The five electronic servers maintaining Internet communications for 30 different state agencies have an “outdated and vulnerable” operating system, auditors found in a report on the Maryland State Archives. The Maryland State Archives also did not provide adequate control or records over the state’s $31 million art collection, the report by the legislative auditors released Tuesday said.
Month: April 2013
State Roundup, April 23, 2013
Del. McDonough says groups seek to buck NRA lawsuit in favor of referendum on gun control law; as online sales tax advances in U.S. Senate, Maryland could see smaller hike in gas tax; Howard transportation chief eyes regional transit authority as Howard, Anne Arundel unite bus service; stream restoration grants available; and new MD GOP chair hopes to unite a fractured party.
Junior GOP delegates make another attempt to oust House Minority Leader O’Donnell
A movement led by junior Republican delegates is underway to replace Maryland GOP House Minority Leader Tony O’Donnell and Minority Whip Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio. Second term Del. Nicholaus Kipke, 34, Anne Arundel, and freshman Del. Kathy Szeliga, 51, Baltimore and Harford counties, have been named by party insiders as the team running to replace O’Donnell, 52, and House Whip, Eastern Shore Del. Haddaway-Riccio, 35.
State Roundup, April 22, 2013
Consumer advocates claim several victories; state Sen. Frosh says gun referendum would lose at the polls; government buildings won’t be liable for stormwater fees; Del. McConkey faces foreclosure on two properties; state Sen. Zirkin ponders retiring; Diana Waterman new MDGOP chair; U.S. Sen. Mikulski’s purse grows as appropriations chair; and Baltimore County exec juggles budget to aid schools.
State Roundup, April 19, 2013
Sen. Brochin defends Towson U. president, calls comptroller’s criticisms a “double standard”; bills affecting homeowners await Gov. O’Malley’s signature; Cecil councilman hopes to send message to General Assembly on gun control laws; DNR head Griffin is named O’Malley’s chief of staff; Bay Bridge work to begin; O’Malley off to Israel, Jordan; conservative bloggers react harshly to new MDGOP press credentialing rules; Baltimore County councilman pleads guilty to DUI; and Arundel councilman seeks personal Taser demonstration before approval.
Attorneys general team up with Facebook to protect privacy
Led by Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler, the National Association of Attorney Generals (NAAG) has teamed up with Facebook to improve social media security with the launch of a new consumer education program. “Just as we must address bullying, harmful content and other dangers in our schools and in our neighborhoods, we must address them online,” said Gansler, president of NAAG.
State Roundup, April 18, 2013
Gun control opponents decide against petitioning new law to referendum, instead hitch their wagon to the NRA’s planned lawsuit to overturn it; first lady Michelle Obama tours Annapolis, attends State House event signing into law bill to ease military veterans’ transition into civilian jobs; Comptroller Franchot calls on TU president to resign, she says “no;” state GOP issues media rules; and former Arundel Exec Leopold writes prison poetry, essay and readers react.
Towson University president found guilty in absentia
Towson University President Maravene Loeschke was found guilty in absentia at an Annapolis show trial Wednesday, with Comptroller Peter Franchot as chief prosecutor and hanging judge. “She should resign,” Franchot said after 90 minutes of testimony for which neither Loeschke nor the university provided any defense. The charges warranting dismissal were that Loeschke unfairly shut down the baseball and soccer teams through a closed process and lied about why she did it. Then she announced the decision at a hastily called closed meeting accompanied by campus police.
State Roundup, April 17, 2013
The state Board of Elections looks over the latest petition language – this one for a referendum to overturn the state’s new gun control laws – as MDPetitions.com ramps up latest effort to overturn a state law; VP Biden unsure whether gun control will pass nationwide, but finds time to praise Maryland’s recent action; two gubernatorial hopefuls expected to join the first lady in Annapolis for a bill signing today; TU’s president won’t attend BPW meeting; SHA begins invasive species eradication along some state roadways; state Sen. Robey and Dels. DeBoy and Malone won’t seek re-election next year; Arundel, Harford move on storm water fees; and Baltimore City shuts down its speed cameras.
Pension system advisor ‘very disappointed’ in legislative cut in contribution
The outside advisor for the Maryland pension system told its Board of Trustees Tuesday that he was “very disappointed” that the legislature reduced the state’s payment into the retirement fund by $100 million in budget action this month. The money comes from $300 million in added contributions of state employees and teachers passed in 2011. It is being set aside for the possible federal budget cuts from sequestration.
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