Jon Weinstein was recently appointed by Howard County Executive Ken Ulman to the Spending Affordability Advisory Committee. Jon also served on last year’s Committee. The charter for the committee includes reviewing the County’s projections of revenues and expenditures for fiscal years 2010 through 2014, and making recommendations on future spending, including education capital projects. Members of the Advisory Committee include leaders from the community with various professional backgrounds related to finance and business, as well as government official members representing the Board of Education, Howard Community College and Howard County Government.

Click here for information on the Committee report from March 2008.

The recent trial of a Taneytown man yielded a sentence of 18 months in prison for for the death of a man he struck with his truck while under the influence of alcohol on Route 32 in Sykesville earlier this year. The convicted man had a blood alcohol level of more the twice the legal limit. Maryland law should reflect the severity of this criminal act and establish sentencing guidelines that require minimum sentences equal to the crime. An 18 month sentence seems inconsequential given the circumstances in the death of a 23 year old man.

Click here to see a recent Howard Times article on this case.