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2014 Gubernatorial General Ballot Questions

Statewide Questions

Question 1 - Non-Technical Summary
Constitutional Amendment (Ch. 422 of the 2013 Legislative Session)
Transportation Trust Fund – Use of Funds

(Amending Article III by adding Section 53 to the Maryland Constitution)

Limits the use of Transportation Trust Funds to the payment of principal and interest on transportation bonds and for constructing and maintaining an adequate highway system or any other transportation-related purpose. Also prohibits the transfer of Transportation Trust Funds into the General Fund or a special fund of the State, except for: (1) an allocation or use of highway user revenues for local governments or (2) a transfer of funds to the Maryland Transportation Authority or the Maryland Transportation Authority Fund. Transportation Trust Funds may be used for non-transportation related purposes or transferred to the general fund or a special fund only if the Governor declares a fiscal emergency and the General Assembly approves legislation, by a three-fifths vote of both houses, concurring with the use or transfer of the funds.

For the Constitutional Amendment
Against the Constitutional Amendment

Question 2 - Non-Technical Summary
Constitutional Amendment (Ch. 261 of the 2014 Legislative Session)
Special Election to fill Vacancy in Office of Chief Executive Officer or County Executive

(Amending Article XI-A, Section 3 and Article XVII, Section 2 of the Maryland Constitution)

Authorizes charter counties to provide for special elections to fill a vacancy in the office of chief executive officer or county executive, and exempts a special election to fill a vacancy in the office of chief executive officer or county executive of a charter county from the constitutional requirement that elections for State and county officers be held on a specified four-year cycle. Under existing law, charter counties may only authorize special elections to fill vacancies on the county council.

For the Constitutional Amendment
Against the Constitutional Amendment

Baltimore City

Question A
Bond Issue
School Loan

No. 14-251 to authorize the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore to borrow up to $34,000,000, to be used for the acquisition of land or property to construct and erect new school buildings, athletic and auxiliary facilities; and for additions and improvements to or modernization or reconstruction of existing school buildings or facilities; and to equip all buildings to be constructed, erected, improved, modernized, or reconstructed by the Ordinance; and for doing any and all things necessary, proper or expedient in connection therewith.

For
Against

Question B
Bond Issue
Recreation and Parks and Public Facilities Loan

Ordinance No. 14-254 to authorize the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore to borrow up to $47,000,000 to be used for the acquisition and development of property buildings owned and controlled by the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, the Enoch Pratt Library and public park or recreation land, property, buildings, structures or facilities, for the construction, erection, renovation, alteration, reconstruction, installation, improvement and repair of buildings, structures, or facilities to be or now being used by or in connection with the operations, function and activities of the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, the Enoch Pratt Free Library, public parks and recreational programs; for the acquisition and installation of trees, for tree planting programs and for the equipping of any and all existing and new buildings, structures, and facilities authorized to be constructed, renovated, altered or improved by this Ordinance; and for doing any and all things necessary, proper or expedient in connection therewith.

For
Against

Question C
Bond Issue
Community and Economic Development Loan

Ordinance No. 14-255 to authorize the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore to borrow up to $47,000,000 to be used for, or in connection with, planning, developing, executing and making operative the community, commercial, and industrial economic development programs of the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore and authorizing loans and grants therefore; authorizing loans and grants to various projects and programs related to improving cultural life and promotion of tourism in Baltimore City and for doing any and all things necessary, proper or expedient in connection therewith

For
Against

Question D
Bond Issue
Baltimore Museum of Art Loan

Ordinance No. 14-252 to authorize the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore to borrow up to $400,000 to be used for the acquisition of land or property; and for the construction, erection, renovation, alteration, reconstruction, installation, improvement and repair of buildings, structures, or facilities to be or now being used by or in connection with the Baltimore Museum of Art; and for the equipping of any and all existing and new buildings, Structures, and facilities authorized to be constructed, renovated, altered or improved by this Ordinance; and for doing all things necessary, proper or expedient in connection therewith.

For
Against

Question E
Bond Issue
Walters Art Museum Loan

Ordinance No. 14-250 to authorize the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore to borrow up to $400,000 to be used for the acquisition of land or property; and for the construction, erection, renovation, alteration, reconstruction, installation, improvement and repair of buildings, structures, or facilities to be or now being used by or in connection with the operations, functions and activities of the Walters Art Museum; and for the equipping of any and all existing and new buildings, structures, and facilities authorized to be constructed, renovated, altered or improved by this Ordinance; and for doing all things necessary, proper or expedient in connection therewith.

