I got this in an email, but it seems like excellent advice, so I'll pass it on. I have no idea if it really came from an attorney however and I don't know who wrote it. Take it for what it's worth. :)
ATTORNEY'S ADVICE -- NO CHARGE
Read this and make a copy for your files in case you need to refer to it someday. Maybe we should all take some of his advice! A corporate attorney sent the following out to the employees in his company.
1. The next time you order checks have only your initials (instead of first name) and last name put on them. If someone takes your checkbook, they will not know if you sign your checks w ith just your initials or your first name.
2. Do not sign the back of your credit cards.Instead, put "PHOTO ID REQUIRED".
3. When you are writing checks to pay on your credit card accounts, DO NOT put the complete account number on the "For" line. Instead, just put the last four numbers. The credit card company knows the rest of the number, and anyone who might be handling your check as it passes through all the check processing channels won't have access to it.
4. Put NO phone # on your checks. If you have a P.O. Box, use that instead of your home address. If you do not have a P.O. Box, use your work address. Never have your SS# printed on your checks.(DUH!) You can add it if it is necessary. But if you have it printed, anyone can get it.
5. Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine. Do both sides of each license, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in your wallet and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel. Keep the photocopy in a safe place. I also carry a photocopy of my passport when travel either here or abroad. We've all heard horror stories about fraud that's committed on us in stealing a name, address, Social Security number, credit cards. Unfortunately I, an attorney, have firsthand knowledge because my wallet was stolen last month. Within a week, the thieve(s) ordered an expensive monthly cell phone package, applied for a VISA credit card, had a credit line approved to buy a Gateway computer, received a PIN number from DMV to change my driving record information online, and more. But here's some critical information to limit the damage in case this happens to you or someone you know:
1. We have been told we should cancel our credit cards immediately. But the key is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know whom to call. Keep those where you can find them.
2. File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where your credit cards, etc., were stolen. This proves to credit providers you were diligent, and this is a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one). But here's what is perhaps most important of all:
(I never even thought to do this.)
3. Call the 3 national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number. I had never heard of doing that until advised by a bank that called to tell me an application for credit was made over the Internet in my name. The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen, and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit. By the time I was advised to do this, almost two weeks after the theft, all the damage had been done. There are records of all the credit checks initiated by the thieves' purchases, none of which I knew about before placing the alert. Since then, no additional damage has been done, and the thieves threw my wallet away. It seems to have stopped them dead in their tracks. Now, here are the numbers you always need to contact if your wallet, etc., has been stolen:
1.) Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
2.) Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742
3.) Trans Union : 1-800-680-7289
4.) Social Security Administration and FTC (fraud line):1-877-438-4338 website address: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/
We pass along jokes on the Internet; we pass along just about everything. But if you are willing to pass this information along, it could really help someone that you care about.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Mind Over Money
I was cleaning up my office and came across an old Reader's Digest from June 2008 that I hadn't read. This issue was full of articles that I really enjoyed. One is called "Mind Over Money" by Jean Chatzky and I thought I would share it. Here is a link to the full article:
http://tinyurl.com/43ymoz
At the end of the article, RD offers another section called 10 Ways To Stash Cash:
10 Ways To Stash Cash
Inspired to save? I hope so. But maybe you're wondering where the money will come from. I put my head together with Jeff Yeager, author of The Ultimate Cheapskate's Road Map to True Riches, to suggest ten places to start.
1. Adjust your withholding. If you get a tax refund each year, you're giving the government a free loan. Change your withholding, then save the difference in your take-home pay. Savings: The average 2006 tax refund was $2,324 -- $194 a month spread out over a year (plus interest).
2. Limit trips to the supermarket. Every time you walk through those automatic doors, you're bombarded with opportunities for an impulse buy, and you may walk out with at least one or two things not on your list. Try to make one big trip a week.Savings: If you make four trips a week and spend $10 extra each time, cut three to save $120 a month.
3. Coupons aren't just for groceries anymore. You can find coupons for movies, restaurants, and even clothing stores. Check out retailmenot.com. Savings If your family dines out twice a month at $75 a meal, you'll save $180 a year with 10-percent-off coupons. (This is one of my favorite sites - I've saved $100's here)
4. Use public transportation or carpool. You'll save on gas, maintenance, and even parking. Many companies take the cost of a monthly train or bus pass out of your paycheck pretax, saving you even more.Savings: If you commute 25 miles round-trip each day, save about $100 a month by alternating driving each week with a friend.
