There's A Rule For That

Let's say you're a state legislator angry with your county executive for killing a bill you cared about and you want to call him out for it.

Well, like everything else in the Maryland General Assembly, there's a rule for that.

Ok, not technically but Del. Eric Bromwell, a Perry Hall Democrat, found a way Saturday to spotlight actions taken by County Executive Kevin Kamenetz in killing a bill that would have allowed volunteers to work at the county animal shelter.

Bromwell attempted to introduce a bill Saturday afternoon that he said was "eerily similar to a bill that passed the Baltimore County delegation." (Bromwell's comments begin at the 3:09:14 mark.)

House Speaker Michael Busch asked Bromwell to explain why he was introducing the bill so late in the session and the delegate used his time to criticize Kamenetz's actions (though not by name).

"The Baltimore County administration later came into the standing committee and claimed it was going to cost $750,000—which it does not—and was able to defeat the bill in the standing committee," said Bromwell.

"I'd like to point out that if the administration, ours or any other, comes down here and does that, it might not be the best idea," said Bromwell, who then pointed out some drafting errors in the bill and asked the House to oppose it's formal introduction.

Bromwell's late-day parliamentary legerdemain amused his colleagues, who could be heard laughing in the chamber. They then killed the bill and Bromwell had made his point.

Bromwell's comments came on the same day that members of the county's delegation to the House and Senate began Kamenetz favors because the county executive is .

Monday morning, Sen. Bobby Zirkin asked for a delay on a school consolidation bill that Kamenetz wants. The House delayed a vote on the same bill Saturday at the request of Del. Wade Kach.

Legislators from the county in both houses say they plan more such delays until the school board bill is voted out of the House Ways and Means Committee.