We’re all focused on the upcoming presidential election, and there are PLENTY of reasons for that focus. I’m just a little concerned that there are some very important ballot questions facing us, but they haven’t received nearly the same level of attention as the other choices. We’ve prepared a synopsis for you to use as you contemplate your own positions on these questions. There are two state referendum questions, one dealing with the powers of the Governor and the General Assembly over the budget, and another to allow sports betting in Maryland.
There are four County Charter amendments being proposed. The first relates to how the County Executive deals with information requests from the Council, the second involves the percent of assessable base pledged for debt, the third and fourth create steps in the selection or election of Council or Executive replacements in the event of a vacancy. We believe all of these matters are worthy of your consideration, regardless of whether you support or oppose the changes.
STATE OF MARYLAND REFERENDUM QUESTIONS
There will be two state referendum items on the November ballot that you should be aware of prior to voting on them. They will be presented to you as “Questions”, and you will vote for or against each “Question”.
Question 1: Authorizes the Maryland General Assembly to increase, decrease, or add items to the state budget as long as such measures do not exceed the total proposed budget submitted by the governor.
This is how Question 1 will appear on your ballot:
The proposed amendment authorizes the General Assembly, in enacting a balanced budget bill for fiscal year 2024 and each fiscal year thereafter, to increase, diminish, or add items, provided that the General Assembly may not exceed the total proposed budget as submitted by the Governor.
(Amending Article II Section 17 and Article III Sections 14 and 52 of the Maryland Constitution)
- For the Constitutional Amendment
- Against the Constitutional Amendment
Question 1 is a constitutional amendment that will increase the power the Maryland General Assembly has over the state budget. Currently, the Maryland General Assembly can only decrease budgetary items. The Governor has the sole power to increase or add items to the budget when necessary.
A “For” vote will allow the Maryland General Assembly to make more changes to the state budget, including making increases to or changing the State budget.
An “Against” vote will maintain the Constitution as it is currently written.
This is a constitutional amendment that will change the Constitution of Maryland.
Question 2: Authorizes sports and events wagering at certain licensed facilities.
This is how this Question 2 will appear on your ballot:
Do you approve the expansion of commercial gaming in the State of Maryland to authorize sports and events betting for the primary purpose of raising revenue for education?
- For the Referred Law
- Against the Referred Law
A “For”vote supports authorizing sports and events wagering at certain licensed facilities with state revenue intended to fund public education
An “Against” vote opposes authorizing sports and events wagering at certain licensed facilities.
The Maryland Constitution requires that the Maryland General Assembly submit laws expanding commercial wagering to a referendum item at a general election. Due to this requirement, the voters will have to decide on whether or not to allow sports and event wagering at certain licensed facilities.
The revenue generated will primarily be dedicated to supporting public education. The measure would also authorize the Maryland Department of Transportation, the State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission, and the Maryland Attorney General to contract with a panel of experts to review the “Business Disparities in the Maryland Market Area” study completed in 2017 and determine whether remedial measures need to be taken for minorities and women in the commercial gaming industry.
If this referendum item is approved by the Maryland voters it will authorize the General Assembly to pass a law allowing the State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission to issue licenses to offer betting in the State on sports and other competitive events. This law must specify:
(1) who is eligible to apply for a license to operate sports and event betting;
(2) what forms of betting are allowed;
(3) how betting must be conducted; and
(4) where an individual can place a bet.
If passed by the voters, this law will be worked on in the 2021 General Assembly Session.
FREDERICK COUNTY CHARTER CHANGE REFERENDUM QUESTIONS
There will be four (4) County Charter amendment referendum questions on your ballot in the upcoming presidential election. Each of these questions resulted from a series of public hearings and a vote of a majority of the County Council. You will either vote FOR or AGAINST the amendment on your ballot.
Question A: Charter Amendment Council Non-interference
This Charter Amendment would amend the Frederick County Charter to require the County Executive to provide any information that is requested by an individual County Council member which is for the purpose of introducing and evaluating legislation or to engage in the review and monitoring of Government programs, activities, and policy implementation. Currently, the County Executive makes decisions about staff level cooperation with the County Council, or delegates those collaboration decisions to her senior staff. This amendment would mandate cooperation under specific circumstances.
For the Charter Amendment– You support requiring the County Executive to provide the requested information to the Council for the specified purposes
Against the Charter Amendment– You oppose requiring the County Executive to provide the requested information to the Council for the specified purposes
Question B: Charter Amendment Borrowing Limitations
This Charter Amendment would amend the Frederick County Charter to reduce the percentage of assessable property the County can pledge for debt from 5 to 3 percent of assessable real property, and from 15 to 9 percent of assessable personal property. Currently, the Charter specifies the higher limits of 5% (real property) and 15% (personal property). Testimony supporting the change argues that the higher thresholds are not necessary and that there is little risk in lowering these thresholds given the many other borrowing controls currently in place.
For the Charter Amendment – You approve reducing the assessable property pledged for debt according to the specified limits
Against the Charter Amendment– You oppose reducing the assessable property pledged for debt according to the specified limits
Question C: Charter Amendment Council Member Vacancy
This Charter Amendment would amend the Frederick County Charter to provide that the County Council shall fill a vacancy on the Council by choosing one of three persons from a list submitted by the central committee of the same political party as the vacating member. If no list is submitted or the vacating member was not a member of a political party, the Council shall appoint a person it deems best qualified to hold office. If the Council fails to fill the vacancy within 45 days, the County Executive shall fill the vacancy by following the same procedure. All persons considered for appointment shall be presented to the public and shall be interviewed by either the Council or Executive, allowing for public comment, prior to appointment. If the vacancy occurs in the first year of the vacating member’s term, after a person is appointed to temporarily fill the vacancy, a special election will be held to elect and fill the vacancy for the balance of the term.
For the Charter Amendment – You support the County Council appointing replacement Councilmembers following the specified procedures and timeline
Against the Charter Amendment– You oppose the County Council appointing replacement Councilmembers following the specified procedures and timeline
Question D: Charter Amendment County Executive Vacancy
This Charter Amendment would amend the Frederick County Charter to provide a process to fill a vacancy in the position of County Executive. The County Council shall fill a vacancy of the Executive by choosing one of three persons from a list submitted by the central committee of the same political party as the vacating Executive. If no list is submitted or the vacating Executive was not a member of a political party, the Council shall appoint a person it deems best qualified to hold office. If the Council fails to fill the vacancy within 45 days, the Council shall appoint the County’s Chief Administrative Officer. All persons considered for appointment shall be presented to the public and shall be interviewed, allowing for public comment, prior to appointment. If the vacancy occurs in the first year of the vacating Executive’s term, after a person is appointed to temporarily fill the vacancy, a special election will be held to elect and fill the vacancy for the balance of the term.
For the Charter Amendment– You support the County Council appointing a replacement County Executive following the specified procedures and timeline
Against the Charter Amendment– You oppose the County Council appointing a replacement County Executive following the specified procedures and timeline
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