Larry Hogan was kicking himself after his brief speech to some 250 guests at his waterfront home in Edgewater Thursday night. He blew a major applause line by forgetting to mention a top accomplishment of his anti-O’Malley policy group, Change Maryland. Change Maryland had just surpassed Gov. Martin O’Malley on Facebook with 46,790 “likes” compared to O’Malley’s 46,135.
Month: June 2013
State Roundup, June 28, 2013
State lawmakers continue probe into Baltimore City Detention Center corruption scandal, while officials work to install cellphone blocking technology; gas tax hike set to take effect Monday won’t be as high as expected, but border businesses still see erosion of customer base; Obamacare helped spur health-care industry to the top of lobbying efforts in Annapolis; Carroll County won’t implement a dedicated stormwater runoff tax; Gansler to use tour of Maryland to develop policy as he walks toward a run for governor; Lansdowne native announces run for new District 12 delegate seat, as does Howard County teacher; candidate Duncan calls for more school aid; and Arundel schools super takes top job in Prince George’s.
Quality of life index puts Maryland 12th, behind Virginia and Delaware
Maryland ranks 12th for overall quality of life out of the 50 states, according to a report released this week. The study, published by the nonprofit, nonpartisan collaborative encyclopedia Ballotpedia, examined 19 different indices to determine quality of life from 1992 to 2012.
State Roundup, June 27, 2013
Democratic candidates for governor cheer Supreme Court’s striking down the Defense of Marriage Act, as does Republican Sen. Allan Kittleman, who is running for Howard County exec. What does the decision mean for Maryland businesses and workers? Prince George’s scrambles to come up with stormwater runoff fees and plans; Maryland becomes 4th state in nation to adopt new science teaching standards; state audit faults Towson University over $650,000 in bad tuition checks; Dels. George and Mizeur out and about; Allegany commissioner to seek Del. Myers’ seat; and Doug Duncan hosts campaign breakfast.
Md. employers getting good deal on hospital payments for injured workers compared to Va., Pa.
Maryland employers who pay workers compensation benefits for employees are getting a good deal on their hospital coverage compared to their counterparts in Virginia and Pennsylvania, a new report shows. They are paying about the same amount as group health insurers for common workplace surgeries.
State Roundup, June 26, 2013
Scientists urge state to plan for rising seas; county coalition seeks Conowingo Dam dredging; Baltimore City casino cuts slots to accommodate table games; Del. Kelly seeks to speed up gun background checks; state helps fund experimental health enterprise zone; in gubernatorial campaign news: Gansler announces policy discussions, staff appointments; Brown touts slew of endorsements; and Craig blasts state education initiatives; Montgomery could see $300 million budget gap; and Frederick commissioners OK sale of nursing home over myriad objections.
Spending on state lobbying shifts from gambling to health care
Eight out of the 10 highest paid lobbyists in 2012 are on track to retain their titles in 2013, while business spending on lobbyists shifted from gambling to health care, according to a post-session report released by the State Ethics Commission. For the six month reporting period from Nov. 1, 2012 to April 30, 2013, lobbyists have reported earning $23 million.
State Roundup, June 25, 2013
With trade mission over, Gov. O’Malley extends stay in Ireland for personal time; meanwhile, the National Journal writes a very long profile of O’Malley as it speculates on his run for the presidency; U.S. Rep. Van Hollen gets a tea party welcome as he meets with constituents; gubernatorial hopefuls in Ocean City to woo attendees at the Maryland Municipal League conference; Sen. Mike Miller to run again; feeling the pinch of a too-liberal House, Del. Burns says he’ll retire; and candidates announce for House seats in Districts 12 and 5.
Lollar not running for governor — yet
Charles Lollar invited bloggers in for pizza to tell them why he wasn’t actually running for governor, but very well might be in a month. The reason: the Pentagon made him do it. Lollar was attempting to explain why there was still a Draft Charles Lollar for Governor campaign committee, raising money and arranging for speaking engagements. For the past two and half years, Lollar has been a full-time active duty intelligence officer as a Marine Corps major working at the National Military Command Center in the Pentagon. “I cannot campaign,” Lollar said, forbidden by Defense Department rules from being a partisan candidate.
State Roundup, June 24, 2013
South Carolina lures Connecticut gunmaker and may be eyeing Maryland’s as well; state school board could put more emphasis on sciences for workforce development; despite Maryland’s stable No. 10 ranking in child well-being, growing number lives in poverty; jobs grow in May, but so does unemployment rate; state GOP developing election platform; Ron George, candidate for governor, promises not to raise taxes; Bongino may have challenge in GOP primary for Delaney’s congressional seat; Howard Exec Ulman revises county stormwater fees; Arundel officials urge that county to delay fee implementation; and Frederick County residents protest proposed sale of public nursing facilities.
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