5. Consolidate your plugs. Between 5 percent and 15 percent of the power used by electronics is consumed when they're turned off. Plug your TV, DVD player, cable box, and home entertainment system into a power strip or surge protector, then unplug it at night and when you're not home. Savings: If your electric bill runs $120 a month, you'll save up to $216 a year.
6. Lose the long-distance service. Even if you don't make a lot of lengthy calls, you're likely paying automatic billing fees each month just for having the service. Costco and Sam's Club sell prepaid calling cards for around 3 cents a minute. Or try an Internet service like Skype.Savings: Up to $110 a year in fees.
7. Audit your bills. Call your wireless provider once a year to make sure you're on the best plan. Do the same with your cable, Internet, and (if you're not taking the advice above) long-distance providers. Bundling all three usually nets a discount.Savings: Several hundred a year.
8. Shop health food stores. They often have bulk sections, where you can buy things like cereal and beans by the pound at big savings.Savings: Oatmeal, for instance, is 89 cents a pound at my health food store, and $2.79 for an 18-ounce canister at the supermarket. If you buy it weekly, you save $100 a year.
9. Buy pet medicine, supplies, and food online. Petcarerx.com and 1800petmeds.com offer premium brands for less.Savings: Up to 50 percent.
10. Recognize what things really cost. Before you commit to that new car, use Edmunds's True Cost to Own calculator. Input the car's make, model, and year to find out what it will actually cost you each year.
There are some great ideas here - I hope they'll help you too!
http://tinyurl.com/43ymoz
At the end of the article, RD offers another section called 10 Ways To Stash Cash:
10 Ways To Stash Cash
Inspired to save? I hope so. But maybe you're wondering where the money will come from. I put my head together with Jeff Yeager, author of The Ultimate Cheapskate's Road Map to True Riches, to suggest ten places to start.
1. Adjust your withholding. If you get a tax refund each year, you're giving the government a free loan. Change your withholding, then save the difference in your take-home pay. Savings: The average 2006 tax refund was $2,324 -- $194 a month spread out over a year (plus interest).
2. Limit trips to the supermarket. Every time you walk through those automatic doors, you're bombarded with opportunities for an impulse buy, and you may walk out with at least one or two things not on your list. Try to make one big trip a week.Savings: If you make four trips a week and spend $10 extra each time, cut three to save $120 a month.
3. Coupons aren't just for groceries anymore. You can find coupons for movies, restaurants, and even clothing stores. Check out retailmenot.com. Savings If your family dines out twice a month at $75 a meal, you'll save $180 a year with 10-percent-off coupons. (This is one of my favorite sites - I've saved $100's here)
4. Use public transportation or carpool. You'll save on gas, maintenance, and even parking. Many companies take the cost of a monthly train or bus pass out of your paycheck pretax, saving you even more.Savings: If you commute 25 miles round-trip each day, save about $100 a month by alternating driving each week with a friend.
5. Consolidate your plugs. Between 5 percent and 15 percent of the power used by electronics is consumed when they're turned off. Plug your TV, DVD player, cable box, and home entertainment system into a power strip or surge protector, then unplug it at night and when you're not home. Savings: If your electric bill runs $120 a month, you'll save up to $216 a year.
6. Lose the long-distance service. Even if you don't make a lot of lengthy calls, you're likely paying automatic billing fees each month just for having the service. Costco and Sam's Club sell prepaid calling cards for around 3 cents a minute. Or try an Internet service like Skype.Savings: Up to $110 a year in fees.
7. Audit your bills. Call your wireless provider once a year to make sure you're on the best plan. Do the same with your cable, Internet, and (if you're not taking the advice above) long-distance providers. Bundling all three usually nets a discount.Savings: Several hundred a year.
8. Shop health food stores. They often have bulk sections, where you can buy things like cereal and beans by the pound at big savings.Savings: Oatmeal, for instance, is 89 cents a pound at my health food store, and $2.79 for an 18-ounce canister at the supermarket. If you buy it weekly, you save $100 a year.
