February 11, 2014
Maryland's troubled health exchange getting the once-over. Cost expected to be $33 million higher, part of the system could be dumped and contractor could be fired. Meanwhile gubernatorial candidate Craig asks for more fiscal accountability; pro-business group's study finds that minimum wage hike could lead to major job loss, hike in product costs while Montgomery County vows to stay with hike; Brown, Mizeur find common ground over marijuana law reforms as testimony begins in Annapolis; proposal would kill General Assembly housing reimbursement for legislators living within 50 miles of Annapolis; lawmakers wrestle over defining who is a journalist; Kurtz sends Valentine's candy: Who are the state's power couples?; Sen. Colburn's divorce proceedings to stay private; and Gansler blasted for comments on Prince George's. [...more]
February 10, 2014
State legislature begins looking at cutting the estate tax; lead contractor for the health exchange website said to have covered up “lack of relevant expertise;” energy drink ban for minors is sought; mother hopes to help children with seizures through legalized medical marijuana; city jail cellphone block works – a little too well for passersby; lawmakers push for fund to help treat babies with birth-related neurological injuries; Shore delegates rebuke Gov. O'Malley over remarks; Gansler proposes cut in ICC tolls; Democratic running mates clash in their first debate of primary season; and Arundel councilman ticketed for talking on cellphone while driving. [...more]
February 7, 2014
State says cellphone service blocked to inmates at city detention center; a new bi-partisan panel will oversee fixes to state's health exchange;transgender protection bill imperiled; legislators wrestle over dog bite legislation; Gov. O'Malley says he'll veto bill putting 5-cent tax on chickens; Del. Hershey pushes bill to ease financial burden on homeowners required to use best-tech septic systems; Sen. Ron Young's annual balcony safety bill gets a warmer reception this time around; Lt. Gov. Brown hopes to reduce number of kids in foster care; Arundel pushes for more school construction funds; congressional hopeful decides to run for Harford County exec; and EPA seeks more changes to Harbor Point plan. [...more]
February 6, 2014
House of Delegates plans to push ahead with questioning leaders on health care exchange problems while Senate to focus on fixing the Web site or abandoning it; bill would require restaurants, markets to correctly label seafood on type, origin; Ag Secretary Hance opposes Del. Eckardt bill on phosphorus' economic impact; Busch to appoint delegates to probe marijuana legalization; in an attempt to curb college drunkenness, date rape, bill would outlaw 190+ proof alcohol; required campus surveys on sex assaults are sought; Washington County seeks right to withhold tax refunds from some scofflaws; state resolution would ask for name change for Washington Redskins; gubernatorial candidate Mizeur wants to raise age of long gun purchasers to 21; Brown attacks Gansler over stand on cutting corporate tax rate; Ehrlich to sell books at Hogan HQ opener; and Leopold is back in court.
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February 5, 2014
Several hundred gun advocates rally in Annapolis to overturn last year's control laws; transgender advocates push for housing, work protections; Del. Dwyer proposes bills to require jail time and rehab for public officials convicted of drunken driving, removal from office for jailed offenses; fracking ban dead while commission continues study; in race for governor, Mizeur offers plans to fight crime with education and enforcement; Gov. O'Malley to be inducted into Irish-American Hall of Fame; and Del. Schuh, running for AA exec, seeks property tax cut for Arundel residents to balance out rain tax. [...more]
February 4, 2014
Religious leaders team up with democratic politicos to rally for a minimum wage hike, but a Maryland Public Policy Institute report says there may be a better way; former Maryland State Police major pushes for marijuana law reforms, wants legalization with regulation; lack of unified front delays shore delegation from pushing poultry manure study bill through; DNR secretary confirmation delayed following controversial remark; Hogan to accept public financing in race for GOP gov nomination; and Montgomery County's public financing bill gets strong support. [...more]
February 3, 2014
Legislative leaders' deferring of health exchange probe angers many, who ponder political benefit to Lt. Gov. Brown in his run for governor; tax cut for the richest appears likely to pass; small businesses say hike in minimum wage is problematic; coalition seeks required paid sick leave; 5-cent per chicken fee proposed for big processors; pre-K issues come up – hike in tyke suspensions to be discussed and expanding the program to reach more; Gov. O'Malley to move forward with looking at presidential run; Transportation Secretary Smith's sizable war chest is locked; marijuana organization backs Mizeur for governor; Gansler vows to aid Baltimore City, if elected governor; and former Arundel Exec Leopold seeks overturn conviction. [...more]
January 31, 2014
The Common Core curriculum is facing challenges from superintendents who want more time and resources and state senators and parents who want it slowed or stopped altogether. Meanwhile, around the country, others are changing its name; Gov. O'Malley signs emergency health exchange legislation into law; Senate panel to turn over probe into exchange problems to state auditors; Senate, House hearings on minimum wage hike are set; Del. Afzali wants to clean out voter rolls; ruling could mean that Brown's running mate, Ken Ulman, cannot fund-raise during session either; Mizeur wants seven gubernatorial debates; with Brown at father's side, Gansler and Mizeur go on with candidates forum; Montgomery LGBT activist Beyer to challenge Madaleno, state's only openly gay senator; and another candidate joins the race for Arundel County exec. [...more]
January 30, 2014
Emergency health exchange legislation goes governor's desk after Senate OKs minor House amendments; two state senators want to lengthen jail time for second-degree murder; some legislators hope to reverse Civil War-era Maryland vote seeking constitutional amendment barring U.S. government from outlawing slavery; Beretta says it will expand its gun manufacturing – in Tennessee; Washington County concerned with burden of mandatory pre-kindergarten; GOP 's Hogan joins the race for governor, brings a running mate with him; and Crisfield mayor to run for House of Delegates. [...more]
January 29, 2014
Maryland employers added 7,300 jobs in December 2013; health exchange emergency legislation passes House with amendments: It now returns to the Senate for approval before going to the governor for his signature; bill would make it easier to obtain a protective order from an abuser; lawmakers considering revenge porn law; parents protest Common Core standards; fisherman vehemently against clarifying DNR duties; Sen. Brinkley would like rain tax repealed for Frederick County but coalition pushes to keep the law in place; bicyclist safety sought in new bill; Lt. Gov. Brown heads to ill father's side; GOP gub candidate Lollar proposes killing the personal income tax; 6th Congressional District candidate drops out to avoid scuffle with fellow GOPer Bongino; and U.S. Rep. Van Hollen backs Leggett for Montgomery exec. [...more]
