Delegate Dwyer's Dispatches » Uncategorized

Petition Drive to Overturn In-State Tuition for Illegal Immigrants

Louisa Baucom — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 14:59:46 +0000

Petition Drive to Overturn In-State Tuition for Illegal Immigrants

The just-ended 2011 Legislative Session was a difficult one for believers in limited government, lower taxes and the rule of law. Among the more objectionable pieces of legislation passed by the General Assembly was the “Dream Act” (SB 167). Under the Dream Act, illegal immigrants will be given the privilege of paying only the heavily-discounted (and taxpayer subsidized) in-state tuition rate at public universities, colleges and community colleges rather than the out-of-state tuition rate. Previously, only Maryland citizens had access to the in-state rate of tuition. Thus, Maryland taxpayers will pay approximately $11,000 in subsidies per illegal immigrant per year for each year in a Maryland public university or college.
Many Maryland taxpayers cannot even afford to pay for their own children to attend college, and yet we are now being FORCED to pay for illegal immigrants to attend a Maryland college.
This legislation, forced through by Governor O’Malley and Speaker Busch, is an insult to Maryland citizens and to the many legal immigrants who respected our laws, played by the rules, and came to our Country legally. The Dream Act grants yet another State benefit to illegal immigrants and, in my judgment, is part of an ongoing effort by the political leadership of our State to make Maryland a sanctuary for illegal immigrants.
And, remember, this new benefit is in addition to the $1.5 billion Maryland taxpayers already pay for services offered to illegal immigrants, including free health care, pre-k through 12th public education, welfare, and other entitlements previously reserved for U.S. citizens.

But, we can still stop this new law from being enacted.

Under the Maryland Constitution, voters have the right to overturn legislation. To do so, the first step is to get the legislation onto the ballot. This will require obtaining 55,000 confirmed signatures by the end of June. My colleague in the House of Delegates, Neil Parrott, is taking the lead in organizing a drive to gather these signatures and to put the Dream Act on the ballot for the 2012 election.

To succeed, we will need your help. We need folks to gather signatures beginning immediately. Here’s what you can do:

1. Click on the following link to learn more about the petition process, to sign the petition, and to obtain the necessary documents: http://www.mdpetitions.com/.

2. Sign the Petition: On the web site, select “Sign the Petition” for you and your family to sign the petition.

3. Print Out the Forms Needed to Gather Signatures: On the web site, click on “Volunteer to Collect Signatures” and print out the Petition and instructions. Once printed, ask your family, friends, work colleagues and others for their signatures. You do not need permission to gather signatures — doing so is your Constitutional right.

IMPORTANT: The petition must be TWO SIDED with SB 167 on the back. After printing the first side of the Statewide Referendum Petition, return the page to your printer and print the second page on the back side of the first page. Or make your own copies.

PLEASE NOTE: Election officials require that information written on a petition form be clear and complete . It is IMPERATIVE that:
- all information be very clearly written;
- all information on the form be filled in, including the name of the County and your contact information;
- signers fill in their name AS IT APPEARS ON THEIR VOTER CARD or, if the voter card format is unknown, using their FULL NAME, including middle name;
- all information be entered into the correct space on the form (e.g., street address and name of city are separate spaces).

4. Mail your completed form or forms to: MDPetitions.com, c/o Neil Parrott, PO Box 32, Funkstown, MD 21734

5. Forward this email to your friends and colleagues.

Constitutionally Yours,

Don H. Dwyer, Jr.

Press release from BGE: BG&E’s Residential Electric Customers Can Expect Decline in Commodity Portion of Their Bill

Louisa Baucom — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 15:53:29 +0000

Baltimore Gas and Electric Company’s Residential Electric Customers Can Expect a Nearly 25 Percent Decline in the Commodity Portion of their Bill When Compared to 2009

Total bill down by nearly 17 percent since 2009

BALTIMORE

, April 26, 2011 – Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE), today announced that residential customers who purchase their power from the utility, under Standard Offer Service (SOS) rates, can expect to see a year-over-year decrease of approximately 14 percent in the commodity portion of their bill beginning June 1, 2011, based on new supply contracts approved by the Maryland Public Service Commission on Friday, April 22, 2011. The projected decline follows a similar decrease in June 2010 and collectively results in a 24 percent reduction in the commodity cost of electricity, from 12.0 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) in June 2009 to 9.2 cents per kWh, beginning in June 2011. For the typical residential customer, this equates to a savings of $28 per month or $336 per year. These annual rates are a blend of summer and non-summer rates. Combined with delivery costs, BGE’s residential customers will see a decline in their total bill of approximately 17 percent.

