Senator Jacobs Reflects on the 2007 Session

For Immediate Release
April 10, 2007
Contact: Chris Meekins
410-841-3158

At the close of the session, Senator Jacobs released the following summary of her legislative accomplishments and the disappointments in the 2007 General Assembly Session.

A few of Senator Jacobs key legislative accomplishments this session:

• Jessica’s Law: Jessica’s Law eliminated the possibility of parole for those convicted of 1st and 2nd degree sex offenses. After a weak sex-offender bill passed during the Special Session last year, this year the General Assembly of Maryland passed this stronger piece of sex offender legislation. In discussing this issue, Senator Jacobs said, “The overwhelming outcry from citizens of Maryland demanding action from their legislators was the sole reason for the passage of this bill.”
   
• Children with Disabilities – Voluntary Placements: Senator Jacobs sponsored this bill to assist parents of disabled children by improving the process of getting state assistance in meeting the needs of their children.
   
• Taking Care of Her District: Senator Jacobs led the fight to pass local bills of importance for both Cecil and Harford Counties. These bills ranged from local bond bills to permitting nuisance abatement in Harford County to combat gangs.

Session Disappointments. Senator Jacobs released the following comments on these issues:

• Maryland Gang Prosecution Act of 2007: “As the lead sponsor of the gang legislation, I was extremely disappointed by the bill that passed the General Assembly. The bill was a shell of the original bill. The bill, as passed, limits the ability of prosecutors to go after members of a gang. I worked with the Maryland State’s Attorneys Association as they studied the best gang legislation from across the country while drafting this piece of gang legislation for Maryland. When they requested their name be removed from the bill after the bill was weakened in the House, it showed the bill’s lack of credibility. The bill has a nice title, but does little to combat the gang problem across our state.”
   
• The Budget: “The General Assembly had a prime opportunity to limit the impact of the looming 1.5billion dollar structural deficit. Instead of getting the fiscal house in order, Democratic leadership in the General Assembly decided to bury their heads in the sand refusing to accept the fiscal hurricane about to strike our state. The people of Maryland do NOT want new taxes. Taxpayers should be scared because democratic leaders of our state are not discussing if tax hikes are needed, but instead which taxes to raise.”
   
• Getting Soft on Crime: “Allowing parole for 2nd time drug offenses, allowing twice-convicted violent felons to vote, and attempting to repeal the death penalty are just three examples of how the General Assembly has taken a far left turn in regards to fighting crime. Despite Maryland being the fifth most dangerous state in the country, the General Assembly has decided against getting tough on crime.”

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