December 24th, 2014 | by Cynthia Prairie
Gov.-elect Hogan names more cabinet members, including former Del. Joe Bartenfelder as Ag Secretary, a “Bay Cabinet” and Van Mitchell to head health; there’s still time for outgoing Gov. O’Malley to influence Maryland’s future; Hogan won’t back away from tax cut pledge; Prince George’s legislators will once again push for artificial turf on high school fields; and Attorney General Gansler voids Blaine Young appointment to planning commission
December 23rd, 2014 | by Cynthia Prairie
A new business coalition to urge Gov.-elect Larry Hogan to move forward with Purple Line; as Hogan hones his budget knife, Arundel ponders its financial future; as Del. Schultz prepares to become cabinet secretary, her replacement in House is sought; Maryland No. 3 when it comes to needing services for mental health care; state senator, city comptroller open boutique in Baltimore City; and former Wicomico spokeswoman found in violation of ethics law over election event email
December 22nd, 2014 | by Cynthia Prairie
The federal government formally seeks developers for new FBI HQ with no state location designated; Maryland adds 3,800 jobs in November, with private sector responsible for majority; reformers ask state to stop requiring pre-trial bond; MVA will no longer be allowed to change party designation on voter forms; Gov.-elect Hogan sets inauguration plans; U.S. Rep. Delaney proposes infrastructure-aid bill; Arundel Circuit Court judgeship list lacks racial diversity; Howard delegation says goodbye to four legislators; and Ken Ulman takes business incubator post with
December 19th, 2014 | by Cynthia Prairie
While other governors are more willing to exercise clemency powers, Gov. O’Malley rarely uses his; Baltimore City mayor promises to find a way to redevelop State Center; Board of Public Works forgives $1.5 million in loans to two housing rehab groups; despite the problems, health exchange board bids fond farewell to Dr. Sharfstein; Eastern Shore Assembly delegates prepare for next session; Energy Administration chief moves to federal job; Del. Schulz to lead Labor, Licensing and Regulation, with past record emphasizing reducing regulation; Del. Vitale is on short list for Arundel judgeship; as Bob Caret returns to take over UM system to much praise, TU President Loeschke resigns due to illness; Howard Exec Kittleman hears budget requests; and Frederick County Exec Gardner says Blaine Young situation shows up holes in county ethics laws
December 18th, 2014 | by Cynthia Prairie
A bipartisan panel of legislators has agreed to ask Gov.-elect Hogan to cut ongoing spending by $350 million; Lt. Gov.-elect Rutherford will share staff with Hogan; Hogan likely to push to charter schools; Sen. Pinsky calls Comptroller Franchot’s “start school later” proposal ridiculous; Hogan picks four for Cabinet; November elections strengthened Republican Party in Maryland; Montgomery County has frozen most hiring, purchasing; and Frederick County exec must tackle budget shortfall
December 17th, 2014 | by Cynthia Prairie
Board of Public Works expected to OK contract for new paper-scanning voting machines; Gaming board green lights Hollywood Casino request to cut number of slot machines; with Caesars on brink of bankruptcy, what will happen to Baltimore City’s new Horseshoe Casino?; Sen. Rosapepe offers Gov.-elect Hogan advice on managing budget problems; Hogan, Baltimore City mayor meet over dinner; Del. Tarrant says backers hope to secure federal funds to push State Center project through; Prince George’s lawmakers to defend local, state-funded projects targeted by Hogan; Washington County could secure Ag Center from state; Gov. O’Malley meets with supporters but no talk of presidential bid; Blaine Young admits to relationship with employee recently reassigned; and Harford Council prez backtracks on security policy
December 16th, 2014 | by Cynthia Prairie
State’s budget shortfall grows amid predictions of lower tax collections, stagnant wages, problems split between current fiscal year and next; with dire budget predictions, Gov.-elect Hogan could find himself fighting state mandates, education funding advocates; Purple Line’s fate looks gloomier; opinionator Josh Kurtz ponders how Montgomery County could once again find itself in such a politically weakened situation; Sen. Raskin seeks to take out language from state constitution that bans nonbelievers from holding office; former Del. Cane suffers stroke; and legal questions arise over Blaine Young appointment
December 15th, 2014 | by Cynthia Prairie
Gov.-elect Hogan’s visit to Montgomery brings hope for bi-partisanship, projects with huge dose of budget reality; new legislators to address a number of environmental issues; Gov. O’Malley started to address the fracking issue, Gov.-elect Hogan will have to put a stamp on it; Hogan also must face down problems with chicken waste, the Chesapeake and farmers’ future; former Gov. Harry Hughes reflects on a full life at home and in politics; new Frederick County government worries about trickle-down deficit from the state; Carroll Commissioners to keep praying; new Harford exec proposes rooms tax; and Hyattsville considers lowering voting age to
December 12th, 2014 | by Cynthia Prairie
Gov.-elect Hogan says Maryland’s budget needs “strong medicine” to repair overspending of the past; Comptroller Franchot sees “adjustments … not draconian changes” to fix budget problems; in-coming Attorney General Frosh defends storm-water fee, farm pollution remediation; Beilenson’s health cooperative doing better under new exchange, enrollment time; some businesses stressed over handling health insurance for their employees; Hogan committed but cautious on restoring funding for Maryland Route 75; clergy to hold police violence protest tonight; Montgomery Exec Leggett recounts recent “politicking while black” incident; Harford council continues to keep citizens at arm’s length; and Gov. O’Malley calls for probe into torture following report
December 11th, 2014 | by Cynthia Prairie
Maryland pushes health care re-enrollment for those getting government assistance; federal spending bill includes $100 million for Purple Line; if history proves true, new attorney general could clash with new governor over environmental issues; Comptroller Franchot says he’ll vote against State Center at Dec. 17 Board of Public Works meeting; Gov.-elect Hogan hires chief of staff, Sen. Joe Getty as legislative liaison and appoints Bobby Neall as fiscal advisor; in latest bout over D.C. pot law, U.S. Rep. Harris emerges as top target of legalization advocates; and Frederick County Exec Gardner cautious over development deal made under predecessor
