Month: February 2014

State Roundup, February 28, 2014

Unnecessary Medicaid spending exacerbated by health exchange glitches estimated at $30.5 million in Maryland; U.S. Rep. Delaney continues to blast Maryland rollout of ACA; domestic violence bill move forward; limits sought on jailing of illegal immigrants; Del. Parrott’s bill on reading rights before a traffic search faces law enforcement opposition; Arundel Community College could get its own police force; judge rules against Julius Henson, but Henson will keep campaigning; Tiffany Alston owes fines for late filing of campaign finance reports; Del. Rudy Cane retiring; on the gubernatorial campaign trail: Craig to launch radio ad today; Gansler proposes lengthy jobs plan; and Brown proposes Dream Fund to aid illegal immigrants pay for college.

State board gives local election officials 12% pay raise

The State Board of Elections voted unanimously Thursday to give county election directors and their deputies a 12% salary increase.

Local election officials have not received a pay raise in 14 years. The board also took no formal action to rein in Lamone’s authority, as some board members had proposed earlier this month.

State Roundup, February 27, 2014

Sun investigation looks into what one delegate who has introduced workers’ compensation bills while working as a partner in one of the state’s biggest law firms in the field – and asks when does expertise become a conflict of interest?; Del. Dwyer testifies for bill mandating minimum sentences for officials in drunk driving cases; Senate continues to wrestle over dog bite bill; Catoctin Zoo hopes to alter “lions, tigers and bears bill;” firearms bill before Senate panel: One aims to kill “good time” credits for inmates who used a firearm in crime; Del. Love decides not to seek re-election; Gansler supporters drop suit against Brown over fundraising issue; and Mandel documentary available online.

Treasurer, comptroller urge senators to restore $100M cut in pension funding

In unusual joint testimony, Maryland State Treasurer Nancy Kopp and Comptroller Peter Franchot, chair and vice-chair of the state pension board, pleaded with Senate budgeters not to permanently cut $100 million in state payments to the retirement system. They said the cut proposed by Gov. Martin O’Malley had high long-term repercussions and undermined the state’s credibility with bond rating agencies by reneging on promises made in 2011 pension reforms.

50% hike in cigarette tax gets hearing

Health care advocates are stoking the tax fires again with legislation that would make Maryland’s tobacco taxes some of the highest in the country.

The Senate Budget and Taxation Committee heard testimony Wednesday on SB 589, which would increase the tobacco tax rate from $2 for a pack of cigarettes to $3. The bill also calls for steep hike on all other tobacco products — from 30% to 95% of the wholesale price.

State Roundup, February 26, 2014

Marijuana decriminalization, legalization hearing draws law enforcement groups opposed to effort as well as others for it; but pot hearing gets sidetracked when one officer quotes hoax website citing pot overdoses; former health exchange contractors ordered into arbitration; state still could switch to federal health exchange; lawmakers may reach compromise over dog bite legislation; bill would ban shelter animals from use in research labs; state retailers could be banned from using customer cell phone signals to track shopping without proper notification; election filing deadline passes and a few curve balls are thrown: Del. Frick pulls out of AG race to seek re-election; former Del. Alston seeks to regain her seat; and Del. George picks a running mate in gubernatorial race.

Senate incumbents pick up challengers on filing deadline

Senate incumbents pick up challengers on filing deadline

Maryland Senate incumbents who were running unopposed picked up challengers at Tuesday’s filing deadline, but other senators without any opponents must wait until Monday to find out if the opposition parties will name a candidate to run against them.

In Baltimore County’s District 8, former Republican Del. John Bishop will run as a Democrat challenging Democratic Sen. Kathy Klausmeier.

Smigiel won’t challenge Hershey for Senate

Del. Michael Smigiel, R-Cecil, will run for a fourth term to keep his House seat in District 36 — and forgo a promised Senate primary fight against former Del. Richard Sossi and the recently appointed Sen. Stephen Hershey.

Support Our Work!

We depend on your support. A generous gift in any amount helps us continue to bring you this service.

Facebook