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State Roundup, June 1, 2018

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Arundel judge refuses to order state Board of Elections to toss outdated ballots, sets Valerie Ervin hearing for Monday; ACLU seeks to overturn policy on prisoner access to books; Exelon appeals state Department of Environment ruling on $172 million annual dam cleanup; Education Secretary DeVos visits Arundel School as gubernatorial candidate, teachers union protest; and state superintendent denies Verletta White permanent Baltimore County superintendency for second time.

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State Roundup, May 31, 2018

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Democratic gubernatorial forum considered another snoozer, focuses on Baltimore problems; Gubernatorial candidate Ervin follows through with suit threat over getting her, running mate’s names on ballot; Bay Foundation assessment say Chesapeake is clearer, but still delicate; Sen. Carter Conway, Del. Maggie McIntosh bring on new blood to 43rd District race; Gov. Hogan launches ad; Democratic Montgomery County exec candidate faces criticism of being Trump-like; Blair is target of first negative ads in MoCo race; Montgomery Reporter updates its 200 candidates list with endorsements; and Baltimore City State’s Attorney Mosby dropping cases, just like her predecessor.

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State Roundup, May 30, 2018

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Gubernatorial candidate Valerie Ervin sends letter to state elections officials threatening suit to get name of ballot; U.S. Rep. Harris says off-shore wind proposal could harm sealife, needs two-year NOAA study; Comptroller Franchot announces sales tax deferment for flood-damaged businesses; hike in guest worker visas may help state seafood industry; Prince George’s exec candidate Edwards finally files financial report, has $600,000 less on hand than rival Alsobrooks; Baltimore County gun legislation hearing becomes a political platform; Don Mohler sworn in as Baltimore County exec; and Montgomery County Council’s Twitter account apparently hacked.

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State Roundup, May 29, 2018

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Following flooding in Maryland, Gov. Hogan declares state of emergency for devastated areas of the state as local politicians, residents and business owners try to figure out next steps; despite reservations, new law to give Maryland right to regulate political ads on social media; Hogan vetoes three education bills, one meant to chasten Comptroller Franchot and one that would give convicts more time to challenge convictions; Maryland manufacturers say that steel tariffs could harm business; Baltimore County exec candidate Pat McDonough wants to make English official language of county; and incumbent Montgomery clerk says opponent is loose with definition of endorsement.

State Roundup, May 25, 2018

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Gubernatorial candidate Valerie Ervin says rival Ben Jealous tried to keep her from joining Kamenetz ticket, and cost her a job as another candidate says Jealous tried to keep him from running against supporter; Montgomery council asks state to issue new primary ballots; analysts see Rushern Baker’s gubernatorial campaign as lackluster; Gov. Hogan ramps up campaign; Don Mohler, aide to Kevin Kamenetz given the bi-partisan nod to fill out his term; Baltimore County exec hopeful Pat McDonough files ethics complaint against Republican rival Al Redmer; Hogan vetoes three education bills; in Baltimore City, wave of younger candidates targeting state senators.

State Roundup, May 24, 2108

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Gov. Hogan eliminates E-ZPass fees on new toll customers, expected to save users $46 million; citing education needs, activists campaign against Maryland, D.C. and Virginia tax subsidies to Amazon; state paid out $87 million in pension management fees; Comptroller Franchot switches stance, now wants beer, wine sales in groceries; temp replacement for Baltimore County Exec Kamenetz could be named this morning; Democratic gubernatorial hopefuls sign pledge to shore up Obamacare; GOP ‘snooze’ ad draws scorn for including late candidate Kamenetz; Rushern Baker media buy proves Montgomery to play large role in governor’s race; Montgomery exec candidate Marc Elrich finds himself sparring with ‘socialist’ label; County exec hopeful Jim Brochin buys big in Baltimore County media blitz; and in Frederick County exec race, Kathy Afzali maintains largest bankroll, but incumbent Jan Gardner has raised more.

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State Roundup, May 23, 2018

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Democratic gubernatorial candidates blast Board of Elections’ fix on primary ballots, ask for new ballots as flaws in system rise to top; Ben Jealous leads pack in fundraising; but Gov. Hogan’s coffers now hold the most; state launches Climate Leadership Academy to help local governments, state agencies, nonprofits and the private sector prepare to address the impact of global warming; U.S. Rep. Brown back on Capitol Hill after minor stroke; Baltimore County Council wrestles with replacing late County Exec Kamenetz on temp basis; and Del. Afzali leads in fundraising for Frederick County exec.

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State Roundup, May 22, 2018

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Gubernatorial candidate Ervin considers suit to get name in right place on ballot; first TV debate highlights lack of difference among field, as candidates attack Gov. Hogan; Hogan to report $9 million in hand; Baltimore County Council to hear from public on replacement for Kevin Kamenetz as county executive; Montgomery’s public campaign finance system draws attention to where campaign donations comes from; Montgomery council to change tactics as it attempts to aid detained immigrants; and Arundel council erects more barriers to medical marijuana facilities.

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State Roundup, May 21, 2018

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New gubernatorial candidate Valerie Ervin’s name to appear on ballot – as Kevin Kamenetz’s running mate while state board of elections contends its too late to change; situation exposes serious flaws in system, including forcing candidates to choose running mates so early; HBCU advocates protest Attorney General Brian Frosh’s stance on discrimination settlement; Maryland leads nation in prison population decline; owners pretty much doom Pimlico; in Baltimore City, three delegates challenge three senators; and Arundel, Annapolis consider banning plastic foam containers.

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State Roundup, May 11, 2018

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Even so soon after the death of gubernatorial hopeful and Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz, government and running mate must consider next steps: Who will replace Kamenetz in Baltimore County and will Valerie Ervin run for governor in his place?; gubernatorial candidate forum turns into wake with pols, audience sharing memories of Kamenetz as others see his legacy in bringing growth to the county; Kamenetz’s funeral today; Gov. Hogan, cabinet meet in and tour Howard County; bump stock law that gives loophole to current owners really doesn’t; Chef Jose Andres considers running for U.S. Senate; and political signs in Arundel County may actually be unauthorized.