House Appropriations subcommittees began the process of cutting Gov. Martin O’Malley’s proposed $37 billion budget Wednesday, but the reductions were relatively modest.
Month: March 2013
Local governments fight requirement for public notices in newspapers, but publishers push back
Local governments are once again trying to change a requirement that they post legal notices in print newspapers, arguing that in the electronic age they should be able to post online and save taxpayers millions.The bill’s main opposition comes from newspapers, who argue that their publications reach a wider audience than a municipal website.
State Roundup, March 6, 2013
Following Friday’s rally and marathon House of Delegates hearing on gun-control, legislators now turn to even more bills – 78 to start – addressing gun issues; Frederick County lawmakers line up against Gov. O’Malley’s transportation funding proposal, which would raise $3.4 billion over five years through a gas tax hike; Senate expected to vote on death penalty repeal today – weather permitting; measure aims to curb assaults on health-care workers; and compliance board finds that UM Regents violated Open Meetings Law over Big Ten discussions.
Bottle bill seeks to boost recycling rates
Under a proposed new state program, retailers would be required to pay the state comptroller 5 cents per bottle as a deposit that consumers would get back when they returned the bottles. Counties would need to set up statewide bottle reclamation centers. The centers would likely be reverse vending machines, allowing people to return bottles for the 5 cent deposit.
Child support administrators make progress on reforms
Within the past few months, the Department of Human Resources has made significant progress in resolving the issues raised by the Office of Legislative Audits concerning their Child Support Enforcement Administration, auditors said. But senators reviewing the department budget are pushing for more changes before they release some funding to the agency.
House approves changes to Open Meetings Act
The House of Delegates in a 125-10 vote Tuesday approved changes in the Open Meetings Act to boost penalties and establish other requirements. But one delegate complained that the changes didn’t go far enough, and would penalize the citizens it was designed to help.
State Roundup, March 5, 2013
Gov. O’Malley introduces transportation funding plan that includes gas tax hikes; state Senate kills attempts to amend death penalty repeal; UM Regents found in violation of open meetings law; court finds that not all sex offenders have to register; some contractors begin to feel the sequester pinch; Census study finds huge number of people commute into D.C. – and have very long drives; and new Arundel county exec shuts down surveillance room.
Outdated Md. voting machines will not be replaced before 2014 election
When the gubernatorial election rolls around next year, most of Maryland’s touch-screen voting machines will be past their prime.
The state is already facing a shortage of voting machines, with only four jurisdictions in the last election providing enough to meet state regulations.
In 2014, voting machines in 23 of the state’s 24 jurisdictions will be at least 10 years old, reaching the limit of the manufacturer’s guarantee.
State voters will have to wait three years before they can use upgraded voting machines with a verifiable paper trail, a delay which is angering election reformers.
Aging demographics highlight need for affordable senior care
Facing a $1 million cut, the Maryland Department of Aging is focusing on providing more at-home services to keep the elderly out of costly nursing homes.
Coming on the heels of last year’s $4 million budget cuts, the $1 million cut in the governor’s fiscal 2014 budget is 2% of the department’s overall budget. At the same time, the department is confronting the needs of the rapidly-aging Baby Boomer generation.
State Roundup, March 4, 2013
This week should prove to be one of the busiest in this legislative session, with gun control, the death penalty repeal and transportation funding on the table; a gun control rally Friday drew hundreds as the issues moved to the House of Delegates; death penalty repeal supporters in the Senate turn away amendment, will resume work tonight; Gov. O’Malley may introduce transportation funding legislation; one legislator devotes session to cutting corporate tax rate; bill would restrict use of DNA in police work; bill eyes expanding homeschoolers’ use of public school services; law proposed to legalize refillable wine bottles; and upbeat mood as Neuman inhabits Arundel County exec’s office.
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