Month: April 2013

State Roundup, April 30, 2013

Lawmakers could revise stormwater fee requirements, which go into effect July 1; state Medicaid program may owe feds $10.9 million in improper claims; Lt. Gov. Brown hopes to raise state’s minority- and women-owned business contracts to 29%; Del. George considers entering race for governor; other candidates file and get endorsed; U.S. Sen. Cardin touts Maryland manufacturing; and Montgomery County and Baltimore City come out with speed camera ticket numbers.

Retiring Howard delegates endorse successor as part of big turnover

Democratic Dels. Liz Bobo, Steve DeBoy and Jimmy Malone have disagreed on many of the big issues in their decades at the State House: taxes, gambling, gun control, same-sex marriage, the death penalty.

The three veteran delegates are giving up their seats representing the oddly shaped District 12 that stretches from West Columbia to Arbutus, but Monday they came together to endorse a candidate to replace them: Terri Hill, a Columbia plastic surgeon who grew up in its most liberal precincts.

State Roundup, April 29, 2013

Baltimore City jail inmates were tipped off to surprise searches. Meanwhile, corrections Secretary Maynard orders polygraphs for top administrators and StateStat data on facility is non-existent; Montgomery jail faces its own problem this weekend – 500 cell doors unlock; weekend gun forum turns heated with fired-up gun control opponents; Arundel Democratic state legislators outspent GOP colleagues on hotel stays during session; in the governor’s race: as Dems gather in Western Maryland, Lt. Gov. Brown in talks with Howard County Exec Ulman on joining his ticket; and U.S. Rep. John Delaney offers an olive branch to Republicans.

State Roundup, April 26, 2013

Coverage continues in-depth over the Baltimore City jail indictments: State lawmakers plans hearing in response; one correction officer was flagged years ago; and AFSCME defends law that protects officers despite lack of punishment; while lawmakers say the storm water fee law – or “rain tax” – is likely to be modified next year, Anne Arundel Exec Neuman vetoes her county’s version; Comptroller Franchot says Maryland stands to gain $175 million annually from Internet sales tax; Gov. O’Malley to sign death penalty repeal next week; 2nd gun group ready to fight 35 Maryland jurisdictions over local gun regulations; and Howard board of ed member considers state Senate run.

Legislature likely to change ‘rain tax,’ say some Democratic lawmakers

Legislature likely to change ‘rain tax,’ say some Democratic lawmakers

The “rain tax,” as opponents have dubbed the stormwater runoff fees set to kick in July 1, is likely to be modified, key legislative leaders told a business group Thursday. The fees could amount to hundreds of dollars for residents of some counties and thousands more for businesses and even churches. “As you see this thing played out, the legislature will do something,” Senate Budget and Taxation Committee Chairman Ed Kasemeyer told a Howard County Chamber of Commerce breakfast.

Md. corporate tax will be cut, Senate chairman predicts

Md. corporate tax will be cut, Senate chairman predicts

Maryland’s 8.25% corporate income tax will be lowered next year, at least by the Maryland Senate, predicted Sen. Ed Kasemeyer, chair of the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee. “I do believe that next year you’ll see it occur,” Kasemeyer told a Howard County Chamber of Commerce breakfast Thursday. The Howard County Democrat had backed lowering the rate at a meeting of the same group in 2011.

State Roundup, April 25, 2013

State lawmakers weigh in on Baltimore City jail indictments: Senate Pres Miller calls situation “disgraceful,” Del. Smiegiel asks department Secretary Maynard to resign; some eye corrections officers “bill of rights,” saying it fails to provide sanctions; in other news: a government “buy America” bill awaits governor’s signature; Gov. O’Malley meets with Israeli president and prime minister amid more talk of his own presidential ambitions; and Arundel police chief denies claims of retalitation, public homophobic slur.

State loan to pub aimed at neighborhood revitalization

In a somewhat unorthodox designation of state funding last week, the Maryland Board of Public Works granted a $300,000 refinancing loan to a bar-restaurant, The Limerick Pub.

The loan to the Wheaton watering hole is part of the Neighborhood BusinessWorks program, a business development initiative that provides gap financing to small businesses in sustainable communities, as defined by the Sustainable Community Act of 2010.

State Roundup, April 24, 2013

13 female corrections officers indicted along with Baltimore City Detention Center inmates in major, sordid gang bust; state may see more higher education funds from the feds; State Archives found lacking in adequate controls over records, art; gun forums upcoming in Frederick County; elections are a hot topic with what could be a major turnover in the House of Delegates, resulting in political jockeying in Howard amid speculation of Montgomery Exec Ike Leggett’s future; four Israeli tech firms to set up shop in Maryland; and Arundel police chief investigated after claims of retaliation.

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