcing internet broadband providers report to the Public Service Commission maps of where service has and hasn't been deployed.
HB 1067	Co-Sponsor	Forcing universities professors and book stores reduce the cost text-books required for courses by and prevent unneccessary "bundling".
HB 1079	Co-Sponsor	Ensuring that foods sold as "Halal" aren't fraudulently labeled.
HB 1105	Co-Sponsor	Requiring a law enforcement officer to take specified actions if an arrest is made.
HB 1106	Co-Sponsor	Allowing the issuance of protective orders in response to a police arrest even if the court is closed (on the weekends).
HB 1108	Co-Sponsor	Forcing retailers to expunge data collected on credit-card swipe machines within 48 hours of the sales transaction.
HB 1118	Co-Sponsor	Allocating $1,000,000 in matching funds for Mansfield Kaseman Health Center (Community Ministries of Rockville).
HB 1125	Co-Sponsor	Establishing the Maryland Universal Health Care Plan.
HB 1137	Co-Sponsor	Prohibiting the production or sale of "foie gras" (duck liver induced with disease by force-feeding).
HB 1157	Co-Sponsor	Establishing a $2,000 fine for behavior designated as "road-rage".
HB 1160	Co-Sponsor	Establishing a task-force on quiet vehicles and pedestrian safety for the benefit of blind pedestrians.
HB 1176	Co-Sponsor	Establishing a task-force on childhood obesity.
HB 1195	Co-Sponsor	Requiring off-road vehicles to be titled by the MVA.
HB 1206	Co-Sponsor	Prohibiting the bundling of state procurement to limit participation from certain bidders.
HB 1235	Co-Sponsor	Exempting specified employers from the requirement to pay a specified wage for overtime.
HB 1236	Co-Sponsor	Allowing all graduates of Maryland public schools to be eligible for in-state tuition.
HB 1253	Co-Sponsor	Forcing home improvement contractor to comply with environmental rules to protect the Chesapeake Bay.
HB 1260	Co-Sponsor	Allowing wine to be directly shipped to Maryland to a consumers.
HB 1261	Co-Sponsor	Preventing housing discrimination based on the source of one's income.
HB 1277	Co-Sponsor	Increasing the use of minority-owned brokerage and investment services for state funds.