A federal judge makes it easier to get concealed carry gun permits in Maryland; the Maryland Democratic Party files a lawsuit to overturn the GOP’s successful drive to put the new congressional districts on the November ballot; you can learn more about the man behind the petitioning initiative – Del. Neil Parrott; those new districts are causing confusion within some parts of the new 8th District, where many voters believe they are still in the 6th; Pepco issues reliability warning after being denied full rate-hike, much to the disappointment of lawmakers; David Cordish, Speaker Busch meet on gambling, but are mum; Caesars still interested in Baltimore City venue, but with conditions; and Prince George’s Exec Baker proposes ethics office.
Month: July 2012
Democratic lawsuit challenges GOP petition success
The Maryland Democratic Party is challenging one of the Republican Party’s biggest successes in years. It filed a lawsuit yesterday seeking to overturn the GOP’s successful drive to put the Democrats’ congressional redistricting map on the November ballot. The suit says the online petition process developed by MDPetitions.com violates state law.
Baltimore magazine names MarylandReporter.com best political website
Baltimore magazine’s Best of Baltimore issue that hits newsstands this week has named MarylandReporter.com as the area’s best “political website.” In the August issue, the magazine editors said: “This online news site has given traditional media outlets a run for their money.”
State Roundup, July 24, 2012
Venture capital investment in the state has fallen; but the Maryland lottery hits record sales; former DLLR counsel Frank Pugh remembered; city Mayor Rawlings-Blake in pro-Dream Act commercial; and PSC sets four hearings on BGE storm response.
Md. job losses cause partisan tussle
The conservative advocacy group Change Maryland charged Monday that “Maryland has lost more jobs so far this year than any other state in the nation according to the U.S. Department of Labor,” losing “just over 10,000 jobs since the beginning of this year.”
Gov. Martin O’Malley’s press office questioned the figures, and said the organization was cherry-picking numbers to fit in with its partisan Republican agenda. Both sides in the dispute were using figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, but they chose a different starting point. Using the end of December as a starting point, Maryland had only lost 1,200 jobs this year.
State Roundup, July 23, 2012
As another special session grows more likely, Prince George’s casino opponents ratchet up campaign and some hit hard with ads claiming casino partners have ties to organized crime; state certifies enough signatures to put redistricting on the ballot; PSC grants Pepco a small rate hike; state job losses high in June; Maryland DREAM Act proponents hope Obama’s action will spur passage; state law loophole prevents some sex offense prosecutions; Wendy Rosen hopes to get a Libertarian on ballot in First District congressional race; and U.S. Rep. Roscoe Bartlett to skip GOP national convention to campaign.
Maryland retains triple-A bond rating, but pension liabilities and federal cuts cloud future
The big three New York bond rating agencies last week again affirmed Maryland’s almost sacred triple-A bond rating, attributing the decades-old stamp of approval to a strong economy, high incomes, prudent fiscal management and a willingness to raise taxes. But as they have for recent bond issues, the three agencies said the state government continues to face financial challenges from its above-average pension liabilities and likely federal budget cuts, along with an increasingly sluggish economy.
State Roundup, July 20, 2012
Rep. Van Hollen criticizes Pepco’s storm performance, joins the chorus for underground power lines; Pepco defends actions before Montgomery County Council as PSC readies decision on 4% rate hike; Comptroller Franchot urges state to not give tax break to gambling interests; Gov. O’Malley expected to unveil latest expansion proposals; meanwhile, group urges legislators to boycott special session; marriage equality fund-raiser brings in $250,000 while their opponents spent $160,000 to get to referendum; state keeps AAA bond rating; several jurisdictions resume DNA testing; and state Sen. Frosh considers run for attorney general.
Minority business participation in state contracts peaks, but advocates say numbers are skewed
Minority business participation in state contracts last year reached its highest level since the program began in 1978, a Governor’s Office of Minority Affairs report said.
Minority business enterprises (MBE) made up 24% of state procurement awards in FY 2011 and were given $1.6 billion worth of business, an 18% increase from FY 2010. The goal for the agencies has been 25% MBE participation in state contracts.
State Roundup, July 19, 2012
Supreme Court allows DNA collection to continue in Maryland for now; casino negotiations continue with Gov. O’Malley offering some gambling revenue in lieu of Prince George’s facility; Dream Act proponents rally; farmers concerned about nutrient management regulations for Bay protection; Assembly website makeover; and politicians, seafood lovers rub elbows at annual Tawes crabfest.
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