O'Malley passed the crisis management test during Hurricane Irene; remaining power outages examined and Lt. Gov. Brown briefed; Maryland has no law requiring motorists to stop if traffic lights are out; Senate hearing highlights Maryland-Virginia business rivalry; Maryland government jobs grew; wind power study starts. [...more]
Near 380,000 residences and businesses still without power from Irene -- but few Pepco customers; O'Malley praises residents for storm prep and response; Frederick County Commissioners criticize PlanMaryland; Baltimore mayoral debate on TV; Rawlings-Blake, Dixon attack each other in interviews. [...more]
Stephanie Rawlings-Blake is far ahead of all her Democratic rivals, a Sun poll found, and voters are not interested in the return of Sheila Dixon; a change of heart on Ocean City slots; PlanMaryland continues to stir controversy in Carroll County; transportation secretary says procedures disregarded on state highway contracts and worries about a hold-up on federal funding; plus Baltimore County rezoning and city property taxes. [...more]
Hurricane Irene preparation and warnings dominate the headlines as O'Malley declares a state of emergency and Ocean City evacuates; local leaders get two more months to comment on Plan Maryland; Ulman and Garagiola meet and greet in Washington County; delayed federal AIDS money on its way; opinionators understand budgeting difficulties; headlines from Baltimore mayoral race. [...more]
African-American, minority coalition asks O'Malley to release redistricting plan early for their perusal; Rosapepe will indeed run for comptroller; Maryland Democrats, Virginia Republicans continue to battle over governors, budgets; schools will have to cut starch on cafeteria menus; 15 candidates to run for Leslie Johnson's Prince George's council seat; Leopold kills zoning changes that could increase development; and Baltimore City Council candidate shot with pellets. [...more]
Yesterday's earthquake apparently shook most political news off Maryland's news pages. But, some items of note: PlanMaryland likely will get a second look following objections; Frederick County commissioners are considering joining other counties in fighting PlanMaryland and create a pilot program that would give developers the job of handling water and sewer contracts and inspections; also, the state has lowered its infant mortality rate; and O'Malley plans a trade mission to India. [...more]
O'Malley touts “balanced approach” to budget including possible tax hikes; Leggett says he's on board with O'Malley; Maryland sees 8,100 new jobs in July; Va. Gov. McDonnell jabs at O'Malley over budget; Rosapepe in for comptroller? And Rosecroft opens for betting Thursday as ministers oppose slots at the track. [...more]
O'Malley says tax increases will likely be addressed in the 2012; Plan Maryland draws praise for intent but county ire over infrastructure spending; O'Malley, McDonnell trade jabs over job creation; federal decision to target illegal aliens who are criminals draws state advocates; Clagett considering whether to run for comptroller; state parks see rise in use with new, enthusiastic clientele – Hispanic families; Rosecroft reopens this week; and state sends a repair bill, then an apology. [...more]
Montgomery College tuition case dismissed without addressing immigration issue; federal budget cuts will kill jobs, union head says; local leaders feel Plan Maryland usurps their authority; auditors find control problems in vital records; Maryland and Delaware launch a criminal-chasing partnership; several items on the race for Baltimore mayor. [...more]
Commission begins work on making medical marijuana legal; government workers union comes out in favor of same sex marriage; state eases restrictions to lure slots bidders in Baltimore and Rocky Gap; Sen. Pipkin continues to blast O'Malley septic ban proposal as a war on rural Maryland; Attorney General says state prosecutor's office not necessary; Sen. Brochin urges Baltimore to pay lead paint judgments; and primary date on city sample ballot is just plain wrong. [...more]
