Strange Bedfellows

Sen. Larry Haines returned four days of his $43,500 annual legislative salary late last year. Haines, a five-term Republican who represents the 5th District, released documents showing he participated in a furlough program requested by House Speaker Michael Busch and Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller.

The 5th District includes parts of northern Baltimore County, including Parkton and Hunt Valley and Phoenix.

Both Busch and Miller returned five days’ salary and asked fellow legislators to also give up between one and five days’ pay at the same time 67,000 state employees were being furloughed for up to five days based on individual salary levels.

By law, the salaries of state lawmakers cannot be increased or decreased during their term.

More than 150 legislators participated in the voluntary furlough days, including 25 of 29 legislators who represent Baltimore County, according to lists released by the House of Delegates and state Senate.

The lists did not contain the number of days each legislator voluntarily gave up. State officials said such information was protected by law as a personnel matter. Patuxent Publishing Co., publisher of this Web site, is asking each legislator who represents the county to voluntarily release information on the furlough days taken in late 2008 and early 2009.

Haines provided a copy of a form dated Dec. 22, 2008 showing that he authorized four days pay totaling $483.36 to be withheld.

Del. Todd Schuler returned five days of his $43,500 annual legislative salary late last year. Schuler, a first-term Democrat who represents the 8th District, released documents showing he participated in a furlough program requested by House Speaker Michael Busch and Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller.

The 8th District includes Perry Hall, Parkville and Overlea. (more…)

Del. Pat McDonough returned five days of his $43,500 annual legislative salary late last year. McDonough, a two-term Republican who represents the 7th District, released documents showing he participated in a furlough program requested by House Speaker Michael Busch and Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller.

The 7th District includes Cockeysville, Honeygo and Middle River.

Both Busch and Miller returned five days’ salary and asked fellow legislators to also give up between one and five days’ pay at the same time 67,000 state employees were being furloughed for up to five days based on individual salary levels. (more…)

Sen. Norman Stone returned four days of his $43,500 annual legislative salary late last year. Stone, an 11-term Democrat who represents the 6th District, released documents showing he participated in a furlough program requested by House Speaker Michael Busch and Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller.

The 6th District includes Dundalk and Essex.

Both Busch and Miller returned five days’ salary and asked fellow legislators to also give up between one and five days’ pay at the same time 67,000 state employees were being furloughed for up to five days based on individual salary levels. (more…)

Del. John Olszewski Jr. returned four days of his $43,500 annual legislative salary late last year.

Olzsewski, a Democrat who represents the 6th District, released documents today showing he participated in a furlough program requested by House Speaker Michael Busch and Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller.

The 6th District includes Dundalk and Essex.

Both Busch and Miller returned five days’ salary and asked fellow legislators to also give up between one and five days’ pay at the same time 67,000 state employees were being furloughed for up to five days based on individual salary levels. (more…)

 Del. Dana Stein took four days without pay as part of a voluntary furlough request made to 188 state legislators late last year.

Stein, a Democrat who represents the 11th District, released a form dated Dec. 26, 2008 that authorizes state human resources officials to withhold five days’ pay totaling $604.20.

Stein’s district includes Owings Mills, Pikesville and part of Timonium. (more…)

State Sen. Jim Brochin took four days without pay as part of a voluntary furlough request made to 188 state legislators late last year.

Brochin, a Democrat who represents the 42nd District, released a form dated Dec. 16, 2008, that authorizes state human resources officials to withhold four days’ pay totaling $483.36.

Brochin’s district includes Towson, Timonium and part of Pikesville. (more…)

Del. Dan Morhaim has released information related to how many days pay he gave up earlier this year as part of a voluntary furlough request.

The form, dated Dec. 21, 2008, shows Morhaim took five days without pay, which equals $604.20.

Morhaim is a Democrat who represents the 11th District. That district includes Owings Mills, Pikesville and part of Timonium. (more…)

Del. J.B. Jennings is fulfilling his commitment to make good on giving up five days of pay which legislators were asked to forgo earlier this year.

Jennings, a Republican who represents the 7th District, sent a letter to the state Department of Human Resources requesting that 15 days be withheld from his legislative pay. Ten of those days are part of a voluntary furlough request House Speaker Michael Busch and Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller asked legislators to participate in back in August. (more…)

As I noted on this blog this morning, State Del. Jon Cardin deny a request for the release of information on the number of voluntary furlough days he took in January.

Cardin, a Democrat who represents the 11th District, which includes Owings Mills, Pikesville and part of Timonium, was one of 25 state legislators from Baltimore County who gave up some of his $43,500 state salary in a first round of voluntary furloughs in January — his name was on a list of legislators who participated — but he declined to provide information on how many days’ salary he gave up.

Legislators took days off as part of a request made to all senators and delegates by legislative leaders. Patuxent Publishing Co. is asking the county’s 29 senators and delegates to voluntarily release documentation showing the number of days each volunteered to have withheld from their pay earlier this year.

Since that blog entry, Cardin called to say he has now signed a waiver allowing the legislature to release similar information related to verifying a second round of days without pay. Last month, House Speaker Michael Busch and Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller asked legislators to take another eight to 10 days without pay.

When asked if he would now provide documentation on the number of days he took without pay in January, Cardin said: “No, I don’t think so.”