County Commissioners Announce Positions on Proposed Legislation

The Carroll County Board of Commissioners discussed and voted on proposed state legislation during the board's open session meeting Thursday.

The announcements were to advise the Senate and House Delegations of their positions on issues that would effect county residents, according to a county press release.  

Since scheduling conflicts prevented the Board of County Commissioners from meeting with the House and Senate Delegations, the information will be provided to them electronically, according to the release.

The positions listed during their discussion are as follows: 

Teacher Pensions

In a unanimous decision the Commissioners opposed Governor O’Malley’s proposed shift of the teachers' pensions to the county.

Redistricting Proposal

The Board opposed the Governor’s legislative redistricting proposal which would disenfranchise 38,000 Carroll County residents. Instead, the Commissioners voted to support the Delegates’ sponsored redistricting bill which would reinstate 4 full delegates within the county’s borders. Commissioner Shoemaker abstained from this decision.

Student Representative to Board of Education

The Commissioners supported the Board of Education's request to allow them to proceed with their normal hearing and decision-making process before passing legislation to codify the student representative’s position on the Board of Education. Commissioners Shoemaker and Frazier dissented this discussion.  

Carroll Community College Board Membership

The Commissioners decided to support the Board of Directors of the Carroll Community College and leave their board membership at seven members rather than expand it to nine as requested by the Senate Delegation. Since the expansion was not requested by the College Board, the Commissioners believed that this expansion was not necessary. Commissioner Frazier abstained from the decision. 

Gaming Bill

The Commissioners supported the Gaming Bill allowing specific organizations to conduct certain "games of chance" for fundraising purposes. Commissioner Frazier dissented.

Early Voting Polls

The Commissioners support the addition of a new early voting location outside of Westminster. Commissioners Frazier and Rothschild dissented.

Additional Decisions

The Commissioners unanimously voted to support the requested extension of the Agricultural Center Bond Bill and the proposed Commissioner Districts, and chose not to take a position on an Archery Safety Zone bill, a bond bill for Goodwill Industries and two proposals regarding the State’s Attorney.