9. Buy pet medicine, supplies, and food online. Petcarerx.com and 1800petmeds.com offer premium brands for less.Savings: Up to 50 percent.
10. Recognize what things really cost. Before you commit to that new car, use Edmunds's True Cost to Own calculator. Input the car's make, model, and year to find out what it will actually cost you each year.
There are some great ideas here - I hope they'll help you too!
Friday, March 27, 2009
Earth Hour is Tomorrow
Tomorrow night at 8:30, people and businesses all over the world will be turning off their lights for one hour to celebrate the Earth for Earth Hour 2009. Lights will be turned off throughout New York, on the Strip in Las Vegas, and lots of places in our local area such as:
Frederick, Montgomery and Prince Georges Counties in Maryland
Washington National Cathedral
The Smithsonian Castle
Embassies from Austria, Belize, Canada, Finland, Great Britain and Sweden
American, Howard, and George Washington Universities
Gallaudet University - WOW! This is a university for deaf students - turning off the lights for an hour here is dedication to the cause!
Many government and city buildings and landmarks throughout the Washington DC area.
The Fairmount Washington, and Sheraton and Westin Hotels in Reston Heights
and many restaurants.
Here's the link to WWF's Earth Hour - if you haven't signed up to participate yet, please do so. See how your community is participating! What can we do to help the Earth? http://www.earthhourus.org/newyork/newyork.php
Vote Earth in 2009.
Frederick, Montgomery and Prince Georges Counties in Maryland
Washington National Cathedral
The Smithsonian Castle
Embassies from Austria, Belize, Canada, Finland, Great Britain and Sweden
American, Howard, and George Washington Universities
Gallaudet University - WOW! This is a university for deaf students - turning off the lights for an hour here is dedication to the cause!
Many government and city buildings and landmarks throughout the Washington DC area.
The Fairmount Washington, and Sheraton and Westin Hotels in Reston Heights
and many restaurants.
Here's the link to WWF's Earth Hour - if you haven't signed up to participate yet, please do so. See how your community is participating! What can we do to help the Earth? http://www.earthhourus.org/newyork/newyork.php
Vote Earth in 2009.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Updates from Delegate Warren Miller
I just received an email update for the Regular Session of the MD General Assembly from Delegate Warren Miller. I always appreciate his candor and willingness to keep his constituents informed, so I thought I would post part of his email here.
"... I wanted to update you on the problems the State has moving forward with the Annual Budget.
"Maryland’s Governor O’Malley has submitted the largest budget in Maryland history. In spite of its already bloated proportion, rest assured there will be several amendments offered which will include huge infusions of Federal stimulus money... It is time for Maryland’s leaders to take responsibility for their irresponsible actions perpetrated on the citizens of this fine state. How shameful it is for us to see our Governor approaching the President for money to bail us out. We can stand on our own, but we must stand responsibly and with fiscal discipline.
"I am very concerned about the size and scope of spending and the state of Maryland’s current economy. I have many neighbors and friends who are currently without work. In reviewing the new budget I see a heavy reliance on welfare assistance for the poor, but I am not witnessing the supposed creation of "new" shovel ready jobs that would put many people in Howard County back to work. I see this budget as a shovel digging a financial hole that will require years of sacrifice and discipline to fill. I do not believe this Governor has the discipline or the will to lead us to recovery.
"... At some point we must stop punishing our small business owners with burdensome regulation and unfair taxation so that they can get back to creating new jobs. Prosperity is not selfish, but rather, a reward for a lifetime of hard work. I am appalled that as a State we are spending well beyond our means. I would like to share with you my determination to once again vote against the States massive $31,600,000,000 budget...
"Maryland is the 19th largest State in the country based on population and yet the non-partisan Tax Foundation ranks Maryland as the state with the 4th highest State and Local Tax burden. This is an equation that can only equal disaster. There is no logical reason why this should be. The Foundation study goes onto rank Maryland as having the 45th worst economic environment for Business taxes. If this administration were as interested in the human plight as they are carbon footprints, this truth may not exist. Unfortunately, businesses of all sizes will likely find greener pastures from which to graze and move out of Maryland to find new hope and change.
