Month: May 2019

After vetoing bill to abolish state’s Handgun Permit Review Board, Gov. Hogan nominates five to new members, who might only serve till state lawmakers overturn veto; Gov. Hogan calls for investigation into how College Park officials handled deadly outbreak of adenovirus on campus; although BPW refused contract for W. Maryland pipeline, foes continue to rally against possibility; just days after Hogan OKs $3.2 million in state funding, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra cancels summer series; although policy set term limits for UMMS board members, some stayed on much longer; Baltimore County considers placing solar panels on some government buildings; Baltimore City councilman’s aide, sister to state senator, nominated to fill council spot; and U.S. Rep. Hoyer now says he is for statehood for D.C.

As Maryland promotes more diversity among medical marijuana licensees, 160 applicants seek one of 14 new licenses; Attorney General Frosh files new charges against pharmaceutical companies for alleged role in opioid epidemic; State Center developer attorneys fight state over “executive privilege” on documents; state lawmakers ask Maryland Racing Commission to probe Stronach’s lopsided use of state funds on track upgrades; state says paper mill workers will qualify for unemployment on first day out of work; some donors to Mayor Pugh’s campaign was money back; and trailblazer Shirley Jones, first woman in Maryland history to be named federal judge, dies at 93.

Former Sen. Frank Kelly under scrutiny in UMMS self-dealing scandal; Chestertown residents decry lack of service at local UMMS hospital in wake of self-dealing scandal; often-absent students still graduating high school, calling into question value of diploma; Chesapeake Bay Foundation hopes to pull Pennsylvania into line in bay cleanup efforts; new Purple Line CEO says he wants to clear “roadblocks” from Maryland’s delayed light-rail project; journalists, nonprofits ask court to declare unconstitutional Maryland’s law against broadcasting lawfully obtained recordings of criminal proceedings; Hogan cabinet members meet in Western Maryland over paper plant closing; and Montgomery’s emergency communications systems falters again.

Gov. Hogan vetoes eight bills including one that would dissolve the state Handgun Permit Review Board and one that would create a new way to regulate oyster harvests; Hogan did allow almost 300 to become law without his signature including one to expand food stamp benefits through the summer months to students who rely on free meals from their schools; doctors seeks their removal from lawsuits brought by Maryland jurisdictions against big pharma; Baltimore County delegate removes FB post after it was dubbed “hateful;” BGE asks Public Service Commission to allow rate hike; Montgomery emergency services see 14-hour communications breakdown; reforms for Arundel liquor board likely in the offing; and Sen. Van Hollen, Rep. Ruppersberger seek briefing by NSA over malware it created that has disrupted Baltimore City government.

Gov. Hogan says Metro chair shouldn’t just resign from leadership post, he should step down from board; Maryland, Virginia senators join to push for consistent federal funding for Metro; Disability advocates ask Gov. Hogan’s help to fix MTA MobilityLink problems; state distributes 57,000 fentanyl test kits; acting UMMS chief executive vows to make major shift in board culture; Speaker Jones asks State House Trust to remove 1964 plaque that honors both Union and Confederate soldiers; Treasury Secretary Mnuchin’s move to keep Harriet Tubman off $20 bill gets some pushback from New York artist; mock disaster tests Maryland’s elections system; the Baltimore County Council raises the income tax for the first time in 30 years; and Carroll commissioners move to find $1 million more for schools.

Gov. Larry Hogan has canceled today’s bill-signing, indicating hundreds of bills could become law without his signature; Hogan criticizes one such bill – to push clean energy and jobs, saying he’ll seek 100% clean energy by 2040; U.S. Rep. Brown blasts Hogan’s road widening plan, saying it has lack of public support, environmental review; House Speaker Jones says she’ll work toward protecting aboriton rights; as Whiting-Turner execs sit on boards of UMMS, affiliated hospitals, company has been paid at least $127 million since 2012; while President Trump seeks to slash Chesapeake Bay Program funding, U.S. House panel raises it; Treasury to delay putting Harriet Tubman on $20 bill; Baltimore County’s pick of new school superintendent was shrouded in secrecy; and Montgomery County considers a civilian police review board.

Conservative watchdog group files complaint with IRS suggesting that nonprofit run by Maya Rockeymoore Cummings, chair of state Dem Party, may have benefited from special interest groups and businesses before U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings’ oversight committee; Cummings, who is seeking President Trump’s financial documents, says he’s frustrated by “stonewalling;” Maryland child support collections are up slightly; judge dismisses suit to block JHU from setting up police force; abortion rights advocates rally throughout state; despite recent rains, Chesapeake Bay health continues to improve; gas company sues state officials over rejection of 3-mile pipeline through Western Maryland; and interim Baltimore County Superintendent Verletta White passed over for permanent post.

A Capital News Service analysis finds that 40 of 188 legislators passed at least 50% of bills they introduced this past session, with 10 hitting 100%; supporters of a woman’s right to choose to hold rallies throughout Maryland today; Del. Impallaria says he’s not bothered by resolution seeking his resignation, says voters will decide; coalition seeking information into Anton Black’s death say city council shutting down public comment; and tax hikes likely coming to Baltimore County.

State auditors begin mandated audit of UMMS in response to self-dealing scandal; Hogan administration seeking input from transit advocates after push-back over toll plans for Capital Beltway, I-270; Montgomery developer says monorail is solution for traffic problems; Del. Shoemaker tells Comptroller Franchot to drop partisan politics in move against Alabama over abortion law; debt is putting some Marylanders in jail; state GOP Central Committee votes to condemn Del. Impallaria, ask for his resignation; Howard County also sues opioid manufacturers, distributors; Maryland government has a big tent at the Preakness, open to businesses and politicians but not reporters; and U.S. Rep. Cummings urges Morgan grads to defend democracy in its “hour of peril.”