January 30th, 2015 | by Cynthia Prairie
Maryland’s legislative Black Caucus protests Gov. Hogan’s cuts to education, eyeing the $143 million less expected to counties; Arundel’s Republican lawmakers again propose electing that county’s school board; bill would limit sites for methadone clinics; state allows two casinos to cut slot machines, add table games; after the kerfuffle, Carroll GOP Central Committee sends three names to governor as nominees to replace Joe Getty in Senate; Carroll Commissioners seek to strip committee of power to replace commissioners, want elections instead; former Gov. O’Malley heads to New Hampshire, South Carolina; Baltimore County cuts education request; and Montgomery exec warns of property tax hike
January 29th, 2015 | by Cynthia Prairie
A punctual Gov. Hogan sets a new tone at initial Board of Public Works meeting, thrilling Comptroller Franchot as they continue their budget-tightening bro-mance; Del. Barve calls on Hogan to address Bay cleanup-farming issues; new transportation chief says he’s open-minded over Red and Purple lines; Hogan allows three last-minute O’Malley initiatives to move forward; Del. Cluster proposes cops in every school; proposal would make charter schools independent of school boards; Del. McDonough hopes to reinstate death penalty; Sen. Madaleno blasts Montgomery County school board over superintendent contract; and long-time Baltimore City councilman won’t seek re-election
January 28th, 2015 | by Cynthia Prairie
Some lawmakers are seeking changes to the 40-year-old Police Officers Bill of Rights; Baltimore City mayor says state cuts will harm city schools; Comptroller Franchot wants reforms to state procurement process; ACA proves to have a downside with more costly drugs; incoming Ag Secretary Bartenfelder has ties to the land and to the Eastern Shore; state Sen. Hershey named new Minority Whip; Fosselman to remain as deputy Secretary of State; Gov. Hogan to deliver State of State next Wednesday; U.S. Sens. Cardin, Mikulski oppose Obama plan for offshore drilling; former surgeon, possible presidential contender Ben Carson talks baking, gays and poison; Amedori files ethics complaint against Carroll commissioner; and Len Lazarick and four others noted by the Fix at the Post for State House coverage
January 27th, 2015 | by Cynthia Prairie
Gov. Hogan seeks permanent, long-term budget cuts but legislative fiscal analyst questions unitemized cuts, calling them “dangerous;” after moves on environment, LGBT protection, Hogan as a “moderate Republican” called into question. Still, Hogan amends, reissues executive order calling for equal treatment of all Marylanders; sexual harassment in the legislative halls of Annapolis; lawmakers gear up for fight over paid sick leave; incoming insurance commissioner hopes to see more insurance companies in Maryland; 200 homeless programs in state get $48 million in federal grants; state to continue push to secure FBI headquarters; and Montgomery Exec Leggett asks state for OK to establish transit authority
January 26th, 2015 | by Cynthia Prairie
Gov. Hogan’s first budget keeps funding for Red and Purple lines “pending review and re-evaluation;” Del. McIntosh, others question Hogan’s aggressive elimination of structural deficit while others -- including business leaders -- praise getting budget under control; meanwhile, the state Judiciary is seeking a 10% hike in its budget; Carroll GOP sends three names for Getty's seat; some counties seek changes to their stormwater fees while legislature to once again consider repeal; Maryland, Virginia both see rise in heroin overdose deaths; LGBT community questions Hogan’s commitment to tolerance after Medicaid move; shore educators question benefit of post-Labor Day school start date; and Maryland jurisdictions vary in how they approach carrying guns in government offices
January 23rd, 2015 | by Cynthia Prairie
Gov. Hogan proposes cuts to Medicaid reimbursements, state employee salaries and education aid, testing the boundaries of the new governor’s call for bipartisanship. However, funding for the Red and Purple lines remains for now; Senate questions requested cuts in slots, hike in table games by two casinos; Carroll GOP central committee sends Hogan three names to fill one seat, won’t back down over Frazier as Getty replacement but Getty to stay in Senate a while longer; Del. Serafini nominated to replace Sen. Shank; Perdue looks to move 150 jobs from Salisbury to Delaware; and Arundel exec calls heroin problem a public health emergency
January 22nd, 2015 | by Cynthia Prairie
Naturally, the political news mainly centers around Larry Hogan’s inauguration as Maryland’s 62nd governor. He addresses bipartisan cooperation, declares that the state is indeed “open for business” and even jokes about his election as a Republican; N.J. Gov. Christie introduced the new Maryland governor and later drew parallels between him and Hogan; in other news, McCormick’s CEO won’t commit to staying in Maryland; Hogan pulls the new farm phosphorous rules; and many Hogan senior advisers will make less than predecessors; the Post profiles new Lt. Gov. Rutherford; Gov. O’Malley offers some practical advice to Gov. Hogan; and while the inaugural ball was a festive affair, the entire day was centered on Hogan and his family
January 21st, 2015 | by Cynthia Prairie
It’s inauguration day for Gov.-elect Hogan: N.J. Gov. Christie will play a role as will the weather; Hogan sees himself as “just” a regular guy while those close to him see him as competitive and goofy; in office, Hogan and his team will have to tackle the state’s difficult pension system; as Gov. O’Malley formalizes death penalty commutations, some legislators want to strip the governor of parole decisions; two casinos want to swap lots of slots for a few table games; state to return to paper ballots in 2016; county execs want to revamp their stormwater fee systems; phosphorus regs to go into effect next month; and state earns a “D” for tobacco control
January 20th, 2015 | by Cynthia Prairie
Board of Regents OKs mid-term tuition hikes at Salisbury, Towson and Frostburg, hiring freeze at both SU and UMES; as new governor takes office, Baltimore City delegation mum on State Center stand; advocates seek to double state mandate on renewable energy; federal challenge to state ban on assault weapons expected this spring; Chesapeake Bay Foundation fights state stormwater permits; Gov.-elect Hogan taps new Emergency Management chief; Cecil Night draws crowd to Annapolis; will Gov. O’Malley’s progressive agenda be overshadowed by tax hikes?; Lt. Gov. Brown considers next move; and self-described “vanishing breed” Nancy Dacek remembered
January 19th, 2015 | by Cynthia Prairie
Gov.-elect Hogan to be sworn in on Wednesday; in the meantime, outgoing Gov. O’Malley suggests $640 million in budget cuts; teachers union gears up for education budget battle; class-action suit filed against MTA over paratransit call center problems; Maryland businesses affected by international hacking; as Hogan promises to focus on rural counties, Prince George’s, Montgomery team up for attention; Garrett County epicenter for fracking debate in Maryland; with inclusion of Harford districts, Shore delegation grows; Arundel delegation focuses on Department of Housing and Community Development move, Bay Bridge traffic among others; O’Malley honored at Hippodrome event; O’Malley to become guest lecturer at Hopkins business school; O’Malley looks back with few regrets, looks forward to possible presidential run; and city Councilman Mosby denies role in office of new city State’s Attorney Mosby