Media Line: 410 470-7433 www.constellation.com

“Customers are taking full advantage of these programs and recognize the significant savings they offer,” said Mark D. Case, senior vice president of strategy and regulatory affairs for BGE. “More than 440,000 peak energy conservation devices have been installed in customers’ homes and more than 7 million reduced-price compact fluorescent light bulbs have been sold at participating retailers. Additionally, more than 17,000 customers have taken advantage of BGE’s Quick Home Energy Check-ups or Home Performance with ENERGY STAR programs and discovered new opportunities for making their homes more energy efficient. These programs also support EmPOWER Maryland’s goal of reducing energy consumption 15 percent by 2015.”

Non-residential customers are also benefiting from lower commodity prices. BGE projects small commercial customers – typically businesses similar in size to a convenience store – will see a decline of approximately 20 percent in June 2011 compared to June 2009.

BGE, www.bge.com, headquartered in Baltimore, is Maryland’s largest gas and electric utility, delivering power to more than 1.2 million electric customers and more than 640,000 natural gas customers in Central Maryland. The company’s approximately 3,000 employees are committed to the safe and reliable delivery of gas and electricity, as well as enhanced energy management, conservation, environmental stewardship and community assistance. BGE is a subsidiary of Constellation Energy, www.constellation.com, a FORTUNE 500 company also headquartered in Baltimore, with subsidiaries that generate, sell and provide other energy-related services to customers throughout North America.

“For nearly three years, wholesale energy prices have been trending downward and BGE customers continue to reap the benefits of those significantly lower market prices,” said Kenneth W. DeFontes, Jr., president of BGE. “These lower prices not only benefit BGE customers who purchase their power from the utility, but BGE customers who alternatively choose to purchase power from a third-party supplier may be able to save even more. Third-party suppliers may also offer opportunities to purchase “green” energy supply. Regardless of whether customers participate in electric choice or remain with BGE for their electricity supply, today’s announcement is more evidence that competition is working in Maryland.”

2011 Legislative Wrap Up

Louisa Baucom — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 18:59:16 +0000

Dear Constituents:

I’d like to take a moment to wrap up the 2011 legislative session.

As you know Maryland like many other states has over spent for decades. As result, we continually run a deficit and accumulate additional debt.

I believe the budget should have been the focus of this legislative session however; the battle over same sex marriage, cross dressing legislation and illegal immigrant tuition discounts, consumed much of this year’s session. It is my belief that these issues were in fact a smokescreen and a distraction to deflect attention away from the looming budget crisis. Unfortunately, the budget crisis was overshadowed by social issues.

State Budget

Once again, the O’Malley administration and the majority party passed a 34 billion dollar budget this year. This equates to over $1 billion more than last years budget, yet you have undoubtedly heard Governor O’Malley say that he cut the budget. Included in the budget is $1.4 billion in new spending, a 10.6% increase.

Fees and Taxes

This budget is balanced with tax and fee increases, including:

Vehicle Titling Tax doubled $50 to $100
Vanity Plate Fee doubled from $25 to $50
Land Recording Fees – doubled $20 to $40
Birth Certificate Fees – doubled from $12 to $24
Increase in Hospital Assessments adding 2.5% to rates
Increasing Nursing Home Tax from 4% to 5.5%

The budget included a reduction in prescription benefits to retired state employees, now living on a fixed income. Because of the Governor’s failure to address the real problem of gross overspending, and failure to look for real solutions to the budget crisis, I committed once again to voting against the budget.

SB1213 raises tax on alcohol from 6% to 9% by July 1, 2011. When this bill was first introduced it was billed as a dime a drink increase with the funds going to assist the developmentally disabled citizens of MD, with the increase in sales tax gradually over several years. As it became certain that the votes were there, the bill was amended quickly to remove the allocated funding to the disabled, and to apply the increase at once. When we attempted to debate the increase, the Speaker of the House shut down debate and forced a vote on this bill. This tax will have a decidedly negative effect on many small businesses throughout the state. Bar and restaurant owners are unfairly singled out for taxing, and those especially hard hit will be Maryland businesses located on the borders to Pennsylvania and Delaware, where Marylanders will travel to buy alcohol.

In addition, many other new or increased taxes were proposed, including a gas tax and grocery bag tax. I voted against and strongly opposed all of these tax proposals.

