The debate over transportation funding in the Maryland General Assembly moved to the Senate Budget Committee Tuesday, with some senators arguing for more transit spending and others claiming that the state devotes too many resources to its transit system already. For the second time in five days, the Maryland transportation secretary was confronted with tough questions from lawmakers, who asked him why drivers should pay for the cost of running the transit system.
Month: February 2013
State Roundup, February 6, 2013
New report finds that Baltimore City is on the road to financial ruin; Democrats in a tug of war over Gov. O’Malley’s gun control proposals could kill the effort; pro-gun rally to be held today; two Republican delegates want to move the conversation away from guns; Senate President Mike Miller acknowledges his transportation plan won’t have a shot without O’Malley’s help; bill would close a loophole allowing papermills to collect “renewable energy credits” for burning their own waste; Del. McConkey stuns colleagues; and former Arundel Exec Leopold to keep pension.
Tax breaks for textbooks offered as way to hold down college costs
With the cost of college tuition and textbooks on the rise, legislators are proposing sales tax breaks on textbooks in hopes of providing financial relief to students. House Ways and Means Committee Chair Sheila Hixson and Del. Michael Smigiel advocated different versions of textbook tax breaks before her committee Tuesday. Smigiel, R-Cecil, outlined a plan for year-round tax exemption on textbooks, while Hixson proposed setting a limited time period during which students can purchase their books tax-free.
State Roundup, February 5, 2013
It’s an early day in Annapolis as lawmakers let loose to celebrate the Ravens’ Super Bowl victory; lawmakers on all sides of the gun issue find ways to persuade; two more state senators added to the list of death penalty repeal proponents; Senate President Miller introduces package to help fund transportation projects; Gov. O’Malley has had to cut back on his wind proposal to gain support, now some ask if any developers are willing to back such a small project; ICC speed limit to rise to 60 mph; ethics committee recommends reprimand for Del. McConkey, finds Del. Burns contrite enough.
Republican delegates question use of highway funds for transit, other programs
The state transportation secretary got an earful from Republican delegates on the Appropriations Committee Friday. The Republicans wanted to know how much transportation funding had really been diverted to other programs and questioned why more transportation money was spent on mass transit than on public roads this year.
State Roundup, February 4, 2013
Maryland continues to celebrate the heart-stopping victory of the Baltimore Ravens in last night’s Super Bowl, but politics does not take a holiday: Anne Arundel County Exec John Leopold resigns his post, acknowledging “errors in judgment;” and civil cases against him remain; higher property taxes could be in the offing; gun control to take center stage in Annapolis as all sides enter the fray this week;
senators seek study to determine cancer rates, locations in the state; President Obama in Annapolis for a private get-together with Senate Democrats; and as Ken Ulman eyes the governor’s mansion, who’s considering a run for Howard County executive?
In death penalty debate, Marylanders argue about cost of executions
As Maryland legislators debate whether to repeal the death penalty, Gov. O’Malley and foes of executions have repeatedly claimed that it costs more to kill a murderer than to let him live. A commission O’Malley appointed agreed, but advocates for executions disagree with the analysis.
Pro-gun legislators challenge O’Malley’s gun control proposal
With the first hearing on Gov. Martin O’Malley’s gun control package set for a Senate hearing Wednesday, pro-gun legislators are loading up their arguments against the proposals.
The lawmakers said that O’Malley’s proposed gun-licensing fees in SB281 could exceed $400 per person, bringing the dawn of a new era when “only rich people could afford guns.”
State Roundup, February 1, 2013
Senate bill would ban discrimination against transgendered people; “divine” soft shell crab sandwich in the spotlight over “official” designation; some lawmakers want speed limit raised to 70 mph; sports-minded Washington County lawmakers want to allow early high school sports practices; Maryland lags in implementing Race to the Top program; Gov. O’Malley’s hike in higher ed spending may be offset by federal cuts; search begins for replacement for late Del. Harrison; O’Malley’s national PAC brings in some money; and suspended Arundel County Exec Leopold to be sentenced in March.
Miller embraces soft-shell crab as state sandwich
Senate President Mike Miller testified Thursday for a bill to make the soft-shell crab sandwich the official state sandwich.
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