Beta website from Sunlight Foundation lets Maryland voters track state legislators & their votes

The site, called OpenGovernment, went live in January 2011. The beta version has data for five state legislatures: California, Louisiana, Maryland, Texas, and Wisconsin.

The Maryland version is here.

As an example of what it can do, here's a profile of Sen. Jim Brochin. On the site, you can find out what Sen. Brochin has been up to:

• Jim Brochin in news & blogs,
• a list of bills he has sponsored (going back to 2006),
• his voting record, and
  
• his campaign contributors.

You can also find info on state delegates. Here are the three from Maryland District 42:

Sue Auman:

in news and blogs, the bills she has sponsored, her voting record, and campaign contributors.

Bill Frank:

in news and blogs, the bills he has sponsored, his voting record, and his campaign contributors.

Steve Lafferty:
in news and blogs, bills he has sponsored, his voting record, and his campaign contributors.

OpenGovernment.com is just one of many projects happening at the non-partisan Sunlight Foundation.

Male-bashing in Maryland: District 42 Dem delegate candidates stoop low for votes

Long after they have disappeared from the political scene, I am going to remember local Democratic candidates Lori Albin, Oz Bengur and Steve Lafferty for this picture:


The picture comes from an attack mailer sent on their behalf* a week or so ago to female voters in District 42.

Here's the photo on the other side:

The pictures say everything; the words that came with them are pretty much irrelevant.

If you're a man looking at these pictures, do you think Lori Albin, Oz Bengur or Steve Lafferty will look out for your interests?

A word to the wise for anyone running for public office: Your attack ads may be floating around the internet for a looooooooooong time.


*by authority of the "Maryland House Democratic Committee, Victor Sulin, Treasurer."

Del. Bill Frank's response to Oz Bengur's attack mailer

Oz Bengur and the Maryland House Democratic Committee recently sent three attack mailers to female Democratic voters in District 42 targeting Del. Bill Frank. The mailers were misleading and unfair.

I view them as a sign of desperation on the part of Mr. Bengur.

Here is Bill's reply:

October 22, 2010

Dear Editor,

We’re certainly in the midst of the political “silly season.” How do we know? Just turn on the television and watch the distorted, overblown, negative political commercials that come at you one after another.

Or go to your mailbox and read the over-the-top, inflammatory mailers that are stuffed inside. Or answer the telephone and listen to a recorded phone message filled with half-truths and innuendo.

Elections are important, and critical differences exist among the various candidates. It’s fair game to talk about a candidate’s record, as long as it’s done in a factual, accurate manner. Recently, my opponents mailed information to voters that grossly distorted my vote in 2003 on a bill dealing with absolute divorce and child abuse, suggesting that I have a lenient position on the serious issue of child abuse. In fact, 29 delegates voted against final passage of the bill – Democrats and Republicans alike – because we believed the bill had deeply flawed and troublesome provisions. One of these provisions was the requirement that children as young as six years old would be forced to testify in criminal court against an allegedly abusive parent, obviously a path fraught with all kinds of red flags. That is why the American Academy of Pediatrics and several other advocates for children opposed this bill.

My record on protecting children is strong and clear. I helped lead the fight in 2010, for example, for the passage of Jessica’s Law, which significantly toughened
penalties and mandated long prison sentences for violent sexual offenders.

When you see, hear or read political ads that don’t seem to ring true,
be appropriately skeptical. Remember, we’re in the political “silly season.”

Delegate William J. Frank
District 42

The looming "education bubble": not on radar screen for Towson U. prof or D42 state senate candidates

At the District 42 state senator debate tonight (Jim Brochin vs. Kevin Carney) there was a question about the higher education bubble. Neither candidate was familiar with the term. Nor was the moderator, Towson University political science professor James C. Roberts.

For them, and anyone else who doesn't read Instapundit, Michael Barone summarizes the concept nicely:

Higher education bubble poised to burst

Imagine that you have a product whose price tag for decades rises faster than inflation. But people keep buying it because they're told that it will make them wealthier in the long run. Then suddenly they find it doesn't. Prices fall sharply, bankruptcies ensue, great institutions disappear.

Sound like the housing market? Yes, but it also sounds like what Glenn Reynolds, creator of instapundit.com, writing in The Examiner, has called "the higher education bubble."

Government-subsidized loans have injected money into higher education, as they did into housing, causing prices to balloon. But at some point people figure out they're not getting their money's worth, and the bubble bursts.

Here's video of Glenn talking about the subject: The Higher Education Bubble, and What Comes Next.

Just back from the District 42 debate at Towson U.

I expected Bill Frank and Sue Aumann to perform strongly, and they did.

But the story of the night for me was John Fiastro. Someone told me recently that Steve Lafferty was feeling a little nervous about the race. After tonight I can see why.

