ON THE WEB: The Center for Environmental Health's news releases Toys "R" Us main online site, and their statement on the recall The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission site for checking product recalls http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerel.html

Attorney General Doug Gansler wrote the toy-store chain asking them to suspend sale of the bibs -- sold under labels like Especially for Baby, Koala Baby, and Disney -- because of reports the items contained significant levels of lead. Stores chains nationwide are removing the bibs.

The action to recall the bibs, which were made in China and supplied by Hamco Inc. of Gonzales, La., comes amidst nationwide concern about imported Chinese products tainted with lead. This month toy maker Mattel recalled millions of Chinese-made pre-school toys, which included popular Sesame Street characters like Elmo and Big Bird, because of lead paint.

Last week, a California group, the Center for Environmental Health, sued Toys "R" Us and Wal-Mart for violating state laws regulating lead levels in children's products. They welcomed news of the quick recall, which they said was prompted by their lawsuit.

"We appreciate Toys 'R' Us taking this strong action to protect children. Vinyl is a poison plastic that has no place around a baby's neck," said Charlie Pizarro, associate director of CEH, in a press release. "We hope the company disposes of the toxic bibs safely." The bibs had passed rigorous in-house tests administered under a vinyl-bib testing policy the company adheres to that are in force in California, according to a statement from Toys "R" Us.

However, an independent firm that retested the bibs found two samples that contained lead levels above the toy company's testing standards.

Toys "R" Us has increased the amount of third party testing it does on items on store shelves, the chain stated.

"The company will continue to take decisive and aggressive action in ensuring the products it sells meet only the highest quality assurance standards," the statement said.

Toys “R” Us has also agreed that consumers who purchased the bibs may return them to the stores where they were purchased and receive refunds. Toys “R” Us is also implementing a new policy regarding the amount of lead that is allowed in the products it sells. The new policy is stricter than the existing standards of the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Consumers who bought the bibs can return them to the Toys “R” Us store they purchased them from for a refund.

The company will implement a new policy regarding the amount of lead allowed in products it sells. The new policy will be stricter than existing standards of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, according to the Attorney General's Office.

“I am pleased that Toys ‘R’ Us has quickly agreed to remove these potentially dangerous products from its store shelves,” Gansler said. “I encourage any consumers who purchased these vinyl bibs to stop using them at once and return them to Toys ‘R’ Us.”

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	For more details To learn how Tax-Increment Financing affects business, e-mail Frederick County Chamber of Commerce’s legislative coordinator Katie Nash at knash@frederickchamber.org.

On Thursday, commissioners discussed the merits of ending a Tax-Increment Financing proposal, a municipal economic development tool. The financing allows a company to borrow money tax free and at lowered interest rates. The money can be used to buy or improve land and renovate buildings at below-market costs.

In 2006, the financing was offered to MedImmune, a biotechnology firm known for the needle-free flu vaccine FluMist, to help the development of a $250 million second building in Frederick that will be finished in 2009.

During Thursday’s meeting, commissioners considered rescinding the proposal to help finance MedImmune’s expansion.

Representatives from the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce believe losing the financing could mean less business in the future.

Ric Adams, chamber president, worries removing an existing financing offer would have a “chilling effect” on business in Frederick County.

UPDATE — CORRECTION 9:45 A.M. AUG. 15, 2007

Last week, the Frederick County Commissioners discussed the merits of ending a Tax-Increment Financing proposal, a municipal economic development tool. The financing uses a portion of the increase in the property taxes associated with a private investment or improvement to pay the debt service for public infrastructure. The money can be used only to pay for public infrastructure, such as roads, water and sewer.

A story on page B-6 Wednesday incorrectly stated the financing was offered to MedImmune in 2006 to help with development of a $250 million building to be finished in 2009.

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The pair released a website to help small business owners find tax information and other business topics.

Among the topics:

The Pennsylvania-based company denied accusations, but agreed to limit its future advertising and pay consumers restitution.

