Exelon agrees to help low-income consumers to smooth the merger; more online financial disclosures expected from legislature; State Center opponents seek dismissal of state suit; Maryland Republicans may raise profile in next presidential GOP primary; while many legislators are targeting PlanMaryland, Allegany lawmakers also seek General Assembly support of fracking; and Washington County eyes tougher tip-jar monitoring of donations to fire agencies.
Month: December 2011
Analysis: ‘Balanced approach’ meets an unbalanced budget
Public employee unions, nonprofit groups and education advocates have been huddling in recent weeks to organize support for what they call “a balanced approach” to the continuing fiscal mess facing Maryland.
Transparency committee starts talking
Enthusiasm for making the General Assembly the most transparent branch of government echoed at the first meeting of the Joint Committee on Transparency and Open Government on Wednesday morning.
Competing fundraisers for statewide Democratic candidates
Three Democratic candidates for governor and comptroller are having competing fundraisers today — Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown, Comptroller Peter Franchot and Sen. Jim Rosapepe — marking a hot season for raising money followed by the January freeze.
State Roundup, December 14, 2011
SHA contracting irregularities were known; Maryland ranks 22nd in overall health; tobacco tax hike unlikely this year; state Rep. O’Donnell to challenge U.S. Rep. Hoyer; Del. Minnick closes tavern; Cardin to suggest further penalties for voter fraud; Montgomery officials expect $135.4 million budget gap; and Allegany County sheriff hopes state law will cut down on panhandling.
Transportation secretary calls ignorance of contracting law ‘unacceptable’
Transportation Secretary Beverley Swaim-Staley told legislators Tuesday that the culture at the procurement arm of the State Highway Administration dealing with construction inspection comes from an “unacceptable pattern of poor contract management and administration in the organization.”
Maryland pension fund had good year, but underperforms other big funds
The Maryland pension system had a good year in fiscal 2011, earning 20% on its investments — up from 14% in 2010 — and giving it $37.6 billion in assets. But the Maryland system did not perform as well as most large pension systems around the country, showing earnings worse than four out of five of them, according to a report from the Department of Legislative Services.
State Roundup, December 13, 2011
Rural Marylanders feel pinch of state policies; Pipkin, others attack PlanMaryland; India trip brings home $60 million in business deals; O’Malley eyes Brazil next; cities, counties worried about cost to save the Bay; O’Malleys invite Gaga to dinner; Bartlett reiterates that he will seek re-election while MDGOP Chair Alex Mooney raises bucks to run against him; Western counties hire two Annapolis lobbyists; and state probes Frederick city sewage spill.
Senators say PlanMaryland controversy comes from few people understanding it
The torrid rhetoric about PlanMaryland cooled down on Monday into a discussion about who really understands the controversial state land-use plan, and what it’s doing before the public at this point anyway.
Broad array of funding recommended for Health Benefit Exchange
The Health Benefit Exchange Board recommended Monday a broad based funding approach to pay for a federally mandated state health insurance program, now estimated to cost up to $30 million in 2014 and $60 million by 2016.
“The board is in agreement there should be some sort of a transactional fee, a broad based fee, and funding for the exchange that needs to come from multiple places to ensure sustainability and stability,” said Rebecca Pearce, Health Benefit Exchange executive director.
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