This was the first time that I had heard John speak at length in public.

He had an easy presence on stage and I got the feeling that he could talk equally well with new immigrants (he majored in Spanish at Towson), business people, college professors and just plain regular folks.

Some of his opponents sounded like they were reading from PowerPoint slides. John had more of a storytelling style, mixing in humor and literate references to good effect. He was clear, with few wasted words.

Even though he was strong on the budget and Maryland's spending problem, it will be very hard for Democrats to paint John Fiastro as a heartless conservative.

In other words, Fiastro cleaned Lafferty's clock.

But don't take my word for it. Watch it yourself. The camera guy said the debate should be up on the Towerlight website soon.

UPDATE 1: Oz Bengur was the best of the Dems. But I had expected him to be more dynamic than he was. He said some good things about his private sector experience with Papa John's.
[UPDATE 3: Now that I have seen two of Mr. Bengur's sleazy attack mailers I am downgrading him to worst of the Dems. His ads led me to consider which circle Bengur belongs in. I think it's the 8th.]

I had heard some good things about Lori Albin from a friend, but she came across as the worst of the lot. Too much bland "I'll be fighting for you" stuff. She talked a lot about how she was going to work hard and read all the bills. Sounded like a bureaucrat.

UPDATE 2: Four video excerpts from the debate here.

Truth in advertising: I've been coordinating with the "CAFF" slate (Carney/Aumann/Frank/Fiastro) during this campaign because of my volunteer work for Bob Ehrlich.

Why you should vote to re-elect Del. Bill Frank to the Maryland General Assembly (District 42)

This is a very important election coming up. I've been active in the campaign for governor of Maryland, supporting Bob Ehrlich.

But this election isn't just about the big statewide offices. All of us need to pay attention to races at all levels, up and down the ballot.

Below is a letter I wrote recently. This past Saturday I hand-delivered it 150 of my neighbors. If you live in District 42, please vote for Bill. If you don't live in our district, please consider writing a similar letter for your favorite local candidate.

Dear neighbor in central Baltimore County,

When you're hiring a person, one of the very best words you can hear from their references is "respected." When people use this word, it’s a strong indicator of character, savvy and effectiveness.

I’ve known Bill Frank for eight years, and can tell you that he is widely respected in our community. He’s also widely respected in Annapolis on both sides of the aisle.

When I first heard Bill at a candidate forum in 2002, he stood out in a large group as the most poised and articulate. Later that year we knocked on doors together for the Ehrlich campaign.

I’ve also logged many hours on the sidelines with Bill. Our boys play baseball and were LTRC teammates for several years.

Here are some things I like about Bill

• He has a clear, consistent belief system.
• He works hard.
• Of all the legislative updates I get (from DC, Towson and Annapolis) his are the best.
• He treats others with respect, allies and opponents alike.
• He's responsive to constituents.

Please join me in voting for Bill on November 2nd.


p.s. I hope you’ll also support Bob Ehrlich for governor on November 2nd.

I have volunteered many hours of my time for Bob this year because Maryland needs change and he is the right governor to make it happen.

But he will need help. Fortunately, the GOP has an especially strong slate of folks running this year.

We need state legislators with private sector experience who understand how job creation actually works. People like John Fiastro (restaurant industry), Kevin Carney (home-building) and Sue Aumann (accounting).

I’ve also been very impressed with Steve Bailey (running for State’s Attorney in Baltimore County), and Ken Holt, (running for County Executive). The more I talk to these two and see them in action, the more I like them.

District 42: Del. Steve Lafferty's top 20 contributors in 2008

For more detail, see Del. Lafferty's page on the SunLight Foundation's website FollowTheMoney:

$1,000 CHURCH LANE CENTER
$1,000 DMS DEVELOPMENT LLC
$ 750 BALTIMORE COUNTY FIRE FIGHTERS
$ 750 PICORP INC BALTIMORE
$ 750 PLUMBERS & STEAMFITTERS LOCAL 486
$ 650 MARYLAND REALTORS ASSOC
$ 600 LAFFERTY, JEAN W
$ 600 MARYLAND STATE TEACHERS ASSOC
$ 600 MARYLAND STATE MEDICAL SOCIETY
$ 600 21 WEST LLC
$ 600 CANNOLES & CLASING CHARTERED
$ 500 HANOVER BRIDGE LLC
$ 500 ACCURATE INFRASTRUCTURE DATA INC
$ 500 BARBARA HOFFMAN CONSULTING
$ 500 JUSTIN J KING ATTORNEY AT LAW
$ 500 THOMAS KELLEHER CONSULTING SERVICES INC
$ 500 SCIENTIFIC SYSTEMS & SOFTWARE INTERNATIONAL CORP
$ 500 LEWIS, KENNETH MORGAN
$ 450 CONSTELLATION ENERGY

UPDATE: See also top contributors for: Del. Sue Aumann, Del. Bill Frank, and Sen. Jim Brochin.