The discount cards, which cost $5.95 per month, promised consumers discounts off of the regular price of medical, dental and/or prescription services. Among the Consumer Protection Division's allegations:

stop making claims the card will save members money or state the basis for the claim

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The programs, launched today, will focus on more power-efficient homes and encourage people to use compact fluorescent lighting -- bulbs that last longer, use less energy and produce less heat than normal incandescent bulbs.

The goal of EmPOWER is to cut each Marylanders' power use by 15 percent by the year 2015.

From this morning's press release:

Maryland Energy Efficient Affordable Housing Development Program -- Using a $250,000 grant from MEA, the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) will initiate an affordable housing program to increase the energy efficiency of homes receiving funding assistance from DHCD.

New homes will have to meet the national EPA ENERGY STAR Qualified New Homes energy saving target of 15 percent more energy efficient than required by code. Existing home rehabilitation projects will have to increase their energy efficiency levels by approximately 15 percent.

Improving Energy Efficiency in Existing Homes -- MEA will initiate a pilot program to increase existing home energy efficiency through a whole-house approach.

The program will train local home remodeling contractors and heating and cooling contractors to evaluate homes using state-of-the-art equipment and recommend comprehensive improvements that will provide the highest energy savings at the lowest cost. Average energy savings in this program, based upon experience in other states, should be approximately 20 percent.

Energy Efficient Lighting: Change A Light, Change the World -- On Oct. 3, O’Malley will kick off a statewide effort with Maryland residents, colleges, schools, businesses, and utilities to promote the Change a Light, Change the World Campaign initiated by the federal energy and environmental agencies.

The Campaign encourages each consumer to change at least one incandescent light bulb to a compact fluorescent light bulb. The Maryland campaign will encourage residents to add four CFL’s to their homes. If every Maryland home replaced four existing light bulbs with CFL’s, residential electricity consumption in Maryland would decrease by 2 percent and save $81 million.

Energy Efficient Lighting for DHR - Office of Home Energy Programs Participants -- MEA, in coordination with the Maryland Department of Human Resources’ Office of Home Energy Programs, will provide 100,000 CFL’s to participants in the department’s energy assistance programs.

Low-income families are particularly hard hit by increases in energy prices and this effort will help families cut their lighting bills.

	ON THE WEB: A map showing historic district boundaries.

And that includes businesses -- signs, restored shop fronts, awnings and basically any changes to a building or structure that can be seen from the street.

City Hall announced today a special hearing of the HPC at 6 p.m., Aug. 30, on draft Frederick Town Historic District Design Guidelines, 2007 Edition. The public is invited. HPC commissioners will consider making a recommendation on the guidelines to the mayor and aldermen.

City Hall Reporter Justin Palk said in his July 16 City Notes column that the commission "intends for the new guidelines to be easier to understand and more informative for people seeking to erect or rehabilitate buildings in the historic district."

For more information, contact Linda Gravitt at 301-600-2995.

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PENALTIES Should the taxpayer fail to pay, provide a qualifying reason for having not yet paid, or enter into a payment plan, the Comptroller’s Office may then: file a lien garnish wages prevent renewal of state business licenses prevent renewal of professional and occupational licenses attach assets (including bank accounts) intercept state and federal tax refunds file an estimated assessment for taxes due in unreported periods issue a summons to appear at a hearing to revoke a sales tax license or initiate other legal processes suspend state payments if the taxpayer does business with the state --Source: Comptroller's Office

All told the 50 owe more than $6.1 million.

"No one is above the tax laws," the site, Caught in the Web, states. "If you don't want to see your name posted on our site along with other tax delinquents, be sure to keep up with your tax obligations."

Earthworks LLC, of 1460B W. Patrick St., Frederick, is listed as owing $33,072 in sales and use tax, and $55,046 in withholding tax.

Those amounts may include substantial penalties and interest, said Comptroller's Spokeswoman Christine Duray.