For
Against

Question F
Bond Issue
Port Discovery Children's Museum Loan

Ordinance No. 14-253 to authorize the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore to borrow up to $400,000 to be used for the acquisition of land or property; and for the construction, erection, renovation, alteration, reconstruction, installation, improvement and repair of buildings, structures, or facilities to be or now being used by or in connection with the Port Discovery Children’s Museum; and for the equipping of any and all existing and new buildings, structures, and facilities authorized to be constructed, renovated, altered or improved by this Ordinance; and for doing all things necessary, proper or expedient in connection therewith.

For
Against

Question G
Bond Issue
National Aquarium at Baltimore

Ordinance No. 14-249 to authorize the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore to borrow up to $800,000 to be used for the acquisition of land or property; and for the construction, erection, renovation, alteration, reconstruction, installation, improvement and repair of buildings, structures, or facilities to be used by or in connection with the National Aquarium in Baltimore; and for the equipping of any and all existing and new buildings, structures, and facilities authorized to be constructed, renovated, altered or improved by this Ordinance; and for doing all things necessary, proper or expedient in connection therewith.

For
Against

Question H
Charter Amendment
City Council - Independent Counsel

Resolution No. 13-13 for the purpose of authorizing the City Council to retain the services of independent legal counsel; providing for the qualifications and term of that counsel; specifying the duties of that counsel; and providing for the counsel’s compensation and expenses.

For the Charter Amendment
Against the Charter Amendment

Question I
Charter Amendment
Multi-Year Collective Bargaining

Resolution 14-14 for the purpose of authorizing the Board of Estimates to approve multi-year collective bargaining agreements with certain unions, subject to certain conditions; providing for the funding of those agreements and conforming and clarifying related language.

For the Charter Amendment
Against the Charter Amendment

Question J
Charter Amendment
Transfer of Powers and Duties

Resolution 14-0377 for the purpose of transferring from the Department of General Services to the Department of Transportation certain Charter powers and duties relating to streets and rights-of-way, including the approval of new streets, the naming or renaming of streets, the opening and closing of streets, the numbering of buildings, the preparation of street plats and plans, and the maintenance of plats and records of all parcels of real property and underground structures, and the maintenance a system of uniform property identification.

For the Charter Amendment
Against the Charter Amendment

Baltimore County

Question A
County Ordinance
Time for Submission of County Budget

AN ORDINANCE to authorize and empower Baltimore County, Maryland to borrow $157,899,000 for public school buildings, buildings for school purposes, buildings to support operations, and public school operations and projects to be undertaken pursuant to Sections 705(a) and 718 of the Baltimore County Charter. (Bill 31-14)

For Bond Issue
Against Bond Issue

Question B
County Ordinance
Parks, Preservation and Greenways Borrowing

AN ORDINANCE to authorize and empower Baltimore County, Maryland to borrow $4,000,000 for parks, preservation and greenways projects to be undertaken pursuant to Sections 705(a) and 718 of the Baltimore County Charter. (Bill 30-14)

For Bond Issue
Against Bond Issue

Question C
County Ordinance
Public Works Borrowing

AN ORDINANCE to authorize and empower Baltimore County, Maryland to borrow $46,370,000 for public works purposes, for the class of projects which includes, among other things, streets and highways, bridges and storm drainage systems, to be undertaken pursuant to Sections 705(a) and 718 of the Baltimore County Charter. (Bill 28-14)

For Bond Issue
Against Bond Issue

Question D
County Ordinance
Community Improvement Project Borrowing

AN ORDINANCE to authorize and empower Baltimore County, Maryland to borrow $10,000,000 for community improvement projects to be undertaken pursuant to Sections 705(a) and 718 of the Baltimore County Charter. (Bill 33-14)

For Bond Issue
Against Bond Issue

Question E
County Ordinance
Operational Buildings Borrowing

AN ORDINANCE to authorize and empower Baltimore County, Maryland to borrow $28,500,000 for public operational buildings including, but not limited to, general, health, police, fire, recreation, libraries, senior center and detention buildings or facilities and necessary or desirable equipment, to be undertaken pursuant to Sections 705(a) and 718 of the Baltimore County Charter. (Bill 29-14)

For Bond Issue
Against Bond Issue

Question F
County Ordinance
Refuse Disposal Borrowing

AN ORDINANCE to authorize and empower Baltimore County, Maryland to borrow $11,930,000 for refuse disposal projects to be undertaken pursuant to Sections 705(a) and 718 of the Baltimore County Charter. (Bill 26-14)

For Bond Issue
Against Bond Issue

Question G
County Ordinance
Community College Borrowing

AN ORDINANCE to authorize and empower Baltimore County, Maryland to borrow $15,000,000 for community college projects to be undertaken pursuant to Sections 705(a) and 718 of the Baltimore County Charter. (Bill 27-14)

For Bond Issue
Against Bond Issue

Question H
County Ordinance
Agricultural and Rural Land Preservation Borrowing

AN ORDINANCE to authorize and empower Baltimore County, Maryland to borrow $2,000,000 for agricultural and rural land preservation projects to be undertaken pursuant to Sections 705(a) and 718 of the Baltimore County Charter. (Bill 32-14)

