Gay marriage bill passes initial Senate vote with a few amendments; final vote expected today before it goes to the House; Miller irked by number of amendments offered; bill expected to easily pass the House although one delegate wants to put it up for referendum; all this is occurring while Obama decides to pull back from defending Defense of Marriage Act’s constitutionality; O’Malley proposes incentives to lure wind turbine makers; bill to halt rivals’ interference in slots licensing likely to pass; bill would raise penalties in some fatal driving charges; state retains AAA bond rating; and Howard Exec and MACo chief Ulman to appear on Rodricks to talk government issues.
Day: February 24, 2011
Same-sex marriage bill moves closer to passing Senate
After adopting amendments further removing religious organizations from the issue, the Senate gave preliminary approval to a bill allowing same-sex marriage in Maryland on Wednesday with a vote of 25 to 22. The controversial bill could be coming up before the Senate for final approval as soon as today, said Senate President Mike Miller.
Kopp expected to be re-elected state treasurer today
State Treasurer Nancy Kopp is expected to be easily re-elected to another four-year term by a joint session of the General Assembly this morning after she was easily renominated by a special legislative committee late Wednesday afternoon.
Blog: What happens when the camera goes off?
About three-quarters of the way through Wednesday’s Board of Public Works meeting, a rainbow test pattern replaced Gov. Martin O’Malley, Treasurer Nancy Kopp and Comptroller Peter Franchot for the 27 people who were watching it broadcast on their computers.
Bills offer some property tax relief
Two bills would offer some property tax relief by capping increases on owner-occupied homes at 5%, and allowing business to pay property tax bills in two installments, as homeowners can now do.
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