Tuition Discounts for illegal immigrants

SB 167/ HB 470 this bill grants in state tuition rates to illegal immigrants residing and working in MD. Despite the fact that this inclusion will cost taxpayers money, will guarantee Maryland’s place as a premier “ sanctuary state” and will undoubtedly result in a federal lawsuit due to its unconstitutionality; was passed by a vote of 27- 19 in the Senate and 74-65 in the House of Delegates. Click the links to see how your Representative voted!

I voted against this and will continue to stand against benefits and rights to those residing here illegally at any rate, and especially at the cost to taxpaying citizens.

Same Sex Marriage

As you know I have been the general on the battle field of marriage in the state of Maryland for nearly 8 years now. As result, I have seen many futile attempts to legalize same sex marriages in our state.

This year that all changed. This legislative session the skid was greased by special interest and same sex marriage legislation was slated to pass. SB 116 passed easily through the Senate by a vote of 25-21 and then unexpectedly hit the brakes in the House of Delegates as the citizens came to the defense of marriage in MD by calling and visiting legislators to make their voices on this issue heard.

Much to the surprise of the homosexual activist and the Democrat leaders, after a full week, they were unable to secure the 71 votes needed to legalize same sex marriage in Maryland. In a procedural move, the bill was sent back to committee where it would rest peacefully. This maneuver prevented the Democrats from having to be on record on a vote that would most likely effect the outcome of the 2014 elections. See who voted for the bill in Judiciary Committee by following this link: Committee Votes

Pro – Life

It has been a bitter sweet session regarding the life of the unborn. Though not one of our 11 Pro Life bills made it to the full House or Senate for a vote, I am heartened because there were 11 Pro Life bills introduced by a variety of individual lead sponsors. We have 28 legislators recognized as “Pro Life” who are committed to the issue of defending the life of the unborn.

I am heartbroken that the pro life members have failed to advance even one piece of pro life legislation to the House or Senate floor. For this reason I initiated the new formation of the pro life caucus this session. The members of this year’s caucus are willing to fight the fight for the life of the unborn. To view the list of this years abortion bills, follow this link: Pro Life Bills

Its important to note that many of the bills, such as HB 23 and HB 187 simply require abortion clinics to be regulated and licensed. these were also killed in Health and Government Operations Committee, some without even getting a vote. These bills can only help preserve the safety of women in Maryland, and yet the bills do not even see a fair committee vote.

I am committed to starting a war on the issue of abortion as I have on the issue of marriage. It’s high time we stop the innocent murder of the unborn while we as a culture want to preserve the life of convicted murderers.

I have done my best to represent the values and views of those who sent me back to Annapolis to represent them. I have never wavered from my beliefs and convictions on many issues and I have never allowed political correctness to get in the way of the truth.

To this end, I rest in the belief that you will continue to allow me to represent you in the Maryland General Assembly.

Constitutionally yours,

Don H. Dwyer, Jr.

Delegate

Maryland Pro Life Legislation Update

Louisa Baucom — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 16:16:23 +0000

March 15th there was 7 Pro Life bills heard in the Health and Government Operations Committee. Click here to view http://mlis.state.md.us/2011rs/subjects/abortion.htm

The majority of the bills focused on regulating abortion clinics and to see that those clinics meet the same reporting and oversight requirements as other medical facilities.

In November 2010, Dr. Leroy Carhart opened an abortion clinic that specializes in late term abortions in Gaithersburg Maryland. The arrival of Dr. Carhart initiated an outcry of public resistance to the practice of late term abortions. There is no doubt that he came to Maryland because of the states very lax laws and the fact that abortion clinics are not regulated in any way. He is literally getting away with murder.

In the past year, there have been reports of simply egregious, barbaric and deadly practices of abortion providers in Maryland. There is no doubt that women’s physical and mental health are at risk as result of the Legislatures unwillingness to regulate facilities and doctors performing abortions in Maryland.

There was also a hearing on Maryland’s Personhood Amendment that would confer the constitutional right to life from the moment of conception. This bill has been heard for the past three years. This year, all of the testimony on the bills was factual and irrefutable.

Dr. Carhart’s arrival in Maryland has thrown fuel on the smoldering fire of the Pro Life community. The barbaric nature of late term abortions opens an entirely new debate that is certain to tug at the heartstrings of Maryland’s most liberal communities.