District 42: Del. Bill Frank's top 20 contributors in 2008

For more detail, see Del. Frank's page on the SunLight Foundation's website FollowTheMoney:

$2,000 STEELE FOR MARYLAND CMTE, MICHAEL
$1,300 MARYLAND STATE MEDICAL SOCIETY
$ 750 HEALTH POLICY LEADERSHIP ALLIANCE
$ 680 MARYLAND REALTORS ASSOC
$ 606 AUMANN FRANK VICTORY SLATE
$ 600 TOWSON VETERINARY HOSPITAL INC
$ 550 JIMS PLUMBING & HEATING
$ 500 CARNEY FOR CONGRESS 2010
$ 500 TOWLE, GEORGE W
$ 500 THOMAS BUILDERS
$ 450 POLLARD TOWING CO
$ 410 AMERICAN COLLEGE OF EMERGENCY PHYSICIANS - MARYLAND
$ 400 HOUK, PAUL D
$ 400 MID-ATLANTIC PETROLEUM DISTRIBUTORS ASSOC
$ 400 MARYLAND SOCIETY OF ANESTHESIOLOGISTS
$ 350 MARYLAND ASSOC OF CPAS
$ 350 MARYLAND BANKERS ASSOC
$ 300 ASSOCIATED GUN CLUBS OF BALTIMORE
$ 300 BALTIMORE COUNTY LICENSED BEVERAGE ASSOC
$ 300 BANK OF AMERICA

UPDATE: See also top contributors for: Del. Sue Aumann, Del. Steve Lafferty, and Sen. Jim Brochin.

District 42: Sen. Jim Brochin's top 20 contributors in 2008

For more detail, see Sen. Brochin's page on the SunLight Foundation's website FollowTheMoney:

$2,750 POLLARD TOWING CO
$2,500 BALTIMORE COUNTY ORGANIZED LICENSED TOWERS INC
$2,000 GLENEAGLES OFFICE LLC
$2,000 WINTERS RUN WEST LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
$2,000 CITIZENS FOR FROSH
$2,000 HILL MANAGEMENT SERVICES INC
$1,750 MILLER MURTHA & PSORAS LLC
$1,500 APARTMENT SERVICES INC
$1,500 MARYLAND PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOC
$1,500 BAYVIEW MANAGEMENT LLC
$1,500 SIGAMBRIS, HARALAMBOS
$1,500 CARBROC LLC
$1,500 MARYLANDERS FOR THE PRESERVATION OF FIREARMS OWNERSHIP
$1,250 MARYLAND NEW CAR & TRUCK DEALERS ASSOC
$1,250 PLUMBERS & STEAMFITTERS LOCAL 486
$1,000 LEXINGTON INSURANCE SERVICES INC
$1,000 WINAKER, RONALD M
$1,000 MAROCCO CONSTRUCTION CO INC
$1,000 SPELLMAN LARSON & ASSOC INC
$1,000 MARYLAND REALTORS ASSOC

UPDATE: See also top contributors for: Del. Sue Aumann, Del. Bill Frank, and Del. Steve Lafferty.

District 42: Del. Sue Aumann 2008 top 20 contributors

For more detail, see Del. Aumann's page on the SunLight Foundation's website FollowTheMoney:

$2,000 STEELE FOR MARYLAND CMTE, MICHAEL
$1,000 EBERT, CATHERINE
$1,000 SABERG, KARL
$ 800 CONSTELLATION ENERGY
$ 750 ASSOC OF MARYLAND PILOTS
$ 750 BALTIMORE COUNTY FIRE FIGHTERS
$ 600 BROOKE MCDONALD & ASSOCIATES
$ 600 MARYLAND REALTORS ASSOC
$ 600 HEALTH POLICY LEADERSHIP ALLIANCE
$ 500 ADVANCED MEDICAL MANAGEMENT INC
$ 500 CARNEY, KEVIN
$ 500 BROOKE, ANN
$ 500 LAW OFFICES OF JOHN M HALL JR LLC
$ 500 LAW OFFICES OF J BRIAN TANSEY LLC
$ 500 TANSEY & HALL
$ 500 ALBERTINI, GUY
$ 500 DARBY, WENDY
$ 500 BROOKE, BRIAN W
$ 450 INGERMAN & HORWITZ LLP
$ 450 ARNOLD SEVEL & GAY PA

UPDATE: See also top contributors for: Del. Bill Frank, Del. Steve Lafferty, and Sen. Jim Brochin.