Gansler to appeal Maryland court ruling blocking DNA collection in some crimes; O'Malley to sign environmental bills today; officials lobby for special session: County Exec Baker pushes for gambling; county governments strain under state budget uncertainty; and Baltimore County reconsiders lawsuit over millions in lost pension funds. [...more]
Religious leaders, concerned about cuts to the state's poor residents, urge quick legislative session; Swaim-Staley steps down as transportation secretary; financial implications delay signing of bill that would raise compulsory school age to 17; Kent commissioner blasts new Maintenance of Effort levels; pit bull ruling clears way for family's lawsuit; and, with Attorney General Doug Gansler sure to run for governor, why is there no long lineup for his office? [...more]
Audrey Scott loses GOP national committee seat to activist upstart; citizen challenges state remap; corporate donation information law awaits governor's signature; economist says Spending Affordability Committee to blame for higher state budget; shore municipalities consider raising taxes; Baltimore County police end DNA collection after court ruling; and Frederick officials split over cutting social programs. [...more]
Special sessions could throw wrench into political fund-raising efforts; NAACP backs holding two sessions, but opinions are mixed on how it might turn out; Rocky Gap gets slots OK and Maryland Live! set to open in June; Sierra Club intends to block export of fracking gas; and Franchot targets cigarette smuggling. [...more]
Police say they'll continue collecting DNA despite court ruling; will Rocky Gap get a slots license? We should hear today; Frederick officials beat the drum for referendum drives on same-sex marriage and new congressional district map; Franchot continues push for longer summer vacation; national Democrats view John Delaney among top-tier congressional hopefuls; and Frederick commissioners president hopes to lock up development from future changes. [...more]
Gambling, budget could each get its own special session with budget session coming in May; court blocks DNA collection during many arrests; Rocky Gap slots licensing decision expected tomorrow; delegate who helped organize protest against O'Malley initiatives “thankful” to have the governor in Hagerstown; Busch treated for type of skin cancer; and is Doug Duncan returning to the political spotlight? [...more]
O'Malley urges approval of tax hikes as does Miller, as governor seeks consensus before special session; Baltimore city, Prince George's County officials may again push for gambling; O'Malley charms 2nd tier of the 4th Estate; and Pepco pitches a rate hike. [...more]
O'Malley, Busch, Miller to meet tomorrow, and Miller says yes to some income tax hikes, nixes tying them to gambling; meanwhile, trade unions urge gambling expansion while Prince George's exec readies for none; state taps new public schools superintendent from Delaware system; Maryland women continue to see wage gap; Bay's crab population hits 19-year high while U.S. House hopes to stick curbs on Bay states' pollution diet; Carl Snowden, busted with minute amount of pot, announces sabbatical to pursue case against Arundel County Exec Leopold; and Del. Vallario suffers minor injuries in crash. [...more]
O'Malley emails Democrats asking for party unity, decrying Republican cheers for doomsday budget; Maryland's corporate tax rates are unfavorably compared to D.C.; Leggett says Montgomery County is better off under the "doomsday budget;" University of Maryland College Park students protest potential tuition increases under current budget; blue crab population continues to grow; Franchot wants school year to start after Labor Day. [...more]
Senate Pres Mike Miller denies forcing doomsday budget with gambling bill but House Speaker Busch continues to blame him; MSEA unveils “doomsday clock” in urging O'Malley to call special session; meanwhile, university students to protest cuts this afternoon; O'Malley says a special session is getting closer; and BPW keeps state property tax rate steady while Franchot warns of major state debt problems. [...more]