It’s time that we fight to drive Dr. Carhart and all abortionist who harm unsuspecting pregnant minority women out of our state. Next session there will be a new strategy that involves public intervention to bring this issue front and center in the Maryland General Assembly.

The Pro Life legislation has not been voted as of today but we will keep you posted on the progress of all Pro Life legislation in the Maryland General Assembly.

Constitutionally yours,

Delegate Don Dwyer, Jr.

Marriage Victory

Louisa Baucom — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 20:29:39 +0000

After almost two hours of debate on the House Floor, the same sex marriage bill was re-committed to committee to protect the Democrat members from having to take a recorded vote when it became clear that supporters of gay marriage did not have the votes to pass the bill.

All indications are- the bill is dead for this year!

There has been a tremendous amount of money, time and personal effort expended by the Democrat Party and its leadership over the past month as they attempted to pass the SSM bill. I DO NOT believe that they will attempt to resurrect the SSM bill during the current legislative session. They expended too much to bring it up again. There is a slight chance that it I am wrong but, so far, I have been right as the general on the front line of the battle.

Please note however, we cannot and should not believe that this victory will last. There is no doubt that the supporters of SSM will be working hard to deceive members of the legislature into supporting this legislation. In this regard, we MUST prepare to push and push hard, the Constitutional Amendment to allow the citizens to vote on the issue.

Please call your legislators and ask them if they will support a Constitutional Marriage Amendment next session. Please let my office know if you get a yes or a no answer. Find Your Legislator

We will work to pass the amendment so this issue is put to rest for once and for all.

Thank you all for your calls, your emails and your encouragement and support, without which this bill would have been passed and on its way to signing.

Constitutionally Yours,

Delegate Don Dwyer, Jr.

don.dwyer@house.state.md.us

Help Get the Message Out!

Louisa Baucom — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 02:01:54 +0000

Dear Supporters of Traditional Marriage:

Thank you for your continued support of traditional marriage in MD.

It’s important to get the churches in MD galvanized to assist on the petition effort should it become necessary.

It is extremely costly to send a letter to each of the churches in MD. Sending the information by email is by far the most cost efficient way to get the message out.

Because of anti spamming laws, (and rightfully so) it is difficult to send mass emails. The way that it can be done lawfully is through a mailhouse service and it is done for a fee.

We have received a quote of $1000 for emails to go to most churches in MD. Unfortunately I am prohibited from raising funds while in session. As result, I would like to ask marriage supporters to cover the cost of sending the message to the churches state wide.

If you are in a position to help cover this cost, please call Louisa Baucom 443-386-5191 or by email at baucomgop@aol.com

Thanks in advance for your willingness to support this effort.

Constitutionally yours,

Don Dwyer, Jr.

Feb. 23- Action Needed! Call the Senators who Support Same Sex Marriage

Louisa Baucom — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 23:19:58 +0000

SB 116- same sex marriage bill may get a vote tomorrow, Feb 23

These are the Senators who have stated that they will vote for the bill. Please call each Senator on this list tomorrow morning before they go into session at 10am to let them know that you oppose their stance on the bill.

James Brochin- 410-841-3648

Bill Ferguson- 410-841-3600

Jennie Forehand- 410-841-3134

Brian Frosh-410-841-3124

Robert Garigiola- 410-841-3169

Lisa Gladden- 410-841-3697

Verna Jones-Rodwell- 410-841-3612

Edward Kasemeyer- 410-841-3653

Delores Kelley- 410-841-3606

Nancy King- 410-841-3686

Allan Kittleman- 410-841-3671

Katherine Klausemeyer-410-841-3620

Richard Madaleno-410-841-3137 (openly gay)

Roger Manno- 410-841-3151

Nathaniel McFadden-410-841-3165

Karen Montgomery- 410-841-3625

Paul Pinsky- 410-841-3155

Catherine Pugh- 410-841-3656

Victor Ramirez-410-841-3745

Jamie Raskin-410-841-3634

James Robey- 410-841-3572

James Rosapepe- 410-841-3141

Ronald Young- 410-841-3575

Robert Zirkin- 410-841-3131

Call to Action- Supporters of Traditional Marriage

Louisa Baucom — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 22:03:22 +0000

Dear Supporters of Traditional Marriage,

Below are the Delegates who have sponsored the same sex marriage bills HB 55 and HB 175

Please call these Delegates to let them know that you oppose the bill. Some Delegates on the list have identified the church that they attend. Please consider contacting the church and asking if the church supports “changing the definition of marriage to include same sex relationships” and if not, would the church speak with the Delegate who is a member of the congregation in an attempt to influence a change of heart and a commitment not to vote for the bill.

