Staff Reports

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Monday, November 30, 2009

Analysis: Still lots of reporting on state government, but in a different way

Len Lazarick takes a look at Maryland's changing media landscape in his Monday column. More

Monday, November 30, 2009

Licensing boards are slow to resolve complaints

When a customer complains about a barber or a cosmetologist in Maryland, it often takes more than a year for state licensing boards to resolve the issue.

Monday, November 30, 2009

Push grows for increase in alcohol tax

Pressure is mounting on lawmakers to significantly increase Maryland’s alcohol taxes to fund health care, addiction treatment and services for the developmentally disabled.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

New all-purpose '2-1-1' line won’t cut back on state 800 numbers

State officials have been touting Maryland’s “2-1-1” line as an easier way for residents to figure out which resources are available and where to find them, and an easier way to navigate the more than 500 toll-free lines state government maintains. But the state’s plans for the 2-1-1 system do not include the elimination of any of those lines, a move that one of the key players in the system will be pushing in Annapolis next year.

Monday, November 23, 2009

Analysis: Costs of health care reform to state taxpayers 'very uncertain'

The U.S. Senate’s version of health care reform would scale back expansion of Medicaid eligibility to 133 percent of the poverty line, from 150 percent in the House-passed version. The Senate version also extends federal Medicaid subsidies for another six months, providing some budget relief for one of the fastest growing areas in state spending.

Monday, November 23, 2009

Number of millionaire taxpayers drops 30 percent

The number of Maryland taxpayers who reported more than $1 million in personal income fell by nearly a third last year, apparently impacted by a national recession that came at the same time as a new tax surcharge for millionaires. More

Monday, November 23, 2009

Jury experts say Md selection process needs improvement

Maryland courts don't do a very good job at selecting unbiased jurors, but the process followed in selecting the jury for the trial of Mayor Sheila Dixon was much better than usual, according to a consultant who worked for the prosecutors in that case.

Friday, November 20, 2009

School boards told to brace for local funding cuts

Maryland's 24 school boards have been warned that they could lose up to 5 percent of their local funding next year, as legislators debate ways to let county governments reduce levels of education spending.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Ports America expected to take over Seagirt

The state is expected to select Ports America, the longtime operator of the publicly-owned Seagirt Marine Terminal, to take over the facility for at least 30 years.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Another round of budget trims is mostly one-time transfers and revenues

The state is $362 million closer to balancing its General Fund budget this year, as the Board of Public Works acted Wednesday to trim the state’s spending for the third time since July. But only about a quarter of those savings will carry forward into future years, budget officials said.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Federal health care reform could cost state taxpayers hundreds of millions -- or not

Analysts in Maryland government are trying to nail down how many hundreds of millions it will cost state taxpayers to implement the package of major health care changes working their way through Congress.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Federal stimulus site gives Maryland 15 new congressional districts

Maryland's congressional delegation has nearly tripled in size, according to a government Web site, even though next year’s census that will reapportion seats in the U.S. House of Representatives has yet to take place.

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