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State Roundup, December 12, 2018

Gov. Hogan announces plan to fund $3.5 billion in school construction projects statewide from new “lockbox” casino funds; Hogan says fed-Maryland land swap to keep ‘Skins stadium in Prince George’s has been in works for months; Maryland, Virginia oppose plan for more Metro service to win back riders; no politicians will be present when reps from Baltimore have White House meeting with President Trump; Hogan wows Washington moderate conservatives at think-tank talk; and Time magazine honors Capital Gazette reporters, among other journalists.

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State Roundup, December 11, 2018

Maryland’s General Assembly, staff to get training in sexual harassment prevention; administration of Gov. Hogan defends pursuit of Oxon Hill land for new Redskins football stadium; panel issues report outlining top-to-bottom revamp of state 9-1-1 call centers; some positive signs of life seen in Maryland waterways, but disturbing ones as well; Montgomery officials see benefits in $4.4 billion Kirwan education funding plan but unsure about how much; Baltimore city’s Horseshoe Casino take continues its slide; visit by President Trump to Baltimore city to be replaced by White House event; and Montgomery County Exec Elrich proposes $40 million in cuts to current budget.

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State Roundup, December 10, 2018

In its first year, Maryland’s medical marijuana industry made $96.3 million in sales to 52,000 patients buying 730,000 individual products; state’s health exchange sales are up slightly; state lawmakers expected to find short-term fix to shore up ACA; President Donald Trump to visit Baltimore city; Gov. Larry Hogan seeks to keep Redskins in Maryland; House Speaker Michael Busch retires from Arundel County Parks and Recreations Department after 40 years; and although it failed to secure Amazon HQ2, Prince George’s County could still win.

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State Roundup, December 7, 2018

Medical marijuana commission votes to ban advertising, as companies call regulations a “gross overreach” and vow to fight it in Annapolis; data finds that two-decade old energy deregulation failed to produce promised lower prices for consumers; Kirwan education panel suggests $4.4 billion in additional K-12 spending within 10 years; after heavy storms, cleanup of Bay debris continues; Arundel County Exec Pittman to rejigger citizens advisory panel on development; top Annapolis lobbying firm sees changes at the top; and latest buyouts hit Sun, smaller papers.

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State Roundup, December 6, 2018

Maryland’s congressional delegation asks General Motors to reconsider closing White Marsh plant or at least return $100 million grant; lawmakers also meet with UM over football program, problems; Comptroller Franchot says new system will mean faster tax returns; state women’s prison finds benefits from healthier food for inmates; Montgomery considers way to stop Gov. Hogan from widening Capital Beltway; Washington County businesses seek to loosen reins on Sunday alcohol sales; new State House senators, delegates begin two-day orientation; as Maryland emoluments suit against President Trump continues, documents, sources reveal Saudis booked 500 nights at Trump Hotel following election; and conservative radio talker Les Kinsolving dies at 90.

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State Roundup, December 5, 2018

State reveals simplified public school performance ranking system, using stars. More than half received either four or five stars, with 3% receiving lowest ranking, many in Baltimore City; study also tracks excessive school absences; rankings outlined for Arundel, Baltimore City; Frederick, Harford, Montgomery and Washington County schools; Gov. Hogan says redrawing the 6th Congressional District, without adoption, may be enough to satisfy court; Comptroller Franchot urges lawmakers to create rainy day fund for anticipated windfall; two electioneering complaints filed against delegate-elect; and in Maryland-D.C. emoluments suit, dozens of subpoenas issued for Trump businesses.

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State Roundup, December 4, 2018

Federal judge clears way for Maryland, D.C. to issue subpeonas in lawsuit claiming that President Trump violated emoluments clause; economist says Maryland lost its bid for Amazon’s 2nd headquarters due to “antiquated regulations,” higher taxes; Attorney General Frosh urges Supreme Court to overturn lower-court decision on Maryland’s 6th congressional district; state report ends hopes for Red Line for Baltimore City; General Motors chief to meet with state congressmen over decision to close White Marsh plant; state to close offices on Wednesday to honor late President George H.W. Bush; as county executives take the oath of office: Calvin Ball hopes to strengthen Ellicott City’s flood resiliency; Steuart Pittman urges public involvement in Arundel’s communities; Marc Elrich challenges Gov. Hogan over plans to widen Capital Beltway; and Angela Alsobrooks urges pride in Prince George’s County.

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State Roundup, December 3, 2018

In a surprise upset, Maya Rockeymoore Cummings beats incumbent Kathleen Matthews to head Maryland’s Democratic Party; hoping to cut toll of smoking on African-Americans, Legislative Black Caucus to seek to raise age for buying tobacco products to 21; legislative leaders say odds are improving to legalize sports betting in Maryland; Trump administration authorization of disruptive searches for oil, gas in the Atlantic worries local environmentalists; Senate President Miller fills committee posts; U.S. Rep. Sarbanes to introduce legislation to drain the D.C. swamp; and counties to see new leadership taking office today: Alsobrooks in Prince George’s; Elrich in Montgomery; Pittman in Arundel; Ball in Howard County; and Olszewski in Baltimore County;

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State Roundup, November 30, 2018

Homeland Security finds that Maryland’s November election wasn’t breached; proposed bill would add regulations for new building in historic Ellicott City; concern over pollution of Baltimore trash burner grows among state, local lawmakers; Kirwan education panel hears from stakeholders in marathon meeting; Pittman reassures business; red Frederick County sees a mini blue wave; U.S. Rep. Raskin gets a leadership post in upcoming Democrat-controlled House; Prince George’s County Executive-elect Alsobrooks puts together her leadership team; outgoing state Sen. Richard Madaleno to become budget chief in Montgomery; Facebook posts lead to call for Arundel ed board hopeful to step away; and Howard County prosecutor will not pursue charges against register of wills.

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State Roundup, November 29, 2018

Study finds stream restoration efforts alone cannot fix regional runoff problems; with record rains, Conowingo Dam opens gates, creating a potential hazard for boaters; Maryland to launch an urban dye farm; without strong Democratic party ties, Del.-elect Lily Qi used cultural ones to win election; Allan Kittleman named to state workers compensation panel; Frederick County develops General Assembly agenda; Arundel County-exec elect Pittman dismisses transition panelist after anti-Muslim FB posts; Howard County executive-elect Ball names transition team; portrait of outgoing Baltimore County Exec Don Mohler put on display; and outgoing Prince George’s County Executive Baker reflects on eight years in office.