Testimony to Counter PlanMaryland

Today, I provided testimony to the State of Maryland House Environmental Affairs Committee pertaining to bills that try to reign-in the over reach by the Maryland State Department of Planning with their "PlanMaryland" initiative. Following is the testimony:

In the 1770’s when Americans were uniting against a common enemy and becoming increasingly resentful of English interference, the forming resistance included the use of various symbols. One such symbol was the rattlesnake displayed as though it was going to strike, with words written underneath that said, "Don't Tread On Me!"

From the perspective of many local officials, for many months; a very similar intrusiveness was displayed by the Maryland Department of Planning in its creation of PlanMaryland.

Among the fundamental rights that citizens have is the right of property.

I speak in support of HB 35 Private Property Rights - Regulatory Infringement – Compensation as it would compensate property owners for actions taken by governments which negatively impact their property values.

This year, the Maryland Department of Planning caused rural counties on the eastern shore, western and central Maryland, as well as southern Maryland to compare notes and agree to oppose the arbitrary institution of PlanMaryland by the executive branch.

I speak in support of HB 36 Department of Planning - State Development Plan - Approval or Modification by the General Assembly as it would make the legislature responsible for approving or changing a statewide planning document known as PlanMaryland.

From the perspective of the local officials who live in rural areas such as Calvert County, the idea of having central planners who live in urban Baltimore, and work in Annapolis making land use decisions is completely abhorrent to the founding of this nation.

I speak in support of HB253 Department of Planning – Local and Regional Planning and Land Use 2 Powers – Prohibition on Restriction which would restrict the Maryland Department of Planning from adopting any regulation or taking any action that restricts the planning and land use powers of local governments or regional planning agencies.

The very idea of distant governmental authorities imposing their will upon citizens is sufficient to say “Don’t Tread On Me”