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Paper Ballot Funding Continues Progess in Annapolis Budget Process |
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February 22, 2008. The Senate Subcommittee responsible for the State Board of Elections budget held a hearing on February 18th, 2008. The most important comment at the hearing was from Linda Lamone who promised "if you leave the funding in for the new voting system we will move ahead professionally" to implement it. There was no indication from anyone on the subcommittee that the funding for the transition to paper-based voting was likely to be cut. The budget process seems to be moving forward smoothly. The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Safety and Administration will be holding its hearing on February 27th at 1:00 in Room 150.
While Lamone said she would move ahead to implement the new voting system, the analyst for Maryland Legislative Services, Simon Powell, said it is important that their be "executive buy-in" when making technology purchases and noted that Ms. Lamone continues to oppose the transition. As a result one of the recommendations made by MLS was for more oversight by the legislature during the process. They are recommending that the budget committees of both houses review the "Request for Proposals" and the contract before they are approved. The MLS also made recommendations to expand the less from three years to five years to reduce the annual costs and two recommendations to prevent unecessary spending on the current Diebold system. You can see the full MLS report at: http://www.mlis.state.md.us/2008RS/budget_docs/All/Operating/D38I01_-_State_Board_of_Elections.pdf.
TrueVoteMD endorses the recommendations of MLS and urges all responsible officials in Annapolis to closely monitor the contracting process for the new system. The Governor, Comptroller and Attorney General as well as the State Board of Elections should all exercise their responsibility and oversee the process of the SBE staff. Maryland needs to make sure to get it right this time. Tax payer dollars need to be spent wisely. We do not want another multi-million dollar error. And, we want to make sure Maryland gets the best voting system possible. TrueVoteMD is ready and willing to assist the state government in any way possible. |
