Year: 2013

Health exchange insurers agree to short extension of enrollment deadline; two lawmakers to propose doubling fines for sewage and sediment pollution; federal officials announce auction for wind rights off Maryland coast; Arundel County Exec Neuman blasts stormwater fee on Fox TV; Prince George’s County Exec Baker signs off on higher minimum wage; Carroll nonprofits to once again seek state OK on gambling fundraisers; Del. Dwyer must fulfill all of sentence; Hogan blames O’Malley for utility rate hikes; Mizeur files for governor’s race; a roundup on Monday’s gubernatorial candidates forum; and commissioner suggests a new form of government for Calvert County.

Gov. O’Malley declares health insurance website working for most, but brings in a new contractor for help; casino bidder seeks delay in state’s Friday decision; two years before presidential caucus, and O’Malley barely known in Iowa; six gubernatorial candidates address Montgomery County voters; Prince George’s exec expected to sign minimum wage hike bill today; and Cecil County exec rejoins GOP.

State-county minimum wage tiers are possible; state considers implementing ruling on defendants’ right to counsel at bail hearings; O’Malley said state has fixed major issues on state health exchange; Del. Szeliga backs Lt. Gov. Brown over probe on exchange problems; but U.S. Rep. Delaney suggests replacing state exchange with federal one; House Minority Leader Kipke suggests that Del. Dwyer resign; Teamsters back Frosh for AG; Bongino “files divorce papers” with GOP; and Emily’s List to aid Mizeur in run for governor.

Gov. O’Malley says repairs to health exchange are being made, expects to be on track with enrollment numbers by end of March; six teams compete to design, build and run the Purple Line; as three companies vie for Prince George’s casino, one sweetens the pot; U.S. Rep. Delaney makes case for minimum wage hike before business leaders; state begins receiving oyster shells for oyster restoration project; Atty. Gen. Gansler allows elections board to seek outside counsel over Brown-Ulman fund-raising issue; Brown proposes school construction, education-work program; and gas exports via the bay becomes campaign issue.

Annual review of regional Bay cleanup efforts expected to be sparsely attended by higher-ups; Maryland seeks federal push to control cross-border air pollution; legislative commission endorses tearing down Civil War era Baltimore City Jail; Gov. O’Malley to offer update on health insurance exchange; Comptroller Franchot says Maryland tax season to be delayed, thanks to federal shutdown; Montgomery teachers endorse 24 for General Assembly; candidate to replace Del. Haddaway withdraws; gov-candidate Mizeur gets some national attention; rival Gansler proposes apprenticeship program; and speculation on Lt. Gov. Brown’s future in face of health-care rollout fiasco.

Corrections Secretary Gary Maynard to step down, citing “stabilized” city jail situation, to take post with national criminal-justice group. Deputy Secretary Hershberger to replace him; meanwhile a state legislative panel drafts recommendations for both Baltimore City jail and the state prison system; and Western Maryland guards voice concerns over understaffing; Lt. Gov. Brown concedes much work needed to make health exchange work; state law forces dropping of gun charge at private school; Talbot councilman nominated to head MACo; and Atty. Gen. Gansler announces 41 endorsements – ah, make that 39.