2/14 House Ways & Means - Firearm Related Legislation Hearings

[Mr H]

Cardin joined the Ways and Means committee in 2003.

I did not get the impression that anyone on the W&M committee did not know there is a problem, I did get the impression they didn't know were praying the public was not paying attention to it.

They are desperately looking for ways to pay back the money. They see revenue streams. 120,000 firearm applications (note last years bill did not include firearms, only ammo) plus the C&C sales, along with ammo to feed all those new firearms, looks like a nice revenue stream way to cover the hole in the fence.

 

[Mr H]

http://www.prlog.org/12210371-maryl...alition-releases-statement-on-hhs-report.html

See page 15 of this...

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/Pubs/BudgetFiscal/2014rs-operating-budget-fiscal-briefing.pdf

This is the list I was hoping we would find. Thanks!!

The Arc Maryland
Kate Fialkowski, Executive Director (410-970-0093)

Maryland Association of Community Services
Laura Howell, Executive Director (443-848-1384)
Chair, MD Developmental Disabilities Coalition

Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council
Brian Cox, Executive Director (410-446-6025)

Maryland Disability Law Center
Nancy Pineles, Managing Attorney (443-692-2486)

People on the Go of Maryland
Ken Capone, Public Policy Coordinator (301-821-1756)

I would encourage folks who have a history with any of these orgs to pick one, and remind them of the shenanigans at DDA.

How about this... Should be its own section, labeled "Chicanery"

Deficiencies
-137.3
Administration Transfer/Revenue/Reversion Assumptions
146.5

 

[Mr H]

???

They had a $38 million surplus that they hid. I really smell a rat...

The only "fragile system" at work here is the shell game.

 

[Clovis]

Got my copy of the NRA "American Rifleman" today. There is an article titled "Accessiblity offers Possibility" about shooters who are disabled. Some appear to be injured vets and others may be develpmentally disabled. Not sure the DDA services injured vets, but even if they do not, we may have some built in allies with our cause and their's and their troubles with the DDA. Curious if anyone has any insight into this.

 

[Mr H]

Got my copy of the NRA "American Rifleman" today. There is an article titled "Accessiblity offers Possibility" about shooters who are disabled. Some appear to be injured vets and others may be develpmentally disabled. Not sure the DDA services injured vets, but even if they do not, we may have some built in allies with our cause and their's and their troubles with the DDA. Curious if anyone has any insight into this.

DDA is Developmental Disabilities, so I doubt they would be involved for vets.

I would be interested in finding out if there is equivalent stuff going on in other departments.

Here is a bit from the prlog.org entry that is getting my Irish up this morning (emphasis mine)...

Even with recent investments in DDA, the system is inadequately funded with 7,700 children and adults with developmental disabilities in need of services today of which 1400 are in crisis categories. Additionally, existing community services have been critically underfunded, resulting in low-wage staff and inadequate support for children and adults receiving State-funded supports. This fragile system cannot afford to absorb a $20 million loss

This suggests that the budget line items may be nothing more than accounting gimmicks, and DDA management may not even be aware of it.

And then this article...

http://marylandreporter.com/2013/10...d-developmental-disabilities-admin-for-years/

 

[ShallNotInfringe]

Hint: look at this years fiscal report... Specifically at the deficiencies and deficiency appropriations requests.

Very interesting.


Hmmmmm..... Siphoning off alcohol taxes after an increase from 6 to 9% is a "recent investment"? LOL! Sorry, I know it's not funny, but ya just have to laugh at the language distortion to keep from crying.

 

[CrazySanMan]

And then this article...

http://marylandreporter.com/2013/10...d-developmental-disabilities-admin-for-years/

and several weaknesses over access and security of IT data.

Where have I heard that before???

 

[Mr H]

Which brings us back to the beginning...

Jon (Mini-Ben) Cardin has aspirations for the AG's orifice............

 

[rwbow1969]

DDA is Developmental Disabilities, so I doubt they would be involved for vets.

I would be interested in finding out if there is equivalent stuff going on in other departments.

Here is a bit from the prlog.org entry that is getting my Irish up this morning (emphasis mine)...



This suggests that the budget line items may be nothing more than accounting gimmicks, and DDA management may not even be aware of it.

And then this article...

http://marylandreporter.com/2013/10...d-developmental-disabilities-admin-for-years/

Just getting into this discussion. I've read through the thread. What have you guys dug up? This is very interesting.