For Bond Issue
Against Bond Issue

Question I
County Ordinance
Waterway Improvement Program Borrowing

AN ORDINANCE to authorize and empower Baltimore County, Maryland to borrow $2,000,000 for waterway improvement projects to be undertaken pursuant to Sections 705(a) and 718 of the Baltimore County Charter. (Bill 34-14)

For Bond Issue
Against Bond Issue

Question J
Local Referendum by Petition
Bill 76-12: Zoning Regulations - Manufacturing, Heavy (M.H.) Zone Regulations - Adaptive Reuse of Historic Buildings

Bill 76-12 provides that a tract of land located in a Manufacturing, Heavy (M.H.) Zone that is at least 40 acres in size and includes an existing building identified as an historic property may be developed and used in accordance with the use, height, and area regulations for the B.M. Zone or the special regulations for C.T. Districts as long as the development proposal includes the retention of at least a portion of the existing historic building.

For the Referred Law
Against the Referred Law

Cecil County

Question A
Charter Amendment
Time for Submission of County Budget

To amend the Cecil County Charter to require the County Executive to submit the county budget to the County Council by April 1st and to require the County Council to adopt the Annual Budget and Appropriation Ordinance by June 15th.

For the Charter Amendment
Against the Charter Amendment

Question B
Charter Amendment
Adoption of Budget by Operation of Law

To amend the Cecil County Charter to provide that if the County Council does not adopt the Annual Budget and Appropriation Ordinance by June 15th, then the county budget as submitted by the County Executive shall become law.

For the Charter Amendment
Against the Charter Amendment

Question C
Charter Amendment
Budget Amendments

To amend the Cecil County Charter to provide for amendment of the Annual Budget and Appropriation Ordinance by resolution approved by the affirmative vote of not less than three members of the County Council.

For the Charter Amendment
Against the Charter Amendment

Question D
Charter Amendment
Bonding of Officers

To amend the Cecil County Charter to provide that officers of the County who have possession of or control over any County funds shall be bonded for the faithful performance of their duties in an amount that equals or exceeds $500,000.

For the Charter Amendment
Against the Charter Amendment

Charles County

Question A
County Charter Adoption
Adoption of County Charter

Do you approve the adoption of the Charter of Charles County proposed by the Charles County Charter Board?

For Adoption of the Charter
Against Adoption of the Charter

Garrett County

Question A
Local Referendum from General Assembly
Chapter 418-2014
Alcoholic Beverages - Sunday Sales for Off-Premises Consumption

Do you favor authorizing for off-premises consumption the sale of alcoholic beverages on Sunday from 1 p.m. until 10 p.m. by holders of Class A; Class B; Special 2-day, 6-day, and 12-day Class C; and Class D alcoholic beverages licenses in each election district or precinct in Garrett County in which voters approve the referendum; and requiring the payment of additional fees on Class A, Class B, and Class D license holders who wish to provide Sunday sales.

For the Sunday sales of alcoholic beverages
Against the Sunday sales of alcoholic beverages

Question B
Local Referendum from General Assembly
Chapter 445-2014
Alcoholic Beverages - Sunday Sales for On-Premises Consumption

Do you favor authorizing Sunday sales of alcoholic beverages with a meal, if applicable in your election district by holders of Class B, Class C and Class D alcoholic beverages licenses, in accordance with Article 2B, Section 11-512 of the Annotated Code of Maryland, from 1 p.m. until 10 p.m. and requiring the payment of additional fees by Class B., Class C and Class D license holders who wish to sell alcoholic beverages on Sundays.

For the Sunday sales of alcoholic beverages
Against the Sunday sales of alcoholic beverages

(only appears in election district or precincts: 2, 3-1, 3-2, 4, 5, 8-1, 8-2, 10, 12, 13, 14-2 and 16)

Harford County

Question A
Charter Amendment
Auditor Duties

To Amend the Harford County Charter to identify offices subject to audit as well as allowing for operational and performance audits to be conducted by the County Auditor upon a majority vote of the County Council.

For the Charter Amendment
Against the Charter Amendment

Question B
Charter Amendment
Deputy Directors in the Executive Branch

To Amend the Harford County Charter to include all Deputy Directors of the Executive Branch in the exempt services, making them non-classified and at-will employees. These positions shall be appointed by the County Executive and subject to confirmation by the County Council.

For the Charter Amendment
Against the Charter Amendment

Howard County

Question A
Charter Amendment
Deadline for County Council Action on Bills

Amending the Howard County Charter to allow the County Council to approve, by vote of two-thirds of its members, a maximum of two 30-day extensions of the 65-day deadline for considering bills that are before the Council. Currently the Council is limited to one 30-day extension by a two-thirds vote.

