Audrey Scott loses GOP national committee seat to activist upstart; citizen challenges state remap; corporate donation information law awaits governor’s signature; economist says Spending Affordability Committee to blame for higher state budget; shore municipalities consider raising taxes; Baltimore County police end DNA collection after court ruling; and Frederick officials split over cutting social programs.
Month: April 2012
Pressure mounts for special session from groups impacted by budget cuts
The pressure is mounting for a special session to raise the taxes that failed to pass as the legislature adjourned April 9 and “fix” a “doomsday” budget with cuts that had been specifically designed to scare up votes for tax hikes.
Details have not been worked out, but legislators have been advised that Gov. Martin O’Malley will likely call a special session for the week of May 14.
State Roundup, April 27, 2012
Special sessions could throw wrench into political fund-raising efforts; NAACP backs holding two sessions, but opinions are mixed on how it might turn out; Rocky Gap gets slots OK and Maryland Live! set to open in June; Sierra Club intends to block export of fracking gas; and Franchot targets cigarette smuggling.
Republicans emboldened by budget mess and tax hikes: Hogan, Madden, Craig
The budget mess that has led to plans for a special legislative session has further emboldened Republicans to seek fiscally conservative solutions to what they see as failed policies of the Democratic monopoly. Larry Hogan has 12,000 people in his Change Maryland group; Marty Madden has an exploratory committee for governor and would seek public financing; and David Craig seems the best organized.
State Roundup, April 26, 2012
Police say they’ll continue collecting DNA despite court ruling; will Rocky Gap get a slots license? We should hear today; Frederick officials beat the drum for referendum drives on same-sex marriage and new congressional district map; Franchot continues push for longer summer vacation; national Democrats view John Delaney among top-tier congressional hopefuls; and Frederick commissioners president hopes to lock up development from future changes.
Baltimore lawmakers’ concerns complicate gambling compromise
Any compromise on a 6th slots casino at National Harbor in Prince George’s County is complicated by strong regional interests of those jurisdictions like Baltimore City that already are supposed to have one of five casinos.
State Roundup, April 25, 2012
Gambling, budget could each get its own special session with budget session coming in May; court blocks DNA collection during many arrests; Rocky Gap slots licensing decision expected tomorrow; delegate who helped organize protest against O’Malley initiatives “thankful” to have the governor in Hagerstown; Busch treated for type of skin cancer; and is Doug Duncan returning to the political spotlight?
O’Malley fosters trade with India, but two special sessions are on his mind
Gov. Martin O’Malley addressed more than 60 business leaders from India and Maryland in an attempt to strengthen trade and investment. But in an interview, O’Malley said two special sessions for the legislature are likely — one in May to resolve budget issues and another in August to deal with gaming. He also suggested it might be time to create a new gaming commission to regulate gambling in the state.
State Roundup, April 24, 2012
O’Malley urges approval of tax hikes as does Miller, as governor seeks consensus before special session; Baltimore city, Prince George’s County officials may again push for gambling; O’Malley charms 2nd tier of the 4th Estate; and Pepco pitches a rate hike.
University students, administrators are anxious over possible tuition hikes
Students and administrators at the state universities are worried that the $50 million cut in the state budget will lead to a double-digit tuition hike.
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