BIG BUCKS FROM OUT-OF-STATE FUEL DEM GUBERNATORIAL PRIMARY RACE: An analysis of campaign data by Capital News Service found that candidates in the Democratic primary drew from the well of money from other states. Their campaigns were fattened with donations from Democratic strongholds like New York, California and Chicago, campaign finance records show. Steve Neukam of Capital News Service/Maryland Reporter.
COURT TOSSES OUT PRINCE GEORGE’S MAP: In what amounted to a final blow for the Prince George’s County Council, the Maryland Court of Appeals on Monday affirmed that the council must throw out its widely panned redistricting map — a decision that will affect races already underway this election season. Rachel Chason/The Washington Post.
- In a brief order, Maryland’s top court upheld a circuit judge’s ruling that blocked the council’s map and instead ordered the county to implement one drawn up by an independent commission. Madeleine O’Neill/The Daily Record.
- The controversy began last November, when six members of the Prince George’s County Council surprised their colleagues and the public with an 11th hour redistricting plan. Residents voiced immediate objection. They held rallies, flooded the council with calls and emails, turned out en masse at a public hearing, and they vowed to pursue every available remedy. They also hired an attorney. Bruce DePuyt/Maryland Matters.
LURING THE COMMANDERS TO VIRGINIA: Virginia State Sen. Richard L. Saslaw is proposing changes to his bill to lure the Washington Commanders to Virginia, addressing two potential loopholes that could have allowed for bottomless taxpayer investment in a sprawling “mini-city” around a new stadium. The Commanders are contractually obligated to play at FedEx Field, in Landover in Prince George’s County until 2027. Laura Vozella/The Washington Post.
DEL BRANCH SEEKS GUN COURT IN B’MORE: After losing her son to Baltimore gun violence in 2017, state Del. Chanel Branch experienced some closure when police announced two arrests in the case. But then more questions troubled her: Who were these young men, and why did they turn to violence? She is pursuing legislation that would establish a specialized gun court in Baltimore to expedite some firearm cases and, when appropriate, offer resources and support services instead of incarceration. Lea Skene/The Baltimore Sun.
CONGRESSMEN TOUT FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDS: Members of Maryland’s congressional delegation said Monday that an infusion of federal infrastructure funds makes it less likely that the state will experience a catastrophic bridge failure like the one that occurred in Pittsburgh on Jan. 28. Bruce DePuyt/Maryland Matters.
Get your commentary published: In recent weeks, Maryland Reporter has published a wide range of opinion on issues that are before the General Assembly — or should be, writers say. Subjects like soft drinks for kiddie meals, security of mail-in ballots, car pricing on the internet, the hazards of corporate taxation and the fears of people with disabilities about assisted dying, If you have a commentary about Maryland government and politics you’d like to see published, send it along to Len@MarylandReporter.com. It needs to be exclusive to Maryland Reporter and 700 words or less.
OLSZEWSKI BILL WOULD EASE WAY TO SHUT NUISANCE BIZ: Closing businesses deemed “public nuisances” would be easier for police under a bill that was to be proposed Monday by Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. Christine Condon/The Baltimore Sun.
- Under current law, authorities need two criminal convictions on the premises to shut down a place. The bill would allow authorities to close a business if police officers write it up for at least two public nuisance violations over two years. Baltimore County Police Chief Melissa Hyatt said there have been cases where delays getting convictions led to serious crimes being committed. John Lee/WYPR-FM.
DUSTUP BETWEEN OLSZEWSKI AIDE, IG: Emails between Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski’s chief of staff and county Inspector General Kelly Madigan reveal a behind the scenes dispute that was going on last spring over Madigan’s authority. How much autonomy the county’s inspector general should have remains a sore spot. John Lee/WYPR-FM.
MO CO EXEC HOPEFULS DEBATE PUBLIC SAFETY, SCHOOLS: Montgomery County executive candidates David Blair, Marc Elrich, Tom Hucker and Hans Riemer on Sunday debated issues related to public safety and schools in a virtual forum hosted by Bethesda Magazine and Bethesda Beat. There is an hourlong video of the forum embedded in the article. Steve Bohnel/Bethesda Beat.
MARYLANDERS FOR AFFORDABLE RX: Marylanders for Affordable Rx is educating policymakers and the public on the real reasons behind high prescription drug costs and exposing special interests that are out to pad their bottom line at the expense of Maryland’s hardworking people. Across the country and in our state, we see special interests, like Big Pharma and the independent pharmacy lobby, push agendas that would make it harder for patient advocates like pharmacy benefit managers to negotiate for lower prescription drug costs. Learn more and help us stop special interests from increasing our Rx costs. (Paid Advertising)
