January 31, 2012
More on the marriage equality front: Post poll finds half of Marylanders back it, meanwhile about 300 opponents rally at the State House. We have a podcast and O'Malley intends to testify today; O'Malley wants to add gasoline to the 6% sales tax, which could bring in $613 million annually; real estate professionals take aim at state budget provision that would cut the mortgage interest deduction for homeowners; SHA says no to Frederick County sign request; and Jack Johnson free for two more weeks. [...more]
January 30, 2012
New Post poll finds O'Malley lacks clear support for key legislative efforts; gay marriage issue continues to dominate as first lady Katie O'Malley apologizes for calling some “cowards,” while opponents believe the remark will help their side and will rally tonight; O'Malley committed to transportation bill; DREAM Act referendum in court; as number of home births grow, supporters say state laws too restrictive; DNR chief, lawmakers in angry exchange over tracking watermen; and Jack Johnson disbarred. [...more]
January 27, 2012
Maryland First Lady calls people who stood in the way of gay marriage “cowards;” Senate shows its bipartisan colors; Bar Association endorses gay marriage; illegal immigrant tuition referendum in court today; legislators briefed on the “war on rural Maryland.” [...more]
January 26, 2012
School construction, rehabilitation issues take over BPW hearing: Baltimore County schools drilled over lack of air conditioning, Washington and Wicomico seek more funds, Mizeur proposes letting city raise its sales tax; medical marijuana bill moves forward; combined reporting legislation returns; freshman Republican delegates draw attention to taxes; and Bartlett's poll numbers falter. [...more]
January 25, 2012
O'Malley gathers ministers to support new gay marriage law, which contains more protections for religions but Catholic Conference doesn't bite; 25,000 jobs added to Maryland economy in 2011; a dull 2012 economic forecast; administration also pushing for stronger alliances to bolster technology industry in state; high student suspension rate has state school board considering moving away from zero tolerance policy; and health advocates say budget is putting booze tax hike toward health programs.
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January 24, 2012
O'Malley's new same-sex marriage proposal offers broad protections to opposing groups; gov to back bill protecting transgendered people; chief fiscal analyst says O'Malley's budget goes a long way to shore up against federal cuts; 93 new staff proposed for Perkins Hospital; redistricting ruling appealed while Sykesville goes on record against redistricting plan; state ready to pick prescription drug provider; and robocall defense paid out of Ehrlich campaign fund. [...more]
January 23, 2012
Huge growth in number of homeless students; MIEMSS audit finds lack of financial accountability; O'Malley to reintroduce offshore wind plan with revisions; doubling flush tax would help revamp 67 sewage treatment plants; gay marriage bill expected to be introduced today; and two suits challenging redistricting are dismissed. [...more]
January 20, 2012
Grumbles, cheers for O'Malley's budget proposal; some say pension shift may mean teacher layoffs; Brochin proposes redistricting without politics; PG slots and new hospital need to stay separate issues; job creation methods debated; estate tax exemption for family farms proposed. [...more]
January 19, 2012
O'Malley releases $35.9 billion budget, including phase out of deductions and exemptions for higher earners and shifting teacher pension funding to counties; counties cry foul over pension shift proposal; “flush” and cigar tax hikes also proposed; and $23 million planned for state parks; Sen. Young suggests creating a registry of animal abusers; Gansler leads in fundraising among Democratic hopefuls for governor; and Montgomery police chief dispels rape rumors as Baltimore County debates transgender protection. [...more]
January 18, 2012
In an attempt to close the $1.1 billion budget gap, Gov. O'Malley is proposing an income tax hike for high-income Marylanders, shifting teacher pension costs to local governments and hiking the flush tax; Lt. Gov. Brown touts Health Enterprise Zones; as state proposes more school construction funding, Montgomery County considers cutting it back while Frederick County says it is ahead of schedule; six elementary school get Blue Ribbon designation; and Anne Arundel Councilman Jones voted out of office by fellow members before prison term begins. [...more]
