Day: April 5, 2011

Blog: Bill to allow discrimination lawsuits faces strong opposition

A bill to grant the right for people discriminated against in places of public accommodation — like restaurants, theatres and hotels — is being smothered by Senate amendments seeking to water down the bill.

On Tuesday, Democratic Senate leaders and committee chairmen joined Republicans in passing an amendment by Sen. Allan Kittleman, R-Howard-Carroll, to study the measure. The amendment will be reconsidered Wednesday, but Senate President Mike Miller told proponents they might want to find some alternative to passing the bill, which has had prolonged debate on five different days.

Blog: Parole for those with life sentences would be harder

An amendment that passed by a single vote in the House of Delegates Tuesday morning takes the teeth out of a bill that gives the governor a deadline to act on a recommendation to parole an inmate serving a life sentence. The bill, already passed by both House and Senate in slightly different form, would give the governor a time limit to take action on a recommendation from the Parole Commission to parole an inmate serving a life sentence.

State Roundup, April 5, 2011

Senate and House hammer out state budget compromises: retirees to pay more for health care, benefits to come later for new workers; driving while talking on cell phone won’t be primary offense; toughened reliability standards for utilities on shaky ground; millions in judgments against Baltimore Housing Authority in lead paint suits; and feds fine Prince George’s schools.

Blog: Teachers have bigger stake in pension cuts

The teachers’ union has taken the lead role in the fight against cuts in state pension benefits, an understandable position, since teachers have more at stake.

The Maryland State Education Association has more members than any other union in the fight. Its members make more money on average than other government workers. And because of higher pay, they get higher pension benefits, according to figures from the Maryland State Retirement and Pension System.

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