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State Roundup, March 2, 2018

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Bill that would require presidential candidates to release federal tax returns to state Board of Elections stirs up claims of targeting current president; Democrats slam Gov. Hogan on lack of urgency during school security crisis; some women lawmakers deride letter by women leaders on State House harassment; Del. Barkley denies ‘inappropriate touching’ claim leveled by former delegate; House OKs bill legalizing growing of industrial hemp; Del. Parrott touts bill to force cellphone carriers to say which carriers its phones work on; with 30 years of public service under his belt, Comptroller Franchot has crafted a mavericky formula for success; Sen. Oaks says informant is a ‘professional set-up artist;’ former Del. Vaughn found guilty; and U.S. Rep. Raskin back Richard Madaleno for governor.

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State Roundup, March 1, 2018

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Lawmakers express unease over Gov. Hogan’s $5 billion package to lure Amazon to Montgomery, while Commerce Secretary Gill and County Exec Leggett tout proposal as good for entire state; Hogan urges passage of two measures to take guns away from some people, while gun advocates draw a bead on bump stock ban proposal; Senate likely to pass cyberbullying measure; long dormant former politicians file for elections in droves; Sen. Young blasts would-be opponent, claiming he employs illegal immigrants; and Mason-Dixon poll finds Rushern Baker still leads Democratic gubernatorial pack.

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State Roundup, February 28, 2018

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Lawmakers to get a look at Gov. Hogan’s Amazon HQ2 proposal; children of famous people head to Annapolis to testify on legislation to ensure family contact, communication preserved for disabled relatives; bill would up dose of opioid antidote emergency responders can carry, protect them from civil liability; Hogan administration making a dent in long waitlist for disability services; women lawmakers challenge description of State House as a “frat house;” bill would set up task force to track rape kit processing in Maryland; trust for Gov. Hogan continues to make land purchases, but little is known of them; Arundel Councilman Grasso to run for state Senate; Jill Carter joins challenge Sen. Oaks; seven candidates face no challengers; gubernatorial hopeful Vignarajah makes history with first women-of-color ticket; and Baltimore County exec race grows by two.

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State Roundup, February 27, 2018

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Senate leaders strip Sen. Oaks of committee assignments as he faces federal corruption charges, Senate investigation; Republican lawmakers introduce bill to all qualified teachers to carry handguns in schools; advocates of redistricting reforms face uphill battles; legislators attempt to shore up renewable energy businesses after imposition of 30% tariff on foreign imports; new bay partnership brings together 20 environmental organizations with goal of adding 10 billion oysters to bay; Howard Council Chair Sigaty to seek Sen. Kasemeyer’s seat; and long-time Sen. Astle says he won’t run for re-election.

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State Roundup, February 26, 2018

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Delegates, Comptroller Franchot wrestle over limits on state’s craft brew industry, throwing some personal punches; state lawmakers to consider helping businesses impacted directly by Purple Line construction; U.S. Rep. Cummings adds criticism of state’s handling of Baltimore Metro shutdown; Del. McMillan won’t seek re-election; former Arundel County Exec Leopold to run for House of Delegates; Sheila Dixon decides not to run for state Senate; in court filing, Attorney General Frosh urges Supreme Court to keep Maryland’s districts; Maryland educators push back against idea of arming teachers; 2nd trial of state Sen. Oaks set for August; and forum for Democratic governor hopefuls highlights similarities, not differences.

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State Roundup, February 23, 2018

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State working to protect voting system against outside interference; House Republicans’ attempt to lower judges pay raises even more rejected; fight expected over giving micro-brewers more head room House OKs two bills on organ donations; Prince George’s senators hope to set up HBCU scholarships in honor of slain Bowie State student; Nick DiPasquale leaves Chesapeake Bay Program; gubernatorial hopeful Kevin Kamenetz hits the campaign trail with running mate Valerie Ervin; and Gov. Hogan files for re-election.

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State Roundup, February 22, 2018

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Fireworks expected during Friday’s House debate over proposed changes to new micro-breweries law; following alleged grade fixing, theft allegations, two bills would set up investigative offices to oversee schools; what seemed like a shoo-in bill regulating international election observers turned into a debate over Russian interference and Senate President Miller’s quashing the bill; House pulling together deal to fund Metro; contract awarded to set up service to allow 911 to receive texts; Gov. Hogan, Mayor Pugh tout city crime drop after sweeping arrests; and gubernatorial hopeful Kamenetz picks Montgomery pol Valerie Ervin as running mate.

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State Roundup, February 21, 2018

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Seven months after grandson’s murder, Del. Talmadge Branch urges lawmakers to expand Safe Streets program; House panel recommends cutting judicial pay raise proposal; bill would allow Marylanders to vote on making recreational marijuana legal; progressive coalition rallies for women’s economic, reproductive freedom; bill would raise penalty, fine for negligent accidents that cause life-threatening injuries; legislation would require voters to fill General Assembly vacancies; ACLU concerned about impact on First Amendment from cyberbullying bill; Transportation Secretary Rahn criticized over Baltimore Metro management; Goucher Poll finds majority of Marylanders know someone addicted to opioids; and gubernatorial candidate Baker hits the ground running after running mate announcement.

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State Roundup, February 20, 2018

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new Goucher Poll finds Gov. Hogan still retains strong support, but re-election is more iffy; legislation proposed to mandate health insurance at the state level; Del. Morhaim says supervised drug use facilities save lives, cut crime, get addicts into treatment; state senator proposes a tax holiday on college textbooks; a bipartisan group of lawmakers working on law and order package; following Florida shooting, some states looking at Maryland gun control laws; there’s no Maryland women in Congress, but now one is running for governor and four are running mates; Rushern Baker taps Elizabeth Embry as running mate; and

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State Roundup, February 19, 2018

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The Maryland Women’s Caucus released accounts of harassment in the legislature, makes recommendations to answer the problem; state’s expansion of contraception did not include state workers; environmentalists find loophole in state’s attempts to protect forests; ACLU negotiating settlement with Hogan administration over deleting of Facebook comments; William Kirwan disputes claim that education report won’t be released until after the election; Gov. Hogan frustrating Democrats by mirroring ideas, taking credit, critics say; lawmakers may be ready to change insulting wording of “Maryland, My Maryland;” it’s relatively easy to get on the statewide ballot in Maryland; delegate candidate’s gun raffle fundraiser draws protests following Florida school killings; and Democratic gubernatorial candidates Madaleno and Ross pick running mates.