For the Charter Amendment
Against the Charter Amendment

Montgomery County

Question A
Charter Amendment by Act of County Council
District Councilmember Residency Requirement

Amend Sections 102, 104, 106, and 114 of the County Charter to:

  • clarify that a candidate for a District Council seat must reside in the district at the time of the primary and general election;
  • provide that a Councilmember elected by a district must reside in that district during the member’s entire term;
  • provide that any change in the district boundaries during a District Councilmember’s term does not render the Councilmember ineligible to complete that term;
  • clarify that any revised Council District boundaries apply in any special election held to fill a vacancy after the boundaries are amended; and
  • clarify that, if a vacancy occurs, the Council appointee, or the candidate elected in a special election to fill the vacancy, must reside in the district as it exists when the vacancy occurs.

For
Against

Prince George's County

Question A
Charter Required Referendum
(CB-44-2014)
Public Safety Facilities Bonds

An Act enabling the County to borrow money and issue bonds in an amount not exceeding $240,839,000 to finance the design, construction, reconstruction, extension, acquisition, improvement, enlargement, alteration, renovation, relocation, rehabilitation or repair of Public Safety Facilities (including Fire/EMS Department Facilities), as defined therein.

For the Charter Referendum
Against the Charter Referendum

Question B
Charter Required Referendum
(CB-45-2014)
Library Facilities Bonds

An Act enabling the County to borrow money and issue bonds in an amount not exceeding $32,243,000 to finance the design, construction, reconstruction, extension, acquisition, improvement, enlargement, alteration, renovation, relocation, rehabilitation or repair of Library Facilities, as defined therein.

For the Charter Referendum
Against the Charter Referendum

Question C
Charter Required Referendum
(CB-46-2014)
Community College Facilities Bonds

An Act enabling the County to borrow money and issue bonds in an amount not exceeding $93,617,000 to finance the design, construction, reconstruction, extension, acquisition, improvement, enlargement, alteration, renovation, relocation, rehabilitation or repair of Community College Facilities, as defined therein.

For the Charter Referendum
Against the Charter Referendum

Question D
Charter Required Referendum
(CB-47-2014)
County Buildings Bonds

An Act enabling the County to borrow money and issue bonds in an amount not exceeding $238,182,000 to finance the design, construction, reconstruction, extension, acquisition, improvement, enlargement, alteration, renovation, relocation, rehabilitation or repair of County Buildings, as defined therein.

For the Charter Referendum
Against the Charter Referendum

Question E
Charter Required Referendum
(CB-48-2014)
Public Works and Transportation Facilities Bonds

An Act enabling the County to borrow money and issue bonds in an amount not exceeding $122,385,000 to finance the design, construction, reconstruction, extension, acquisition, improvement, enlargement, alteration, renovation, relocation, rehabilitation or repair of Public Works and Transportation Facilities (including roads and bridges, parking lots, and maintenance facilities), as defined therein.

For the Charter Referendum
Against the Charter Referendum

Question F
Charter Required Referendum
(CB-50-2014)
Proposed Charter Amendment

To clarify that general obligation bonds shall be in serial and/or term form.

For the Charter Referendum
Against the Charter Referendum

Question G
Charter Required Referendum
(CB-51-2014)
Proposed Charter Amendment

To provide that immediately upon a vacancy in the Office of the County Executive, the Chief Administrative Officer shall become the Acting County Executive until a County Executive is chosen by the methods established in this Section of the Charter.

For the Charter Referendum
Against the Charter Referendum

Question H
Charter Required Referendum
(CB-52-2014)
Proposed Charter Amendment

To change the number of designated newspapers of record from three to one or more; and to designate two or more primary sources of County maintained electronic media available to the public for publication and transmission of official County notices.

For the Charter Referendum
Against the Charter Referendum

Question I
Charter Required Referendum
(CB-53-2014)
Proposed Charter Amendment

To include disability and sexual orientation as additional bases of prohibited discrimination in the County personnel system.

For the Charter Referendum
Against the Charter Referendum

Question J
Charter Required Referendum
(CB-54-2014)
Proposed Charter Amendment

To increase the number of consecutive terms that a person may serve on the County Council or as County Executive from two terms to three terms.

For the Charter Referendum
Against the Charter Referendum

Talbot County

Question A
Charter Amendment
County Council Salary

The County Charter currently sets compensation for members of the County Council at $14,400 per year, with the President of the Council receiving an additional $1,000 per year. The proposed Charter amendment authorizes the County Council to increase the compensation of the County Council from $14,400 per annum to $16,500 per annum, with the Council President to receive an additional $1,000 per annum. If the proposed amendment is approved by the voters at the election, the salary increase authorized by the amendment shall become effective for the Council terms beginning in December 2014; this amendment shall have no effect on the existing salaries of the sitting Council.

For the Charter Amendment
Against the Charter Amendment