Tag: Mike Busch
State Roundup, February 11, 2020
Sen. Klausmeier proposes bill to ban student sex offends from school campuses; taking Trump administration one step further, Comptroller Franchot bans sale of disposable e-cigarette devices; Gov. Hogan seeks to repeal Busch-sponsored bill requiring state to pay Annapolis at least $750,000 annually; as state seeks to right history, statues of Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass installed at State House; Hogan blasts President Trump on Chesapeake Bay program cuts; Sen. Carter says progressive support could help her win Cummings’ seat; and at least 11 take buyouts at Sun Media Group papers.
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Republican legislators take control of three county governments
Republican members of the Maryland legislature took office Monday as the new county executives of three large suburban counties, but for Harford and Anne Arundel counties GOP dominance is becoming a routine event, while in Howard it was just the second time a Republican became executive.
The difference was evident in the inaugural ceremonies of the three counties.
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Rascovar: Gone at the State House –Democratic moderates
Hardly noticed in the Nov. 4 election that saw Anthony Brown wiped out in an embarrassing avalanche of rejection was the obliteration of the Democratic Party’s moderate-conservative wing in Annapolis.
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New governor is pro-business, new Democratic legislators ‘more anti-business,’ lobbyist says
While the new governor-elect is a pro-business Republican, the newly elected “Democrats coming in are more progressive and more anti-business” than those they are replacing, Comcast lobbyist Sean Looney told a Baltimore-Washington Chamber of Commerce luncheon.
That will present a challenge to Senate President Mike Miller and House Speaker Mike Busch on “how to control their own constituency,” Looney said. “It’s frankly Mike Busch’s and Mike Miller’s headache.”
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Md. legislators get high marks from consumer group — but not GOP
A consumer advocacy group is giving state lawmakers high scores for passing laws in the 2014 General Assembly session that raise the minimum wage and reduce the impact of foreclosures.
The Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition, a nonprofit whose mission includes advancing fairness and justice for consumers, also released four-year scores that depicted state lawmakers as generally favorable to consumer issues. Only nine of 47 senators and 46 of 141 delegates got four-year scores lower than 80%.
Read MoreSenate President Miller wants bills introduced and worked on earlier
Senate President Mike Miller is making changes to chamber rules that he hopes will result in a busier workload during the early weeks of the legislature’s 90-day annual session. “We’re battling against human nature, which for most people means putting off issues that could be dealt with today.”
Read MorePodcast: The General Assembly remembers Martin Luther King Jr.
Duane Keenan attended Monday night’s rallies and ceremonies around the State House honoring the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Read MoreMiller wants to expand gambling and raise gas and flush taxes
Senate President Mike Miller told county officials from across that Maryland that he wants to expand casino gambling, increase the gas tax and push some of the costs of state pensions onto the counties.
Read MoreAssembly celebrates opening with fanfare, pledges of unity and doses of reality
Maryland’s General Assembly opened its 2011 session Wednesday to much fanfare, a combination of first day of school, high school pep rally, and college graduation. But there were many reminders of the difficult road ahead.
Comments in the House Chamber referred to the new group of delegates as a “rowdy bunch,” as delegates rose to their feet and cheered on numerous occasions. There are 30 new delegates out of 141 members: 16 new Republicans and 14 new Democrats.
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Blog: Laughs below the belt at MACo
Starting a speech with a joke is a good way to soften up the crowd. That’s especially true when you’re delivering bad news, as Speaker Mike Busch and Senate President Mike Miller were doing to local officials at the Maryland Association of Counties meeting Friday.
Busch led off his remarks with an endearing story about his recent colonoscopy, a procedure he had deliberately put off until two days after the election.
Read MoreAnalysis: Love letters from the party leaders
In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, Democratic and Republican leaders in the House and Senate have been exchanging letters – even though they see each other every day. The letters testify to the enduring nature of their mutual disaffection.
Read MorePartisan rancor colors contentious session
If the dueling presentations by two General Assembly leaders that startled a meeting of county officials Friday was a taste of fights to come, the legislative session starting today promises to be contentious, partisan and painful.
Finger-pointing accusations will soon replace back-slapping camaraderie. Lawmakers are heading into an election year when the electorate is wary and many voters are angry and unemployed.
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