Since the program’s inception in 2000, the agency has collected over $20.3 million from 451 delinquent taxpayers. In the past six months alone, officials have collected $1.5 million in back taxes from 32 scofflaw taxpayers.

“The vast majority of Marylanders are hard-working, honest and pay their fair share in state taxes,” Franchot said. “This program highlights those who would enjoy the benefits of living in Maryland and allow their neighbors to shoulder all the financial costs. The Comptroller’s Office is committed to ensuring that everyone pays their fair share.”

A press release from Comptroller Peter Franchot is bluntly clear: the website was created to send a message to those who have ignored all attempts by the state to collect overdue taxes.

"These are the worst of the worst," Duray said.

UPDATE 2:20 p.m.: I just checked our archives and came up with a brief story from June 30, 2006 about Earthworks, a landscape and design business, closing.

For some reason I can't bring it up from our online archives, so I'll cut and paste it here:

FREDERICK — Earthworks, a landscaping and garden accessories business, has closed.

"They had an inability to move forward," said John Sica, attorney for Frank and Donna Lynch, owners of the business.

Mr. Sica said Thursday that he has sent letters to customers who had put money down for projects.

Mr. Sica said he is advising customers to check with the Maryland Home Improvement Commission on any reimbursements for money they may have put down on projects or products.

The commission will review claims and can get up to $15,000 in repayment, he said.

"The company would do whatever it could to return what it could, but I'm referring people to the MHIC," he said.

The commission will help customers find another firm to complete landscaping projects.

The Lynches began the business in 1999 and expanded with a garden center on the Golden Mile in 2004. The couple later briefly operated a home furnishings and outdoor design business on North East Street.

The contact for the Maryland Home Improvement Commission is 1-888-218-5925 or visit at www.maryland.gov and navigate to the commission's information site. A claim form can be pulled up electronically.

	PREVIOUS ENTRIES: A blog post on Sen. Paul Pinsky's request for information about corporate income tax payers The Maryland Chamber of Commerce's response to the report, calling it discredited and meaningless. A story on the comptroller's report and the chamber's reply

Well, in response the recent report that nearly half the largest companies in Maryland aren't paying corporate income taxes, Thompson is back on the warpath.

"The only thing possibly more outrageous than large, profitable, multi-state corporations not paying any Maryland income taxes on their Maryland operations is the prospect that many of these corporations may be receiving government economic development benefits," he said today, via e-mail.

He goes on:

"The situation is yet another disturbing example of how the government privatizes the profits of the modern political economy while socializing its costs. While I stand firm in my belief that large, profitable multi-state corporations should pay their fair share of Maryland income taxes on their Maryland operations, I acknowledge that I probably stand alone."

Today he issued a draft resolution that would, according to his email, ask fellow commissioners to:

express concern that 64 of the 150 largest for-profit corporations in Maryland did not pay any Maryland income taxes on their Maryland operations in 2005;

express concern that some of these large, multi-state corporations that do not pay Maryland income taxes may be receiving government economic benefits;

urge the General Assembly to adopt legislation to require large, multi-state corporations to pay Maryland income tax on their Maryland operations in proportions commensurate with ordinary Maryland corporations; and

urge the General Assembly to adopt legislation to require large, multi-state corporations who receive government economic benefits to publicly disclose their Maryland income tax returns.

Prince George's County Democrat Sen. Paul Pinsky, who requested the report, will undoubtedly follow it up with some kind of legislation.

However, what is unusual is that although we may see a raft of bills to stanch the leak, we may not see that many from Republicans like Thompson.

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	BY THE NUMBERS: Comptroller’s Office enforcement 50,392 — packs of seized contraband cigarettes $207,146 — value of confiscated cigarettes $174,898 — value of confiscated of alcohol products 359 — arrests for motor fuel violations 131 — amount arrests increased over previous year $1.4 million: amount of delinquent sales and use tax collected

Comptroller Peter Franchot announced today the results of a year of his top priority, “Vigorously enforcing the tax laws of this state and protecting honest Maryland business from the scourge of tax scofflaws.”

