Community service providers to the developmentally disabled are “honestly at a desperate point” in continuing to operate, Laura Howell of the Maryland Association of Community Services told the Senate Budget Committee Thursday.
Day: February 5, 2015
Fraud in state contracts is target for Frosh and False Claims Act
Attorney General Brian Frosh moved to broaden Maryland’s fight against fraud on Thursday, backing legislation that would include false claims against private contractors completing work for state and local governments in the Maryland False Claims Act. This bill would also empower employees to report fraud within the walls of their own company.
Hunters rally at Blaze & Camo day
Orange neon colored hats livened up the windy courtyard of Lawyers Mall Thursday morning, as hunters wearing camouflage greeted legislators walking into the General Assembly session. They were passing out baseball-caps inscribed with the words “Blaze & Camo Day” to senators and delegates who stopped by. “Wearing your blaze” is a hunting term for wearing neon-orange vests or hats.
Vatz: A sterling rhetorical opening for Gov. Larry Hogan
Towson University rhetoric Rick Vatz gives a rave review of Gov. Larry Hogan’s first State of the State speech, in marked contrast to the opinion of Democratic legislators.
State Roundup, February 5, 2015
Gov. Hogan’s first State of the State offer tax exemptions for small business, relief for first responders, end to automatic gas tax hike, overhauling redistricting process. His assessment of Maryland’s business, education climate is met with disdain from Democratic ranks; in the meantime, Sen. Pinsky introduces bill to legislate poultry manure use by farmers; and Madaleno bill would add $1 tax to cigarette sales; as California faces measles outbreak, Maryland policy on vaccines takes a middle road; and judge rules that comptroller can collect taxes during appeals process.
Republicans stand and cheer Hogan speech, while Democrats sit on their hands
Right after Gov. Larry Hogan finished his State of the State speech Wednesday, one Republican lawmaker quipped that the Democrats were heading to the nurse’s station. They wanted to have their hands looked at after sitting on them for an hour.
Dollar-a-pack cigarette tax hike proposed, despite Hogan pledge
Despite Gov. Larry Hogan’s promise to cut taxes, Sen. Richard Madaleno and the Marylands Citizens’ Health Initiative are pushing to raise taxes on cigarettes by $1 to $3 a pack, in order to fend off Hogan’s budget cuts to health care.
Goodbye House, hello Senate
Republican Dels. Justin Ready of Carroll County and Andrew Serafini of Washington County got appointed by the governor and sworn in to their new Senate seats so fast on Monday that they didn’t have time to bid farewell to their former House colleagues till Tuesday.
Recent Comments