A commission studying Maryland’s campaign finance laws appears likely to recommend raising current limits on campaign contributions, which haven’t been increased in 19 years. The commission took no formal vote, but seemed to reach a consensus on raising the total amount an individual may contribute to state election campaigns from the current $10,000 to $25,000 during a four-year election cycle.
Month: June 2012
State Roundup, June 18, 2012
Maryland loses 7,500 jobs last month while Virginia holds steady and D.C. makes slight gain; MGM says it’s a go for National Harbor casino site if Maryland lowers tax and allows table games, as Cordish Cos. criticizes plans and nearby gambling states start toting up its potential impact; President Obama’s suspension of some deportations becomes a rallying cry for Dream Act supporters; state law holds a large loophole when it comes to teacher-student sexual conduct; and what’s next for former Arundel County Councilman Daryl Jones when he is released from prison Thursday.
State Roundup, June 15, 2012
National Harbor expected to announce deal with MGM Resorts for casino; Gov. O’Malley becomes a punching bag for GOP; Pipkin to introduce pit bull bill during second special session; U.S. Chamber ranks Maryland in top five for economic growth; state to fund design phase for overpass at dangerous 301 intersection; panel considers campaign finance reforms; and “nasty email train” from Frederick County Commissioner Blaine Young to Frederick city aldermen surface.
U.S. Chamber ranks Maryland in top five for economic growth
For the third year in a row, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has rated Maryland among the top five states in the country for economic growth, job creation and innovation.
In its annual report on “Enterprising States”, the national chamber gives the O’Malley administration high marks for policies and conditions that help grow jobs, issues on which members of the state business community often find fault.
State Roundup, June 14, 2012
Court allows Dream Act to go to referendum; state hopes to close LLC loophole concerning campaign donations; Maryland casinos hope to cut state’s take on slot machines; Prince George’s and Harford county execs both want casinos – one on the waterfront, the other on the water; but wasn’t gambling’s purpose to prop up horse-racing?; fracking study gets more time; Julius Henson gets 60 days for robocall; and Washington County extends spousal benefits to same-sex marriage.
Juvenile Services Department allots $8.5 million for out-of-state placements
The Juvenile Services Department’s so-called “Maryland model” aims to reduce reliance on out-of-state treatment facilities for youth sentenced in juvenile court but has set aside about $8.5 million to send less than a score of them to centers across the U.S. over the next three years. The Board of Public Works last week approved four contracts to send up to 18 youth, ages 6-20 years old, to residential treatment facilities (RTCs) in Pennsylvania, Georgia, Florida and Arkansas.
State Roundup, June 13, 2012
Del. Alston found guilty of misdemeanor theft. Her next trial is in October; work group told Maryland Live! could handle a Prince George’s casino, with table games; Dream Act advocates in court, arguing act is a fiscal issue; Julius Henson sentencing today; and Obama addresses economy in Baltimore fundraisers.
MarylandReporter.com wins journalism award for disabilities story
MarylandReporter.com was honored Tuesday night by the Washington chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists for a package of stories that uncovered the failure of one state agency to spend $38 million on people with developmental disabilities, even while thousands waited for services.
State Roundup, June 12, 2012
Wicomico official resigns over new state financial disclosure laws while some are concerned more will follow; gambling work group expected to focus on saturation point, table games and reconvening the General Assembly; Carroll County awaits legal opinion in fight against congressional redistricting; church founded by Sen. Muse seeks bankruptcy protection; Del. Alston case goes to jury; and President Obama in Maryland today for two fundraisers.
Mountain politics more elevated and bipartisan
It’s not just the topography that’s elevated in the mountains of Western Maryland. The politics seems to be as well, or at least more bipartisan. Republican State Sen. George Edwards attended the Democratic Jefferson-Jackson Day dinner, as the Republican president of the county commissioners. Both were praised for working across party lines.
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