Opposition

Hymes takes on Greenip
By DAVID ABRAMS, Staff Writer

Says party loyalty limits incumbent's effectiveness

Republican state Sen. Janet Greenip was asked when in the last four years she voted against the wishes of Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.

"I don't remember," she said.

It was a curious response in an interview with The Capital’s editorial board, since the two-term delegate and then senator has opposed legalizing slot machines - a signature proposal of Mr. Ehrlich's.

Mrs. Greenip's challenger, conservationist and businessman Scott Hymes, said such statements show that voters need a change.

The incumbent has spent 12 years in elected office as a two-term delegate and then senator. She pulled off a stunning upset four years ago of Robert Neall, a Republican turned Democrat.

Since then, Mrs. Greenip has emerged as a party loyalist on issues such as early voting, immigration, abortion and taxes. But her loyalty to the party has cost her relationships with her colleagues. Her public comments have also caused some furrowed brows.

She makes no apologies.

"I came in there, and I was the only woman in our county, the only Republican, and the new kid on the block," Mrs. Greenip said. "That's how I came into this thing. If I did anything they didn't agree with, they were going to join forces and come to you crying."

Mrs. Greenip has been a staunch advocate for eliminating the state's inheritance tax, banning gay marriage and fighting what she views as partisan bills pushed by Democrats in power.

The challenge for Mr. Hymes will be making voters look past his party affiliation in a staunchly conservative district.

He has hammered away at Mrs. Greenip's record. She voted for, against, and not at all on three proposals to legalize slot machines. By angering a powerful Democrat, she lost $150,000 for the Community Center expansion and renovation project in Severna Park.

Outgoing Del. David Boschert, R-Crownsville, said he had to go into "crisis management" with the other county senators to salvage $100,000 for the $250,000 request.

"Party ideology is great. I support it 110 percent," Mr. Boschert said. "However, once you are elected, your responsibility is with the people of Maryland and the people in your district first."

Mr. Hymes said with only a handful of bills passed during her tenure and scant state aid coming with her name as the chief sponsor, Mrs. Greenip has little to show for her time in office.

"She's never brought anything home," he said. "What the heck is she supposed to do?"

Mr. Hymes compares himself to former state senators Bobby Neall and Jack Cade, two men known for their ability to work with both parties.

Mrs. Greenip voted against three bills the legislature passed, over the objections of Mr. Ehrlich, that were later overturned by the courts.

The bills loosened voting laws in an election year, mandated a certain level of health care benefits by corporate giant Wal-Mart and fired members of the Public Service Commission.

"I've spent an awful lot of time making sure the bad bills don't make it, and I've been rather successful with that," Mrs. Greenip said.

Mr. Hymes said he might have voted the same way as the incumbent on those issues. But he said he would have a better relationship with other members of the delegation.

"One of the most important things a senator needs to do in his job is sponsor good bills that make a difference for constituents, and then defend them on the Senate floor," he said. "Mrs. Greenip isn't capable of doing that. She hasn't done it yet."

For her part, Mrs. Greenip said she has worked with others to pass a new law making assault on a police officer a felony. She also touted her support for the "flush fee" to upgrade wastewater treatment facilities. She successfully sponsored the "Right to Farm" bill in 2004, a state law that protects farmers against nuisance complaints from the growing number of suburban neighbors.

Mr. Hymes counted her among a small group of senators who opposed new power plant emissions standards and legislation that cushioned the blow of higher electricity rates.

Mrs. Greenip said she hopes to pass more bills in the next term if more Republicans are elected to the Senate. She said her bills are often killed, and Democratic versions passed.

"Being in the minority, that's tyranny," she said. "That's what happens when you have the majority in for that long. They can do that. That's why I'm really excited about this election."

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Sources Say: A look behind the scenes

EDITOR'S NOTE: Sources Say is a behind-the-scenes look at local newsmakers and events. If you have information to share, call 410-280-5912 or e-mail capstaff@capitalgazette.com.

Casting a vote where it hurts

Sen. Janet Greenip often votes against the crowd, and this week she put one where it really counts.

Mrs. Greenip, R-Crofton, was one of only two senators who opposed a bill to extend a program providing health insurance coverage for people who have had testicles or breasts removed and need home visits from a physician.

"When I was in the House, I voted against it because it's a mandate," she said. "I'm just being consistent on this."

Mrs. Greenip was also one of only five senators who voted against a bill that bans online hunting. The bill, sponsored by Sen. John C. Astle, D-Annapolis, says Marylanders can't use their property to set up cameras and allow people to hunt animals using their computers.

Mrs. Greenip said pro-gun groups opposed Mr. Astle's bill, and it wasn't necessary because there aren't currently any operations in Maryland.

"I am never for doing things that are unnecessary," she said.

Published March 17, 2006, The Capital, Annapolis, Md.

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