In closing, I would like to thank you for paying attention to issues in the General Assembly that are important to you and as always I love to listen to your views. I will continue to fight wasteful spending and high taxes so that Maryland can begin the process of recovery."
"... I wanted to update you on the problems the State has moving forward with the Annual Budget.
"Maryland’s Governor O’Malley has submitted the largest budget in Maryland history. In spite of its already bloated proportion, rest assured there will be several amendments offered which will include huge infusions of Federal stimulus money... It is time for Maryland’s leaders to take responsibility for their irresponsible actions perpetrated on the citizens of this fine state. How shameful it is for us to see our Governor approaching the President for money to bail us out. We can stand on our own, but we must stand responsibly and with fiscal discipline.
"I am very concerned about the size and scope of spending and the state of Maryland’s current economy. I have many neighbors and friends who are currently without work. In reviewing the new budget I see a heavy reliance on welfare assistance for the poor, but I am not witnessing the supposed creation of "new" shovel ready jobs that would put many people in Howard County back to work. I see this budget as a shovel digging a financial hole that will require years of sacrifice and discipline to fill. I do not believe this Governor has the discipline or the will to lead us to recovery.
"... At some point we must stop punishing our small business owners with burdensome regulation and unfair taxation so that they can get back to creating new jobs. Prosperity is not selfish, but rather, a reward for a lifetime of hard work. I am appalled that as a State we are spending well beyond our means. I would like to share with you my determination to once again vote against the States massive $31,600,000,000 budget...
"Maryland is the 19th largest State in the country based on population and yet the non-partisan Tax Foundation ranks Maryland as the state with the 4th highest State and Local Tax burden. This is an equation that can only equal disaster. There is no logical reason why this should be. The Foundation study goes onto rank Maryland as having the 45th worst economic environment for Business taxes. If this administration were as interested in the human plight as they are carbon footprints, this truth may not exist. Unfortunately, businesses of all sizes will likely find greener pastures from which to graze and move out of Maryland to find new hope and change.
In closing, I would like to thank you for paying attention to issues in the General Assembly that are important to you and as always I love to listen to your views. I will continue to fight wasteful spending and high taxes so that Maryland can begin the process of recovery."
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Stages of Foreclosures
I was just reading some Notes postings on Facebook and one from my friend, Pat Hiban (a Realtor at Keller Williams) stood out. I started reading it and suddenly realized, "You know, he's right!" Here's what he posted:
"If you study any bear real estate market you'll see that they fold out into 3 stages. Or should I say the foreclosure rates on loans come in 3 stages in a real estate recession.
Stage 1- Resale Homes
Stage 2- Builders/Developers
Stage 3 -Commercial
Proof that stage 3 is starting in Howard County is:
Trapeze Restaurant
Urban Chic
Quizno's Sub
Filene's Basement
Rocky Run Tap and Grille
Lone Star Steak House
Tweeter
Expo
Mammoth Golf
Blockbuster Video
Jesse Wong's Hong Kong
then what happens if these spots don't get leased again soon is the owners or the centers start to default on their loans. Enter stage 3 foreclosures."
In Carroll County, we're seeing more companies going out of business too. One of the big jewelry stores, David's in Westminster, has been restructured in an attempt to stay in business. We've lost two big plant nurseries in the past year. A lot of empty buildings in town and the Westminster Mall is a ghost town.
I'm sad about Rocky Run, our son Eric used to work there and it's one of our son Matt's favorite places to eat. We hadn't been there in a while and I hadn't realized they had gone out of business. My husband Bob and another of our sons, Mark, found out that Mammoth Golf was going out of business when Mark went to buy Bob's Christmas present and it was their last day in business! Bob went to check out Expo in their last days to find us a microwave cabinet and their prices were still sky-high. No one I know shopped there. They would go to Expo to look around and get ideas then go to Home Depot and buy what they liked for less. Trapeze was one of my favorite places to eat lunch at Maple Lawn. It was right across the street from my office and the food was great. So sad that they're gone.
