Year: 2018

The possible shutdown of the federal government looms large over Maryland, with a possible 26,474 workers impacted as Gov. Hogan urges President Trump to “come to his senses;” Maryland leads charge against Trump administration plan to allow offshore seismic testing; Gov. Hogan announces new funding for P-TECH education plan; Hogan taps bipartisan panel to redraw 6th Congressional District; U.S. Rep.-elect Trone urges Supreme Court to validate his 6th Congressional District; 11 sexual harassment claims tallied against lawmakers in past year; General Assembly leaders OK new behavioral guidelines to stem harassment; enrollment in ACA up 28% in rural Maryland; banned insecticides still on some store shelves; and emoluments clause lawsuit halted by Circuit Court of Appeals.

Senate President Miller to push for more police for Baltimore City, new private force for Johns Hopkins; Attorney General Frosh to go before U.S. District Court judge today in effort to preserve its lawsuit seeking to keep the Affordable Health Care Act; after finding unapproved pesticides in products, medical marijuana commission fines grower, orders changes in leadership; Abell study finds deregulation of energy industry did not save Marylanders money; Montgomery Council seeks authority over new tolls roads, in effort to stop Gov. Hogan’s widening plan; House Speaker Busch taps committees; Hagerstown councilwoman blasts Hogan over picking Steve Schuh to head opioid force; and Arundel jail ends immigration screening after County Exec Pittman speech.

As Michael Gill leaves Commerce Department, Gov. Hogan taps Labor Secretary Kelly Schulz to replace him; Attorney General Frosh has challenged the federal government on myriad fronts, including 14 court cases to protect ACA, stop family border separations and halting distribution of 3-D printed guns; environmentalists unhappy with Trump administration plan to severely restrict development protections on some types of waterways and wetlands; oyster fishing policy debate expected in Annapolis; federal-state land swaps such as Gov. Hogan’s proposal for Redskins stadium are not unusual; Baltimore County appeals to U.S. Supreme Court ruling on pensions; Howard County gets a female fire chief.

With possible federal government shutdown, 300,000 Marylander could face furloughs; Marylanders vow to fight to save Affordable Care Act after Texas judge rules it is unconstitutional; contract to expand I-270, I-495 to go before the Board of Public Works; ranked choice voting gaining momentum; high vote-getter Comptroller Franchot considers next steps; Metro board to charge peak fares during special events; police officers struggle with opioid addiction; and Montgomery County Exec Elrich faces down a budget.