Welcome to the Government Relations Page
Government Relations Committee
William L. (Les) Bishop State Chairman Richard R. Reynolds DE Rep
Frederick Lodge #684
Dover Lodge #1903
11822 Oriole Drive 89
Barbara Blvd
Hagerstown, MD
21742 Felton, DE 19943-5736
240-420-3755
302-284-0356, 302-242-5398 ©
Email:
lbishop@myactv.net Richard.Reynolds@State.DE.US
John P. (Jack) Stush W
Frederick Lodge #684
1023 Bexhill Drive
Frederick, MD 21702-5192
301-662-2536
Richard (Dick) A. Kennedy N.C.
Bowie Lodge #2309
1828
Crofton Parkway
Crofton, MD 21114
410-398-9735 (H), 301-518-2718 ©
Email:
Richard.kennedy@comcast.net
Bernard (Bernie) P. Mattei S.E.
Pocomoke City Lodge #1624
4443 Island
View Road
Snow Hill, MD 21863
410-632-0103 (H), 410-651-6252 (W)
Email:
benmattei@comcast.net
Andrew Bowalick S.W.
Waldorf Lodge #2421
4052 Old Washington Road
Waldorf, MD 20602
717-330-4504 ©
Email:
abow28@aol.com
Current News
The Clean Indoor Air Act of 2007 (N0-Smoking bill) took effect on February 1, 2008. For further information on the administration of the law, go to www.cleanair.org. Your local Health Department is the administrator of the law. You can check with them on specifics.
The final 2006-07 charity numbers for the MD, DE and DC Elks Association are
$6,212,219. The totals for the BPOE are $258,741,152 for the same period. Please use this information when talking with public officials, legislators or just boasting about the Elks.
Legislative News
The 2008 Maryland legislative session is well underway and, so far, there are two bills worth watching.
SB29 proposes slot machines statewide for non-profits and veterans organizations. I dont expect this bill to go far until after the slots referendum is settled in the November election.
HB94 proposes the establishment of a gaming task force. To me, this is a Trojan Horse. A Task Force could propose statewide changes and, presumably, greater controls over gaming at the state level.
As more issues come up, Ill note them on this website.
Charity Reporting
There are very substantive changes coming down the pike. Grand Lodge is developing a plan wherein charitable work may be reported online. The Grand Lodge Government Relations Committee has revised the Charity Records Book. Both efforts are being worked together. Stay tuned for more info.
By the way, copies of the new CRB be obtained from Les Bishop.
CONPOR News
We continue to urge all lodges to join CONPOR. It is not that we need the money; rather, we need your show of support and unity as we lobby in Annapolis. Also, membership policies have been revised. The membership rates remain the same ($50 for lodge/$10 for individuals), but a membership period of three years has been established. Reminders will be sent to lodges and individuals when it is time to renew your membership.