Anne Arundel County Executive Janet S. Owens (D) doesn't understand why some assisted living centers don't have backup power for emergencies. Many of their residents rely on electrically powered oxygen tanks, so having an alternate power source, such as fuel-powered generators, should be a "no-brainer," Owens said.
"I thought they'd put them in on their own," she said during a breakfast in Annapolis Tuesday with the county's delegation to the General Assembly.
But not all have, she said, and that poses a danger to the residents. When Hurricane Isabel struck over a year ago, county firefighters spent precious time providing backup power to the facilities, she said.
Now Owens is pushing the General Assembly to pass a law requiring assisted living centers to have backup power.
Last year the bill was sponsored by Del. Robert A. Costa (R-Anne Arundel), but it got nowhere. During Tuesday's breakfast, he told the executive he plans to pursue the legislation again this year.
It will join a short but pithy list of legislative measures county officials will be pushing during the General Assembly session, which officially began this week.
Fire Chief Ronald D. Blackwell told the legislators he's hoping the assembly will pass legislation that will give arson investigators broader powers. Now, their investigations have to be limited to the fire itself, he said.
But arsons often arise from other crimes, he said, that are off limits for fire officials.
Blackwell is also pushing legislation to allow fire investigators, who can prepare search warrants, to be able to serve those warrants as well. That now is done in conjunction with the police department, he said.
Owens is also seeking legislation that would give state and county income tax exemptions to federal employees serving overseas. The bill is geared for those working for the National Security Agency, the county's largest employer.
Above all, the executive urged legislators to resist slashing aid to the county, as some fear might happen during the budget process. County Budget Officer John Hammond said cuts would hurt the health department and social services. He also said the county desperately needs more money for school construction and renovations.
There are more than 125 school facilities in the county, he said, and a lot of them "are getting very, very old."
