The Senate in a 32-15 vote Tuesday passed a bill its sponsors claim closes a tax loophole for online travel sites, but those companies as well as brick-and-motor travel agents are protesting it as a new tax on services.
Month: March 2015
Uber and taxis duke it out over level of regulation
With standing room only, the battle over the ridesharing “Uber bill” began in the state Senate Finance committee Tuesday.
Sponsored by Sen. Bill Ferguson, D-Baltimore, the bill would keep power in the hands of ridesharing companies to conduct their own drivers’ background checks and vehicle safety inspections rather than require state oversight.
State Roundup, March 24, 2015
Gov. Hogan’s budget continues to work its way toward final passage; it was Crossover Day yesterday and it is again today; House votes to eliminate some mandatory sentences; death with dignity and charter school legislation to the fore; Hogan and congressional delegation agree to press for FBI HQ; ban on powdered alcohol proposed; and Raskin is running for Congress.
Legislation creates compliance board and ombudsman for public information requests
Major changes are in the works for getting public records from state and local governments in Maryland designed to make the process easier, more uniform and less expensive.
In a unanimous vote, a Senate committee brought legislation to the floor Monday night that will create a new Public Information Act Compliance Board to oversee fees. It will also establish that those fees must be actual costs to assemble the records — with the first two hours free — and create a new ombudsman in the office of the Attorney General to mediate and offer guidance to all government agencies about requests for public records.
Race and gender may help Donna Edwards in race to replace Mikulski
Filling the shoes of retiring Sen. Barbara Mikulski is going to be tough, but Congresswoman Donna Edwards, a leading voice among progressives, says she’s up to the task. Other prominent Maryland Democrats are considering a run for the seat, and Congressman Chris Van Hollen has already announced his candidacy, carrying a similar progressive torch – including advocating for women’s rights.
Why the Purple Line makes sense
In response to last week’s commentary opposing the proposed Purple Line, Richard Parsons, vice chair of the Suburban Maryland Transportation Alliance, describes why it should be built.
State Roundup, March 23, 2015
Senate votes “rain tax” relief; It’s Crossover Day and several bills, including a drunk driving measure, are looking stranded; chicken guano is getting a lot of attention; a bill providing oversight on fees for public information moves forward; fracking bills move forward; Senate expected to make major changes to Hogan charter school bill; O’Malley takes populist message to Iowa; and Gov. Hogan hits the ravioli at St. Leo’s.
Removing mandatory minimum sentences for some drug crimes stokes House debate
Proposing to remove the mandatory 10-year minimum sentence for those convicted of drug crimes, one delegate came under fire on the House floor for putting his faith in the court system.
Under HB 121, judges will no longer impose minimum sentences, but be given a maximum cap on the amount of years dished out: 20 years for first-time offenders.
Small county fee hike leads to partisan rancor on House floor
Despite bipartisanship displayed during the state budget passage just one night before, House Republicans were up in arms Friday over an accusation that they were raising fees, contrary to their campaign rhetoric.
Rascovar: Pension move betrayed state workers
Once again, the House of Delegate took the easy way out of its budget bind — and in the process stuck it to future state workers, teachers and taxpayers.
The Senate is on a glide path that follows that same flawed approach.
Instead of facing up to its fiduciary pension obligations, Annapolis delegates opted to play games, placing at risk the safety of state retirement programs.
Recent Comments