When legislative committees get together to cut the budget, it can be a harrowing experience for the people in the audience. Lawmakers follow along with the various proposals listed in staff-produced documents as they decide whether to cut or keep hundreds of millions...
Month: March 2010
House committee votes to kill legislative scholarships
The House Appropriations Committee voted Friday to eliminate the legislature’s scholarship program, dedicating $11.5 million to need-based grants that would have otherwise been handed out to constituents by individual lawmakers.
The close vote in the committee came after a vigorous debate in which Republicans tried to completely cut the funds, as they had proposed in an alternative budget plan. But a majority of Democrats sought to throw the money into the larger statewide scholarship pot.
State Roundup March 26, 2010
Today we have stories on the passage of two measures high on Gov. Martin O'Malley's list of priorities, information on the budget is swirling around, and Sheila Dixon may have a new job. JOBS CREDIT: Businesses are now eligible for a $5,000 tax credit for hiring...
Analysis: Annapolis car salesman has the rap on O’Malley
Chris McDonald tipped us off to his hip hop tracks about Gov. Martin O’Malley, the General Assembly, and what it takes to get by in the Free State.
Final vote soon on bill to protect tenants in foreclosures
The House of Delegates tentatively passed a bill Thursday that opponents said would hurt the already embattled housing market.
The measure is an attempt to mirror federal law for tenants who are renting a property that’s in foreclosure. Under the federal Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act, the bill establishes the definition of a “bona fide” tenant, increases the length of time to notify a tenant of foreclosure and mandates more open disclosure of foreclosure proceedings.
Distinguished Scholar academic aid program survives
A popular scholarship program designed to keep Maryland’s top high school students in state for college has survived Gov. Martin O’Malley’s attempt to suspend the program next year.
With little debate, the budget committees in both House and Senate rejected the governor’s cut, which would have saved $4.4 million over the next four years.
ACORN, ACLU will continue to sue Md. as panel rejects settlement
The state is refusing to accept a $60,000 agreement that the Office of the Attorney General reached with the American Civil Liberties Union and ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now).
The Board of Public Works Wednesday rejected the settlement that would have resolved a long-standing dispute over an Ehrlich-administration Maryland Transit Administration prohibition on political activity at public transportation properties.
Senate OKs green purchasing push
A bill requiring state facilities to make “greener” decisions when purchasing materials won unanimous Senate approval Wednesday. Lawmakers promised to monitor the effect on manufacturers who claimed the measure would cost jobs.
The Green Maryland Act increases the purchase of recycled paper, enforces composting where available and establishes a committee that would monitor the bill’s effect on business.
State Roundup March 25, 2010
CELL PHONES: The Senate narrowly passed legislation banning hand-held cell phone use in cars, WJZ’s Kelly McPherson reports.The decision came on the heels of a heated debate, during which several amendments were offered to weaken the bill. Baltimore Sun reporter...
Chicken manure lawsuit stirs vigorous Senate debate
The Senate’s grand march to pass Gov. Martin O’Malley’s $32 billion budget Tuesday night was delayed slightly when it found a pile of alleged chicken manure in its path.
The longest and most contentious debate in a five-hour session came over an item withholding just $250,000 from the University of Maryland law school until it submitted a report on the lawsuits filed by its legal clinics.
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