Kenneth D. Schisler
Encyclopedia
Kenneth D. Schisler is a former member of the Maryland House of Delegates
and former chair of the Maryland Public Service Commission
.
- Don William Bradley, Samuel Q. Johnson III, and Robert A. Thornton, Jr. He replaced Republican
Richard F. Colburn
, who eventually returned to the General Assembly in 1995 as a State Senator.
In 1994, District 37 was divided into 37A (Dorchester and Wicomico Counties) and District 37B (Caroline, Dorchester, Talbot, and Wicomico Counties). In this reconfigured district, Schisler won reelection along with fellow Republican Adelaide C. Eckardt
, one of the candidates he defeated in 1990. Schisler and Eckardt defeated Democratic incumbent Robert Thornton, Jr. and challenger Philip Carey Foster.
In 1998, Schisler and Eckardt again won reelection, this time defeating Democratic challenger William Steven Brohawn. The next general election in 2002 had similar results, except there was no formal Democratic challenger.
in 1998.
In 1992, he was selected as a delegate for the Republican National Convention
. In 1993 he got to serve as a delegate to Poland
and Hungary
as part of the American Council of Young Political Leaders. In addition, Schisler is a charter member of the Talbot County Young Republicans club.
Outside of his political activities, Schisler is a member of Ducks Unlimited
, an "international non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of wetlands and associated upland habitats for waterfowl". He is active member in several environmental groups including the Maryland Ornithological Society, a group that focuses on the protection of birds, and Nature Conservancy.
Schisler is also a member of the National Rifle Association
, and the Sigma Alpha Epsilon
Fraternity. He was once a participant in Boys State, a leadership action program, which was sponsored by the American Legion
of Maryland.
Schisler has earned numerous awards including the Phi Eta Sigma
Honor Society, (1987), the Outstanding Academics Award and The Humanitarian Award from Sigma Alpha Epsilon
in the 1989-90 school year, and the Outstanding Greek Scholar from Salisbury State University, also during the 1989-90 school year.
, he was a Minority Whip from 2002 until 2003, Deputy Minority Whip from 1994 until 1997, a member of the Environmental Matters Committee, several subcommittees, and the Joint Committee on Chesapeake Bay Critical Areas from 1992 until 2003. He served as a member of the Department of Natural Resources Special Funds Work Group from 2002 and 2003 and the Joint Committee on the Selection of the State Treasurer in 2003.
Schisler was the chair of the Talbot County Delegation and the Eastern Shore Delegation in 2003. He also served on the American Legislative Exchange Council, a task force on energy, environment, & natural resources. Furthermore, he served on a Solid Waste Management Task Force in 1998, the Governor's Task Force on Eastern Shore Economic Development from 1999 until 2001, and the Mid-Shore Regional Council from 2001 until 2003. Finally, he was on the Tri-County Council for the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland from 2001 until 2003.
(PSC). Schisler was appointed to the five year position by Governor Bob Ehrlich in 2003 to succeed Catherine I. Riley. This appointment was approved by the Maryland General Assembly
.
During the 2006 gubernatorial election, Schisler came under fire by the Maryland General Assembly and Democratic candidate Martin O'Malley
for approving a 72% rate hike by utility provider Baltimore Gas & Electric (BGE). Schisler's defended his position by stating that the rate hike was the long-term result to the deregulation plan enacted by the Maryland legislature in 1999 during the term of the previous governor, Parris Glendening
, and approved by the former members of the PSC. One of the members of the PSC that approved the rate cap was Joseph Curran III, the brother-in-law of Baltimore mayor and gubernatorial candidate Martin O'Malley, and son of the Maryland Attorney General, Joseph Curran
.
The 1999 plan would allow for competition for electricity in Maryland, but called for a rate cap to last until 2006, which turned out to be a rate so low that it discouraged competition. The original plan also would allow for rates to be reset at the end of the capped period, at which time the market forces would determine the going rate for electricity.
