Legislative Report -- January 30, 2008

Computer Services Sales Tax – How Can You Help?
Repealing the computer services sales tax enacted during the November 2007 special session is a priority for the Maryland Chamber of Commerce. Many members have contacted us, asking how to help us achieve this important goal. Here are three ways you can help:

Contact Your Legislators: If we are going to succeed in repealing the computer services sales tax, we must ensure that legislators are hearing from impacted constituents. If you haven’t already contacted your legislators, contact them now. For background information, or online tools to help you contact your legislators,  click here.  

Tell Us Your Story: Whether you provide computer services or consume computer services, we want to know how this tax will impact your business. What computer services does your company provide or consume? How many people do you employ? How will this tax impact your bottom line or your ability to compete? Who are your clients? Will this tax cause you to consider altering your operations in any way? If you are willing to share this information, please email Will Burns at wburns@mdchamber.org.

Help Spread the Word: The more people we can reach with our message, the more likely we are to achieve a successful outcome. Tell your colleagues and employees about our effort to repeal the tax, and encourage them to contact their legislators. Urge them to visit our coalition website at www.FightTheTechTax.com.

February 4: Maryland Congressional Delegation Dinner
The Maryland Chamber’s Congressional Delegation Dinner will be held Monday, February 4, at Martin’s Crosswinds in Greenbelt. This event is an outstanding opportunity to meet with Maryland’s congressional delegation.

Maryland Senators Mikulski and Cardin and Representatives Hoyer, Cummings, Bartlett, Van Hollen and Sarbanes are confirmed.

During this town hall meeting style event, Maryland's congressional delegation and Maryland Chamber members will discuss important federal business issues like the economy, transportation funding, health care affordability, immigration reform, energy policy, and more.

Registration is $80 for Maryland Chamber members, $140 for nonmembers. To register, click here or contact Kristen Solis at (410) 269-0642, (301) 261-2858 or ksolis@mdchamber.org. .

MD Chamber Opposes Freeze in State Aid to Private Colleges
The Maryland Chamber expressed concern this week to provisions in the Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act that would freeze state aid to private colleges for fiscal year 2009.

“Maryland’s private colleges are an integral part of our economy and higher education system, annually conferring one quarter of all degrees granted by institutions in the state.” said Maryland Chamber Vice President of Government Affairs Ronald Wineholt. “There is no reason to break the traditional link between state support for public and private higher education institutions.”  

The Maryland Chamber urged lawmakers to consider giving private institutions additional support in the fiscal year 2009 operating budget.

MD Chamber Supports the Prohibition of Unauthorized
Skimming and Re-Encoding Devices
The Maryland Chamber supports SB 220, legislation to prohibit the unauthorized possession or use of devices known as re-encoders and skimmers. These devices are used to access, read, record, or otherwise obtain a payment device number or personal identifying information.

Maryland consumers are concerned about identity theft, and the Maryland Chamber supports state initiatives to help combat it. It’s appropriate to provide criminal sanctions for persons who use re-encoders and skimmers to defraud retail customers.

Bills Would Enforce State Fraud Statutes with Bounty Hunting Trial Lawyers
The Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, the House Judiciary Committee, and the House Health and Government Operations Committee will today hear legislation that would establish additional penalties for the filing of a false claim for state benefits and contracts. The bills would also authorize a person to file suit on behalf of the state for an alleged false claim for state benefits and contracts and recover up to 30 percent of the proceeds of the suit, plus attorney fees and costs.

The Maryland Chamber opposes the legislation, SB 215 and HB 292. The Chamber believes that Maryland should directly prosecute any person who defrauds the state under a benefit program or contract. However, we believe it is inappropriate for the state to create a new private cause of action for the enforcement of state fraud statutes. This type of system will lead to needless litigation and harassment of government contractors by overzealous trial lawyers.

For the past 30 years, Maryland has effectively enforced the fraud statutes through the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the Office of the Attorney General. “The Maryland Chamber fully supports enhanced state funding for this unit if the Attorney General needs additional assistance to enforce state laws,” Maryland Chamber Vice President of Government Affairs Ronald Wineholt said. “However, there is no reason to create a new cause of action for private citizens at the state level to pursue these claims. “

Ask the Maryland Chamber Experts
Do you have a question about a legislative issue pending before the Maryland General Assembly? The Maryland Chamber lobbyists and our volunteers are a great resource for information and expertise. If you have a question, email it to Will Burns at wburns@mdchamber.org, and one of the Chamber’s lobbyists will provide an answer. We will publish questions and answers in future editions of the Legislative Report.

Visit  www.mdchamber.org for More Legislative News
With the 2008 General Assembly session underway, it is critically important that business people stay informed and engaged. Visit www.mdchamber.org to access a wealth of information and resources, including:

• Chamber Blog: The Maryland Chamber Blog is updated daily with news and resources important to Maryland’s business community.  To join the conversation, click the comment link under any post.
• Bill Positions: View Maryland Chamber bill positions, including a brief summary of the legislation and a summary of the Chamber’s position. As the bills are heard in committee, we will also post complete position statements.  
• Legislative Alerts: Alerts are posted online when immediate contact is needed to sway an issue. Talking points, phone scripts and sample letters will always be available. Action can be taken in minutes.

Upcoming Committee Meetings

January 31, 2008
Environment Committee
MD Chamber of Commerce
60 West Street, Suite 100, Annapolis, MD 21401
8:30 a.m.

January 31, 2007
Civil Liability Committee
MD Chamber of Commerce
60 West Street, Suite 100, Annapolis, MD 21401
10:15 a.m.

February 4, 2008
Legislative Committee
MD Chamber of Commerce
60 West Street, Suite 100, Annapolis, MD 21401
3 p.m.

February 7, 2008
Environment Committee
MD Chamber of Commerce
60 West Street, Suite 100, Annapolis, MD 21401
8:30 a.m.

February 7, 2008
Health Care Committee
MD Chamber of Commerce
60 West Street, Suite 100, Annapolis, MD 21401
10:30 a.m.

Upcoming Chamber Events

February 13, 2008
How to Succeed After SBA 8(a)
Greenbelt Marriott Hotel
6400 Ivy Lane
Greenbelt, MD 20770
7:30 a.m.
Henry Gilford will share his experiences and outline the good, the bad, and the ugly of how to succeed after the SBA 8(a) program. Take advantage of this opportunity to learn from the SBA’s 2003 Small Business Person of the Year for the Washington metropolitan area.  Registration is $45. Contact Gail Lemke at  glemke@mdchamber.org.

February 19, 2008
Maryland Bioscience in the 21st Century?
The Westin Annapolis
100 Westgate Circle
Annapolis, MD 21401
Join some of Maryland's top bioscience, business and venture capital experts to discuss the future of the bioscience industry in the Old Line State. For more information, visit www.mdbizbio.org.