The Potomac Highlands Dispatch - the online newspaper

Delegation members fill key positions
by vote, announce committee appointments
* Delegate Beitzel new chair of Allegany County House Delegation
* Senator Edwards delegation chair for fifth straight year

For The Potomac Highlands Dispatch
CUMBERLAND, Jan. 19 -- Today, the Allegany County Delegation announced the results of a its recent leadership election. For the 2011 legislative session of the Maryland General Assembly, Delegate Wendell R. Beitzel (R - District 1A) was elected as Allegany County House Delegation Chair. Senator George C. Edwards (R - District 1) was elected to lead the entire delegation, once again, as the Allegany County Delegation Chairman. This is a position Senator Edwards has held for the previous four years.

“This delegation has always had a good working relationship. Though we may disagree from time to time, we all have one interest at heart, and that’s doing what is best for the people of Allegany County,” said Senator Edwards.

The role of Delegation Chairman is to preside over meetings of the delegation, craft the legislative agenda, and recommend courses of action for the delegation to take on certain issues. The House Delegation Chairman’s role is to introduce the delegation’s legislation in the house and to shepherd those bills through the House of Delegates. Delegate LeRoy Myers (R - District 1C) held this position in the past.

“I am honored to be asked by my colleagues to take on this enhanced role with the delegation,” commented Delegate Beitzel.

The Allegany County Delegation is composed of Senator George C. Edwards, Delegate Wendell R. Beitzel, Delegate Kevin Kelly (D - District 1B) and Delegate LeRoy E. Myers, Jr. Delegate Beitzel and Senator Edwards are also chairmen of the respective Garrett County delegations. Delegate Myers also serves as chairman of the Washington County and Western Maryland Delegations.

The members of the delegation have also announced their assignments to the various standing committees. Once again, Senator George C. Edwards has been assigned to the Senate Budget & Tax Committee where he sits on the Public Safety, Transportation and Environment Sub-Committee. Delegate Wendell R. Beitzel has also been assigned to the House Appropriations Committee where he sits on the Transportation and Environment Sub-Committee. This is the third year that the two representing Garrett & Allegany Counties have sat on the budgetary committees.

Delegate Kevin Kelly will continue to serve on the House Judiciary Committee. This committee has purview over the goings on of Maryland’s courts, and legal matters. According to recent press accounts, the state of Maryland’s Death Penalty appears to be poised for further debate before this committee.

Delegate LeRoy E. Myers, Jr. will continue to serve on the House Ways & Means Committee where he sits on the Education Sub-Committee. The House Ways & Means Committee has purview over taxation and election procedures. This committee has also, in the past, been assigned to address matters regarding the future of video lottery terminals at Rocky Gap.

In addition to the various standing committee assignments, the members also sit on a number of statutory committees and caucuses.