“Stricter enforcement of existing tax laws is one method that can help solve the structural deficit,” he said in a statement. “These results are another example of how our office is committed to making sure that all Marylanders pay their fair share of taxes.”

In recent years, the Comptroller’s Office has increased its enforcement efforts to crack down on the sale of illegal cigarettes and alcohol.

Over $1.4 million of delinquent sales and use tax was collected over the last fiscal year by the office. The money goes back to the state.

The Comptroller’s Office keeps the contraband as evidence. Once a case is adjudicated, the products are returned if a defendant is innocent, or, on a guilty verdict, sold. Money from the sales goes back into the state’s general fund.

Franchot encouraged law enforcement agencies to work with his office in enforcing laws for alcoholic beverages, tobacco products and motor fuel. The Comptroller is responsible for issuing the cigarette and special cigarette licenses needed for over-the-counter cigarette sales, and has the right to reprimand, suspend or revoke licenses for improper use.

“We stand ready to work with local officials,” said John Horney, director of the Comptroller’s Field Enforcement Division. “Cooperation between agencies is the key to effective lawenforcement and Comptroller Franchot is anxious to spread the word to the law enforcement community that his office is yet another tool available to them.”

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According to the Maryland's Treasurer's Office the state is only one of seven to hold the coveted AAA rating, which allows it to borrow money at favorable interest rates to spend on building projects -- schools, hospitals and prisons.

Low interest can save Marylanders millions of dollars in taxes.

Fitch Ratings, Moody’s Investors Service and Standard & Poor’s rate the state's financial health to determine the rating.Three weeks ago the agencies visited the state and questioned Maryland's top officials, including Gov. Martin O'Malley, House Speaker Michael Busch, Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, and the chairpeople of the house and Senate budget committees.

"The interaction was excellent and forthcoming,” said Maryland Treasurer Nancy Kopp, adding that the rating reflects a strong economy, prudent management and stable financial condition.

“The bond rating agency representatives were impressed by the intent of our top policymakers to address our structural deficit in a thoughtful manner, as illustrated by our retention of our AAA rating, the highest one attainable,” she said.

What does the money raised pay for? From the release:

Proceeds from the capital improvement bonds will cover the acquisition and construction of state facilities; public schools; community colleges; jails and correctional facilities, as well as grants to local governments and non-profit institutions for hospitals, cultural and other projects.

According to the Treasurer's Office, the state last conducted a general obligation bond sale of $325 million on Feb. 28 the second in fiscal year 2007, using the Parity electronic bidding system. The winning bidder was Citigroup Global Markets Inc. with a 3.86 percent interest rate.

UPDATE 2:40 p.m.: No doubt Comptroller Peter Franchot must be relieved. In this this Feb. 28 story, he warned that the bond rating agencies was looking to see how the state handled the deficit.

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This press release just came through from the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development:

The Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED) today announced plans to move its headquarters to the World Trade Center Baltimore, effective October 2008. The move places the State’s premier economic development agency in one of Maryland’s most high profile properties and saves the agency more than $100,000 over the lease term.

“This is an exciting opportunity for DBED to cut costs and centralize operations in one of Maryland’s most iconic structures,” said David Edgerley, DBED Secretary. “This relocation is just one of many ways DBED is working closely with the Maryland Department of Transportation to leverage our national and international business development efforts.”

About 250 of DBED’s 322 employees will occupy seven of the landmark building’s 30 floors, just feet from the Inner Harbor. The move will put DBED closer to a key state partner, the Maryland Port Administration, which has operated the building since it was opened in 1977.

“Acquiring DBED as a tenant is a major step forward in our aggressive effort to return the World Trade Center Baltimore to its position of prominence in the Baltimore office market,” said Transportation Secretary John D. Porcari. “For an agency responsible for marketing Maryland to the world, there is no better address to have than that of the World Trade Center Baltimore.”

