Politics & Opinion

By Delegate Cathy Vitale

District 33A

By now, most of you have seen the newspaper accounts of the proposal by the Redistricting Committee to carve up Anne Arundel County to suit the needs and wants of some, and to separate others. As many of you know, at the initial redistricting hearings last October and again last month I spoke on behalf of our communities. Recently, I thanked the committee for not sending the distant corners of the county to join other counties. The Anne Arundel County geographical boundaries, with the exception of those residents of West County who live in District 21, will continue to have their representatives live within the County lines. Beyond that, however, major changes are afoot.

Districts 33 and 30 have undergone significant change. No longer is Severna Park contained, for the most part, within District 33A. Rather, it is divided between the newly formed single member district Delegate George of District 33A, District 33B where Tony McConkey and I reside, and District 31B, home to Delegates Nic Kipke and Steve Schuh.

Delegate Dwyer has been moved to a newly created, single-member district called 33A, which changes his territory and includes part of the northern communities of the County. District 30 will be made up of two districts, A and B. Subdistrict B will comprise a newly formed district and include Delegate Bob Costa. He will join Delegates Herb McMillan and Michael Busch to form the new District 30. If you are curious about where your new district is, I encourage you to go online to www.mdp.state.md.us/Redistricting/redistrictingLegislativeIMap.shtml and plug in your address. Although the new maps have not been introduced to the members of the General Assembly for voting, it is my understanding that few changes will be being made.

What surprised me most of all was the timing of the maps. Both the Congressional and Legislative maps were introduced at a time when there would be little opportunity for comment and less chance to change the minds of those who drew the maps. For example, public hearings for Anne Arundel County occurred in the middle of clean up from hurricanes and tropical storms. After the maps were posted, the website went down that Friday and people were unable to see the final versions before they were introduced in Special Session the next Monday. The legislative maps, perhaps most important to local residents, were introduced after hours on Dec. 16, the interactive maps did not work over the weekend and the hearing was three days before Christmas! As an advocate for an open and transparent system, the methodology failed. That’s why I intend to introduce a bill to have the dates modified to provide ample time for the public to weigh in on proposed maps. I don’t know if it will change anything, but the legislators and those in decision making positions should hear from us, the affected citizens.

Plan Maryland, a regulatory plan put into effect by the Governor just before Christmas, is another issue that I suspect will take center stage this session. Briefly, the plan, which did not go through routine scrutiny of your legislators, but instead was signed into law through an executive order, seeks to “direct” the counties regarding growth. The issue centers around one theme. If the state does not like where you are going to grow, even though you pay state and local taxes, your county may not be able to develop as its citizens wish. Now, I am being careful with the word develop. In some areas, develop may mean revitalize, not new development. It might mean improving one’s property or it might mean bringing in new residential or commercial development. The point is, if the state does not agree, the county may lose state dollars that would otherwise be available for things like roads, bridges or environmental retrofits. The Plan also has the effect of preventing property owners from upgrading or enhancing septic systems on their properties in certain cases. I have grave concerns about taking away individual property rights. Unless the state is going to pay a property owner fair share for their property, simply telling someone to continue to pay taxes but we won’t let you use your property is not correct, plain and simple. Legislation to address these and many more concerns regarding Planned Maryland and its implications is pending.

While there will be any number of bills to increase fees (remember my December column?) I am interested in the proposed bills that require public input and legislative oversight for the raising of fees and services. The bridge tolls come to mind. Several legislators have bills prepared that will require all fee increases to come through the legislature (thereby making many of them subject to referendum) depending on their passage.

I see this year as a year to take control of your government. Take the time to get involved, come to hearings and testify. Write to your legislators. It’s easy, first name then a period, followed by last name and a period @house (or senate).state.md.us. If I had one goal of the new year, it would be to make sure that you become active participants and citizen advocates. Please call on me, Room 154, in the Lowe House Office Building, 410-841-3510 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and don’t forget, you can always call me directly 410-544-4937. See you soon!