State Roundup

State Roundup, May 29, 2018

By |

Following flooding in Maryland, Gov. Hogan declares state of emergency for devastated areas of the state as local politicians, residents and business owners try to figure out next steps; despite reservations, new law to give Maryland right to regulate political ads on social media; Hogan vetoes three education bills, one meant to chasten Comptroller Franchot and one that would give convicts more time to challenge convictions; Maryland manufacturers say that steel tariffs could harm business; Baltimore County exec candidate Pat McDonough wants to make English official language of county; and incumbent Montgomery clerk says opponent is loose with definition of endorsement.

State Roundup, May 25, 2018

By |

Gubernatorial candidate Valerie Ervin says rival Ben Jealous tried to keep her from joining Kamenetz ticket, and cost her a job as another candidate says Jealous tried to keep him from running against supporter; Montgomery council asks state to issue new primary ballots; analysts see Rushern Baker’s gubernatorial campaign as lackluster; Gov. Hogan ramps up campaign; Don Mohler, aide to Kevin Kamenetz given the bi-partisan nod to fill out his term; Baltimore County exec hopeful Pat McDonough files ethics complaint against Republican rival Al Redmer; Hogan vetoes three education bills; in Baltimore City, wave of younger candidates targeting state senators.

State Roundup, May 24, 2108

By |

Gov. Hogan eliminates E-ZPass fees on new toll customers, expected to save users $46 million; citing education needs, activists campaign against Maryland, D.C. and Virginia tax subsidies to Amazon; state paid out $87 million in pension management fees; Comptroller Franchot switches stance, now wants beer, wine sales in groceries; temp replacement for Baltimore County Exec Kamenetz could be named this morning; Democratic gubernatorial hopefuls sign pledge to shore up Obamacare; GOP ‘snooze’ ad draws scorn for including late candidate Kamenetz; Rushern Baker media buy proves Montgomery to play large role in governor’s race; Montgomery exec candidate Marc Elrich finds himself sparring with ‘socialist’ label; County exec hopeful Jim Brochin buys big in Baltimore County media blitz; and in Frederick County exec race, Kathy Afzali maintains largest bankroll, but incumbent Jan Gardner has raised more.

Homepage Featured

State Roundup, May 23, 2018

By |

Democratic gubernatorial candidates blast Board of Elections’ fix on primary ballots, ask for new ballots as flaws in system rise to top; Ben Jealous leads pack in fundraising; but Gov. Hogan’s coffers now hold the most; state launches Climate Leadership Academy to help local governments, state agencies, nonprofits and the private sector prepare to address the impact of global warming; U.S. Rep. Brown back on Capitol Hill after minor stroke; Baltimore County Council wrestles with replacing late County Exec Kamenetz on temp basis; and Del. Afzali leads in fundraising for Frederick County exec.

Homepage Featured

State Roundup, May 22, 2018

By |

Gubernatorial candidate Ervin considers suit to get name in right place on ballot; first TV debate highlights lack of difference among field, as candidates attack Gov. Hogan; Hogan to report $9 million in hand; Baltimore County Council to hear from public on replacement for Kevin Kamenetz as county executive; Montgomery’s public campaign finance system draws attention to where campaign donations comes from; Montgomery council to change tactics as it attempts to aid detained immigrants; and Arundel council erects more barriers to medical marijuana facilities.

Homepage Featured

State Roundup, May 21, 2018

By |

New gubernatorial candidate Valerie Ervin’s name to appear on ballot – as Kevin Kamenetz’s running mate while state board of elections contends its too late to change; situation exposes serious flaws in system, including forcing candidates to choose running mates so early; HBCU advocates protest Attorney General Brian Frosh’s stance on discrimination settlement; Maryland leads nation in prison population decline; owners pretty much doom Pimlico; in Baltimore City, three delegates challenge three senators; and Arundel, Annapolis consider banning plastic foam containers.

Homepage Featured

State Roundup, May 18, 2018

By |

Valerie Ervin will run; cites national funding base; picks Johnson as running mate; Ervin seen as more progressive that Kamenetz; Ticket could catch lightning; nine Dems to debate; would-be challengers agree – more transit; Jealous won’t play it safe; public will get input in Kamenetz replacement; Alsobrooks launches ads; bill defines ‘agritourism’

Homepage Featured

State Roundup, May 17, 2018

By |

Baker has a plan to revitalize Baltimore; Sun profiles PG exec.; Valerie Ervin must decide on race today; Pugh owns De Sousa appointment; Baltimore bears the brunt of disfunction; Campos will do time; Super PAC funded campaign turns P.G. exec. race ugly; Post endorses for MoCo council; More Democrats are challenging; BPW  rejects court fee hikes; Leventhal releases Avengers-themed ad.

State Roundup

State Roundup, May 16, 2018

By |

Sports betting in Maryland will have to wait; hundreds of bills signed: gay conversion therapy banned; tax breaks for veterans, retirees; expanding medical cannabis; investigating Baltimore police; harassment protections; Balt. Co. Council plans no hearings on replacing Kamenetz; Frosh seeks help with opioid probe; Aruna Miller running ads.

Homepage Featured

State Roundup, May 15, 2018

By |

Supreme Court allows states to have sports betting; Senate President Miller open to special session to pass sports gambling; feds approve all-payer hospital funding plan; Rep. Brown recovering from small stroke; Edwards urges Valerie Ervin to run for governor; Ficker may not get public financing; Jealous running Baltimore TV ads; retirement system responds to criticism.