Soccer Dad

The more equal folks

Last week, a day after voting down a bill to allow speed cameras statewide, Maryland's Senate reversed course, introduced a new bill and voted to expand the use of speed cameras statewide. Our legislature seemingly has few compunctions about expanded the rules, even dubious ones, that govern us.

However, one thing that they're nearly all in agreement about, is that the rules that govern the rest of us less equal folks, shouldn't necessarily govern them.

McConkey is co-sponsoring the bill that would provide members of the General Assembly with a convenience the public doesn't have.

According to the bill, legislators won't have to show up for civil or criminal court proceedings or have to file legally required paperwork in court cases while they are in their 90-day session. The total time frame of the Legislative convenience would be 105 days.

The bill passed the House on March 24 at a vote of 135-3. It is currently in the Senate.

Legal experts said they are troubled by the wording of the bill because it's open to wide interpretation. Legislators can be excused from "any part of an action."

McConkey is a Republican, who's in trouble with the law. One of my delegates, Jill Carter, is cited in the report because she violated campaign finance laws. She claims that ignorance of the law is an excuse.

In civil cases this is clearly unfair, as someone who is owed by a legislator would have to wait extra time for redress. Several of the lawmakersbreakers mentioned in the report are to be facing trial for DUI. So that means that they're out driving, even though they now have an arrest for driving impaired. The news report also notes that this law would delay the issuance of restraining orders in cases of domestic abuse.

The passing of the bill to allow Maryland's state legislators a delay in court is one more sign that our unaccountable legislature is very good at taking care of itself. When it comes to taking care of the less equal citizens of the state, they're not doing nearly as well.