March 4th, 2015 | by Cynthia Prairie
Some jurisdictions hope to make police body camera videos off-limits to the public; budget chief Brinkley defends Gov. Hogan’s plan to limit school funding growth, employee pay hikes; contrasting child custody bills would put child’s interest first, presume joint custody by parents; anti-fracking advocates rally at the State House; hearing on repeal of stormwater mitigation fee; Charles County light rail plan touted as cheaper option than Red or Purple lines; former Gov. O’Malley won’t seek retiring Sen. Mikulski’s seat; Baltimore City mayor to decide soon; U.S. Rep. Van Hollen says he’s in and other reps are considering the same; and Montgomery County puts office building rehab on old after educators complain
March 3rd, 2015 | by Cynthia Prairie
U.S. Sen. Mikulski won’t seek re-election but decides to go out swinging instead of fund-raising and plaudits pour in from near and far; Mikulski will leave a strong legacy of opening the door to women in the Senate -- and elsewhere; speculation begins on who will run for her seat and the list keeps growing; Hogan nominees for four Cabinet posts, including Transportation secretary, will head to full state Senate for a vote; court rules that Carroll GOP Central Committee can send as many nominees for delegate as it likes to Gov. Hogan; protective order against Del. Jalisi extended one week after no-show to court; and U.S. Rep. Cummings wants to know why manufacturer is raising prices on opioid overdose antidote
March 2nd, 2015 | by Cynthia Prairie
Despite its wealth, many in Maryland face serious financial struggles; as budget committees consider cutting payment to pension system, Gov. Hogan, Comptroller Franchot oppose the idea; Lt. Gov. Rutherford says heroin problem must be addressed prior to overdose deaths; Senate Pres Miller invokes Hitler’s “big lie” when speaking about Hogan on Dem tax hikes -- later apologizes; for many legislators, balancing work with family life is No. 1 challenge; two proposals would free taxi-alternatives like Uber; Del. Jalisi hearing today; and O’Malley issues warning to Wall Street
February 27th, 2015 | by Cynthia Prairie
Gov. Hogan continues to push his proposal to loosen rules governing charter schools, and gets a boost from the Post editorial board; Hogan proposes tax credit to those corporations that fund ed scholarships; Senate Pres Miller predicts a rocky road to confirmation for one Hogan nominee; controversy surrounds bill that would allow Baltimore City school police to carry weapons; advocates urge reform of law enforcement accountability in excessive force cases; Del. Jalisi has a date in court Monday, and he says he’s unaware of it; Attorney General Frosh backs GOP Central Committee in number of names it can submit to governor; and latest Iowa poll shows O’Malley unknown enough to garner no opinions
February 26th, 2015 | by Cynthia Prairie
Attorney General urges lawmakers to back fracking liability standards; mental health, drug treatment supporters rally against cuts to care providers; Gov. Hogan to decide on Purple Line by mid-May; Senate Pres. Miller offers up his own version of rain tax repeal; freshman delegate hopes to restore voting rights for some ex-offenders; tax breaks proposed for angel investors; Hogan’s charter school proposal gets initial hearing today; Kopp re-elected state treasurer; U.S. Sen. Mikulski, other women senators push to help victims of human trafficking; and Prince George’s could be approved for Sunday liquor sales
February 25th, 2015 | by Cynthia Prairie
Gov. Hogan unveils plans to deal with growing heroin problem, reveals that cousin died of overdose and names Lt. Gov. Rutherford to head task force to create policy; 1 million Marylanders said to have no retirement savings; Del. Young seeks assessment of untested rape kits; Hogan’s chicken manure proposal has farmers, environmentalist clucking; repealing rain tax not as easy as some jurisdictions were hoping; new tobacco products shopping fees light fire under opponents; Hogan seeks unified voice in push for FB HQ; new Goucher poll finds Marylanders still undecided about Hogan; and one Cecil delegate proposes community college bill that the college didn't want
February 24th, 2015 | by Cynthia Prairie
Senate panel grills nominee for transportation secretary over Purple Line, delaying process for him, four other potential Cabinet members; Gov. Hogan issues chicken manure rules, including banning worst offenders; gun rights advocates hope to push through looser conceal-carry bill; task force urges state to create a private-sector retirement plan for some employees; U.S. Rep. Delaney joins some state lawmakers in urging help for Western Maryland; Sun editorial board urges Hogan administration to rescind attorney’s “executive privilege” advisory; and statewide politicos attend funeral of Circuit Court Clerk Frank Conaway Sr
February 23rd, 2015 | by Cynthia Prairie
Purple Line bids delayed five months; attorney for Gov. Hogan tells agency heads to claim “executive privilege” on all internal correspondence; Maryland sees steep decline in federal funding for road repairs; increase in renewable energy goals is sought; bill to decriminalize marijuana gets lukewarm reception from committee; bill would raise penalties for assaulting a first responder; delegate seeks to pull speed cameras from work zones; and Hogan sends up 331 green bag appointments
February 20th, 2015 | by Cynthia Prairie
State offers workers $15,000 buyouts in attempt to save millions; Senate passes bill to raise maximum speed limit to 70 mph, but some still worried about deadly crashes; Baltimore City education backers protest state cuts to budget; proposed law would allow some legal infractions to be shielded from view; Carroll legislators want to expand Hogan proposal to shield service retirees from taxes; activists rally to remove governor from some parole decisions; Washington County GOP panel send one name to governor for Serafini’s seat; and Howard petitioners seek petition reform
February 19th, 2015 | by Cynthia Prairie
Maryland Health Connection’s 2nd year enrollment figures are either better -- or worse -- than the first year; Gov. Hogan joins Obama administration officials in touting expanding charter school funding; attempt to offer bachelor’s degrees by College of Southern Maryland doesn’t sit well with some; legislation would allow citizens to seek attorneys fees in some suits against government; Sen. Raskin sponsors bill to curb unregulated campaign contributions; Board of Public Works questions spending proposals; Carroll plaintiffs appeal judge’s ruling in denial of stay in GOP Central Committee candidate search; and services set for the late Frank Conaway Sr
