Below is the text of a letter I have sent to my alderman, Mike Christman (Ward 2) opposing the smoking ban under the consideration of the Annapolis City Council. I oppose a smoking ban at all levels of government and encourage everyone who shares my view, to write a letter to their alderman, councilman, County Executive and state delegates and senator.
***************************************************************************************
The Honorable Michael Christman
Annapolis City Council
707 Arundel Place
Annapolis, MD 21401
Dear Mr. Christman:
This is but a brief note to express my strong opposition to legislation banning smoking in bars and restaurants in the city of Annapolis. I encourage you to oppose Alderman Shropshire’s legislation to ban smoking.
In every jurisdiction with a smoking ban, business has suffered. Bars and restaurants are experiencing fewer and fewer patrons. A government-imposed smoking ban could cause small businesses to close. The decision to provide a complete smoke-free dining experience should be left to the business owner. To deny hospitality business owners the right to make market-based decisions on issues that impact their bottom lines is a slap in the face of free enterprise.
This is bad legislation and would only hurt bars and restaurants so important to the life of Annapolis. Please consider opposing this bill. I welcome the opportunity to discuss this and other legislation before the council at your convenience.
Kind Regards,
Brandon Wright
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Friday, January 19, 2007
MGA
The Maryland General Assembly is underway, and the legislators seem to be waiting for Martin O'Malley to act the Governor of Maryland. He remains slow to fill appointments and set an agenda. We can't stay on the hamster wheel forever, eventually the Governor will need to submit legislation beyond the constitutionally-required budget.
All eyes are watching and doing a lot more waiting for some leadership from the 2nd Floor. I don't know about you, but I hope voters are beginning realize what they bought and return it in four years.
All eyes are watching and doing a lot more waiting for some leadership from the 2nd Floor. I don't know about you, but I hope voters are beginning realize what they bought and return it in four years.
Sunday, January 7, 2007
Present: MDGOP Where we are, where we need to be
On the eve of the 2007 Session, I thought it an appropriate time to discuss where the Maryland GOP is and where it needs to be to reclaim the governorship and add seats in the House and Senate. Maryland is a blue state with pockets of purple (and I don't mean where there are Raven's fans). In those purple areas are voters who work hard, but need a break from the government. I don't mean a handout, what I mean is tax relief; relief from higher taxes, fees, increased business regulation.
A demographic, that in my opinion is overlooked is voters age 25-40. Pocketbook issues are very important and I think the Republicans need get back to their fiscally conservative roots and begin with this group. 25-40 year-olds have a lot going on financially. Many are making enough money to beingsaving for retirement, some are starting families, and others are buying homes for the first time, and most have an incredible amount of debt from student loans and credit cards. This demographic is under-represented.
There are few policies that focus on the needs of this group. I would recommend policies that offer incentives for establishing and funding retirement accounts, expanding first-time home buying programs, and creating a business-friendly environment in the state to attract employers and employees.
Republican lawmakers need to create an agenda that reflects its values that are aligned with the YP (young professional) crowd. They need to introduce legislation that eases the burden of young people, single or married and without passing that burden on to the taxpayer through increased taxes or fees.
I would like the see the MDGOP build a coalition with area organizations like Young Professionals to advocate these issues. Each community has an organization that is similar to a Chamber of Commerce, but more like a networking group for people 25-40.
I know this is really a narrow demographic but too much is made of the larger special interest groups. I think this group is particularly overlooked and can bring a lot to the table with ideas and money. Beginning a dialogue, listening to what they want, and working with them to achieve these things will build a stronger party and I think bring new people to politics that thought their vote or their participation would have an impact.
A demographic, that in my opinion is overlooked is voters age 25-40. Pocketbook issues are very important and I think the Republicans need get back to their fiscally conservative roots and begin with this group. 25-40 year-olds have a lot going on financially. Many are making enough money to beingsaving for retirement, some are starting families, and others are buying homes for the first time, and most have an incredible amount of debt from student loans and credit cards. This demographic is under-represented.
There are few policies that focus on the needs of this group. I would recommend policies that offer incentives for establishing and funding retirement accounts, expanding first-time home buying programs, and creating a business-friendly environment in the state to attract employers and employees.
Republican lawmakers need to create an agenda that reflects its values that are aligned with the YP (young professional) crowd. They need to introduce legislation that eases the burden of young people, single or married and without passing that burden on to the taxpayer through increased taxes or fees.
I would like the see the MDGOP build a coalition with area organizations like Young Professionals to advocate these issues. Each community has an organization that is similar to a Chamber of Commerce, but more like a networking group for people 25-40.
I know this is really a narrow demographic but too much is made of the larger special interest groups. I think this group is particularly overlooked and can bring a lot to the table with ideas and money. Beginning a dialogue, listening to what they want, and working with them to achieve these things will build a stronger party and I think bring new people to politics that thought their vote or their participation would have an impact.
Friday, January 5, 2007
Past, Present and Future
After an extended break for the holidays, I am glad to be back to blogging.
Much has happened since my last post and much can be said about those significant events. I hope over the next several days, to share my thoughts on events past, present and offer my predictions for the events to come.
One of the most significant events to occur particularly in my lifetime was the execution of Saddam Hussein, one of history's most evil dictators. What is significant about this event is a free people came together to draft a constitution, including a fair judiciary, which carried out justice without prejudice. Saddam Hussein's crime met the standard for capital punishment under Iraqi law and it was meted out quickly by Iraqi judges quickly. This was great step forward for the people of Iraq.
Domestically, Nancy Pelosi ascended to the Speaker's Chair in the US House of Representatives. A Maryland native (from Baltimore City), Ms Pelosi becomes the first woman speaker in our nation's history. Like many, I wish her luck - but not too much. The Democrats have laid out a weak agenda, "tackling" such issues as reducing student loans, raising the minimum wage and lobby reform in the first 100 hours. This isn't exactly the ambitious "Contract with America" agenda the 1994 Republicans worked to pass in the first 100 days. I hope the American people are satisfied with the sort of leadership we can expect from the Democrats, which is to say not much. "Buyer beware."
Much has happened since my last post and much can be said about those significant events. I hope over the next several days, to share my thoughts on events past, present and offer my predictions for the events to come.
One of the most significant events to occur particularly in my lifetime was the execution of Saddam Hussein, one of history's most evil dictators. What is significant about this event is a free people came together to draft a constitution, including a fair judiciary, which carried out justice without prejudice. Saddam Hussein's crime met the standard for capital punishment under Iraqi law and it was meted out quickly by Iraqi judges quickly. This was great step forward for the people of Iraq.
Domestically, Nancy Pelosi ascended to the Speaker's Chair in the US House of Representatives. A Maryland native (from Baltimore City), Ms Pelosi becomes the first woman speaker in our nation's history. Like many, I wish her luck - but not too much. The Democrats have laid out a weak agenda, "tackling" such issues as reducing student loans, raising the minimum wage and lobby reform in the first 100 hours. This isn't exactly the ambitious "Contract with America" agenda the 1994 Republicans worked to pass in the first 100 days. I hope the American people are satisfied with the sort of leadership we can expect from the Democrats, which is to say not much. "Buyer beware."
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