Cynthia Prairie

Gov. Hogan says he won’t support large tax hikes to fund the Kirwan education plan, while Speaker Jones say she wants to look at changes in tax credits; Pew study cautions states on expecting huge windfall from legal recreational pot; Maryland’s volunteer fire companies say they are in serious financial need; Maryland lags behind compensation for those exonerated of crimes they were imprisoned for; “substantial progress” made in negotiations to keep Preakness in Baltimore; state warns W. Virginia that it needs to pay up for MARC service or it will be cut; Open Meetings complaint filed against Handgun Permit Review Board; and it’s a bad year for oysters, only we don’t see it yet.

The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration is recalling 8,000 driver’s licenses for failing to meet Real ID compliance; while county leaders are being encouraged to support the Kirwan education initiatives, potential costs have them worried; Del. Davis says he is drafting legislation to remove ‘black liquor’ from renewable energy list; Gov. Hogan, Baltimore Mayor Young to meet next week over crime initiatives in Baltimore; WSSC justifies $900,000 rebranding, saying customers don’t understand what it does; Maryland’s delegation to Congress questions whether next election will be secure; court rules that pot odor insufficient grounds for police search; and Del. Impallaria wants defamation case to continue, says he wasn’t properly informed of hearing.

Gov. Hogan signs exec order creating renewable energy task force, mirroring bill that failed to pass last session but apparently cutting out greenies; Washington County finds cost of solar project cuts into their savings; Maryland businessman launches effort to mobilize support for Hogan’s road widening plan; state officials to focus on those undercounted as it mounts 2020 Census effort; Dart Container to shut Hampstead, Havre de Grace facilities; algae blooms that are toxic to dogs are found in Maryland lakes; Carroll Republicans decry Arundel Dem’s Facebook posting blaming GOP for shootings; Baltimore’s 35-year-old Council president considers running for mayor; and six Montgomery County schools found to be named after slave owners.

The Public Service Commission is indicating it will support some reforms on the way utility rates are calculated; Maryland among 21 states suing Trump administration over easing of restrictions of coal-fired power plants; in Annapolis, lobbyists on the move; Del. Lewis pushes for bio-safety 3 lab registry; Sen. Hershey’s comments on guns draw praise, scorn; river flows causing dead zone in Chesapeake Bay; Rockville to hold mail-in election for mayor, council; and former O’s pitcher gets a thumbs up from President Trump in speculative run for Congress in Arizona.

Attorney General Frosh wants Maryland to ban type of gun used in Dayton, Ohio, shooting; new Maryland Lynching Truth and Reconciliation Commission meets to organize, set up future agendas; what can you expect at Maryland Association of Counties convention?; while Republican congressmen plan retreat in Baltimore, White House still mum on president’s attending; U.S. Rep. Van Hollen seeks answers over Fort Detrick research lab closing; inspired by AOC, three file to challenge U.S. Rep. Hoyer; Frederick charter review panel identify budgeting, balance of power as pertinent issues; and rumors swirl over Orioles moving to Nashville.

Del. Ebersole to seek emergency legislation to protect Marylanders whose drivers licenses could be seized by police as state moves on REAL ID compliance; Handgun Permit Review Board may have violated state Open Meetings Laws; with possibility of trash incinerators closing, state could face major garbage crisis; Gov. Hogan renews call for mandatory minimum sentencing for gun offenders; Washington County considers legislation to spare farmland from solar farms; court sides with state over runoff pollution regulations; U.S. Rep. Cummings’ district not so different from former Congressman Mick Mulvaney’s; Jewish groups use holiday to mourn actions against immigrants; and ex-Baltimore Mayor Pugh regaining health as Healthy Holly probe continues.

State workers rally to push Hogan administration to fill thousands of vacant positions; Montgomery County laws may give its planning officials huge leverage over Gov. Hogan’s plan to widen Capital Beltway; divided court finds state Department of the Environment applied storm-water standards correctly; former state lawmakers part of panel to find replacement for retiring state prosecutor Emmet Davitt; new Opportunity Zones seen as benefit for some, but not necessarily for the communities they are in; U.S. Rep. Cummings calls for end to hateful rhetoric; seven Frederick County facilities now on solar power; and Baltimore mayor reaffirms commitment to immigrant families.

Under state police policy change, business owners can have their concealed carry handgun restrictions lifted; Maryland among states facing confusion, do-overs in Real ID rollout; lawmakers in the dark over whether Maryland will make Metro payment; Maryland families, ACLU say ICE using ‘bait and switch’ tactic to detain people; new law could end up lowering revenues into Howard County by $152 million; Washington County charities receive boon from tip-jar revenue; and Sun management, union return to bargaining table over pay raises for 100 Guild employees.

Maryland leaders are focusing on threat of white nationalism and related terrorism: Gov. Hogan met with FBI, State Police; state Sen. Hershey call out white supremacy as a national problem and U.S. Rep. Raskin says federal law enforcement has yet to recognize racist-fueled terrorism as a threat; Hagerstown Herald-Mail part of GateHouse, Gannett newspaper company merger; conservative activist tied to anti-Muslim group spurs cleanup of West Baltimore neighborhood; Horseshoe, Ocean Downs report lower revenues; U.S. Rep. Cardin talks Trump tweets, mass shootings; Frederick County to audit sheriff’s work with ICE; Carroll County Health Department to give out fentanyl test strips to drug addicts.

District Court hears case brought by former delegate challenging Gov. Hogan’s executive order requiring contractors to certify they won’t boycott Israel; Rep. Cummings says he would welcome President Trump to Baltimore; Cummings says he scared away intruder who attempted to break into home; MDOT Secty Rahn says state to give thorough review of Montgomery plan to ease traffic congestion on I-270, Capital Beltway; Montgomery asks Hogan to release $56 million for WMATA; Republican asks ethics panel to censure Del. Impallaria; Baltimore city may ban plastic bags; state-level grant funds keep Carroll County active in a cross-jurisdictional crime-fighting network; and Baltimore County settles federal excessive force death suit for $1.1 million.