So, what can be done? With the changes in real estate over the past couple of years, I no longer have discretionary income to go out to dinner all the time. Not that we were personally keeping these restaurants in business, but enough people stop going out to dinner and the restaurants close! Jobs are lost and then, as Pat said, there are commercial foreclosures - Stage 3.
I don't know the answer. I am really hoping that someone does.
"If you study any bear real estate market you'll see that they fold out into 3 stages. Or should I say the foreclosure rates on loans come in 3 stages in a real estate recession.
Stage 1- Resale Homes
Stage 2- Builders/Developers
Stage 3 -Commercial
Proof that stage 3 is starting in Howard County is:
Trapeze Restaurant
Urban Chic
Quizno's Sub
Filene's Basement
Rocky Run Tap and Grille
Lone Star Steak House
Tweeter
Expo
Mammoth Golf
Blockbuster Video
Jesse Wong's Hong Kong
then what happens if these spots don't get leased again soon is the owners or the centers start to default on their loans. Enter stage 3 foreclosures."
In Carroll County, we're seeing more companies going out of business too. One of the big jewelry stores, David's in Westminster, has been restructured in an attempt to stay in business. We've lost two big plant nurseries in the past year. A lot of empty buildings in town and the Westminster Mall is a ghost town.
I'm sad about Rocky Run, our son Eric used to work there and it's one of our son Matt's favorite places to eat. We hadn't been there in a while and I hadn't realized they had gone out of business. My husband Bob and another of our sons, Mark, found out that Mammoth Golf was going out of business when Mark went to buy Bob's Christmas present and it was their last day in business! Bob went to check out Expo in their last days to find us a microwave cabinet and their prices were still sky-high. No one I know shopped there. They would go to Expo to look around and get ideas then go to Home Depot and buy what they liked for less. Trapeze was one of my favorite places to eat lunch at Maple Lawn. It was right across the street from my office and the food was great. So sad that they're gone.
So, what can be done? With the changes in real estate over the past couple of years, I no longer have discretionary income to go out to dinner all the time. Not that we were personally keeping these restaurants in business, but enough people stop going out to dinner and the restaurants close! Jobs are lost and then, as Pat said, there are commercial foreclosures - Stage 3.
I don't know the answer. I am really hoping that someone does.
Friday, March 6, 2009
GREAT RATES!
I just got an email from Jeff Harris at Wells Fargo with some great rates. Take a look at this!
Rates have dropped to the lowest levels in several months:
4.875% Conventional 30 Year Fixed with no points.
5.25% Conventional 30 Year Fixed Hi-Balance, no points.
5.00% FHA or VA 30 Year Fixed with no points.
6.25% Jumbo 30 Year Fixed with 1 point.
Clients can submit a free pre-approval application on my website www.wfhm.com/jeffrey-harris
A helpful link with information about the Economic Stimulus package is: www.financialstability.gov
I've worked with Jeff for several years in the Howard County Association of Realtors - he's a good man and will do a great job for you on your loans. He is one of several lenders that I recommend to clients. You can contact him at:
Jeff Harris
Wells Fargo Home Mortgage
8830 Stanford Blvd. #302
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 872-1940 Tel
(410) 290-1818 Fax
jeffrey.harris@wellsfargo.com
www.wfhm.com/jeffrey-harris
Rates have dropped to the lowest levels in several months:
4.875% Conventional 30 Year Fixed with no points.
5.25% Conventional 30 Year Fixed Hi-Balance, no points.
5.00% FHA or VA 30 Year Fixed with no points.
6.25% Jumbo 30 Year Fixed with 1 point.
Clients can submit a free pre-approval application on my website www.wfhm.com/jeffrey-harris
A helpful link with information about the Economic Stimulus package is: www.financialstability.gov
I've worked with Jeff for several years in the Howard County Association of Realtors - he's a good man and will do a great job for you on your loans. He is one of several lenders that I recommend to clients. You can contact him at:
Jeff Harris
Wells Fargo Home Mortgage
8830 Stanford Blvd. #302
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 872-1940 Tel
(410) 290-1818 Fax
jeffrey.harris@wellsfargo.com
www.wfhm.com/jeffrey-harris
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Social Media Madness
I am having so much fun blogging, tweeting on Twitter and connecting with people (especially those I haven't seen in years) through Facebook, Worth1000.com (a Photoshop and other creative outlets site where I am a not-too-active Juror) Reunion.com, Classmates, LinkedIn and the newest, Naymz. I'm generally listed as JudiStull or joodiebee on these sites if you'd like to connect.
