Md. senator to miss much of session for Guard training
A Republican state senator in Maryland will miss a significant portion of the 90-day legislative session because he has been activated for an Air National Guard training mission in Georgia.
Sen. J.B. Jennings (R-Baltimore County) said the mission begins Sunday at Robbins Air Force Base and will stretch beyond the end of the legislative session. He said he intends to return to Annapolis at his own expense as his schedule permits but acknowledged that he will miss votes and other business.
"I wish I could be in two places at once," Jennings said in a statement. "Being in Annapolis is very important to me. However, being fully trained and ready to serve as a member of our armed forces is also very important."
Jennings told marylandreporter.com that his training on a new C27 Spartan cargo plane will most likely result in his deployment to Afghanistan.
Jennings, 36, is serving his first term in the Senate after eight years as a member of the House of Delegates.
By
John Wagner
| January 27, 2011; 9:51 AM ET
Categories:
General Assembly, John Wagner
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Hmmm, I'm actually kinda torn on this one. If there was some construction guy who's boss wouldn't let him go, I'd be less than happy about the employer. But in this case, I'm his employer! Tough call. He was elected to serve and the session is only 90-days. On the other hand, we have a volunteer military... and he has volunteered.
I guess anyone who complains should offer to take his rotation in Afghanistan, eh?
Thanks for serving. Stay Safe!
Posted by: snarfblat | January 27, 2011 10:26 AM | Report abuse
People who voted for Jennings likely knew that he was in the reserves and consequently could be called up. If people had a problem with it, they shouldn't have voted for him. I assume that since they did vote for him, they didn't see it as a particular concern.
Posted by: sinesk1 | January 27, 2011 12:23 PM | Report abuse
I think Mr. Jennings needs to decide who he's serving - the people who elected him or the Reserves. Pick one and go with it. If the Reserves are more important to him than his voters, then he needs to resign as Senator. If it's his voters, then he needs to resign from the Reserves. Can't have it both ways and get paid twice while only serving once. I can't think of any place that would pay someone for not showing up and doing his job.
Posted by: wallacetc1 | January 27, 2011 2:19 PM | Report abuse
So he rips off the people in his district who voted for him. Obviously, he knew he had a military committment before he was elected. I think he should resign. He is getting paid twice by the taxpayers, once via the military and again via his General Assembly salary. Not a bad gig if you can get it.
Posted by: VikingRider | January 28, 2011 4:55 PM | Report abuse
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