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State Roundup, September 17, 2018

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First Jealous campaign ads hit the airwaves; Families seek pay hike for needed in-home nurses in Maryland; federal lawsuit claims UMBC, Baltimore County State’s Attorney Shellenberger covered up sex assault cases; judge to allow bump stock ban to go into effect Oct. 1; before entering prison, former Sen. Nathaniel Oaks distributes $90,000 from campaign fund; gubernatorial hopeful Ben Jealous to introduce plan to control prices on prescription drugs;who’s to blame for the loss of Fortune 500 companies from Maryland?; Attorney General Frosh, challenger Wolf tangle over debate schedule; Comptroller Franchot says he’s neutral on governor’s race, for now; flooding emerges as issue in Howard County executive race; in three-way Montgomery exec race, some sniping, but also consensus; and U.S. Sen. Van Hollen criticizes lawmakers who fail to act on some gun control issues.

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State Roundup, September 14, 2018

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Gov. Larry Hogan keeps Maryland under state of emergency; Amazon’s Jeff Bezos says decision on HQ2 will come by end of year; Hogan wants to expand program focused on science, technology and math; Maryland seeks ruling on constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act; Frederick County sue Maryland over stormwater runoff mandates; Ben Jealous joins forces with other African American progressive gubernatorial candidates; Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman, challenger Calvin Ball square off over business climate; and in her independent bid for Montgomery exec, Nancy Floreen has a powerful super PAC.

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State Roundup, September 13, 2018

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Maryland may get fifth party on ballot as Bread and Roses just 227 signatures from certification and man behind the party files suit; demolition of Bloede Dam on the Patapsco begins; surgery on congressional candidate David Trone called a “success” as he begins recuperating; campaign mailer of state Sen. Klausmeier ties Democrat closely to Republican Gov. Larry Hogan; Baltimore Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen to head up Planned Parenthood, becoming first physician in 50 years to do so; and state prosecutors probe former Baltimore Social Services chief after auditors question nearly $2 million she directed to a contractor and local nonprofit.

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State Roundup, September 12, 2018

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Four state retirees sue Maryland, claiming that changes to their prescription drug benefits are illegal, seek temporary restraining order; state to take down dam in the Patapsco to help restore fish migration; Maryland, region prepares for Hurricane Florence; gubernatorial candidate Ben Jealous, pollster Patrick Gonzales trade barbs over month-old poll; Gov. Hogan’s re-election campaign introduces website mocking Jealous; Baltimore County exec hopefuls Johnny Olszweski, Al Redmer address education issues, funding at first debate; and outgoing Howard County Councilman Weinstein backs Allan Kittleman for county exec.

State Roundup, September 11, 2018

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Maryland officials will be dropping the much maligned PARCC standardized tests; community group petitions the Maryland Aviation Administration to halt expansion of BWI Marshall Airport; as Florence threatens to become a Category 5 hurricane with landfall in Carolinas, Gov. Hogan declares state of emergency in Maryland; congressional candidate David Trone to undergo surgery today, expect recovery to take two weeks; as Hogan campaign floods the airwaves, rival Ben Jealous still hasn’t released commercials; with shakeup at Alexander & Cleaver lobby firm, lawsuits are possible; and Baltimore city considers paying $1 million in attorney’s fees to a Christian-based health organization that successfully challenged ordinance requiring pregnancy centers that they don’t offer abortion, some birth control services.

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State Roundup, September 10, 2018

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General Assembly ethics panel could not substantiate more serious claim against Del. Curt Anderson and, in 2005, former co-chair John Arnick did not disclose allegation; experts say single gubernatorial debate is cheating voters; progressive Democrats seeking governorships throughout U.S. struggle with fundraising; Dem gubernatorial hopeful Ben Jealous capitalizes on President Trump’s swipe against him; growing underwater grasses a sure sign of Bay health; Baltimore County executive candidates confront lack of school air conditioning; and Baltimore city ethics panel rejects Mayor Pugh’s request to sidestep approval of charitable fundraising.

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State Roundup, September 7, 2018

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Despite criticism from Gov. Larry Hogan, Baltimore County and Baltimore city school have kept state officials updated on detailed air conditioning plans; 2013 state construction program provide drinkable water in Baltimore city schools; Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Ben Jealous proposes sales tax cut, says closing capital gains loophole would help pay for it. Meanwhile the Hogan camp levels criticism; Hogan, Jealous set only one televised debate, get roundly criticized for it; state removes statues as it begins repairs of pipes under Lawyers Mall; Maryland’s U.S. senators ask CSX Corp. if it is considering reviving expansion of the aging Howard Street Tunnel; and Baltimore County teachers union backing Johnny Olszewski for county executive.

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State Roundup, September 6, 2018

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Gov. Larry Hogan rebukes Baltimore City schools chief over lack of air-conditioning; meanwhile, Prince George’s schools send 134,000 students home early as temperatures soar and aging air conditioning systems fail; Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Ben Jealous to proposes sales tax cut to 5.75%; Hogan campaign launches ad blitz touting his education record; congressional candidate Liz Matory, a former Democrat, finds her place as a Republican; Comptroller Franchot, Hogan defend Treasurer Kopp after some lawmakers criticize her; opponent of state plans to widen highways says Hogan’s assurances to homeowners inadequate; and Baltimore County exec hopefuls back new schools, with no details on paying for them.

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State Roundup, September 5, 2018

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As school starts in sweltering heat, Gov. Larry Hogan, rival Ben Jealous lay blame for the lack of school air-conditioning, offer differing solutions; Hogan announces school accountability plan, signs exec order creating an education watch dog to root out corruption; proposal to creat network of electric vehicle charging stations goes before Public Service Commission; defections hit top lobbying firm in Annapolis; ex-Del. Vaughn sentenced to four years in prison; Arundel council votes down anti-abortion resolution; and Baltimore school parents protest Amtrak tunnel proposal.

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State Roundup, September 4, 2018

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Comptroller Franchot announces $504 million surplus thanks to higher returns, less spending; Maryland leads on school safety as Montgomery schools to drill on active assailant scenarios; with recruiting far and wide, 6,000 teachers added to state ranks; meanwhile, heat closes schools in Baltimore County and city; while Gov. Hogan touts 100% retirement exemption from taxing, but its cost is questioned; Ben Jealous promotes prisoner reduction plan that may be undoable due to state’s already rapid prisoner reduction; people with disabilities school police on interacting with people with disabilities; who are the highest paid lobbyists in Maryland?; Montgomery’s race for county executive unusual for that jurisdiction; and Arizona Sen. John McCain laid to rest at Naval Academy.