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VOL. 13, NO. 4

Colbeth

| speaking out |

Marylands United Methodists can make themselves heard.
The Maryland General Assemblys Web site, www.mlis.state.md.us/, allows people to track bills and e-mail delegates to register their voices. People can enter their addresses on the site to find out who their representatives are.
To ask for a moratorium on the death penalty, contact Governor Parris Glendening, (800) 811-8336, or e-mail him at his Web site www.gov.state.md.us/.
Contact Colbeth at her office at State Circle in Annapolis at
(410) 268-4122, or e-mail her at .

| Death penalty |

On Feb. 6, the Maryland Court of Appeals stayed the execution of triple murderer Steven Howard Oken, pending his appeal to the Supreme Court.
Okens execution by injection was scheduled for March 4.
Oken was convicted of brutally raping and killing three women in 1987.

The Social Principles of The United Methodist Church condemn the torture of persons by governments of any purpose and assert that it violates Christian teachings. The church, through its Social Principles, further declares, We oppose capital punishment and urge its elimination from all criminal codes. (Para. 164A)

The Book of Resolutions, 2000

New UM voice in Annapolis

By Melissa Rudolph
UMConnection Correspondent

When Carol Colbeth began her new job as the United Methodist voice in the Maryland General Assembly, she had to hit the ground running.

Colbeth started as the conferences voice in Annapolis on Jan. 11, the day after the legislative session began.

However, she had learned from past lobbying experience that advocacy works best as a group effort.

I really want folks to be involved, she said. Its really a ministry because it magnifies our ability to work in the world.

For gbwc_superuserance, she has looked to the Baltimore-Washington Conference Board of Christian Presence in Gods World, explored the United Methodist positions in the Book of Resolutions and assessed which issues are viable for this year. She describes the work as fast and furious.

Its a pace she is familiar with. Before taking this job, Colbeth lobbied for anti-hunger policies in Connecticut, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Missouri. Of her various experiences, she said, the players are different, but its pretty much the same process. Being able to join forces with other groups makes the task even more interesting.

Shes already found several factors that make this years legislative session unique, including a lame-duck governor, fiscal problems and redistricting.

Theres a lot of work on the legislators agenda, she said. One of the major issues, which has taken on a sense of urgency, is the death penalty.

A study ordered by Gov. Parris Glendening has shown that racial bias exists in decisions regarding who will be executed. While the findings are investigated more carefully, the governor is being asked for a moratorium on the death penalty. Maryland has four people on death row, and an execution was planned for March 4. Colbeth wants United Methodists to call the governors office and register their beliefs.

In addition, Colbeth adds, there is a domestic abuse issue that is getting quite a bit of interest. It involves a constitutional amendment that would allow interim protective orders so that district court commissioners could hear cases over the weekend and after hours for those in dangerous domestic situations.

Childrens issues are getting attention, including expansion of the Maryland Medical Assistance benefits, especially for those with disabilities, and an income tax credit for childcare.

The legislature is also considering a living wage effort to increase the minimum wage for those in government contract situations so that more families can live above poverty-level earnings. At $21,000 a year for a family of four, Colbeth said, the living wage is very modest.

Another topic on the lawmakers agenda is gaming. Maryland faces an underfunded educational system and other problems balancing the budget and some people are looking to slot machines as the cure, said Colbeth. We as United Methodists have a strong position against gaming, she noted.

There is also an effort to increase the tobacco tax for additional revenue.

For Colbeth, a part of faith is being engaged in the political system. Theres so much that can be done to help people and also to hurt people, she said.

Coming from a working-class, union background, the Connecticut native said her family and her church were quite politically active and aware. Its just such a given for me, she said of her attraction to the political arena.

Colbeth lives in Silver Spring with her husband the Rev. Michael Szpak and their 4-year-old daughter Leah. They attend Foundry UMC in Washington.