The World Trade Center contains nearly 300,000 rentable square feet. With the arrival of DBED, the building will be more than 70 percent occupied. In February 2007, the O’Malley Administration announced its intention to retain the World Trade Center Baltimore as a state asset and to re-tenant the building. The office tower had been offered for sale by the prior administration.

“This move puts DBED where it belongs -- at a visible location in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, a compelling example of Maryland’s business development,” said Donald C. Fry, president and CEO of the Greater Baltimore Committee. “It strongly supports the administration’s decision to retain this flagship building and put it to effective use in promoting and growing our state’s economy.”

The World Trade Center is the centerpiece of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. Located near the heart of the city’s downtown business district, it is still regarded as one of the premier office towers in the region. Designed by visionary architect I.M. Pei, the World Trade Center Baltimore is the world’s tallest pentagonal structure.

	Photo by file DLLR Secretary Thomas Perez

Although the unemployment rate for the past three months of 3.6 percent crept up slightly to 3.8 percent, that is still below the national level of 4.5 percent.

Maryland's June unemployment rate for June was still the lowest for the month since June, according to a press release from the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.

The labor market's stability indicates a healthy economy, DLLR Secretary Thomas Perez said.

From the statement:

Movement on Maryland’s business payrolls stalled a bit in June, with jobs dropping back after 10 months of uninterrupted growth. Reductions occurred primarily in the public sector, although the business services, finance and hospitality sectors also saw lower totals in June.

Locally, an influx of summer jobseekers into the market pushed non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rates higher everywhere but in Worcester County.

In June, 13 jurisdictions, Frederick included, posted below-state-average unemployment numbers. Jobless lows were in Frederick, Howard and Montgomery counties.

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	Finding unclaimed property online: www.marylandtaxes.com www.missingmoney.com Anyone who finds their name should contact the Comptroller's Office at 410-767-1700 or toll free at 1-800-782-7383 to make a claim. The agency has 714,000 accounts worth more than $580 million on its books.

Anyhow, Comptroller's Office employees will be manning booths throughout summer at various state fairs to allow people to check the agencies files of unclaimed property.

"Our No. 1 job at the Comptroller's Office is to serve the people," Comptroller Peter Franchot said in a statement. "Part of that responsibility is to connect people with unclaimed funds so they get what they are owed. I urge Marylanders who are attending any of these events to stop by our booth."

Apparently, the service will only extend to five county fairs and the state fair in the Baltimore-Washington metro region.

The schedule:

Government

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Will Burns, director of communications for the Maryland Chamber of Commerce, said via e-mail that Sen. Paul Pinsky's press release was "misleading."

Burns said that according to Ron Wineholt, the Maryland Chamber’s vice president of government relations, this is "the same misleading report that we saw in 2004 and 2005 and (was) discredited in each case."

The chamber has the following problems with the report:

The report provides “preliminary” data for tax year 2005, even though the cover page acknowledges that “tax year 2005 information remains incomplete, as returns for many corporations whose tax year begins after July 1 are not yet due.” Any attempt to draw conclusions from such incomplete data is meaningless.

The report omits disclaimers that were part of the 2004 and 2005 reports which stated that the Comptroller’s Office is unable to match related corporate entities from their data system and, therefore, “this information most likely does not provide a full picture of the corporate income taxes paid by many 'businesses' as they are commonly perceived…such a structure does not necessarily imply tax avoidance.”

The fact is that Maryland has collected record amounts of corporate income taxes in recent years:

FY 2003: $397 million
FY 2004: $432 million
FY 2005: $673 million
FY 2006: $820 million

Maryland’s corporate income tax system is consistent with that used by most other states.

The Comptroller’s Office already has ample authority under existing law to combine related entities under “Section 482” authority granted to his office in 2004. Moving to a “combined reporting” standard for corporate income taxation would merely create new complexity and uncertainty for Maryland businesses without a clear understanding of the fiscal impact on businesses or the state.

