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State Roundup, September 15, 2017

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Gov. Hogan refuses to endorse state education plan for aiding low-performing schools, cites new law limiting what the plan can include; Virginia Gov. McAuliffe says Hogan proposal to fund Metro isn’t good enough for a long-term fix; outgoing head of UM Environmental Center has overseen Bay health improvement in 27-year tenure; governor hopeful Madaleno touts Amazon-university deal to bring HQ2 to Maryland; Del. Szeliga targets city school standards; House Speaker Busch, sister discuss liver transplant; and Montgomery County exec asks council for a slower path to $15 minimum wage.

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State Roundup, September 14, 2017

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U.S. Supreme Court won’t expedite Maryland Republicans’ suit claiming gerrymandering of 6th Congressional District; coalition to push for 50% renewable portfolio by 2030, with Del. Frick set to introduce measure; State Elections Board says there is no evidence of election tampering, but electronic balloting could be more secure; Washington County Republicans give Gov. Hogan, President Trump high marks; longtime Democratic operative Lierman joins Rep. Delaney’s campaign for president; College Park Council OKs voting for non-citizens; and Francis Scott Key monument is vandalized but city mayor says it will be cleaned, not removed.

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State Roundup, September 13, 2017

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Gov. Hogan has directed Attorney General Frosh to sue the Federal Aviation Administration over new flight patterns at BWI that have caused harsh noise complaints from residents; lawmakers hear from Baltimore city officials on soaring gun-related murder rate as they seek ways to reduce violence; Baltimore city also targets police recruitment, retainment; judge orders Chevy Chase to pay Purple Line advocacy group’s attorney fees in its public records search; when it comes to dealing with the District of Columbia, Maryland’s Republican Rep. Andy Harris has taken the lead; and Prince George’s board suggests ending generous travel allowance, vehicle usage for some officials.

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State Roundup, September 12, 2017

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Gov. Hogan reverses course on Metro funding, offers $500 million over four years if Virginia, D.C., feds do the same; Attorney Gen. Frosh joins three states in suing the Trump admin over ending DACA; Ocean City businesses concerned that they’ll lose summers workers if Trump administration cancels visa program; proposed funding bill for the EPA strips agency of enforcement power over Chesapeake Bay cleanup; Senate panel to hold marathon hearing today in Annapolis on Baltimore gun violence; Baltimore Council OKs weakened gun bill; state Sen. Conway says this will be her last campaign; and UB President Schmoke invites Ed Secty DeVos to speak, students protest.

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State Roundup, September 11, 2017

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While Maryland has prepared for weather-related disasters, state officials still say massive storms live Irma could overwhelm emergency services; meanwhile, Maryland first-responders heed the call of FEMA; federal judge temporarily delays decision on stopping tree cutting along trail along Purple Line route; the road to getting the Purple Line has been anything but straight; activist DeMarco to return to Annapolis eyeing expansion of state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard; U.S. Sen. Cardin says he’s optimistic about a possible bipartisan health care bill; and, among a wide and talented field, former Gov. O’Malley, others not ready to back candidate for governor to challenge incumbent Hogan.

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State Roundup, September 8, 2017

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Gov. Hogan dedicates ICC to Gov. Bob Ehrlich; criticizes Congress over failure to reform U.S. immigration policy; dreamers from around Maryland begin mobilizing to resist, fight DACA repeal; Hogan defends rapid start to Purple Line construction; Pennsylvania lags in efforts to clean up Chesapeake Bay; state’s interim insurance chief is upbeat on Health Exchange despite major setback on the national scene; Maryland State Fair officials say post-Labor Day school start boosted attendance; and Del. Mary Washington to challenge Joan Carter Conway for Senate seat.

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State Roundup, September 7, 2017

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Board of Public Works cuts about $61 million from budget including to the Department of Health and college system; Treasurer Kopp takes BPW time to criticize Trump administration action against dreamers and state universities say they’ll do all they can to protect these students; state brewers panel bandy about idea of beer sales in grocery stores; Anne Arundel County says it will sue over-prescribing doctors, drug manufacturers in fight to curb opioid abuse; judge expected to make decision on latest Purple Line suit by Friday; Gov. Hogan urges Marylanders to ready for Irma; Hogan to name ICC after former Gov. Ehrlich; and Del. Sanchez to run for state Senate.

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State Roundup, September 6, 2017

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Board of Public Works set to vote on $68 million in cuts proposed by Gov. Hogan as Democratic lawmakers step up with alternative suggestions; Maryland ‘dreamers’ worried, protest Trump White House decision to rescind DACA as businesses weigh in with their concerns over action; Purple Line opponents head back to court, bringing Metro funding into argument; Maryland ranks well overall in beginning teacher salaries; Yumi Hogan meets with South Korean first lady to discuss collaboration; several Montgomery candidates who support public campaign financing opt out of it; and Arundel Councilman Grasso lets criticism of fellow councilman continue after he gets rebuke from ACLU.

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State Roundup, September 5, 2017

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Gov. Hogan says Metro won’t receive additional funding from Maryland; who are the 14 firms now growing or on verge of growing medical marijuana?; with later school start, teachers, parents and students continue to debate the costs, benefits; Georgetown Branch Trail shut down as Purple Line work starts, but Montgomery officials, families protest; Arundel’s Safe Stations program sees immediate impact with growing use by addicts seeking help; University of Maryland Medical System takes over Prince George’s hospitals; first lady Yumi Hogan in South Korea during tense time with North Korea; grandson of Del. Branch latest fatality from gun violence in Baltimore; Rep. Cummings still recovering from hospital stay; as races begin to gel, Sen. Kagan’s name keeps cropping up; protesters shine a light on racism at State House; Hogan dumps campaign manager; and Martin O’Malley might run for president, again.

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State Roundup, September 1, 2017

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Gov. Hogan will seek about $68 million in budget cuts to “get ahead of curve” on projected revenue shortfall, including cutting $22 million from Health Department; head of state opioid effort says community buy-in difficult; UM research reverses brain changes in cocaine addicted mice; Hogan, Howard Exec Kittleman break ground on Route 32 work; Maryland Dems urge Trump administration to stay with plan to put Harriet Tubman on 20-dollar bill; after friend’s appointment to Register of Wills, Del. McKay says he’ll seek re-election instead; Arundel County exec unveils initiative to fight racism; and Baltimore City grapples with lack of zoning on medical marijuana dispensaries.