Thank you for your efforts on behalf of traditional marriage in MD.

Sponsors of same sex marriage bills HB 55 and HB 175

District 17, Montgomery County- Kumar Barve- 410-841-34654

District 21, Anne Arundel & Prince George’s Counties -Ben Barnes- 410-841- 3046 Lead Sponsor HB 175

District 24, Prince George’s County-Tiffany Alston- 410-841-3692

District 43, Baltimore City-Curt Anderson- 410-841-3291- Member, Ray of Hope Baptist Church, (410) 254-3797

District 19, Montgomery County-Sam Arora- 410-841-3528

District 39, Montgomery County-Charles Barkley- 410-841-3001

District 12B, Howard County-Elizabeth Bobo- 410-841-3205

District 8, Baltimore County-Eric Bromwell- 410-841-3766- Attended Calvert Hall Catholic School, (410) 825-4266

District 18, Montgomery County -Alfred Carr- 410-841-3638

District 41, Baltimore City-Jill Carter- 410-841-3283-member, St. James Episcopal Church, (410) 669-2307

District 3A, Frederick County-Galen Clagett- 410-841-3436-Member, All Saints’ Episcopal Church,(410) 833-0700

District 46, Baltimore City-Luke Clippinger- 410-841-3303-Brown Memorial Presbyterian Church, Baltimore, 410) 523-1542 (openly gay)

District 40, Baltimore City-Frank Conaway- 410-841-3189-Member, Prince Hall Masons

District 19, Montgomery County-Bonnie Cullison- 410-841-3883 (openly gay)

District 15, Montgomery County-Kathleen Dumais- 410-841-3502

District 15, Montgomery County-Brian Feldman- 410-841-3186

District 16, Montgomery County -William Frick- 410-841-3454

District 21, Anne Arundel & Prince George’s Counties -Barbara Frush- 410-841-3114

District 22, Prince George’s County-Tawanna Gaines- 410-841-3058

District 17, Montgomery County-James Gilchrist- 410-841-3744

District 18, Montgomery County -Anna Sol Gutierrez- 410-841-3181

District 13, Howard County-Guy Guzzone- 410-841-3471

District 46, Baltimore City-Pete Hammen- 410-841-3772

District 45, Baltimore City-Hattie Harrison- 410-841-3486-United House of Prayer for All People(410) 542-5300

District 44, Baltimore City – Keith Haynes- 410-841-3801

District 20, Montgomery County-Sheila Hixon- 410-841-3469

District 23A, Prince George’s County-James Hubbard- 410-841-3103

District 20, Montgomery County -Tom Hucker- 410-841-3474

District 47, Prince George’s CountyJolene Ivey- 410-841-3478- Cheverly United Methodist Church, (301) 773-1314

District 14, Montgomery County-Anne Kaiser- 410-841-3036-Member, Tikvat Israel Congregation. (301) 762-7338 (openly gay)

District 16, Montgomery County -Arianna Kelley- 410-841-3404-Member, Tifereth Israel Congregation,(202) 882-1605

District 19, Montgomery County-Ben Kramer- 410-841-3485

District 42, Baltimore County -Stephen Lafferty- 410-841-3487

District 16, Montgomery County-Susan Lee- 410-841-3649

District 14, Montgomery County-Eric Luedtke- 410-841-3110

District 46, Baltimore CityBrian McHale- 410-841-3119

District 43, Baltimore City – Maggie McIntosh- 410-841-3990

District 15, Montgomery County-Aruna Miller- 410-841-3090

District 44, Baltimore City- Keiffer Mitchell- 410-841-3802- Sharp Street United Methodist Church, (410) 523-7200

District 20, Montgomery County-Heather Mizeur- 410-841-3493 (openly gay)

District 28, Charles County-Peter Murphy- 410-841-3247

District 47, Prince George’s County -Niemann- 410-841-3326

District 21, Anne Arundel & Prince George’s Counties -Joseline Pena- Melnyk- 410-841-3502

District 13, Howard County -Shane Pendergrass- 410-841-3139

District 39, Montgomery County-Kirill Reznik- 410-841-3039

District 40, Baltimore City-Barbara Robinson- 410-841-3520- Trustee, Bethel AME Church (410) 523-4273