A site that I just found and absolutely love is called The Common Craft Show http://commoncraft.com/show . There are short videos with paper cutouts that explain everything you'd need to know in plain English about subjects such as Twitter, RSS Feeds, Computer Hardware, Borrowing, Investing or Saving Money, Phishing Scams and yes, even Zombies! Be sure to check it out.
On Twitter, I not only follow friends' posts, but brief 140 character or less comments from people like Shaquille O'Neal, Lance Armstrong, Sen. John McCain, Tony Robbins, Martha Stewart, George Stephanopolis, Levar Burton, Jimmy Fallon and many more. I also am hooked up to Realtors all over the US so we can share ideas and tips - and connect for referrals. If you're not tweeting yet, check it out at http://twitter.com - look me up at JudiStull!
A site that I just found and absolutely love is called The Common Craft Show http://commoncraft.com/show . There are short videos with paper cutouts that explain everything you'd need to know in plain English about subjects such as Twitter, RSS Feeds, Computer Hardware, Borrowing, Investing or Saving Money, Phishing Scams and yes, even Zombies! Be sure to check it out.
On Twitter, I not only follow friends' posts, but brief 140 character or less comments from people like Shaquille O'Neal, Lance Armstrong, Sen. John McCain, Tony Robbins, Martha Stewart, George Stephanopolis, Levar Burton, Jimmy Fallon and many more. I also am hooked up to Realtors all over the US so we can share ideas and tips - and connect for referrals. If you're not tweeting yet, check it out at http://twitter.com - look me up at JudiStull!
Repealing the Death Penalty in Maryland?
Here's the message I received from (Democrat) Governor Martin OMalley on Facebook regarding yesterday's vote:
On Tuesday, the Maryland State Senate is expected to vote on legislation that would repeal the state’s death penalty and replace it with life without parole. Send a note to your Senator to show your support for a repeal of the death penalty.
Last year, we came together as One Maryland to achieve the second largest reduction in homicides since 1985. The death penalty was on the books—and had absolutely nothing to do with that life-saving work.
As mayor of Baltimore, Governor O’Malley witnessed horrendous crimes that called out for justice. The death penalty was on the books—and did absolutely nothing to prevent these awful crimes or help reduce violent crime by 40 percent.And the death penalty has had nothing to do with our efforts to improve public safety in our communities. It’s been done through innovative policing, expanded DNA fingerprinting, and local and state partnerships.
We’re continuing to make Maryland safer—but we don’t need an expensive and utterly ineffective death penalty to do it.
And here's the emailed newsletter post I received from (Republican) Senator Allan Kittleman:
The Maryland Senate voted to bring the death penalty repeal to the floor during their morning session today. Senator Lisa Gladden (D - Baltimore City) moved that the bill be substituted for the unfavorable report of the Judicial Proceedings Committee. That motion passed by a vote of 25 yeas and 22 nays. I voted Nay.
The next motion was to move the bill to second reader which would give the bill a favorable report by the full Senate. That motion passed by a vote of 24 yeas and 23 nays. I again voted Nay. President Miller announced that the Senate will have a second session today so that amendments may be offered and debated.
Here is the Senate website where you can check out updates http://www.mdsenategop.com/
From just reading these items I thought that the death penalty was proposed to be repealed only to be replaced by life in prison. But in reading the Republican Caucus Website coverage, it says:
First, Senator James Brochin (D - Baltimore County) offered an amendment to strip the repeal provisions but to require that a defendant could not be sentenced to the death penalty solely on the basis of eyewitness evidence. Under Brochin's heightened requirements, prosecutors would have to provide physical evidence in addition to any eyewitness testimony before the death penalty applied. This amendment passed by a vote of 25 yeas and 21 nays.
Second, Senator Robert Zirkin (D - Baltimore County) offered an amendment that provided more specific requirements for physical evidence that must be introduced before a defendant can be sentenced to a death penalty. The Zirkin provisions require that a prosecutor introduce either: (1) biological or DNA evidence; (2) a videotaped voluntary interrogation and confession of the defendant; or (3) a video-recording that conclusively links the defendant to the murder. This amendment passed by a vote of 33 yeas and 12 nays.