I'll be filing a story on the debate sometime this week.

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Big Business

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	Photo by Maryland General Assembly website Se. Paul Pinsky, D-Prince George's, who requested a report from the Comptroller's Office that showed almost half of the largest for-profit corporations paid no state income tax.

A Comptroller's Office report showed 64 of 132 biggest for-profit companies, ranked by payroll, had not reported any tax liability.

Individual tax returns are proprietary, so it is unknown exactly how much money that equates. Half of the companies that did report paid $145 million, said Prince George's County Democrat Sen. Paul Pinsky, who requested the report.

"Who knows how much we'd collect if they were all forced to pay," he said.

Pinsky supports tax reform called "combined reporting," which would restrict companies from avoiding taxes through tax avoidance, such as incorporating subsidiaries in other states.

Less than half the companies from the financial and banking sectors reported paying income tax; only nine out of 18 companies from the retail sector did.

They included financial and banking companies such as Bank of America, Legg Mason, Chevy Chase, and Wachovia, and retailers like Wal-Mart, Safeway and Home Depot.

“By using loopholes, shelters and other gimmicks, these big companies are avoiding paying Maryland taxes," Pinsky said. "It’s a one-way relationship: they benefit from doing business here but don’t give back. Every other resident pays taxes; they should too.”

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Big Business

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The "one green hour" is planned from noon to 1 p.m. to mark Maryland Energy Independence Day.

A press release the state Democratic Party sent out Wednesday urges the 60 minute experience be used to "learn and apply all the things you can do to reduce energy usage, save money, reduce dependence on foreign energy sources and reduce harmful 'greenhouse gas' emissions."

Naturally, there's a political tinge to the event. From the release:

"By raising awareness and contributing to the solution we will also help your Maryland Democratic leaders in Congress as they push Energy Independence Legislation this Summer to combat global warming, reduce energy costs, create new innovation-based jobs, and strengthen our national security while protecting the planet."

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Environment

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	See 2007 Digital Counties Survey winners here Frederick County government website: here.

The county topped others with populations of 150,000 to 249,999 in 2007's Digital Counties Survey at a ceremony in Richmond, Va.

"With the support of the Frederick Board of County Commissioners and the efforts of our employees throughout the county, we have implemented and maintained a visitor-friendly website that offers more timely information on local government services and programs than ever before," said Dale Spangenberg, Interagency Information Technologies Division director.

Key to the No. 1 spot is the county's partnership with CivicPlus, which designs and manages content for local governments. The partnership, part of a county effort to modernize the website, helped move the county up the ranks from it's eighth place tie last year with Cumberland County, Pa.

The Center for Digital Government and National Association of Counties sponsor the website survey completed by counties across the country.

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Government

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	Photo by Doug Koontz Jennifer Dougherty celebrates her mayoral victory in 2001 at her restaurant and bar on West Patrick Street.

Not true, Dougherty said in a telephone interview today. She has an eight-year lease on the property and will continue business as usual.

"I'll be there every day just like I have been," she said. "I have no idea why anyone would say such a thing. I think they're pulling your leg."

Someone must be yanking really hard on that blue, sucker-lined appendage.

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Government

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	Gov. Martin O'Malley on his last stop at the Ceresville Mansion

Here's the post I did on it last week.

After the groundbreaking (well, actually, ground has been broken already on some of the expansion), the guv will meet for lunch with the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce.

I've sent our redoubtable intern, Nicole Dow, out to cover the event. She'll be writing about expansion plans for BP Solar and the chamber. County Reporter Meg Bernhardt will have the scoop on O'Malley's energy policy.

This afternoon, O'Malley will tour the reopened Victor Cullen Center in Sabillasville.

UPDATE 11:56 p.m.: OK, so I confess I did find the $97 million figure a bit of a head scratcher. Hadn't BP Solar announced $70 million as the project's cost?

