Cynthia Prairie

State Roundup, June 17, 2019

Gov. Larry Hogan continues to review $200 million in projects including school construction, rape kits and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra; state polling E-Z Pass holders over willingness to use tolls lanes as part of push on I-270, Capital Beltway widening; former Sen. Frank Kelly, sons resign from UMMS boards after criticism in being asked to rejoin; long-time political insider Mark Wasserman, UMMS senior vice president of external affairs, a no-show at meeting with Hogan and silent to reporters’ inquiries; tributes to the late Speaker Clay Mitchell pour in; two NAACP chapters as state to probe state delegate’s ‘hang them high’ comment; Georgia abortion law could benefit Maryland film industry; BSO musicians face lockout after board vote; Annapolis wrestles with streaming more public meetings; and former state Del. Donald Hammen dies at 79..

State Roundup, June 13, 2019

Review of UMMS finds more no-bid contracts with members of board of directors, going outside hospital policy; Gov. Hogan names Chip DiPaula, among others, to UMMS board while four are asked to return, including ex-Sen. Frank Kelly; UM Medical Center pulls request for a rate hike, after critics decry timing of such a request; Baltimore city drops lawsuit over Pimlico after talks with Stronach restarted; Climate Change Part 4: keeping the drafts at bay; Planned Parenthood launches Maryland-DC-N. Virginia effort to protect abortion rights; and committee chaired by Maryland U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings votes to hold two Trump officials in contempt of Congress.

State Roundup, June 12, 2019

Gov. Larry Hogan is urging the Trump administration to reconsider delay, put Underground Railroad hero Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill; statewide, fatal overdoses down while Washington County sheriff disputes uptick numbers; state moves forward to demolish 40 buildings making up city detention center; Hogan asks U.S. Rep. Hoyer’s help in pushing through redistricting reform; in Part 3 of series on climate change, poorer Baltimore City residents struggle with heat, hot water bills; Washington County parklands aided by state Open Space funds; Baltimore County publishes interactive county budget information; and slew of “Healthy Holly” books find their way for the taking at Maryland Book Bank.

State Roundup, June 11, 2019

Prince George’s planner says SHA lacks understanding of county, not forthcoming with information as it pushes for Capital Beltway expansion; Montgomery Exec Elrich says he’d rather have ICC, which he opposed, than Capital Beltway toll lanes; Senate President Miller says news of his health “largely good;” technical snags force cannabis commission to extend deadline for more applicants; extreme cold from climate change can exacerbate health problems; former State Attorney General Gansler joins Cadwalader firm in D.C.; Frederick, Carroll counties to seek unified Monocacy Scenic River Management Plan; and attorney says former Mayor Pugh has fulfilled UMMS’s Healthy Holly commitment.

State Roundup, June 10, 2019

A rape trial in Montgomery County will use a new Maryland law to allow witnesses to similar experiences with the accused; House Speaker Jones considered no-nonsense consensus builder; former Sen. Frank Kelly helped grow UMMS, and his company’s contracts grew as well; Maryland hospitals seek revenue hike; General Assembly colleagues send Sen. Smith, deployed in Afghanistan, care packages as reminders of home; climate change series: cold snaps and Baltimore city; and Arundel County Council to begin mulling operating budget.

State Roundup, June 7, 2019

Planning, parkland agency rejects key SHA study on I-270, Capital Beltway that may set up a fight between local planners and state over Hogan widening plans; bay bridge foes push for alternatives to a new span; four executives with the University of Maryland Medical Systems resign as former Busch aide named chief of staff; bay area fisherman now harvesting invasive and hungry blue catfish; and U.S. Rep. Cummings wants guarantee that Harriet Tubman will be on $20 bill.

State Roundup, June 6, 2019

In a contentious, 3-hour meeting, Board of Public Works splits 2-1 to OK amended Hogan road widening plan, including building out I-270 first, phasing in toll lanes on American Legion Bridge, I-495; Comptroller Franchot gets his wish in protesting Alabama abortion law as BPW delays contract with Alabama firm; state extends deadline for drivers to fix REAL ID; Kirwin funding workgroup named; state retirees seek class action status to sue over change in prescription drug benefits; 72 lawmakers ask Gov. Hogan to free funds for BSO; and Maryland casinos see ups and down.

State Roundup, June 5, 2019

Gov. Hogan’s proposal to add toll lanes to Capital Beltway, I-270 in public-private partnership goes before BPW today, with Comptroller Franchot seen as the swing vote; meanwhile a researcher says Hogan administration misses mark when claiming that more lanes will reduce air pollution; Franchot, who urged state to cut ties with Alabama after its abortion ban, to decide on contract with some funds going to Alabama-based firm; in speech before businesspeople, Hogan promises fight against Democrats on education, roads fronts and for the ‘future of Maryland;’ Cannabis Commission, not Health’s food safety division, will oversee marijuana edibles; in a surprise, Del. Kipke plays midwife, helps wife deliver their third child at home; and Washington County raises income taxes for first time in 20 years.

State Roundup, June 4, 2019

After saying no to a 2020 presidential run, Gov. Larry Hogan says he’d consider running in 2024; 59 lawmakers sign letter to Board of Public Works asking them to Gov. Hogan’s toll lane proposal for Capital Beltway, I-270, offering alternatives and urging protection of homes and businesses; judge dismisses doctors from opioid lawsuit against pharmaceutical companies; Newseum honors slain Capital Gazette journalists, adding their names to memorial; and Maryland’s only presidential candidate, Dem John Delaney, gets booed in San Francisco and dissed by AOC.

State Roundup, June 3, 2019

Gov. Hogan says he won’t challenge President Trump for GOP nomination, but starts national advocacy organization instead; as BPW prepares to vote on Gov. Hogan’s public-private highway plan, opposition grows to the plan in Montgomery, Prince George’s; UMMS adopts anti-conflict of interest policy, makes other changes in relationship with board; despite Hogan’s recent appointments, Handgun Permit Review Board’s future in doubt; UM Regents to probe adenovirus death; legislative leaders, GOP split on Hogan releasing BSO funding; taxpayers foot $145,500 bill for state’s Preakness tent; and U.S. Rep. Ruppersberger: NSA says its malware not involved in Baltimore City computer attack.

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