Month: May 2015

President O’Malley: No laughing matter

President O’Malley: No laughing matter

Marylanders and particularly State House observers for his two terms as governor and seven years as Baltimore mayor know Martin O’Malley all too well. Familiarity breeds contempt, goes the old saying, and we’re all too familiar with O’Malley. But he may run well among those just getting to know him.

State Roundup, May 29, 2015

Sponsors of three measures vetoed by Gov. Hogan say they will push for overrides; On his Asia trip, Hogan will get the ride of his life; compromise regs to governor electronic gaming; new MSEA poll says majority of voters say there is too much standardized testing; Prince George’s Council OKs modest tax hike, not exec’s 15%; Frederick Councilman Kirby Delauter puts a nasty foot in his mouth; Baltimore City mayor sees her political future fall as a former mayor re-appears on the scene; protest of O’Malley planned; and J Street backing Donna Edwards for Israeli-Palestinian stand.

State Roundup, May 28, 2015

Sens. Zirkin, Raskin question logical soundness behind Gov. Hogan’s reasons for vetoing a number of bills, vow to work to overturn them; Maryland congressional delegation pushes Hogan on light rail projects, federal funding; Hogan takes off for 12-day trip through Asia; DNA testing slowed from lack of submitted samples; former local Maryland Municipal League treasurer pleads guilty to fund theft, repays debt; Prince George’s exec admits property tax hike unlikely; Arundel exec pulls grants from two orgs with ties to him; O’Malley gets a Super PAC and Hillary Clinton to visit Bethesda.

State Roundup, May 27, 2015

Demonstrators block highway traffic to protest state funding for youth jail that they said should go to schools; bus, light rail and other transit fares to rise in late June; Gov. Hogan names two Common Core supporters to state Board of Ed; Atty. Gen. seeks outside legal help to pursue lawsuit against oil refineries using MTBE; one businessman prepares for the day medical marijuana will be legal; Small biz group says after riots more Baltimore businesses could use their services; and Rand Paul to speak in Baltimore County.

New law aims to protect oyster farms from poachers

New law aims to protect oyster farms from poachers

As oyster farming grows in Maryland, legislators moved to protect the product that protects the Chesapeake Bay by enacting HB 287, to help leaseholders of aquaculture plots — oyster beds suspended in open water cages — to recoup damages from poachers. Those caught poaching would be subject to pay three times the cost of their illegal harvest directly to aquaculture farmers, who are collectively leasing 4,000 acres of the Maryland Bay.

State Roundup, May 26, 2015

Gov. Hogan vetoes bill to allow felons to vote after release, decriminalization of pot smoking among others; new protections for LGBT communities to take effect without Hogan’s signature; UM-Baltimore to seek $82 million power plant upgrade; despite lack of budget, Prince George’s cops set sights on body in the fall; Baltimore City Police quit taking military surplus in 2013; two in Baltimore City administration depart; former Gov. O’Malley heads toward May 30 announcement; and Ben Carson wins straw poll.

Rascovar: Move the Preakness to Laurel? No way

Rascovar: Move the Preakness to Laurel? No way

The Stronach Group, which owns Maryland’s two thoroughbred one-mile tracks, is making noise about moving the crown jewel of Free State racing, the Preakness Stakes, to Laurel Race Course.

It’s a non-starter — and the Stronach folks probably know it.

Legally such a move can’t take place without General Assembly approval, which won’t happen.

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