Del. Dan Morhaim, D-Baltimore County, introduced a bill Thursday that grants additional enforcement powers to the Open Meetings Compliance Board, allowing it to levy fines and provide court testimony against government bodies that illegally deny people access to public events. This bipartisan legislation, HB331, has 18 co-sponsors, including House Majority Leader Kumar Barve and 10 other Democrats and Minority Leader Tony O’Donnell and six other Republicans.
Month: January 2013
State Roundup, January 24, 2013
Budget hearing turns tense as talk heats up over armed guards in schools; Gonzales poll finds most think Gov. O’Malley shouldn’t run for president; Sen. Kittleman wants committee voting sessions recorded; Frederick developers are big givers to Blaine Young coffers in his run for governor; Sen. Pipkin targets Conowingo Dam sendiment problems; Frederick delegation seeks $20 million for school construction; Baltimore City delegation considers seeking Stadium Authority help in 10-year school building plan; Carroll wants adjustment in Maintenance of Effort requirement; judge upholds vote on gambling expansion; and trial of Arundel exec continues.
Md. officials still negotiating with feds to retain Medicare waiver worth billions
Maryland health agencies are continuing to negotiate with federal Medicare to avoid losing up to $2 billion in federal health care dollars. After months of tense dialogue, Maryland officials believe that they are making progress.
State Roundup, January 23, 2013
New Gonzales poll finds Marylanders OK with life without parole, but still back death penalty, want assault-weapons ban and against a gas tax hike; Senate President Miller wants Gov. O’Malley to push for gas tax hike; some lawmakers get behind move to raise state minimum wage; Del. McDonough proposes bills aimed at curbing gun violence; support for governor’s wind power program grows; requests for fracking permits withdrawn; U.S. Rep. Harris seeks term limits for Congress; and use of county staff during campaign an issue in the trial of Arundel County Executive Leopold.
State pension system pays too much to advisors, think tanks assert; retirement officials disagree
Two of Maryland’s free-market think tanks are again attacking the Maryland pension system for spending too much money on investment advisors who are not producing enough returns. But the State Retirement Agency says the advisors have helped it reach its benchmark investment goals.
Poll: Overwhelming opposition to gas tax hike, increasing opposition to executions
A new poll shows increasing support among Marylanders for abolishing the death penalty and strong backing for tighter gun controls, but strong opposition to an increase in the gas tax despite a recognition of transportation needs. While Gov. Martin O’Malley has an approval rating of 54%, only 25% of Maryland voters think he should run for president, with 58% saying he should not.
State Roundup, January 22, 2013
21 state senators sign on to death penalty repeal legislation; new bill would make driving while using hand-held phone a primary offense; class-action suit filed against state over late medical aid payments to disabled, low-income residents; Atty Gen Gansler punches back at ACC exit fee; Baltimore City mayor to become DNC secretary; Prince George’s gun-offender registry much shorter than expected; and Arundel schools super says no to using slots fund to beef up school security.
Unexpected drop in Medicaid costs helps O’Malley budget, but there’s more borrowing too
Legislative analysts told lawmakers Monday that Gov. Martin O’Malley’s proposed budget contains a number of fiscally responsible moves they had recommended in previous years and an unexpected $200 million drop in the cost of Medicaid health care. But it also extends for another five years $411 million in borrowing to replace cash from special funds used to finance other programs.
Wired for webcasting, revamped Joint Hearing Room makes debut
The new improved Joint Hearing Room, wired for video webcasting and a new sound system, made its debut Monday for the annual Fiscal Briefing, the first legislative swipe at Gov. Martin O’Malley’s proposed fiscal 2014 budget.
State Roundup, January 21, 2013
Elected officials join hundreds protesting gun-control proposals; besides banning assault-type weapons and large magazines, Gov. O’Malley’s gun package includes measure to make new residents register weapons; O’Malley expected to put forth bill to push public-private partnerships; municipal league wants to move legal ads online; governor’s priorities still include offshore wind farm; Del. Braveboy to seek Dems’ attorney general nomination; and testimony in trial of Arundel County Exec Leopold centers on catheter bag.
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