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House Passes Mortgage Fraud, Foreclosure Rescue Bills
Senate Approves Capital Budget
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The Senate yesterday voted unanimously to approve a $1.5 billion capital budget for the coming fiscal year, including $333 million in school construction funding.
School construction funding has emerged as a leading priority for Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) and lawmakers, with the General Assembly approving $400 million for that purpose for this fiscal year.
The budget approved last night also includes $472 million for environmental projects, $93 million for prisons and other public safety projects and $325 million for higher education facilities.
The $1.5 billion in capital projects would be funded by $935 million in general revenue bonds and $151 million in revenue bongs. The balance would be paid for with operating funds.
With last night's 45 to 0 vote, the capital budget now moves to the House of Delegates.
-- John Wagner
Malt Drink Bill Clears Senate
The Senate approved legislation yesterday that would allow alcoholic malt drinks marketed with names such as Mike's Hard Lemonade to be sold as beer in package stores, gas stations and convenience markets in jurisdictions that allow those sales.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Richard F. Colburn (R-Dorchester), prompted a heated floor debate before passing 36 to 10.
Opponents said the legislature would be making the sweet drinks more accessible to young women, to whom they are marketed.
"Why are we going to enshrine in our law the ability to get these gateway beverages at stores that sell beer?" asked Sen. Richard Madaleno (D-Montgomery). He said the drinks, known in the industry as "flavored beer," are known as "cheerleader drinks" aimed at underage girls.
