Md. public-private partnership bill stirs debate

From The Carroll County Times:

The House of Delegates on Saturday gave an initial nod to Gov. Martin O'Malley's proposed policy governing public-private partnerships on big projects like roads and public buildings, but some lawmakers heatedly objected to a new provision ensuring speedy legal proceedings for participants in such a partnership.

The change would allow legal appeals to be heard on an expedited track before the Court of Special Appeals, the state's intermediate appellate court. It was not part of the initial proposal by the O'Malley administration, but was added by a House panel.

Delegate Luiz Simmons, D-Montgomery, argued that the provision could confer special legal benefits on a "special group of fat cats.”

“In my opinion, what we are about to do is to become legislators in a banana republic, where they routinely interfere with the judicial process on behalf of special friends and special interests, and we are not covering ourselves in honor by doing this,” Simmons said.

To read the entire article go here. To thank Del. Simmons (D-District 17) go to luiz.simmons@house.state.md.us. Or, call 301-858-3037 or 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3037 (toll-free no.)