Councilman David Rakes Under Pressure

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/Howard/bal-ho.politics07aug07,1,4328006.story

This is an hit piece on Democratic Councilman David Rakes. I don't care where one stands on the political spectrum but I have to wonder if the Howard County Democratic Party has a contract out on Rakes. These are supposed to be his friends…

I am sure the GOP is whispering in Rakes' ear right now "come over to our side"….

From a mysterious bill last spring to move a planning boundary in another
councilman's district, through Rakes' undisclosed links to a liquor license
applicant, his firing of several special assistants, and seemingly contradictory
votes July 28, Rakes is dismaying a growing number of people.

Party members do not always agree on every issue, she said, "but the bottom line is he was elected as part of a Democratic majority. He's out of step with the majority of his constituents who put him there."

West Columbia Democrat Ken Ulman's comments after the council's July 28 meeting — that Rakes did not understand the legislation he voted on and that "his constituents should be embarrassed for him"

The Sun article doesn't even quote Rakes' comments from July 28th, or the fact that despite heavy GOP lobbying, but a last minute appeal by Congressman Elijah Cummings, Rakes toed the party line and voted to make Guy Guzzone Council Chairman. I wonder if Guzzone stands a chance next year.

Rakes said Ulman's comments were "a put-down and a slap in the face."
"I take it very personal," Rakes said of Ulman's statement. "I'm a very independent
voter."

Even David Rakes opponent in the County Council race in 2002, Brian Harlin, refused to comment.

If a similiar hit piece shows up in the Howard County Times then we will know what is going on….

Rafael Palmeiro

My friend David Wissing is following the Palmeiro steriod issue on his blog www.davidwissing.com if you are interested.

Political Outlook in 2006

County Executive Race

Chris Merdon is building a strong campaign presence for the County Executive race. The campaign has been sign waiving (despite a thinly veiled attempt by the Democrats on the County Council to stop sign waiving through a road side vendor ban they put in place) , placing yard signs, and bumper stickers are popping up.

Steven Adler, the 2002 Republican candidate, has recently been quoted in the Baltimore Sun and he sounds bitter.

The Democrats do not have a candidate yet. Although the likely candidate is Guy Guzzone, Council President, hasn’t committed to the race one way or the other. Rumor has it he is intimidated by Merdon’s strong start, frustration with County Executive Jim Robey’s (D) support of Board of Education Chair Courtney Watson’s political aspirations. Watson hasn’t said she would run for the Democratic nomination – but she hasn’t said she wouldn’t. It could be possible that Councilman Ken Ulman might seek the nomination. Another potential candidate maybe State Senator Ed Kasemeyer, although it is unlikely he would give up his comfortable seat in the General Assembly.

State Senate

Senator Allan Kittleman will run for re-election after serving the remainder of his father’s term.

County Executive Jim Robey conducted a poll (which he initially denied) to learn if he had a shot at Kittleman’s seat. He doesn’t and he didn’t need to waste money on a poll to find that out. Carroll County alone would trounce him. Rumor is that he and his wife may downsize their home and move to State Senator Sandy Schrader’s District and challenge her re-election bid. Robey certainly stands a better chance in that District, but given that Schader trounced C.Vernon Gray (Council member for life) there in 2002 it isn’t a sure bet for Robey.

House of Delegates

Candidates are forming up on both sides. With Neil Quinter (District 13) running for Ben Cardin’s seat in the US House of Representatives might give the Republicans a shot at these seats.

The Republicans might have a primary in District 9A

Highway Transportation Bill

The United States Congress just passed the largest Highway Bill in history.

Roads bill called a pork barrel outrage

Details of the spending can be found at the Taxpayers For Common Sense web site

Of the $24,135,018,641 in pork barrel spending in this bill Maryland gets a whopping 4% of the spending. Congressmen Cummings and Cardin were able to scrounge up $14.3M for Howard County. Congressman Cummings got almost $50M for Baltimore City.

Now where is this money being spent?

Howard County gets a new Highway Maintenance Facility, continued improvements to Rt 29 and Rt 1, and expansion of Rt 32 between Rt 108 and I70.

Baltimore City is getting:
Trail Improvements
New Parking
Pedestrian Access in Druid Hill
Water Taxi Terminals
A new bus terminal
I am leaving out the items that make sense.

Here is what bothers me…. Howard County contributes a lot more in taxes than Baltimore City yet we are getting just over 25% of the funding that Baltimore City is receiving.

Thanks a lot to our representatives in the Congress.