State budget forecasters say Maryland will only be $27 million in the hole next fiscal year; they also predict no money for new transportation projects; despite gay marriage vote, Catholic bishops won’t change stand; former Del. Alston gets PBJ, hopes to regain State House seat; and one Arundel County councilman accused of Election Day rudeness.
Month: November 2012
Health group proposes another $1 cigarette tax hike
Maryland Citizens’ Health Initiative is proposing another dollar-per-pack increase to the state’s current $2 dollar cigarette tax. The cigarette tax has been raised three times in the last 15 years and has coincided with a 32% drop in cigarette smoking during that time, which is double the national average.
Officials concerned about request to quit farmland preservation
Maryland Department of Agriculture Secretary Earl Hance told legislators Tuesday that if the applications of a Howard County landowner to terminate agricultural easements for three farms are approved it could “open the floodgates” for more landowners to do the same.
State Roundup, November 13, 2012
Businesses are expecting an emotional as well as a financial boost thanks to gay marriage; local community colleges don’t expect too much of an impact from the Dream Act; several groups begin taking up the issue of 820,000 Marylanders who work without paid sick leave; Gov. O’Malley’s victories put him in the spotlight for the presidency; Lt. Gov. Brown stumps a bit for governor; and West Virginia could lose big time as Maryland gears up for expanded gambling.
General Assembly previews revamped website
The Maryland General Assembly is previewing a revamped website for its Internet presence that has looked much the same since it was launched in the late 1990s.
The legislature’s information services staff plans on activating the new site next month, and is seeking comments and questions about the new site, using a feedback link at the bottom of the preview page.
Guest Commentary: People are threatened with loss of referendum voice
Because of the referendums this fall, Gov. O’Malley’ thinks that the people should have less voice in how their elected representatives make decisions, according to Tony Campbell. We plebes are not smart enough to figure things out for ourselves and should blindly trust politicians to rule us.
State Roundup, November 12, 2012
African American pastors who separated church from civil law helped persuade black and white voters in push for gay marriage; despite divided efforts in touting many ballot issues, Gov. O’Malley comes out on top; thanks to the Dream Act, illegal students can begin planning their futures; court upholds state legislative redistricting map; candidate Wendy Rosen’s high-profile withdrawal from the race against U.S. Rep. Andy Harris fails to sink in with 27% of voters; Supreme Court to review state’s DNA procedures; and Cecil County’s first county executive gets ready for charter government.
Economist backs lower Md. corporate tax, and some legislators agree
In the midst of America’s fiscal crisis, economist Anirban Basu told members of Maryland’s Chamber of Commerce that it is imperative for the state to lower corporate income tax to create better opportunity to attract capital investment to offset the impact of decreased federal spending.
State Roundup, November 9, 2012
Following the election, some voters will go through the stages of grief; some Republicans in particular are now searching for relevance following decisive losses while others will place blame; despite referendum wins, Gov. O’Malley says it’s a bit too easy to put issues on the ballot; gay marriages can’t take place til Jan. 4, 2013; following passage of gambling expansion: Table games won’t be ready for several months and Caesars plans changes at city casino; and gambling opponents challenge constitutionality of referendum.
State Roundup, November 8, 2012
Marylanders make two unprecedented moves in allowing gay marriage and in-state tuition for illegal immigrants; wedding bells for same-sex couples could begin ringing in early January; Maryland Live! expects to begin hiring 1,200 workers with table games’ approval even as its revenue drops below $1 million a day; congressional transition from Roscoe Bartlett to John Delaney will be quick; two state senators take challenge of General Assembly map to court; and Frederick County approves charter government.
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