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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.

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State Roundup, April 4, 2018

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Legislative negotiators agree to cut one-fifth of $500 million state income tax hike as legislators continue to work on school violence reduction; House OKs modifying state hate crime law; General Assembly poised to OK allowing testimony of previous predatory behavior in some cases; Sen. Zirkin at odds with law enforcement over decriminalization of recreational pot; Attorney General Frosh joins suit against Trump administration over a proposal to add a citizenship question to the 2020 Census; and gubernatorial candidate Vignarajah won’t buy Sinclair airtime.

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State Roundup, April 3, 2018

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General Assembly OKs legislation to put deadline on state admitting inmates needing psychiatric treatment; Baltimore Dems begin process for filling former Sen. Oaks’ seat; ACLU claims victory in settlement with Gov. Hogan, staff on blocking, deleting Facebook posts; Baltimore City to get $11.7 million for capital projects; Annapolis lobbyists schedule parties for end of session; and Democratic, Republican voter registration down.

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State Roundup, April 2, 2018

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General Assembly leaders send controversial bills to Gov. Hogan’s desk, hoping for signature or veto with intention to override, including stripping BPW from school construction process; meanwhile, editorial boards urge Hogan to veto and lawmakers to let the veto stand; bill would put an armed guard in every school; Comptroller Franchot hits back at Senate President Miller; lawmakers kill Hopkins policing plan; with nationwide warning on vote interference, lawmakers weigh cybersecurity against voter access; despite crushing loss, craft brewers vow to return next year to loosen restrictions; gubernatorial candidates Ross, Madaleno scuffle over Ross’s “prancing” remark; and Maine’s controversial governor offers opinion of judge allowing Maryland-D.C. emoluments case.

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State Roundup, March 30, 2018

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Former Sen. Oaks pleads guilty to felon fraud charges, sentencing set for July 17; Oaks’ resignation leaves little time to replace him in Senate and his district without Senate rep; Democrats’ feud over Board of Public Works’ control of annual school construction funding ‘beg-athon’ boils over; bill to allow evidence of past offenses likely headed for passage; measure hopes to spur investment in cybersecurity startups; pipeline foes may have run out of time; and union endorsement of Baltimore County executive candidate stirs controversy.

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State Roundup, March 29, 2018

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Supreme Court hears Maryland gerrymandering case, seems conflicted over arguments; embattled state Sen. Oaks resigns as he is set to appear in court; federal judge rules Maryland, D.C. can sue President Trump over emoluments clause; state Senate OKs plan to study Comptroller Franchot’s oversight of alcohol industry; Senate gives preliminary OK to stripping BPW of its authority over school construction funds; General Assembly moves to give school systems flexibility over calendars; and NY Sen. Gillibrand backs Aruna Miller for John Delaney’s House seat.