In fact, they had. As a press release sent out today notes, the company has upped the amount it will invest here in Frederick. Not only that, but it will contribute $100,000 to Maryland's Solar Schools Program, which, according to the release, "assists schools in the installation of solar electric systems, provides curriculum guidance, technical assistance, and can provide limited grants to help defray the high upfront cost of solar."

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Big Business

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	Photo by Sam Yu
	Read my October coverage of the Carroll Creek grand opening. Also a sidebar. As a San Antonio native, I could appreciate what the park attempts to bring to Frederick. Economic development, tourism, amenities and housing. What's missing? A convention center. Shade. A nice greenscape. Creekside dining. River barges. What should be missing? Green slime. --Joseph

The money will help build pedestrian and bicycle paths and visitor amenities throughout the park, according to the release.

The city's department of economic development applied for the money in February. Former Mayor Ron Young headed up the effort, which Mayor Jeff Holtzinger believes helped win the award.

From the press release:

“Young’s assistance was instrumental in preparing the application and submitting backup information and letters of support to the state,” Mayor Jeff Holtzinger said. “Ron’s vision and participation through the years are deeply appreciated by the city.”

Kudos. But maybe some of that money should go to getting that green stinky gunk out of the creek.

FNP city reporter Justin Palk said his sources told him they've had some success with barley treatments.

Park details:

Government

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	Photo by GBACC Brunswick Mayor Carroll Jones, "Spotlight" speaker Jean Toleman of Harpers Ferry Hostel and Brunswick City administrator Dave Dunn.

Jones suggested new business owners contact  Jeff Love, development review planner and  Al Danaher, superintendent of public works before signing a contact on a business site to make sure plans match what will work at the site.

Spotlight speaker Jean Toleman of  Harpers Ferry Hostel discussed the history of the hostel organization and the upcoming Business Card Exchange.

The next GBACC Business Card Exchange is on Thursday, July 19th, 6 to 8 p.m. at the Harpers Ferry Hostel,   click here for directions. For detials, visit  www.gbacc.net.

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Government

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AMERIQUEST CLAIM INFORMATION: More than 481,000 borrowers are eligible, customers of Ameriquest Mortgage Co., Town and Country Credit Corp., and AMC Mortgage Services Inc (formerly known as Bedford Home Loans) from Jan. 1, 1999, to Dec. 31, 2005. Detailed information about the settlement can be found at the Settlement Administrator's website, or by calling 800-420-5875 (866-494-8274 for the hearing impaired).

According to my trusty calculator, that's about $629 a customer, if every affected Ameriquest consumer in the state seeks a chunk.

According to a press release from the Maryland Attorney General's Office, the settlement resolves allegations that Ameriquest and affiliates misrepresented and inadequately disclosed the terms of home loans.

"We believe Ameriquest's predatory lending practices seriously harmed consumers and made it more difficult for them to pay for their homes," Attorney General Doug Gansler said. "This restitution will help compensate the victims of these harmful practices in Maryland."

As part of the agreement, Ameriquest will strengthen its standards, policies and procedures. This is what Ameriquest's chief executive officer Aseem Mital had to say in a Jan. 23 press release on the company's website:

“Doing the right thing for the people we serve has always been one of our core values. We regret those occasions when our associates have not met this ideal to our customers’ expectations. This agreement is good for consumers and fair to the company. It provides a framework for new lending policies that improve and enhance our ability to serve our customers and are a model for the industry.”

Letters and claims forms went out to eligible Marylanders this week from the Attorney General's Office and the Maryland Commissioner of Financial Regulation. The forms, which will indicate a minimum payment consumers can expect, need to be returned by Sept. 10.

The exact payment could be larger, depending on how many people choose to claim. Those who opt for the claim give up the right to sue Ameriquest related to the loans the settlement covers.

