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: State cuts teachers' Social Security funds Date: Fri, 20 Nov 92 15:30:30 EST Message-ID: \SE B;METROPOLITAN \HD State cuts teachers' Social Security funds \BY Todd Spangler \CR THE WASHINGTON TIMES \DT ANNAPOLIS ANNAPOLIS - Legislative leaders brushed aside opposition of Washington suburban lawmakers yesterday and eliminated state funding of Social Security for local teachers and librarians, cutting $147 million from the state budget. The measure, signed into law yesterday afternoon by Gov. William Donald Schaefer, hits the suburbs the hardest, cutting $27 million from Montgomery County and $21 million from Prince George's County. "This is going to hurt the schools, there's no doubt about it," said Montgomery County Executive Neal Potter just before Mr. Schaefer signed the bill. Approval came in a two-day special session that opponents of the budget-cutting measure had threatened to upend with a filibuster and alternative proposals. But a filibuster led by Montgomery County senators was broken within two hours Wednesday night, and the measure was quickly approved in the Senate, 29-17. The House of Delegates approved the bill yesterday afternoon, 83-53, over the pleas of lawmakers from two of the state's three largest jurisdictions. "This is the core of our state aid you're talking about," said Delegate Brian Frosh, Montgomery County Democrat. Counties will now be forced to pick up the 6 percent Social Security contribution for their teachers and librarians. Opponents of the measure said it will hit growing counties particularly hard. Despite their defeat, suburban lawmakers were upbeat yesterday afternoon as they emerged from the special session, saying a new coalition has been forged between Montgomery and Prince George's counties. "It's a new day, and it's a new time to look at things," said Delegate Joseph Vallario, Prince George's County Democrat and county delegation chairman. "Prince George's and Montgomery County together can have a strong voice in this state." Often at odds in the past, the two counties are claiming a new partnership to protect their interests against those of Baltimore, whose lawmakers supported the cut. "From now on, I'm just going to let my mouthpiece do the talking," said Delegate Brian Frosh, chairman of the Montgomery County delegation, as he put his arm around Mr. Vallario yesterday. It was Mr. Vallario who issued the most scathing rebuke to House leaders during the debate, complaining that the suburbs have gotten too little for their support of Baltimore projects in the past. He cited a long list of city institutions for which the state has taken financial responsibility: the zoo, the jail and the city's community college. All but a handful of Prince George's and Montgomery County lawmakers voted against the plan, with Senate President Mike Miller, Prince George's County Democrat, swinging many of those votes for the plan. "We got all the Prince George's votes except those that are on leadership or those who think they are on leadership," Mr. Vallario said. House Speaker Clay Mitchell Jr., Kent County Democrat, moved quickly yesterday to quell threats of retaliation toward Baltimore, saying he believes the suburban delegations "have too much class" for such behavior. But he may have a difficult time stopping any retaliatory moves toward Baltimore. Suburban lawmakers already are saying they will block a proposed $130 million expansion of the city's convention center, and they likely will have the votes to do so. Mr. Mitchell said legislative committees will begin work on plans to revamp state government during the 1993 regular session, which begins in January. He has promoted the idea of privatization, specifically of Baltimore-Washington International Airport, and has long advocated the consolidation of departments and a reduction in the mandates the state puts on local government. "The first thing we need to take a look at is how we can help the counties," Mr. Mitchell said. 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