Ocean Downs casino makes a trial run with 1,000 patrons; Paterakis hotel plan to get $45 million in federal construction aid; EPA Bay cleanup plan aggressive; confusion over bat species near Garrett wind project; Henson lawyer claims robocalls are protected speech; O’Malley downsizing inaugural events; Harris hires Ehrlich aides; state House committee assignments set; and Prince George’s leaders focus on restoring county, fiscally and emotionally.
Month: December 2010
Maryland bucks nationwide trend on child-only insurance policies
Successful negotiation helped Maryland keep two health insurance companies — CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield and Kaiser Permanente of the Mid-Atlantic — writing policies that cover children, though most of their counterparts nationwide have stopped.
Many of the nation’s insurers dropped child-only plans in September, when a provision of the new federal health care reform law took effect that bars them from rejecting children with preexisting medical conditions. Many states, including Maryland, do not have laws requiring the option of child-only policies.
State Roundup, December 29, 2010
Progressives seek tax hikes, raise in minimum wage; lots of coverage on the plunge in property tax assessments throughout Maryland, dive won’t mean tax cuts either; Steele to join RNC chair opponents in debate; Brinkley skeptical that same sex marriage will pass; incoming senator seeks “Dream Act” type help for illegal immigrants schooled in Maryland; and delegate hopes to expand tax payment law to all businesses.
Progressive groups want to raise income, gas, corporate and sales taxes, and boost minimum wage
Progressive groups and legislators are aiming to raise state taxes on millionaires, corporations, liquor, gasoline and a broad array of consumer services, as well as boosting the state minimum wage to $10 an hour to help protect government services and the incomes of “working families.”
The proposals came in the annual “State of Working Maryland” report from the Maryland Budget and Tax Policy Institute and the Progressive Maryland coalition of liberal groups.
Maryland Medicaid could save $167 million on prescriptions, report says
Maryland Medicaid could save $167 million over the next decade by taking a more market-oriented approach, according to a new report.
“Medicaid is one of the few pharmacy benefit programs that still relies heavily upon a fee-for-service approach,” said Mark Merritt, president and CEO of the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA).
State Roundup, December 28, 2010
Mikulski to become longest serving woman U.S. Senator; feds give state Medicaid $10.5 million for uninsured children; Steele loses another key supporter in quest to retain RNC chair; full smoking ban to go into effect in January; bay health improved but modestly; Sen. Pres Miller talks next UM coach; and a fight over farm runoff plan confidentiality.
State Roundup, December 27, 2010
O’Malley considers across-the-board local ed cuts, cutting bucks to some health providers and shifting teacher pension costs, while some lawmakers call for extension of tax on wealthiest; dramatic changes called for to in Rocky Gap casino ownership structuring; gay advocates credit Hoyer for DADT repeal; optical scan voting machines could save state $9.5 million; state Sen. Brinkley to craft alternative budget; Montgomery County sues for travel taxes; and Prince George’s constituents want Councilwoman Johnson’s privileges restored.
Offshore wind bill in the works for 2011 General Assembly
A bill requiring utilities to enter into long-term purchasing agreements for wind-generated power is in the works for the 2011 General Assembly, with supporters and opponents getting ready to air the issue.
Prince George’s County Sen. Paul Pinsky and Montgomery County Del. Tom Hucker, both Democrats, are planning to refile legislation similar to the ones they sponsored this year.
Gifted governor doesn’t keep most of the presents he gets
Gov. Martin O’Malley probably received the top item on his Christmas list this year on Election Day, but constituents and well-wishers from around the globe are sure to be sending holiday gifts toward Government House to fill in the space under the tree.
As governor of Maryland, O’Malley receives hundreds of gifts each year. According to records from the governor’s office, in 2009, he received 196 gifts. No totals are available for 2010 yet, but O’Malley spokesman Shaun Adamec said that many gifts have come in for the governor so far – especially after the election.
Auditors: Not enoughAuditors: Not enough state school money coming back state school money coming back
By Andy Rosen Andy@MarylandReporter.com The state panel that oversees school construction has not recovered $3.2 million that Montgomery County owes it, after the local government sold school property that the state helped pay for, according to legislative auditors....
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