See the box to the right for claim information.
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Consumer

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	Photo by File photo BP Solar building, Solarex Court, Frederick
	ON THE WEB: BP Solar North America Office of the Governor

One of the interesting tidbits that the BP press flaks sent along to Meg Bernhardt for her story today was a factlist on expansion plans for the Frederick location, showing green isn't just a large part of the company logo.

From the sheet:

The expansion will feature several green aspects including:

Extensive on-site water recycling. This will allow BP Solar to grow its production capacity without increasing its water demand or waste water production. Net water demand may even be reduced as a result of the project.

Bio-retention storm water management. This is more environmentally friendly on-site processing / re-use of storm water drainage.

Green roof. Part of the new building structure will incorporate a green roof which includes an actual garden. Green roofs improve efficiency by reducing the heating and cooling load requirements, further improving storm water retention as well as helping to absorb carbon emissions.

Reforestation. In addition to adding dozens of new trees and greenery to the site, BP Solar will work with the Wildlife Habitat Council to reforest the site to provide habitat renewal.

LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) building aspects. BP Solar’s expansion project is registered under the LEEDprogram and will include energy efficient lighting, heating and cooling, additional roof photovoltaics, as well as other aspects.

The fact sheet also says BP Solar will invest over $70 million by the end of 2008. That’ll add 70 jobs in a variety of disciplines, double silicon processing capacity, and build new office and administrative space:

The expansion includes a 140,000-square-foot building addition that breaks down into:

Big Business

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The broadband network is intended to help workers in rural areas, such as farmers and fisherman, use technology to increase business and preserve their heritage.

Phase one linked NASA's Wallops Island Space Facility in Virginia to Salisbury State University. The $2 million advance will connect Salisbury to communities surrounding the Bay Bridge.

The money will come from the fiscal year 2009 budget of Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development’s Maryland Economic Development Assistance Fund.

Isn't taking money from the future for a project today a bad idea? What's the plan for Western Maryland? I asked Delegate Rick Weldon and Minority Leader David Brinkley these and other questions.

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Rural/Agriculture

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	Helpful lobbyist links: Frederick County Ethics Commission lobbying ordinance For details, call Katie Nash at 301-662-4164 or e-mail knash@frederickchamber.org.

On Friday, the chamber sent an e-mail to members:

"The Frederick County Ordinance will go into effect July 1, 2007. All members are encouraged to read and become familiar with this ordinance. Any business or individual entity that engages in communication or activities with the Board of County Commissioners or Planning Commission may be affected. The scope of this law is broad and YOU MAY NEED TO REGISTER."

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Government

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	Photo by Doug Koontz Attorney General Doug Gansler in a file photo
	“Passage of this bill will now save Maryland consumers millions of dollars every year in unnecessary repair costs.” Delegate Bill Bronrott, D-Montgomery

Those are the technical service bulletins that car manufacturers issues to dealers about persistent problems with vehicles not covered by warranty, or that are discovered after the warranty expires.

Doug Gansler, Maryland’s attorney general, joined state lawmakers and consumer advocates at an Annapolis car dealership today to promote a new state law that will eliminate the practice.

Consumers end up unaware of such secret warranties — because they are rarely advertised by the manufacturer — and may have to pay for repairs when they take their car to a mechanic, or encounter a problem when the bulletin’s not in effect.

“If there is a design or manufacturing defect in a car, the consumer should not have to pay for the repair in addition to suffering the inconvenience associated with it,” said the law’s Senate sponsor, Sen. Jamie Raskin, a Democrat from Montgomery County.

Costs to consumers total more than $1 billion annually, said Delegate Bill Bronrott, a Montgomery County Democrat and House sponsor of the legislation. “Passage of this bill will now save Maryland consumers millions of dollars every year in unnecessary repair costs,” he said.

Four states have eliminated the practice. Maryland’s new law goes into effect Oct. 1, when automobile manufacturers will be required to mail a notice to the vehicle’s owner within 90 days of creating a warranty adjustment program.

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Government

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