In the criticism of Schisler, O'Malley stated that the PSC was a "lapdog for special interests" and demanded that Schisler be removed from his position. In a similar vein, Michael E. Busch
, the Speaker of the House for the Maryland House of Delegates, criticized the casual relationship between Schisler and Carville Collins, an industry representative who represented BGE and Pepco
Electric. The Democrat's argument was that the Schisler and the rest of the appointees on the commission were too friendly with the industry and not looking out for the interest of the consumers, thus having lost their independence.
In June 2006, the Democratic-controlled Maryland General Assembly passed a law that included the removal of the current members of the PSC. Ken Schisler sued (Kenneth D. Schisler, et al. v. State of Maryland) and won the right to keep his job arguing that only the governor could fire the members of the PSC. The law, had it taken effect, would have allowed the General Assembly to appoint 2 members each by the House
and Senate
to the PSC, while only allowing the Governor to appoint one member. Currently, the appointment of members of the PSC belongs to the executive branch.
Martin O'Malley won the gubernatorial election in 2006, thus Schisler lost his advocate, Governor Bob Ehrlich. State Senate President Mike Miller
tried to negotiate an amicable deal which would have had Schisler removed, but Schisler turned down the offer. O'Malley's chief council, Ralph S. Tyler, said that if Schisler would not resign his position, he could be fired. Under pressure, Schisler eventually resigned on February 2, 2007. Governor Martin O'Malley appointed Steven Larsen to replace Schisler. Larsen is a former Insurance Commissioner for the Maryland Insurance Agency. Larsen was given a salary of $185,000, 58% more than Schisler's salary of $117,000.
The PSC approved a 15% increase that would take effect in July 2006 and be in place for 11 months. This was during the finally month's of Governor Ehrlich's term. A future increase was to be determined after the election. However, Ehrlich was defeated by Martin O'Malley. With the 11 month period nearly over, a 48% rate hike has been proposed, which when calculated along with the original 15%, is nearly identical to the originally proposed 72% rate hike from 2006. Ironically, the new commissioners under Governor O'Malley accepted this proposal stating that there was no legal way to change these new rates.
Maryland House of Delegates
The Maryland House of Delegates is the lower house of the General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Maryland, and is composed of 141 Delegates elected from 47 districts. The House chamber is located in the state capitol building on State Circle in Annapolis...
and former chair of the Maryland Public Service Commission
Maryland Public Service Commission
The Maryland Public Service Commission is an independent administrative agency within the state government which regulates public utilities and certain taxi cab and other passenger services in Maryland...
.
Background
Schisler was first elected to office in 1990 when he was only 21 years old. He was elected to represent District 37, which covered Caroline, Dorchester, Talbot, and Wicomico counties. He was elected along with three DemocratsDemocratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
- Don William Bradley, Samuel Q. Johnson III, and Robert A. Thornton, Jr. He replaced Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Richard F. Colburn
Richard F. Colburn
Richard F. Colburn , is a Republican State Senator for District 37 in Maryland. He is married to Alma Colburn and has one daughter, Johanna Colburn.-Background:...
, who eventually returned to the General Assembly in 1995 as a State Senator.
In 1994, District 37 was divided into 37A (Dorchester and Wicomico Counties) and District 37B (Caroline, Dorchester, Talbot, and Wicomico Counties). In this reconfigured district, Schisler won reelection along with fellow Republican Adelaide C. Eckardt
Adelaide C. Eckardt
Adelaide C. Eckardt , is a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, District 37B.-Background:Adelaide C. Eckardt was first elected in 1994 to represent the new District 37B. District 37B covers parts of Caroline, Dorchester, Talbot, & Wicomico counties.She defeated Democratic incumbent Robert...
, one of the candidates he defeated in 1990. Schisler and Eckardt defeated Democratic incumbent Robert Thornton, Jr. and challenger Philip Carey Foster.
In 1998, Schisler and Eckardt again won reelection, this time defeating Democratic challenger William Steven Brohawn. The next general election in 2002 had similar results, except there was no formal Democratic challenger.
Education
Schisler attended St. Michaels High School in St. Michaels in Talbot County, MD. He went to Salisbury State University where he earned his B.S. in biology in 1992. He later returned to college and to get his J.D. from the University of Maryland School of LawUniversity of Maryland School of Law
The University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law is the second-oldest law school in the United States by date of establishment and third-oldest by date of first classes. The school is located on the campus of the University of Maryland, Baltimore in Downtown Baltimore's West Side...
in 1998.
Career
Schisler was admitted to the Maryland Bar in 1999 and began practicing as an attorney. He is also a member of the Talbot County Bar Association.In 1992, he was selected as a delegate for the Republican National Convention
Republican National Convention
The Republican National Convention is the presidential nominating convention of the Republican Party of the United States. Convened by the Republican National Committee, the stated purpose of the convocation is to nominate an official candidate in an upcoming U.S...
. In 1993 he got to serve as a delegate to Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
and Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
as part of the American Council of Young Political Leaders. In addition, Schisler is a charter member of the Talbot County Young Republicans club.
Outside of his political activities, Schisler is a member of Ducks Unlimited
Ducks Unlimited
Ducks Unlimited is an international non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of wetlands and associated upland habitats for waterfowl, other wildlife, and people. It currently has approximately 780,000 members, mostly in the United States and Canada.-Introduction:Ducks Unlimited was...
, an "international non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of wetlands and associated upland habitats for waterfowl". He is active member in several environmental groups including the Maryland Ornithological Society, a group that focuses on the protection of birds, and Nature Conservancy.
Schisler is also a member of the National Rifle Association
National Rifle Association
The National Rifle Association of America is an American non-profit 501 civil rights organization which advocates for the protection of the Second Amendment of the United States Bill of Rights and the promotion of firearm ownership rights as well as marksmanship, firearm safety, and the protection...
, and the Sigma Alpha Epsilon
Sigma Alpha Epsilon
Sigma Alpha Epsilon is a North American Greek-letter social college fraternity founded at the University of Alabama on March 9, 1856. Of all existing national social fraternities today, Sigma Alpha Epsilon is the only one founded in the Antebellum South...
Fraternity. He was once a participant in Boys State, a leadership action program, which was sponsored by the American Legion
American Legion
The American Legion is a mutual-aid organization of veterans of the United States armed forces chartered by the United States Congress. It was founded to benefit those veterans who served during a wartime period as defined by Congress...
of Maryland.
Schisler has earned numerous awards including the Phi Eta Sigma
Phi Eta Sigma
Phi Eta Sigma is an American freshman honor society. Founded at the University of Illinois on March 22, 1923, is the oldest and largest freshman honor society and now has more than three hundred chapters throughout the United States and more than 1 million members.-Eligibility:Any first-year...
Honor Society, (1987), the Outstanding Academics Award and The Humanitarian Award from Sigma Alpha Epsilon
Sigma Alpha Epsilon
Sigma Alpha Epsilon is a North American Greek-letter social college fraternity founded at the University of Alabama on March 9, 1856. Of all existing national social fraternities today, Sigma Alpha Epsilon is the only one founded in the Antebellum South...
in the 1989-90 school year, and the Outstanding Greek Scholar from Salisbury State University, also during the 1989-90 school year.
House of Delegates
As a member of the Maryland House of DelegatesMaryland House of Delegates
The Maryland House of Delegates is the lower house of the General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Maryland, and is composed of 141 Delegates elected from 47 districts. The House chamber is located in the state capitol building on State Circle in Annapolis...
, he was a Minority Whip from 2002 until 2003, Deputy Minority Whip from 1994 until 1997, a member of the Environmental Matters Committee, several subcommittees, and the Joint Committee on Chesapeake Bay Critical Areas from 1992 until 2003. He served as a member of the Department of Natural Resources Special Funds Work Group from 2002 and 2003 and the Joint Committee on the Selection of the State Treasurer in 2003.
Schisler was the chair of the Talbot County Delegation and the Eastern Shore Delegation in 2003. He also served on the American Legislative Exchange Council, a task force on energy, environment, & natural resources. Furthermore, he served on a Solid Waste Management Task Force in 1998, the Governor's Task Force on Eastern Shore Economic Development from 1999 until 2001, and the Mid-Shore Regional Council from 2001 until 2003. Finally, he was on the Tri-County Council for the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland from 2001 until 2003.
