Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!americast-post Newsgroups: americast.twt.metro From: americast-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: americast-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: PG, Montgomery fight state cut in teacher's benefits Date: Wed, 11 Nov 92 14:23:38 EST Message-ID: \SE B;METROPOLITAN \HD PG, Montgomery fight state cut in teacher's benefits \BY Todd Spangler \CR THE WASHINGTON TIMES \DT ANNAPOLIS ANNAPOLIS - Despite an alternative proposal offered by Montgomery County lawmakers yesterday, legislative leaders appear ready to push through a plan to cut state payment of Social Security benefits for local teachers. The plan, to be considered at a special legislative session next Wednesday, would save the state $147 million - $48.6 million of which would come from Montgomery and Prince George's counties. Montgomery County Executive Neal Potter and Prince George's County Executive Parris Glendening yesterday declined to endorse the plan, which has won the backing of every other county executive in the state. Their support is considered key to approving the plan, since those officials will have to find the funds to replace the Social Security contributions. The cuts are needed to close a projected $437 million shortfall in this year's budget. State officials have already made $240 million in state agency cuts and approved additional lottery games expected to raise $50 million, but legislative approval is needed for the last $147 million in cuts. Gov. William Donald Schaefer has proposed saving that amount by stopping state payment of Social Security benefits for local teachers, librarians and community college professors. The alternative plan offered yesterday would eliminate state funding for school transportation. That would hit Prince George's and Baltimore counties the hardest, but Montgomery County lawmakers have included a $10 million cap on cuts to any one jurisdiction. "It's fair to everyone," said Delegate Brian Frosh, Montgomery County Democrat. County legislators said they will introduce their plan at next week's special session. But House Speaker Clay Mitchell, a Kent County Democrat, is unlikely to accept the proposal, since rural counties like his would be particularly hard hit by the cuts to bus funding. He thinks he has the votes in the House to pass the Social Security cuts. Montgomery County senators are still promising a filibuster over the plan. "The line is drawn in the sand on this one," said Sen. Larry Levitan, Montgomery County Democrat and chairman of the Budget and Taxation Committee. "It's too much." But Senate President Mike Miller is confident he has the votes needed to quash a filibuster, even though it may take some time. "We're going to have a lengthy debate," he said. "Democracy is not always pretty." Meanwhile, Montgomery County lawmakers are promising retribution, especially against Baltimore, if the Social Security plan passes. Mr. Levitan said the county has worked in the past to help the cash-poor city, but no more. In the 1993 session, for example, Baltimore legislators are expected to ask for $130 million to expand the convention center. "That project has a lot of trouble," Mr. Levitan said. "If something like this happens, you won't even see a vote." This article is copyright 1992 The Washington Times. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM