Month: May 2013

Petition drives to repeal death penalty repeal and gun control law failing to reach signature goals toward deadline of midnight tonight; Black Guerrilla Family gang at center of detention center scandal had a wide reach; Frederick commissioners institute an annual penny tax to meet stormwater fee; federal sequestration forces 1,350 civilian layoffs at Fort Detrick; Howard Exec Ulman feted by local Dems as Lt. Gov. Brown gets ready to name him running mate in race for governor; Harford Exec Craig expected to announce his gubernatorial run on Monday as well; and Gov. O’Malley touts Maryland at think tank talk.

In the race for governor, Howard Exec Ken Ulman will be Lt. Gov. Brown’s running mate, Harford Exec Craig to announce his GOP candidacy and the political pundits begin the punditry; former Baltimore County Exec Smith named new Transportation Secretary; Board of Public Works approves state housing department move from Arundel to Prince George’s, along with its 380 jobs, and setting off worries along Arundel business corridor; meanwhile Arundel County Exec Neuman is blasted by her predecessor for not attending BPW meeting.

Former Baltimore County Exec Jim Smith to lead state transportation department as state gets ready to step up construction; state lawmakers cool to Gov. O’Malley’s proposed jail task force; former security chief at city Detention Center says she’ll fight dismissal; Frederick educators to fight Maryland’s adoption of Common Core curriculum; Arundel Council cuts stormwater fees to nonprofits, multifamily homeowners; state suspends licenses to abortion provider after “serious deficiencies” found; and trial lawyers back Lt. Gov. Brown for governor.

Despite the new gun control laws, Beretta will stay in Maryland, but look elsewhere to expand; Gov. O’Malley announces task force to probe city jail corruption; state to study adding new span to the Bay Bridge; Carroll County schools say implementing new state rules to mitigate concussions shouldn’t be problematic; farmers give thumbs up to new voluntary best practices program; food stamp use grows in Anne Arundel; and Montgomery exec candidate Duncan goes after current Exec Leggett.

Corrections officials probing Facebook, Instagram accounts that appear to have been updated from the city Detention Center; U.S. Rep. Harris seeks wider review of state’s use of federal education funds after audit reveals misspent funds; more analysis of the race for governor; opinionators blast Carroll commissioners over gun control resolution; meanwhile city schools chief says audit was mostly laudatory; Anne Arundel cuts stormwater fees to rural homeowners; and Rocky Gap Casino opens.

Audit finds Baltimore City, Prince George’s misspent federal education funds; Attorney General Gansler considers appealing ruling that could cost local coffers millions; state school board to beef up concussion training to protect student athletes; U.S. Rep. Delaney’s first bill gets bipartisan support; Arundel County exec hopes to rectify department head’s salary slight; and former Arundel Exec Leopold pays fine to county.

Gov. O’Malley in talks with former Baltimore County Exec Smith about becoming transportation secretary; new DNR chief sworn in; state school board hopes to reduce concussions for student-athletes; state racing commission incentive seeks to attract thoroughbred breeders; state fuel tax hike could add millions to Montgomery roads coffers; Baltimore City plans to hike water and sewer rates, but Baltimore County says it will absorb the hit instead of passing it on to residents; O’Malley’s actions, including fundraiser for New Hampshire senator, pave way for national spotlight; and longtime political columnist Barry Rascovar starts website.