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Local Voices
Insider Politics

Correcting The Record

It struck many as odd that Councilman Todd Huff voted with the majority to table a term limits bill when the Baltimore County Council met last night.

Huff was not available Tuesday night for comment and didn't immediately return a call from a reporter seeking comment.

But Wednesday morning, the Timonium Republican explained that it was just an honest mistake.

This was the first time the new council, which has five new members including Huff, has voted to table a bill. In the case of a vote like this, a yes vote is actually a vote to kill the bill.

Huff said he initially thought he was voting for the bill.

"Literally, I immediately caught what I had done but I couldn't say anything on the floor," said Huff, who co-sponsored the bill with Councilman David Marks, a Perry Hall Republican. "It's my bill so it makes sense that I would not want to table it."

Huff said he immediately went to council staff after the meeting and asked that his vote be changed to opposing the motion to table the bill.

The change was approved but makes little difference in the outcome. Instead of a 6-1 vote against, the bill will now be recorded as being tabled on a 5-2 vote along strict party lines.

Etc.

Happy Birthday to two Baltimore County Democrats. Sens. Jim Brochin of Towson is 48. Sen. Kathy Klausmeier of Perry Hall is 62.

William Thomas Capps Jr.

9:36 am on Wednesday, February 22, 2012

We need term limits for all elected officials in Annapolis

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K Blue

11:49 am on Wednesday, February 22, 2012

I think its a shame that the bill was tabled. It should have gone to a formal vote. Who motioned for it to be tabled and what reason was given for tabling it?

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Bryan P. Sears

12:17 pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Councilman Tom Quirk moved to table the bill. In previous interviews, Quirk has told me he opposes formal term limits because voters can already vote out members as they see fit. The motion was seconded by Councilman Ken Oliver.

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Buzz Beeler

8:28 pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Bryan, would you expect anything less regarding that issue. No one in that position is going to give up that kind of power easily, especially when they are already sitting at that "table."

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