Month: February 2011

Maryland’s infrastructure gets a C-, engineers say

by | Feb 9, 2011 |

Maryland’s aging and ill-maintained transit, roads, dams, bridges and storm water systems earned a barely passing grade of C-, according to the 2011 Report Card for Maryland’s Infrastructure prepared by the Maryland Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers.

No aspect of Maryland’s infrastructure earned a very good grade on the report card. Worst was the storm water system, which received a D. Transit and roads – as well as the drinking water infrastructure in the Baltimore area – received marks of C-, while dams and the Baltimore area’s wastewater system received Cs. The state’s bridges received a B-, the highest grade given.

Delegates debate requiring photo ID to vote

by | Feb 9, 2011 |

Requiring voters to show identification in order to vote is a necessary and easy way to prevent voter fraud, Del. Kathy Afzali told her colleagues on the Ways and Means Committee, but other delegates and voter advocates argued that the requirement would prevent people from voting.

Afzali, a freshman Frederick County Republican, has proposed a bill that would require voters to present government-issued photo ID to verify their identity and address in order to cast a ballot. Voters who do not have photo ID, or who have moved and have a different address than the one on their ID, would be allowed to cast provisional ballots.

Former Ehrlich official says Howard County executive, council chairman got her fired

Former Ehrlich official says Howard County executive, council chairman got her fired

by | Feb 9, 2011 |

A high-ranking Ehrlich administration official and former Republican candidate for Howard County Council has filed an ethics complaint against Howard County Executive Ken Ulman and County Council Chairman Calvin Ball.

Diane Wilson says Ulman and Ball used their offices to get her fired as the lobbyist for the Howard County Chamber of Commerce after serving just a week in January.

State Roundup, February 8, 2011

by | Feb 8, 2011 |

Gay marriage supporters say civil unions not an option; Sun editorial board backs banning gifts to doctors; “dime a drink” advocates descend on Annapolis; slots revenue for January hits $11 million; Bay oysters seem healthier; Pepco faces wrath of county councils; and Baltimore mayor offers up State of the City.

Bill would increase minimum wage to $10 in three years

by | Feb 8, 2011 |

Minimum wage would increase to nearly $10 an hour through a bill that Majority Leader Robert Garagiola planned to introduce in the Senate on Monday.

The bill, which had 15 co-sponsors by Monday afternoon, would incrementally increase minimum wage from its current $7.25 up to close to $10 by 2013, a 35% increase over three years. It also would boost pay for employees who earn tips from half to 70% of minimum wage, and would add overtime and inflation provisions for other employees.

Number of Marylanders without health insurance remained stable, report says

by | Feb 8, 2011 |

Despite the deep recession and high unemployment, the number of Marylanders without health insurance under the age of 65 remained relatively stable from 2004 to 2009, according to a new report that surprised health officials.

From 2008 to 2009, 14.5% of residents younger than 65 — about 720,000 people — were uninsured, according to “Health Insurance Coverage in Maryland through 2009,” released by the Maryland Health Care Commission last month. About 10,000 more who are older than 65 don’t have insurance.

State Roundup, February 7, 2011

by | Feb 7, 2011 |

Gay marriage comes down to the undecideds; lawmaker hopes to stop slots fight of those with permits; state ready to compromise on speed camera/work zone issue; gun proposals heat up in Annapolis; legislators want two mountains renamed; plastic bag charge proposed for consumers; 677 to take early retirement from state; Montgomery to survey businesses concerning Pepco losses; generator sales rise due to outages; and federal law deters illegals in Frederick.

Support Our Work!

We depend on your support. A generous gift in any amount helps us continue to bring you this service.

Twitter

Facebook