Legislative notes
- voted for electric deregulation in 1999 (HB703)http://mlis.state.md.us/1999rs/votes/house/0870.htm
Public Service Commission
From 1997 until 1998 he served on the Task Force to Study Retail Electric Competition and the Restructuring of the Electric Utility Industry. This is relevant to the work in his next position, the chair of the Maryland Public Service CommissionMaryland Public Service Commission
The Maryland Public Service Commission is an independent administrative agency within the state government which regulates public utilities and certain taxi cab and other passenger services in Maryland...
(PSC). Schisler was appointed to the five year position by Governor Bob Ehrlich in 2003 to succeed Catherine I. Riley. This appointment was approved by the Maryland General Assembly
Maryland General Assembly
The Maryland General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Maryland. It is a bicameral body. The upper chamber, the Maryland State Senate, has 47 representatives and the lower chamber, the Maryland House of Delegates, has 141 representatives...
.
During the 2006 gubernatorial election, Schisler came under fire by the Maryland General Assembly and Democratic candidate Martin O'Malley
Martin O'Malley
Martin Joseph O'Malley is an American Democratic politician who is currently serving as the 61st Governor of Maryland. Previously, he served as the mayor of Baltimore from 1999 to 2007. He is currently the chairman of the Democratic Governors Association.-Early life, education and career:O'Malley...
for approving a 72% rate hike by utility provider Baltimore Gas & Electric (BGE). Schisler's defended his position by stating that the rate hike was the long-term result to the deregulation plan enacted by the Maryland legislature in 1999 during the term of the previous governor, Parris Glendening
Parris Glendening
Parris Nelson Glendening , a member of the United States Democratic Party, was the 59th Governor of Maryland from January 18, 1995 to January 15, 2003...
, and approved by the former members of the PSC. One of the members of the PSC that approved the rate cap was Joseph Curran III, the brother-in-law of Baltimore mayor and gubernatorial candidate Martin O'Malley, and son of the Maryland Attorney General, Joseph Curran
J. Joseph Curran, Jr.
J. Joseph Curran, Jr. is an American politician and the longest serving elected Attorney General in Maryland history. His son-in-law, Martin J. O'Malley, is the Governor of Maryland.-Background:...
.
The 1999 plan would allow for competition for electricity in Maryland, but called for a rate cap to last until 2006, which turned out to be a rate so low that it discouraged competition. The original plan also would allow for rates to be reset at the end of the capped period, at which time the market forces would determine the going rate for electricity.
In the criticism of Schisler, O'Malley stated that the PSC was a "lapdog for special interests" and demanded that Schisler be removed from his position. In a similar vein, Michael E. Busch
Michael E. Busch
Michael E. Busch is the current Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates in the United States. Busch has been a member of the House since 1987, and Speaker since January 2003...
, the Speaker of the House for the Maryland House of Delegates, criticized the casual relationship between Schisler and Carville Collins, an industry representative who represented BGE and Pepco
PEPCO
PEPCO may refer to:* Portland Electric Power Company* Potomac Electric Power Company* Pakistan Electric Power Company...
Electric. The Democrat's argument was that the Schisler and the rest of the appointees on the commission were too friendly with the industry and not looking out for the interest of the consumers, thus having lost their independence.
In June 2006, the Democratic-controlled Maryland General Assembly passed a law that included the removal of the current members of the PSC. Ken Schisler sued (Kenneth D. Schisler, et al. v. State of Maryland) and won the right to keep his job arguing that only the governor could fire the members of the PSC. The law, had it taken effect, would have allowed the General Assembly to appoint 2 members each by the House
Maryland House of Delegates
The Maryland House of Delegates is the lower house of the General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Maryland, and is composed of 141 Delegates elected from 47 districts. The House chamber is located in the state capitol building on State Circle in Annapolis...
and Senate
Maryland State Senate
The Maryland Senate, sometimes referred to as the Maryland State Senate, is the upper house of the General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Maryland...
to the PSC, while only allowing the Governor to appoint one member. Currently, the appointment of members of the PSC belongs to the executive branch.
