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Senate delays debate on same-sex marriage bill

The Maryland State Senate delayed debate on the same-sex marriage bill that cleared the Judiciary Proceedings Committee yesterday until Thursday morning, but a final vote is still expected by Friday.

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Senate looking for alternative tax hikes to avoid ‘doomsday’ budget, Miller says

Senate leaders are trying to find $500 million in tax hikes as alternatives to those proposed by Gov. Martin O’Malley to avoid a “doomsday” budget with $1 billion in spending cuts, Senate President Mike Miller told reporters Tuesday.

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Gansler video predicts ultimate victory for same-sex marriage

Opponents of same-sex marriage are circulating a video of Attorney General Doug Gansler addressing a Equality Maryland event five months ago, suggesting that it “reveals great reason for suspicion regarding the referendum process” likely to occur if the law passes.In the video, Gansler says that even if the same-sex marriage law is enacted, and then voters reject it, new judges appointed by Gov. Martin O’Malley will ultimately rule Maryland’s one man-one woman marriage law unconstitutional.

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‘Governor’ Franchot would apply litmus test to school board appointments

Comptroller Peter Franchot said, “if I were to run for governor, and if I were fortunate to win,” he would have “a litmus test for any appointment to the state school board” or the local boards of education where the governor still makes the choice. They would have to support a financial literacy course requirement for graduation.

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Miller says committee has decided on Currie case

Senate President Mike Miller told reporters Monday that the Joint Committee on Ethics has decided on action to take on Sen. Ulysses Currie, D- Prince George’s, who failed to report $250,000 in consulting income from Shoppers Food Warehouse.

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So long, Jeffrey, hello, Fred – the back story on a building’s new name

The Board of Public Works last Wednesday renamed the Jeffrey Building a half-block down from the State House for Fred Wineland, the longest serving secretary of state in Maryland history. But what of the poor Jeffrey for whom the building was named in 1966? It wasn’t until Wednesday that Gov. Harry Hughes learned of the connection to his own career.

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Diamonds are the ambassador’s best friends

Her Excellency Tebelo Mazile Seretse, ambassador of the Republic of Botswana to the United States and a Morgan State graduate, charmed the Maryland Senate during a courtesy call Wednesday.

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Briefs: Property tax caps override; redistricting change; third bay bridge

The flood of 161 bills introduced in the Senate Monday night included measures to allow counties to exceed property tax caps to fund education, curb gerrymandering of congressional districts and do an environmental impact study for a third bay bridge.

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The O’Malleys are pressing hot buttons on gay marriage

The push to authorize same-sex marriage in Maryland had already been a contentious issue at the State House, even before tomorrow’s hearing on the O’Malley administration bill and today’s big rally opposing it. But right after the bill’s introduction last week, the O’Malleys, both husband and wife, managed to press even more same-sex marriage opponents’ hot buttons.

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Briefs: Actor Charles Dutton in a guest spot; Brinkley, Garagiola find common ground on farmland

Actor Charles Dutton made a guest appearance in the Maryland House of Delegates Thursday, announcing his return to Baltimore to promote the arts in Maryland’s impoverished communities. Sens. Sen. David Brinkley, R-Frederick, and Senate Majority Leader Rob Garagiola, D-Montgomery are cosponsoring a bill reducing estate taxes on family farms.