In a piece published last week by MarylandReporter.com, Randolph May of the Free State Foundation touted a recent Mercatus Center study that ranked Maryland only 37th best among the 50 states for its fiscal health. It’s important to understand whether this ranking makes sense, particularly when it is so low compared to the state’s AAA bond rating. Maryland is one of 10 states that now have that highest rating from all three major bond rating agencies.
While 30 state delegates ask Housing Secretary Holt to resign following lead poisoning remarks, Gov. Hogan says he stand by his “passionate and competent public servant” after Holt receives a good talking-to; and Sun editorial board questions Holt’s suitability for office; Maryland to participate in federal initiative combatting rising heroin deaths; Secretary Holt proposes plan to sell foreclosed houses to college grads needing to consolidate student loan debt; U.S. Rep. Edwards releases new poll showing her ahead of U.S. Rep. Van Hollen in Senate race; and Prince George’s employment numbers improve.
Forty years ago this month, I attended my first summer conference of the Maryland Association of Counties in Ocean City. Rereading my piece from 1975, it was funny how many aspects of the annual confab were the same.
Secretary Holt apologizes for ‘anecdote’ about mothers poisoning children to obtain free housing under lead paint rules; Lt. Gov. Rutherford says Hogan administration won’t roll back lead paint liability for rental owners; meanwhile, worker, enviro and consumer groups worried that Hogan will roll back important reforms in business regulation overhaul; legislators urge Hogan to include them in redistricting reform; Baltimore City losing political clout, making it easier for Hogan to spurn its requests; U.S. Rep. Donna Edwards campaigns in conservative Eastern Shore; and Baltimore City residents seek alternative mayoral candidates to Rawlings-Blake and Dixon.
There are so many things wrong with how legislative and congressional districts are drawn in Maryland and across the United States that it is hard to know where to begin.
The place to start is fairness. The current process is egregiously unfair to average voters who would like to choose their representatives and not have their legislators choose them. It is unfair to minorities of every stripe: not just Republicans, but blacks, Latinos and residents of all persuasions in counties with no business being cut up into so three and four districts.
Reformers want to take partisan politics out of the redistricting equation. So does the governor. That may be Mission Impossible. Conservative Republican Gov. Larry Hogan Jr. has joined liberal reformers in this crusade. He’s positioned himself so it looks like those mean Democrats are defiantly standing in the way.
As usual, the situation is far more complicated than the cover story.
Dozens march around Government House protesting Gov. Hogan’s decision to inform feds when some illegal immigrants are released from jail; congressional delegation pushes Hogan administration on savings from killing the Red Line; Prince George’s to try to come up with $20 million more for Purple Line; attorney general says same-sex spouses can be guilty of adultery as well; head of medical marijuana panel says it won’t get involved in local marijuana zoning issues; MaCO sessions on medical marijuana packed; U.S. Rep. Edwards rolls out campaign for Senate in Easton; and O’Malley outlines plans if elected president.
The election last November of Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan was a welcome sign that Marylanders recognized that the state’s fiscal health was poor – the result of too much unrestrained spending leading to too much debt. A new study by the Mercatus Center at George Mason University ranks Maryland 37th among the 50 states for its fiscal health, based on its fiscal solvency in five separate categories.
Gov. Hogan says he’ll notify federal officials when some illegal immigrants are released from Detention Center. Hogan administration says Dems in post-Red Line discussions were grandstanding; judge rejects state arguments, clears way for merger of Exelon and Pepco; state, Baltimore City launch new homeownership program in wake of rioting; lawmakers ask Treasury Department to return Maryland farmer’s money that was seized; in state Sen. Raskin’s bid for Congress, campaign says several prominent women are on his side; J Street supporting both Edwards and Van Hollen for Senate seat; and Frederick City seems poised to move Taney bust from court house.
Del. McIntosh urges state to release millions in unused transportation funds for Baltimore projects; Appeals Court says police can use freely given DNA to probe other cases unless expressly told not to; Gov. Hogan leaves hospital, is midway through chemo treatment; three judges, two attorneys to vie for spot on Court of Appeals; county officials to begin trek down the ocean for annual MaCO conference; state Chamber of Commerce lead by first woman of color; Comptroller Franchot pumped on Conococheague Creek Aqueduct project; and in 8th District congressional race, Del. Barve emphasizes experience, while a Republican ponders throwing hat in the ring.
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