Study finds stream restoration efforts alone cannot fix regional runoff problems; with record rains, Conowingo Dam opens gates, creating a potential hazard for boaters; Maryland to launch an urban dye farm; without strong Democratic party ties, Del.-elect Lily Qi used cultural ones to win election; Allan Kittleman named to state workers compensation panel; Frederick County develops General Assembly agenda; Arundel County-exec elect Pittman dismisses transition panelist after anti-Muslim FB posts; Howard County executive-elect Ball names transition team; portrait of outgoing Baltimore County Exec Don Mohler put on display; and outgoing Prince George’s County Executive Baker reflects on eight years in office.
Year: 2018
Bay scientists say stream restoration not delivering as much as hoped
There is a growing scientific consensus that stream restoration isn’t improving water quality and aquatic habitats as much as was once hoped in a highly urbanized area.
State Roundup, November 28, 2018
President Trump tweets dismay over General Motors’ announced closing of plants including Maryland’s but Baltimore County officials upbeat about possibilities for empty facility; General Assembly members urge colleagues to embrace clean energy use as feds release new report on impact of climate change; Gov. Hogan again urges accountability measures in Kirwan commission recommendations; Baltimore City says it will sue Trump administration over immigration policy; Howard delegate expected to introduce legislation to change county school board elections; Sens. Jennings, Hershey retain Senate GOP leadership posts; outgoing Del. Tarlau to become a lobbyist, but a different type; Arundel County Exec-elect Steuart Pittman continues to form team; and U.S. Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger seeks answers in false “active shooter” lockdown at Walter Reed.
Kirwan Commission to recommend billions more to raise teacher pay
The commission will be proposing a major bump in teach pay, raising pay for all Maryland public school teachers by 10% between 2020 and 2022, with a minimum teacher salary of $60,000 phased-in by 2024. The commission is also proposing a new career ladder for teachers and additional certifications for teachers under the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. This will raise average teacher pay in Maryland from the current $69,557 to $93,137 by 2029. In the final year of phase-in, the additional state spending is $1.3 billion, according to preliminary costs estimates by the Department of Legislative Services.
OPINION: Pugh’s ‘squeegee kid’ solution doesn’t solve the problem
Mayor Pugh’s $2 million initiative to transition so-called Squeegee kids from street corners to viable employment provides insight into why government is ineffective at creating sustainable productive jobs. First, the training she mentioned providing would be for a skill set that is becoming increasingly irrelevant. Second, she is creating a young adult job training program. Isn’t that what high school should be?
State Roundup, November 27, 2018
Gov. Hogan creates emergency redistricting commission to redraw 6th Congressional District; climate change report citing impact on Maryland; accrediting agency looking at College Park; commentaries on Baltimore-area transit and regional rail service; governor makes Baltimore County school board appointments; plastic bag fee in Howard County backed; Sens. Miller, Guzzone top funders of other Senate campaigns; Rep. Raskin’s role in the new Congress.
State Roundup, November 26, 2018
Early signs suggest a prolonged fight over redrawing Maryland’s congressional maps; Maryland’s medical marijuana industry sees soaring sales; Del. Moon stirs the pot over Old Bay Seasoning; cyberbullying, criminal justice reform for juveniles two issues expected to come up in 2019 Annapolis session; post-election, Gov. Hogan has $700,000 in coffers; Montgomery schools to tag protesting as excused absence; Arundel County Executive-elect Pittman eyes fee for Ethics Panel documents; Baltimore County Executive-elect Olszewki hires top staffer away from Senate President Miller; Baltimore County’s interim County Exec Don Mohler looks back on short, noteworthy tenure; Montgomery County women see setbacks in last election; and in celebrity news, U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings officiates at wedding of ‘Morning Joe’ hosts
Pocomoke River ‘replumbing’ to restore floodplain without reducing cropland
The nearly $4 million project, funded by government and nonprofit sources, is designed to slow the water down, officials said. The breaches will allow the river to spill more often onto 4,000 acres of its historic floodplain, diverting tons of nutrients and sediment that would otherwise gush downstream and enter the Chesapeake Bay.
State Roundup, November 21, 2018
The Hogan administration agrees to contract with 5,000 state workers, giving them 3% pay hike; population of market-sized oysters half of numbers in 1999; details of Maryland’s offer for Amazon HQ2 revealed; as KKK flyers spotted around state, faith leaders decry message; Judge Fader tapped to head Court of Special Appeals; Glen Burnie principal charged with stealing campaign funds from late Del. Sonny Minnick; state GOP official says recount over Del. Tony McConkey’s loss is unlikely; Major Riddick to aid in Angela Alsobrook’s transition as Prince George’s executive; and Nancy Floreen’s fund-raising stayed strong.
State Roundup, November 20, 2018
Dem lawmakers in General Assembly to introduce health care mandate, with penalties, but penalties to be used to pay for coverage; new, controversial study says warm winters, not overharvesting, caused decline in Bay oyster population; as hunting declines, Maryland touts the practice to protect environment, control herds; former UM Coach Durkin says UM President Loh was reluctant to make players available for questioning; environmentalists protest natural-gas pipeline planned to go under the Potomac in Western Maryland; no Marylander has ever won the presidency, but that isn’t stopping at least four Marylanders from considering it; Montgomery delegation to the General Assembly, with the help of constituents, begins compiling agenda for next session; and U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi gets backing as House Speaker from two reps from Montgomery.
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