Brian Frosh

Dear Friend,

The 2009 General Assembly session will be dominated by efforts to solve the state's fiscal problems. It's clear that we will face tough spending decisions and there will be few if any new spending programs.

Like many other states, Maryland faces a major budget deficit - nearly $2 billion in the fiscal year beginning in July - a gap we must close before we adjourn in the spring. Governor Martin O'Malley's recently submitted budget proposal is lean and, in some cases, imposes painful cuts to important programs, including state funding to local school systems. It also would force layoffs for about 700 state workers. The governor's plan anticipates that Maryland will receive $350 million from the federal government as part of the economic stimulus package being considered in Washington, D.C. If that level of assistance does not materialize, we will likely be facing additional spending cuts. Sacrifices will be needed throughout state government as we work to pass a budget. But I will do my best to protect key priorities such as education and the environment.

Aside from the budget challenges, we will also consider policy questions that are critically important in such areas as public safety, domestic violence protections, public health and smarter land-use planning. Two in particular will receive significant attention.

Death Penalty

The Maryland Commission on Capital Punishment, headed by former U.S. Attorney General Benjamin R. Civiletti, issued a strong report in December calling for repealing the state's death penalty and replacing it with a penalty of life without the possibility of parole. Recently, Governor O'Malley has announced that he is sponsoring repeal legislation, which gives the repeal effort a major boost with lawmakers. With his commitment and growing public support, 2009 may be the year that Maryland ends capital punishment.

Domestic Spying

Last year we learned that the Maryland State Police repeatedly spied on a range of non-violent groups, including peace activists, environmental groups, and anti-death penalty advocates. Overzealous investigators even entered some names into a law enforcement database designed to keep track of terrorism suspects. While the spying has long since stopped, it is critical that police agencies refrain from monitoring law-abiding citizens engaged in community activism. To ensure that this does not happen again, I have joined other senators in sponsoring legislation that will require the Maryland State Police to have a reasonable suspicion that a group is involved in criminal activity before mounting any investigation.

I will continue to update you throughout the legislative session. In the meantime, I greatly appreciate your thoughts on any issue facing the General Assembly.