It’s not often that a witness begins his testimony at a bill hearing by congratulating the vice chairman for winning a Most Valuable Player award. 

            The witness was Billy Ripken.  The bill would encourage physical fitness by providing a tax credit for the cost of qualified physical activity programs.  

            The award was a Gold Glove for defensive performance, close but not quite an MVP.  And I’m the Vice Chairman.        Before and after that accolade from Billy, my staff and I worked on amendments to several of my bills.

            Subcommittees are considering House Bill 32, which would provide health care for homeless youth, and House Bill 101, which would protect participants in the petition gathering process for a referendum from harassment. 

            House Bill 442, which would protect consumers in arbitration, has a public hearing tomorrow.

            By the way, I forgot to mention that the Gold Glove trophy is in my Annapolis office…

February 16