Maryland’s state and local governments take a wait-and-see approach as stocks plummet for a second day following S&P’s downgrading of the U.S. credit-rating, gold prices soar and Baltimore companies see stock sell-off; archbishop tried to persuade O’Malley against backing same sex-marriage support; PSC demanding answers to electricity cut-offs during July heat wave; Harford Exec Craig to run for state office – but which? and city sweetens pot for casino.
Month: August 2011
Probation officers are stretched too thin, union head says
The state’s probation officers are overworked and stretched too thin, making their vital public safety role more difficult to fulfill, says the head of the union for parole and probation workers.
State Roundup, August 8, 2011
State S&P rating won’t be altered by federal downgrade; minority growth could change congressional representation for Maryland’s D.C. suburbs; Dems eye Western Maryland for redistricting; upcoming sales tax holiday benefits business and shoppers, costs the state; state Sen. Jacobs’ style aids constituents during toll hike talks; Currie to stand trial after all; O’Malley spars on Sunday talk show; heightened concern for the Bay by those who make a living from it; and casino take is up.
Teachers union rejects pension commission proposals
The state teachers union is rejecting most of the final recommendations of the special pension commission, particularly its proposal to shift half the funding of pensions onto county school boards or governments. In a strong letter to the governor and legislative leaders, the union also wants county governments to be forced to fully fund school budgets and to give them authority to raise more taxes or disregard local tax caps.
State Roundup, August 5, 2011
Maryland retains Aaa rating after debt ceiling agreement; Baltimore man starts viral “slow clap for Congress;” FAA shutdown is holding up $1 million in grants; Marcellus shale drilling regulations timeline makes sparks fly at meeting; state would be able to get money from Hagerstown solar project.
Leaving state to avoid taxes is ‘a myth,’ study says
Higher state taxes don’t lead many residents to leave a state, including affluent taxpayers, a new study says. The report by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities released Thursday uses several economic studies from academics and think-tanks to debunk the arguments that taxes drive people from states like Maryland, particularly the wealthy.
State Roundup, August 4, 2011
PlanMaryland opposed by Cecil County; demonstrators rally against U.S. Rep. Andy Harris; partisan gridlock forces a partial shutdown of the FAA, sending Maryland contractors reeling and furloughing local workers; Prince George’s approves new liquor delivery rules; and Nancy Grasmick to head panel to study the structure of the Howard County school board.
Not all audits are bad: One out of four state agencies has a clean one
In the review of all government agencies over last three years, 47 state agencies have had perfectly clean audits with no problems found.
Debt ceiling vote creates strange bedfellows
The votes on the debt ceiling deal in Congress made strange bedfellows in Maryland’s congressional delegation.
State Roundup, August 3, 2011
Cardin makes last-minute decision on debt-ceiling vote; while Social Security payments will be sent on time, the deal doesn’t make everything rosy as Maryland faces federal spending caps and stock prices are expected to dampen; wineries are making a show at farmers markets; Arundel County councilman Jones charged with failing to file taxes; special primaries set as candidates hope to fill vacant Prince George’s council seat; and jurisdictions begin wrestling with state-mandated ethics rules.
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