I believe that having more stringent guidelines for determining the death penalty is a good thing, but to continue on, not everyone thought so.
"What we are getting is a real mess!" bemoaned Senator Delores Kelly (D - Baltimore County). President Pro Tem Nathaniel McFadden added, "This is not one of the high points" of the Maryland Senate.
After about an hour of tumoil on the Senate floor, Senator EJ Pipkin (R - Cecil, Kent, Queen Anne's & Caroline) move to recommit the bill back to the Judicial Proceedings Committee. The motion to recommit failed on a tie vote of 23 to 23.
Voting continues today, so I'll keep trying to figure out whether or not we have a death penalty in Maryland and/or if we have just more stringent guidelines for determining it. I know this has nothing to do with housing, but it is interesting!
On Tuesday, the Maryland State Senate is expected to vote on legislation that would repeal the state’s death penalty and replace it with life without parole. Send a note to your Senator to show your support for a repeal of the death penalty.
Last year, we came together as One Maryland to achieve the second largest reduction in homicides since 1985. The death penalty was on the books—and had absolutely nothing to do with that life-saving work.
As mayor of Baltimore, Governor O’Malley witnessed horrendous crimes that called out for justice. The death penalty was on the books—and did absolutely nothing to prevent these awful crimes or help reduce violent crime by 40 percent.And the death penalty has had nothing to do with our efforts to improve public safety in our communities. It’s been done through innovative policing, expanded DNA fingerprinting, and local and state partnerships.
We’re continuing to make Maryland safer—but we don’t need an expensive and utterly ineffective death penalty to do it.
And here's the emailed newsletter post I received from (Republican) Senator Allan Kittleman:
The Maryland Senate voted to bring the death penalty repeal to the floor during their morning session today. Senator Lisa Gladden (D - Baltimore City) moved that the bill be substituted for the unfavorable report of the Judicial Proceedings Committee. That motion passed by a vote of 25 yeas and 22 nays. I voted Nay.
The next motion was to move the bill to second reader which would give the bill a favorable report by the full Senate. That motion passed by a vote of 24 yeas and 23 nays. I again voted Nay. President Miller announced that the Senate will have a second session today so that amendments may be offered and debated.
Here is the Senate website where you can check out updates http://www.mdsenategop.com/
From just reading these items I thought that the death penalty was proposed to be repealed only to be replaced by life in prison. But in reading the Republican Caucus Website coverage, it says:
First, Senator James Brochin (D - Baltimore County) offered an amendment to strip the repeal provisions but to require that a defendant could not be sentenced to the death penalty solely on the basis of eyewitness evidence. Under Brochin's heightened requirements, prosecutors would have to provide physical evidence in addition to any eyewitness testimony before the death penalty applied. This amendment passed by a vote of 25 yeas and 21 nays.
Second, Senator Robert Zirkin (D - Baltimore County) offered an amendment that provided more specific requirements for physical evidence that must be introduced before a defendant can be sentenced to a death penalty. The Zirkin provisions require that a prosecutor introduce either: (1) biological or DNA evidence; (2) a videotaped voluntary interrogation and confession of the defendant; or (3) a video-recording that conclusively links the defendant to the murder. This amendment passed by a vote of 33 yeas and 12 nays.
I believe that having more stringent guidelines for determining the death penalty is a good thing, but to continue on, not everyone thought so.
"What we are getting is a real mess!" bemoaned Senator Delores Kelly (D - Baltimore County). President Pro Tem Nathaniel McFadden added, "This is not one of the high points" of the Maryland Senate.
After about an hour of tumoil on the Senate floor, Senator EJ Pipkin (R - Cecil, Kent, Queen Anne's & Caroline) move to recommit the bill back to the Judicial Proceedings Committee. The motion to recommit failed on a tie vote of 23 to 23.
Voting continues today, so I'll keep trying to figure out whether or not we have a death penalty in Maryland and/or if we have just more stringent guidelines for determining it. I know this has nothing to do with housing, but it is interesting!
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