 

[CrazySanMan]

Which brings us back to the beginning...

Jon (Mini-Ben) Cardin has aspirations for the AG's orifice............

 

[ShallNotInfringe]

Just getting into this discussion. I've read through the thread. What have you guys dug up? This is very interesting.

Welcome!

There is a major accounting problem with the DDA funding.
There was an investigation done and the result was the IG was fired.
Money has been disappeared from a surplus to a major deficiency.
Jon Cardin wants to appropriate ammo and firearms taxes to this account.

Mr h is starting a hash tag #MDisCorrupt

And we have just started turning over rocks.

 

[Mr H]

Just getting into this discussion. I've read through the thread. What have you guys dug up? This is very interesting.

So far, the thrust of it seems to be that DDA is being used as a holding pen for the revenues from the 50% alcohol surtax (and the planned redirect of the firearms/ammo sales tax).

Plus, there are some accounting shenanigans going on that DDA can't explain, on top of the waste, [Federal] fraud, and abuse that's been reported in the links throughout.

Not only does HB415 need to go down in flames, but I believe several someones might be eligible for time in Club Fed.

 

[CrazySanMan]

DDA had a 95% error rate submitting claims to the US DHHS for matching funds and must repay $30 million dollars to DHHS.

 

[Mr H]

Mr h is starting a hash tag #MDisCorrupt

I can't start nuttin!! No TwitFace here! But IMO folks should be adding it to everything they send!

And we have just started turning over rocks.

Yeah... I know there's more to find, and not just with this...

 

[TopShelf]

nice work all! and good idea for new hashtag. I vote #MDcorruption. One in use now is #mdpolitics . I will tweet stuff later including both tags, which will get more eyes on this matter

 

[TopShelf]

The Wire theme song should play when reading this thread

 

[Clovis]

DDA is Developmental Disabilities, so I doubt they would be involved for vets.
Not saying they do handle vet issues, just pointing out every photo I've seen about DDA in Annapolis has people in wheelchairs. I'm assuming birth defects involving misformed or missing limbs is considered a Developmental Disability.
I would be interested in finding out if there is equivalent stuff going on in other departments.

Here is a bit from the prlog.org entry that is getting my Irish up this morning (emphasis mine)...



This suggests that the budget line items may be nothing more than accounting gimmicks, and DDA management may not even be aware of it.

And then this article...

http://marylandreporter.com/2013/10...d-developmental-disabilities-admin-for-years/

...

 

[Clovis]

Hey Shall Not Infringe... in post #32 above you link to the IG report, finally took a closer look, it doesn't mention DDA. It only discusses repayment of Medicare/Medicaid funds to the Feds and talks about DHMH. That looks like the State DHMH paid back $115 Million to the Feds. 12-13 date on report.

Found another IG report from 9-13 about audit of The State DHMH again for "Unallowable Room and Board..." for another $20+Million back to the Feds.

Starting to look like the DDA is only part of the problem.

 

[ShallNotInfringe]

Hey Shall Not Infringe... in post #32 above you link to the IG report, finally took a closer look, it doesn't mention DDA. It only discusses repayment of Medicare/Medicaid funds to the Feds and talks about DHMH. That looks like the State DHMH paid back $115 Million to the Feds. 12-13 date on report.

Found another IG report from 9-13 about audit of The State DHMH again for "Unallowable Room and Board..." for another $20+Million back to the Feds.

Starting to look like the DDA is only part of the problem.

Yes, it is part of a huge problem.

Here's a quote from the IG report I referenced... Note DHMH is the umbrella organization for DDA.

BACKGROUND

Medicaid Program
The Medicaid program provides medical assistance to low-income individuals and individuals with disabilities. The Federal and State Governments jointly fund and administer the Medicaid program. At the Federal level, CMS administers the program. Each State administers its Medicaid program in accordance with a CMS-approved State plan. In Maryland, the State agency administers the Medicaid program. Although the State agency has considerable flexibility in designing and operating its Medicaid program, it must comply with applicable Federal requirements.

Then there's this IG report that specifically addresses the DDA:
http://dda.dhmh.maryland.gov/SitePages/Developments/April2012/OIG_DDA_Surplus_rpt.pdf

Ugly enough yet?

 

[ATTom]

Interesting article. ..http://redmaryland.blogspot.com/2013/10/omalley-administration-fired.html?m=1