Maryland Lawgivers Act Under Deadline Pressure

Bill Flurry Includes Hospital Takeover, Emissions Cuts

Maryland lawmakers advanced bills yesterday to take over the ailing Prince George's County hospital system, curb emissions believed to contribute to global warming and study the death penalty, in a spurt of action before a significant deadline for moving legislation.

The House of Delegates voted 134 to 4 for an emergency bill that would establish a hospital authority to stabilize the Prince George's system as it seeks a new owner. The legislation reflected a long-sought deal struck last month, under which the state and county both agreed to pay $12 million annually for the next two years to keep the facilities open.

"I believe we're all in agreement that we have to take swift and immediate action," said Del. Barbara A. Frush (D), chairwoman of the Prince George's House delegation.

Frush said she expects the Senate will soon pass the bill, which creates a seven-member hospital authority made up of three members appointed by the county, three by the governor and one jointly by the presiding officers of the House and Senate.

Anchored by Prince George's Hospital Center in Cheverly, the financially hemorrhaging system is owned by the county and managed by the nonprofit Dimensions Healthcare System.

The action came on one of the busiest days of the 90-day session, which is scheduled to end in two weeks. Any bill that did not clear at least one chamber by last night faced additional procedural hurdles, which could result in their demise by the time the session ends April 7.

The Senate voted 31 to 16 last night for a bill that would make Maryland one of four states to mandate caps on greenhouse gases from power plants, cars, trucks and other energy consumers. The proposal, which is backed by Gov. Martin O'Malley (D), would require such emissions, believed to cause global warming, to be reduced 25 percent statewide by 2020. Originally it would have mandated a 90 percent reduction by 2050, but the later date was amended to be a "goal."

"It's the right thing to do for our state," Sen. Paul G. Pinsky (D-Prince George's) said of the reduction plan. "There are people who would like to see this killed. . . . You have to judge: sea-level rise or the sky falling."

Opponents, who said they fear the legislation would put factories out of business and drive up electricity prices, secured an amendment last week giving the legislature more power to reject strategies put forward by the state's environmental agency on how each industry should meet the targets. It is unclear whether that change will survive in the House, which is expected to take up the bill this week.

Both chambers yesterday approved the creation of a commission to study Maryland's death penalty, a panel that opponents argued is stacked to bolster the views of O'Malley and others against capital punishment.

"We could save the money we're about to spend on this report, and I could tell you the outcome right now," Del. Michael D. Smigiel Sr. (R-Cecil) said before the House voted 89 to 48 to establish the commission. The Senate later voted 32 to 15 for a similar bill.

Supporters said the 19-member commission would be balanced, with members including relatives of murder victims.