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State Roundup, April 18, 2018

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Unbid state roads contract pulled from Board of Public Works schedule after questions arise over Secretary Rahn’s relationship with winner, handling of process; despite hope for extensive reforms, Metro will instead see more modest changes in governance; Gov. Hogan to choose ex-Sen. Oaks’ successor between former Del. Jill Carter and Joyce Smith; Sierra Club back Del. Miller for U.S. House seat; California senator backing Alsobrooks for Prince George’s exec; fired Arundel hearing officer says County Exec Schuh tried to influence decisions on medical marijuana business variances as County Council takes up Schuh bill throwing roadblocks into their placement; and interim Baltimore County Schools Superintendent White named to post.

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State Roundup, April 17, 2018

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Transportation Secretary Rahn sought ethics clearance after transportation officials awarded no-bid job to his former employer; Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative generated $4 billion for involved states, including Maryland; College Republicans say clean energy is a priority for them; internal investigation into harassment claim against judge to end as he announces retirement; eight hopefuls seek to be named to former Sen. Oaks’ seat as interviews take place today; House candidate Trone fills campaign coffers with $3 million of own money, while Aruna Miller gets more in individual donations; and Arundel County Exec Schuh submits legislation to make it difficult for medical marijuana to be grown and sold in county.

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State Roundup, April 16, 2018

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Federal appeals court rules Maryland’s generic drug price-gouging law as unconstituional; Ben Jealous picks up MSEA endorsement for governor; Maryland GOP ad campaign targets only Democratic woman running for 6th Congressional District; governor’s signature would give Maryland-based companies a tax break; measure would offer a boost to Maryland’s film industry; Secretary Rahn waived bid process as former employer becomes recommended contractor; Del. Parrott asks Gov. Hogan to veto bill to ban conversion therapy; state considers phasing out cash tolls; five Arundel lawmakers in the General Assembly leaving office this year; and Vicki Almond, Jim Brochin trade fund-raising barbs in race for Baltimore County exec.

State Roundup, April 13, 2018

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Effort to limit teen marriage in Maryland failed amid concerns from abortion rights, women’s groups; new law requires universities in Maryland to develop provisions for better handling of sexual assault cases; states to collaborate on plan to reduce Conowingo Dam pollution; Maryland switches representation on Metro board; Gov. Hogan wields his bipartisanship; in dispute with Republican incumbent senator, Hogan says he’ll back primary foe; Sen. Brochin endorsed by Attorney General Frosh in race for Baltimore County exec while Vicki Almond picks up teachers union backing; and U.S. Rep. Cummings returns to Washington after three-month absence.

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State Roundup, April 12, 2018

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Hogan still #2 governor in latest national poll, Sen. Cardin at 50% approval; sponsor of lab animal adoption bill blames Johns Hopkins University for watered down final version; with $15 minimum wage failing, business groups pretty upbeat about session; measure to prevent employers from asking workers to waive future rights to come forward on harassment complaints awaits Gov. Hogan’s signature; Frederick delegation members mull failed bills they hope to revive; federal budget fails again to include oyster reef construction funds; former Sen. Oaks joins effort to have name removed from ballot; and Sierra Club of Maryland backs Donna Edwards for Prince George’s County exec.

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State Roundup, April 11, 2018

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During Tuesday bill signing with Democratic leaders, Republican governor touts successful session and bipartisanship to address school safety, health care exchange crisis, tax hikes from federal over haul; bill making it illegal for police to have sex with those in custody also passes; new law would allow some Marylanders to get free community college tuition; bill to add display of a noose to hate crime law stalls; three former constituents of ex-Sen. Oaks sue to remove his name from the ballot; D.C. pot activist moves to Salisbury to help opponent of U.S. Rep. Harris will election; and Rockville to allow voters to vote by mail.

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State Roundup, April 10, 2018

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As lawmakers sign off after another 90-day session, they leave Annapolis having passed crime bills, school safety bills and attempting to fix the state’s medical marijuana industry; legislature sends to Gov. Hogan a bill to create a panel to probe Baltimore City police corruption; attempts to raise the minimum marriage age fails; as General Assembly passes bill to raise election security, congressional democrats ask Hogan to do the same; with failure of redistricting reform, Hogan says he hopes Supreme Court case prevails; lawmakers agree to allow sale of rest area naming rights; and as union targets Senate President Mike Miller’s re-election, Comptroller Peter Franchot joins in, vowing to campaign against him.

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State Roundup, April 9, 2018

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The last day: With a record 3,101 bill introduced, guns and crime top list of high-profile unfinished business; meanwhile many high-stakes bills – including $8.5 billion tax lure for Amazon HQ and Metro funding – pass; Maryland could be first state in country to regulate political ads on Facebook; General Assembly expected to pass overhaul of its own sexual harassment policy; tax relief plan doesn’t sit well with everyone; lockbox OK’d for education funds; puppy mills and finding homes for lab animals addressed; a modified crime package passes; $15 minimum wage doesn’t make it this year; Curt Anderson remains city delegation leader; this may be U.S. Rep. Hoyer’s last shot at No. 1 House slot; and Montgomery considers streamlining zoning process to attract “signature HQs” like Amazon.

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State Roundup, April 6, 2018

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General Assembly overrides Gov. Hogan’s veto of bill stripping BPW authority on school construction. But in a twist, Republican Del. McDonough voted for the override and Sen. Muse did not vote at all; Gov. Hogan signs a bunch of bills into law, lets others become law without his signature; the legislature also overrode a veto of a bill on teacher discipline, providing for arbitration; meanwhile, state Senate OKs bill to require schools to have resource officers; Del. McKay’s bill to cover adult dental care with Medicaid closer to approval; four Arundel delegates did not vote on conversion therapy bill as Sen. Simonaire attempts to clear up misunderstanding; and Sinclair Broadcast chief says print media has no credibility.

State Roundup, April 5, 2018

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House of Delegates OKs $5.6 billion Amazon tax incentive plan, adding to $2 billion already OK’d; as promised, and with a flourish, Gov. Hogan vetoes bill stripping BPW of oversight on school construction; Del. Simonaire offers personal reason to vote for ban on conversion therapy for minors, a bill her father, Sen. Simonaire, spoke against; General Assembly nearer to banning bump stocks; and Hogan administration opposes federal plan to loosen vehicle emissions standards.