House Appropriations subcommittees began the process of cutting Gov. Martin O’Malley’s proposed $37 billion budget Wednesday, but the reductions were relatively modest.
Day: March 6, 2013
Local governments fight requirement for public notices in newspapers, but publishers push back
Local governments are once again trying to change a requirement that they post legal notices in print newspapers, arguing that in the electronic age they should be able to post online and save taxpayers millions.The bill’s main opposition comes from newspapers, who argue that their publications reach a wider audience than a municipal website.
State Roundup, March 6, 2013
Following Friday’s rally and marathon House of Delegates hearing on gun-control, legislators now turn to even more bills – 78 to start – addressing gun issues; Frederick County lawmakers line up against Gov. O’Malley’s transportation funding proposal, which would raise $3.4 billion over five years through a gas tax hike; Senate expected to vote on death penalty repeal today – weather permitting; measure aims to curb assaults on health-care workers; and compliance board finds that UM Regents violated Open Meetings Law over Big Ten discussions.
Bottle bill seeks to boost recycling rates
Under a proposed new state program, retailers would be required to pay the state comptroller 5 cents per bottle as a deposit that consumers would get back when they returned the bottles. Counties would need to set up statewide bottle reclamation centers. The centers would likely be reverse vending machines, allowing people to return bottles for the 5 cent deposit.
Child support administrators make progress on reforms
Within the past few months, the Department of Human Resources has made significant progress in resolving the issues raised by the Office of Legislative Audits concerning their Child Support Enforcement Administration, auditors said. But senators reviewing the department budget are pushing for more changes before they release some funding to the agency.
House approves changes to Open Meetings Act
The House of Delegates in a 125-10 vote Tuesday approved changes in the Open Meetings Act to boost penalties and establish other requirements. But one delegate complained that the changes didn’t go far enough, and would penalize the citizens it was designed to help.
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