Martin O'Malley won the gubernatorial election in 2006, thus Schisler lost his advocate, Governor Bob Ehrlich. State Senate President Mike Miller
Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr.
Thomas V. "Mike" Miller, Jr. is the current president of the Maryland Senate. He has served as president since January 1987, and has been a state senator representing the 27th District since 1975....
tried to negotiate an amicable deal which would have had Schisler removed, but Schisler turned down the offer. O'Malley's chief council, Ralph S. Tyler, said that if Schisler would not resign his position, he could be fired. Under pressure, Schisler eventually resigned on February 2, 2007. Governor Martin O'Malley appointed Steven Larsen to replace Schisler. Larsen is a former Insurance Commissioner for the Maryland Insurance Agency. Larsen was given a salary of $185,000, 58% more than Schisler's salary of $117,000.
The PSC approved a 15% increase that would take effect in July 2006 and be in place for 11 months. This was during the finally month's of Governor Ehrlich's term. A future increase was to be determined after the election. However, Ehrlich was defeated by Martin O'Malley. With the 11 month period nearly over, a 48% rate hike has been proposed, which when calculated along with the original 15%, is nearly identical to the originally proposed 72% rate hike from 2006. Ironically, the new commissioners under Governor O'Malley accepted this proposal stating that there was no legal way to change these new rates.
Election results
- 2002 electionfor Maryland House of Delegates – District 37B
-
- Voters to choose two:
Name Votes Percent Outcome Adelaide C. Eckardt Adelaide C. EckardtAdelaide C. Eckardt , is a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, District 37B.-Background:Adelaide C. Eckardt was first elected in 1994 to represent the new District 37B. District 37B covers parts of Caroline, Dorchester, Talbot, & Wicomico counties.She defeated Democratic incumbent Robert...
, Rep.21,100 50.2% Won Kenneth D. Schisler, Rep. 20,718 49.3% Won Other write-ins 200 0.5% Lost
- Voters to choose two:
- 1998 election for Maryland House of Delegates – District 37B
-
- Voters to choose two:
Name Votes Percent Outcome Adelaide C. Eckardt Adelaide C. EckardtAdelaide C. Eckardt , is a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, District 37B.-Background:Adelaide C. Eckardt was first elected in 1994 to represent the new District 37B. District 37B covers parts of Caroline, Dorchester, Talbot, & Wicomico counties.She defeated Democratic incumbent Robert...
, Rep.16,558 42% Won Kenneth D. Schisler, Rep. 15,604 40% Won William Steven Brohawn, Dem. 7,340 19% Lost
- Voters to choose two:
- 1994 election for Maryland House of Delegates – District 37B
-
- Voters to choose two:
Name Votes Percent Outcome Adelaide C. Eckardt Adelaide C. EckardtAdelaide C. Eckardt , is a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, District 37B.-Background:Adelaide C. Eckardt was first elected in 1994 to represent the new District 37B. District 37B covers parts of Caroline, Dorchester, Talbot, & Wicomico counties.She defeated Democratic incumbent Robert...
, Rep.11,422 27% Won Kenneth D. Schisler, Rep. 14,992 35% Won Philip Carey Foster, Dem. 6,618 16% Lost Robert Alan Thornton Jr, Dem. 9,240 22% Lost
- Voters to choose two:
- 1990 election for Maryland House of Delegates – District 37
-
- Voters to choose three:
Name Votes Percent Outcome Samuel Q. Johnson, Dem. 12,803 23% Won Kenneth D. Schisler, Rep. 11,096 20% Won Robert Alan Thornton Jr, Dem. 12,480 23% Won Adelaide C. Eckardt Adelaide C. EckardtAdelaide C. Eckardt , is a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, District 37B.-Background:Adelaide C. Eckardt was first elected in 1994 to represent the new District 37B. District 37B covers parts of Caroline, Dorchester, Talbot, & Wicomico counties.She defeated Democratic incumbent Robert...
, Rep.9,559 17% Lost Don William Bradley, Dem. 9,210 17% Lost
- Voters to choose three: