Health organizations calls for $1 hike in the state’s tobacco tax; DDA whistle blower files complaint against agency; while crime at Maryland Live casino is higher than at others, it remains lower than expected; federal agencies give bay cleanup efforts $9.2 million; state subcabinet blasts Charles County over development plans, impact on the bay tributary and farmland; Montgomery County to push General Assembly for more school construction funds; and underage college students in Maryland more likely to drink alcohol.
Month: October 2013
Whistle blower at disabilities agency fired by O’Malley-Brown administration, she alleges
For two years, MarylandReporter.com has been covering the financial problems with the Developmental Disabilities Administration. The following story by Mark Newgent was published Wednesday evening on Watchdog Wire-Maryland. Rather than just linking to it, we are publishing it in its entirety as it uses court documents to describe corruption and fraud at DDA as alleged by a whistle blower later fired.
$50 billion in unfunded state and local retirement benefits, study says
The money Maryland’s state and local governments have failed to set aside to fulfill pension promises made to teachers and employees has ballooned to more than $22.5 billion over the past five years, a new report has found.
But the counties that run their own pension systems are in much better shape than the state of Maryland, with the exception of Prince George’s County.
The most under-funded retirement benefits continue to be health insurance for these retirees, which amount to $28 billion for state and local governments. Only a handful of county governments have tried to sock money away.
In the wake of prison scandal, legislators discuss reforms — body scanners, wiretaps, polygraphs
Body scanners and phone wiretaps throughout Maryland’s prison system are the latest in a series of legislative proposals being considered by lawmakers trying to eliminate corruption in the state’s correctional facilities.
Other suggestions include polygraph tests for correctional officer applicants and mandatory minimum sentences for convicted contraband smugglers.
State Roundup, October 30, 2013
Contractor for Maryland Health Connection begins making changes to fix website errors, smooth way for signups; three casinos present their proposals for a Prince George’s County resort and now must wait for state to chose one; Del. Don Dwyer in car accident – police say he wasn’t at fault and no alcohol involved; after he shoots himself in the foot, gubernatorial candidate Gansler gets the full-pundit treatment as they assess his next steps; Gansler rival Brown announces domestic violence initiatives; Brown campaign manager Justin Schall profiled; website for gubernatorial candidate Lollar is down, calling into question his campaign structure; and Montgomery Exec Leggett considers vetoing council raises.
Commentary: Now’s the time to take action against urban-suburban runoff
Polluted runoff from urban and suburban streets, parking lots, and roofs continues to increase and damage the health of streams and Chesapeake Bay, writes Kim Coble of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. But the tools to curb this pollution are in place and it’s time to act. This is the justification for the stormwater runoff fees dubbed the “rain tax” by opponents.
State Roundup, October 29, 2013
Del. Cardin, rival for attorney general, Del. Frick, plan on introducing bills to toughen laws against revenge porn; ALF-CIO backs Del. Frosh for attorney general; state to get $19 million in federal funds for Eastern Shore Sandy relief; state panel offers two Marcellus drilling scenarios, both show caution toward process; young Simonaire to run for delegate in 31B; gubernatorial candidate Gansler’s remarks over drinking and gender engenders harsh rebuke from rival Mizeur; Change Maryland’s Hogan considers run for GOP gubernatorial nomination; and Sen. Simonaire again urges former Arundel Exec Leopold to repay legal fees.
State Roundup, October 28, 2013
Del. Dwyer gets weekend jail time in drunk driving cases; the latest on the Obamacare rollout: Maryland community colleges limiting adjunct faculty hours to avoid paying for health care and state may again delay health care workshops for small businesses; Sen. Hershey seeks hearing of phosphorus regulations; feds, state seize freelance journalist’s documents in gun raid on husband; gubernatorial candidate Gansler continues as hot topic over teen drinking comments, party attendance; and pushes teen drinking problems into the spotlight; gubernatorial candidate Brown announces business compact, gets endorsement of AFL-CIO; Republican to run in 9A; and grocery store owner Santoni mulls run for House of Delegates.
State weighing delay of Jan. launch for small business health exchange
An abrupt cancellation of a series of small business exchange workshops by Maryland health officials has fueled speculation that for the second time this year the launch of the small business health insurance exchange, known as SHOP, will be delayed.
Rascovar Commentary: Md. deficit — Half a billion and counting
When legislators finished the 2013 General Assembly session in April, they patted themselves on the back for putting the state on a glide path to wipe out Maryland’s long-running structural deficit in the next budget. Think again. That deep, dark fiscal hole has returned big-time, and many factors are to blame, but the failure to reduce spending by the governor and legislature are principally to blame.
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