District 39, Montgomery County-Shane Robinson- 410-841-3021-member Bolton Street Synagogue, (410)235-5354

District 41, Baltimore City Samuel Rosenberg- 410-841-3297

District 22, Prince George’s County-Justin Ross- 410-841-3652- member, First United Methodist Church, Hyattsville, (301) 927-6133

District 17, Montgomery CountyLuiz Simmons- 410-841- Lead Sponsor HB 55

District 11, Baltimore County-Dana Stein- 410-841-3527

District 44, Baltimore City -Melvin Stukes- 410-841-3544-Beechfield United Methodist Church, (410) 644-7640

District 47, Prince George’s County-Michael Summers- 410-841-3340

District 40, Baltimore City-Shawn Tarrant- 410-841-3545-Member, Union Baptist Church (board of deacons)(410) 523-6880

District 13, Howard County-Frank Turner- 410-841-3246

District 26, Prince George’s County-Kris Valdemarra- 410-841-3210- Member, St. Columba Church (202) 363-4119

District 18, Montgomery County-Jeffery Waldstreicher-410-841-3130 member, Temple Shalom, Chevy Chase (301) 587-2273

District 43, Baltimore City-Mary Washington- 410-841-3101- Elder, First & Franklin St. Presby Church (410) 728-5545

District 14, Montgomery County-Craig Zucker- 410-841-3380

It’s Over, And Just Begun!

Louisa Baucom — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 17:47:06 +0000

I’m thrilled and humbled to announce that I have once again been re-elected to the Maryland House of Delegates. I do not hold my office lightly, and see my work as a great responsibility to God and to the people of Maryland. Thank you for trusting me to do this work on your behalf.

I am greatly encouraged by the amount of support I received this election, and have therefore decided to set my sights higher when the next election comes around. I am announcing my decision to seek the open Senate seat in Anne Arundel County District 31 in 2014. I am humbled to have the confidence and support of the voters in the district. I am honored to represent Democrats, Republicans and unaffiliated conservatives in District 31. I look forward to your continued support in 2014.

Constitutionally yours,

Delegate Don H. Dwyer, Jr.

My Fight against Gangs in MD

Delegate Don Dwyer — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 19:39:47 +0000

Please take some time to check out the new gang initiatives website thanks to Baltimore/Washington High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area.

I have participated in Maryland’s Gang Task Force, and sponsored or co-sponsored the following bills from 2007-2010:

1. Consecutive Sentencing – (Co-Sponsored by Dwyer) HB1269: Require that a sentence for participation in a criminal gang be served consecutively to any other criminal sentence. This bill was adopted, but amended to only apply in the event of a murder.

2. Definition of Criminal Gang Member – (Sponsored by Dwyer) HB1307: Require the development of a definition of gang member that is consistent across the State to make it easier for prosecutors to invoke the gang statute.

3. Diminution Credits for Gun Crimes by Gang Members – (Co-Sponsored by Dwyer) HB1229: Prohibit use of diminution credits for gun-related crimes by gang members.

4. Include Misdemeanors as Gang Crimes – (Co-Sponsored by Dwyer) HB1265: Amend existing gang statute definition of “underlying crime” to include misdemeanors, including assault, prostitution, gambling, malicious destruction of property, defacement of property, human trafficking, etc. at reduced sentences (5 years max) versus felonies (10 years max). This was partially adopted.

5. Gang Solicitation – (Co-Sponsored by Dwyer) HB1211: Expand existing statute beyond just “threatening” people to join a gang to include such concepts as entice, induce, cajole, lure, etc.

6. Adult Court – (Co-Sponsored by Dwyer) HB1260: Establish presumption of adult court for 16-year-olds involved in gang crimes.

7. Pretrial Release – (Co-Sponsored by Dwyer) HB1237: Prohibit commissioners from granting pretrial release to repeat offenders involved in gang crimes – only a judge could grant pretrial release.

8. Forfeiture of Property – (Co-Sponsored by Dwyer) HB1181: Piggyback existing drug-crime statute to include gang crimes so that gang members forfeit assets acquired as a result of gang crime.

9. Signal Jamming – (Co-Sponsored by Dwyer) HJ!0: Petition US Congress to adopt legislation to allow the States to block cell phones in correctional facilities.

10. Clarify Definition of Criminal Gang – (Co-Sponsored by Dwyer) HB1259: Remove the word “ongoing” from the current definition of a criminal gang in order to make it easier for prosecutors to invoke the gang statute.