In the official announcement last week of the relocation of the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development from Crownsville to New Carrollton, there were winners and losers, and it wasn’t difficult to figure out who was who. Some of the 350 workers may choose not to make the commute 10 miles away.
Month: September 2011
State Roundup, September 26, 2011
Sides are gearing up for battle over 2012 same-sex marriage proposal; the trial of state Sen. Ulysses Currie starts; a number of bids come in for city, Rocky Gap slots; Holocaust survivors hope to take Maryland victory over French railroad company to Washington; Harris, Mikulski unite to help seafood industry; Prince George’s delegate charged with stealing from campaign fund to pay for wedding; and the Baltimore Sun to throw up a paywall.
Program seeks to break isolation of poor, single mothers, and reduce infant deaths
Breaking the cycle of isolation for low-income, single mothers is just one benefit of an expanding social services program in Maryland, known as “Healthy Families America.” The program dramatically changed the lives of two Baltimore City mothers, and has likely saved the lives of dozens of infants across the state.
Baltimore Sun to start charging for online content
The Baltimore Sun is putting up a paywall for its online content in two weeks, charging even print subscribers for stories and other features everyone has been getting for free for years. This raises some questions about what we should do about the Sun in our daily State Roundup.
State Roundup, September 23, 2011
MdTA approves lower toll increases that pacify some, inflame others; Maryland in line for No Child Left Behind waivers; Judicial Watch intervenes in DREAM Act lawsuit for petition signers; foreign worker wage hike postponed 60 days but Mikulski still wants a year; disputes have held up all local spending with Rocky Gap revenues; O’Malley, Rawlings-Blake urging passage of federal jobs bill; pensions for felons; a delegate’s farm deal; and negative assessment of BRAC preparations.
Moving attorneys to save money is difficult, deputy AG says
With 430 assistant attorneys general working throughout Maryland state government, you might think that transferring one of them to the new Health Benefit Exchange could be a way to save the state a bit of money. Deputy Attorney General J.B. Howard told the Board of Public Works that definitely isn’t the case. “Our office has virtually no discretion to find these types of efficiencies you are describing,” Howard said.
General Assembly website taking weekend off; no word on redistricting
The Maryland General Assembly website will be out of service this weekend from Friday at 5 p.m. till Monday at 8 a.m.
Karl Aro, director of the Department of Legislative Services, said the shutdown just involves moving the server and other equipment as part of routine maintenance for the site. There is also no word on when the Governor’s Redistricting Advisory Committee will release its congressional plan.
State Roundup, September 22, 2011
State’s economic future on shaky ground; O’Malley to target joblessness in special session; scientists swarm to Bay following latest storms; state Bay cleanup requirements frustrating local jurisdictions; Landow to bid on Rocky Gap casino; some of BGE bill on Irene cleanup to be passed along to consumers; bigger Howard County Council considered; and city budget shortfall predicted.
Md. revenues up slightly, but fiscal boards cautious about slow growth
The state’s economy is growing extremely slowly, and two fiscal regulatory bodies recommended caution on Wednesday as the state goes forward.The estimates for the rest of fiscal year 2012 indicate that the state will take in $195 million more than initially anticipated, showing revenue growth of 4.2%.
Progressives rally to fix economic woes by cutting military spending, taxing rich
A hall packed with progressives applauded the prospects of cutting back military spending, reinstating the millionaires’ tax, passing President Obama’s job creation legislation, and transforming Maryland’s health care system into a state-run single-payer operation.
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