Delegation

ANNAPOLIS A health-care coalition said Tuesday that it has sponsors for a bill to double Maryland's per-pack cigarette tax from $1 to $2, creating a fund to help the underinsured. Several lawmakers representing Washington County oppose the increase, which would be the state's third tobacco tax hike since 1999. Health Care for All! - hundreds of medical, religious, labor, business and civic groups - is pushing the plan, saying it would help adults quit smoking and keep young people from starting.

Delegation and Commissioners discuss tax hikes By LAURA ERNDE / Staff Writer ANNAPOLIS - Billed last week as having the potential to be a Valentine's Day massacre or a love-in, a meeting between the Washington County Commissioners and Washington County state lawmakers Wednesday turned out to be a little of both. The 90-minute discussion about taxes and the county's budget problems ended in an impasse. The two groups fundamentally disagree about which kind of tax is best, with some arguing against any tax increase.

The Washington County delegation to the Maryland General Assembly is holding its annual public meeting Dec. 13 from 10 a.m. to noon at South Hagerstown High School's auditorium. As the 2009 General Assembly session approaches, people are invited to talk about issues that are on their minds. If the weather is bad that day, the public meeting will be canceled and won't be rescheduled.

ANNAPOLIS - Citing a possible conflict of interest, the Washington County Delegation has rejected the appointment of a member of the Clear Spring American Legion to the Washington County Gaming Commission. The Washington County Club Association had nominated John Bumbaugh, a past commander at the Clear Spring Legion, to represent their interests on the Gaming Commission, which gives away money raised by tip jar gambling. The legion applied for a $5,000 grant from the Gaming Commission, but was denied last month.

Washington County Hospital representatives recently welcomed a delegation from Jiangsu Province in China. The delegation visited the United States for a week to learn about maternal and child health care as well as related public health issues. Four directors from the Population and Family Planning Commission and a director from the Personnel and Labor Bureau visited the hospital's Family Birthing Center to learn more about hospital care for mothers and babies. Patricia Reggio, clinical manager of the birthing center, discussed family-centered care to the group.

Washington County government probably won't get a state bailout of its $52.3 million water and sewer debt, but the local delegation to the Maryland General Assembly has agreed to help find solutions to the problem. "We are, as a delegation, becoming involved," said Delegation Chairman Robert A. McKee, R-Washington. As a first step, the delegation has arranged a meeting at McKee's office Friday with officials from the Maryland Department of Environment. The meeting will give Hagerstown and Washington County governments a chance to once more plead their case for state aid. "It's great.

Why should the Washington County Commissioners vote on the proposed salaries of elected county officials if the county's Maryland General Assembly delegation isn't bound by their recommendation? For the same reason that various political bodies, including the commissioners, issue proclamations - to show where they stand. That's what delegation members were asking for last week after the commissioners forwarded a list of recommendations for pay increases for the sheriff, the School Board and future commissioners.

After members of Washington County's delegation to the Maryland General Assembly finish their cereal at this morning's post-legislative session breakfast, we hope they can address the matter of the Washington County Hospital's proposed move to Robinwood. In July 2004, the delegation's members signed a letter asking the Maryland Health Care Commission to "act as quickly as possible" to approve plans for the move. At the time, The Herald-Mail took the position that because city and hospital officials both depend on the delegation to get legislation through the General Assembly, the county's state lawmakers would be the logical ones to mediate the dispute.

laurae@herald-mail.com ANNAPOLIS - Two Washington County lawmakers are vying to chair the Western Maryland delegation during the upcoming legislative session. Republican Delegates Robert A. McKee and LeRoy E. Myers Jr. both want the job being vacated by Del. George C. Edwards, R-Garrett/Allegany. On Tuesday, Edwards said he would step down as Western Maryland delegation chairman when the legislative session starts in January to allow another Republican to hold a leadership position.