Gov. O’Malley has said he may issue an executive order creating a pilot program for reforms to criminal bail procedures, Comptroller Franchot urges O’Malley to veto delay in Shore wind project; Franchot dons a deerstalker to tout unclaimed property; in new ad, gubernatorial candidate Gansler calls health care a right; O’Malley took a fund-raising hiatus during session, hired political consultants West Wing Writers; and Arundel exec candidate Schuh gets into shouting match with former exploratory committee member at Lincoln-Reagan Dinner.
Month: April 2014
Gubernatorial candidates divided on how to adjust or cut state taxes
With the Maryland gubernatorial election approaching at the end of the year, the seven major candidates are taking a stance on one of the state’s hot-button issues: taxes.
State Roundup, April 16, 2014
Bill adds another layer of protection to patient privacy; Del. Serafini warns that continued state budget challenges will affect local jurisdictions; state Public Service Commission extends period in which utilities are restricted from terminating service to customers behind in bill payments; gubernatorial candidates all over the place when it comes to marijuana laws; Gansler gains in new internal poll; Hogan leads in GOP fund-raising; Gansler proposes $1.5 billion in cuts, including eliminating State Prosecutor’s office; and Mizeur backs physician-assisted suicide, state-run retirement plan.
Tipped workers left behind in minimum wage hike
Many minimum wage workers will be getting a raise now that a hike to Maryland’s wage has been signed into law. But while advocates are ascribing the increase as a win, there’s a bitter aftertaste for one group that was left behind.
GOP gubernatorial candidate Hogan criticized for missing events
Larry Hogan, since the announcement of his campaign late January, has missed at least five major forums and debates due to scheduling conflicts, a habit some of his Republican opponents have derided.
State Roundup, April 15, 2014
Among many bills signed Tuesday, Gov. O’Malley signs off on Jake’s Law, to raise penalties for distracted drivers, and pot decriminalization bill; O’Malley cautions against complete legalization of pot while prosecutor ponders a tracking dilemma; passed bill would create task force to study effects of acidification on Bay and other waterways, but it’s unknown if O’Malley will sign it; Equality Maryland endorses Sen. Frosh for attorney general; Dem gubernatorial hopefuls all back alternative energy, but Gansler and Mizeur push for bigger state program; Brown proposes 10-fold increase in annual funding for a state-run affordable housing grant program; O’Malley to play Vegas; and Ehrlich, Bentley back different candidates in race for Arundel County exec.
Absentee ballots moving online causes security concerns
Voters may get to skip the lines at the polls this summer by receiving and marking their ballots online, but election officials must first decide if the convenience outweighs the security risks.
State Roundup, April 14, 2014
Police begin evaluating the impact of medical marijuana and pot decriminalization laws while some prosecutors ask O’Malley to veto decriminalization law; state study will delay new Howard-Arundel transit agency, but jurisdictions say they’ll move forward; lawmakers hope new legislation will add more transparency to government; plenty of new rules for the road include distracted driving and move-over law expansion; state election officials stop enforcing law that imposes an overall limit of $10,000 on campaign contributions; Bongino, George to rally in Annapolis, and the reason is …; Hogan outshines GOP gubernatorial competitors in fund-raising; Mizeur confident she can win Democratic nomination; and as O’Malley’s final year in the State House winds down, he begins crafting a future while opinionators assess his legacy.
Marijuana paraphernalia a sticky issue under new bill
The recent move to remove criminal penalties for 10 grams of marijuana or less has been heralded by its supporters as radical reform that would save state money, and alleviate a significant portion of drug-related arrests, which are racially imbalanced.
But a hole in that legislation — one that remains unaddressed — is that drug paraphernalia remains criminal.
Rascovar commentary: Caution in Annapolis while leaning left
It was a disappointment to liberal opinionators but the 2014 General Assembly proved surprisingly cautious and balanced in moving Maryland decidedly to the political left during its 90-day session that ended April 7.
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