COMMITTEE ISSUES REPORT ON MCGRATH, CALLS FOR CIVIL LEGAL ACTION: A legislative committee investigating the tenure of Roy McGrath as head of the Maryland Environmental Service issued a withering report Thursday, suggesting McGrath flouted state personnel rules, received tens of thousands of dollars in questionable reimbursements, and mischaracterized the details of a lucrative bonus arrangement he negotiated as he was leaving the agency. Josh Kurtz/Maryland Matters
- A joint legislative panel called on Maryland Environmental Service to take civil legal action against its indicted former director and his top aide for money paid to them during their tenure at the quasi-state agency. Bryan Sears/The Daily Record
BALTIMORE COUNCIL MEMBERS CALL FOR SHORT-TERM CRIME CRISIS PLAN: A group of Baltimore City Council members is calling on the Baltimore Police Department to draft and submit a short-term crime plan to ease violence in the city as well as making other demands ahead of budget discussions next month, saying the situation requires urgency. Emily Opilo/Baltimore Sun
WALDSTREICHER’S OPPONENT ALONE ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL: In Montgomery County’s most hotly contested state legislative race, state Sen. Jeff Waldstreicher’s primary challenger says he’s starting to feel a bit lonely on the campaign trail after showing up for events where the incumbent did not (citing child care issues). “There are major differences between my views and the incumbent’s views,” said Socol, frustrated after Waldstreicher missed the second forum of the race. “Rather than have an honest discussion about those differences with voters, the incumbent I think is just banking on his name recognition.”
PRIMARY DEBATES: Please join Maryland Reporter’s Len Lazarick as he moderates the virtual online debates for the candidates for Maryland attorney general. Republicans Michael Peroutka and Jim Shalleck debate Tuesday, May 24, 7 p.m. Register here to get the link. Democrats Anthony Brown and Katie Curran O’Malley debate on Wednesday, May 25, 7:30 p.m. Register here. Josh Kurtz of Maryland Matters moderates the debate of Democratic comptroller candidates Tim Adams and Brooke Lierman Tuesday, May 31. Register here. Here’s the flyer. The League of Women Voters is the lead sponsor along with MarylandReporter.com, MarylandMatters.org, Maryland Nonprofits, Maryland Latinos Unidos and the University of Baltimore’s Schaefer Center for Public Policy, the online host.
PA GOP GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE COMING TO RALLY FOR COX: Fresh off his victory Tuesday in the Pennsylvania Republican primary for governor, Trump-aligned state Sen. Doug Mastriano is coming to Maryland next month to rally for this state’s Trump-aligned candidate for governor, Del. Dan Cox (R-Frederick). JOSH KURTZ/MARYLAND MATTERS
MEDIA REQUEST GETS COURT FILINGS IN MOSBY CASE UNSEALED: Newly unsealed filings in the case against Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby show a protracted dispute over discovery materials, including recorded phone calls between Mosby and the company that manages her city retirement account. The filings are now available to the public because The Baltimore Sun, The Daily Record and The Baltimore Banner filed a motion to unseal records in Mosby’s criminal case. Madeleine O’Neill/The Daily Record
- The two-term Democrat also is running for reelection, with the primary scheduled for July 19. Her trial is slated to begin in September. Most of information in the unsealed letters previously was reported in the Sun — the most revelatory being that prosecutors possess recorded phone calls between Mosby and Nationwide, the company that manages retirement accounts for Baltimore employees. Lee Sanderlin/Baltimore Sun
SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF FUNDS ANNOUNCED: The state of Maryland has been approved to distribute $198 million in federal relief funds to small businesses, Gov. Larry Hogan announced Thursday. The funding comes from the State Small Business Credit Initiative, a U.S. Department of the Treasury program that supplies loans and investments to small businesses. Johanna Alonso/The Daily Record
SHEEP GRAZE BENEATH SOLAR PANELS: With many solar arrays ending up on farmland, a movement is fast taking hold to make sure that they will benefit the environment, agriculture and wildlife, and not just create a sea of silicon. Allowing sheep to graze among solar panels has become one attractive antidote. AD CRABLE/BAY JOURNAL IN MARYLAND REPORTER
TRONE TALKS FUNDING REQUESTS: U.S. Rep. David Trone has submitted two projects for Garrett County in fiscal 2023 funding package, and have been approved by the appropriations committee. Staff/Garrett County Republican
COMMENTARY: WELLER’S OUSTER LEAVES BEHIND UNFINISHED PORT COVINGTON: A clock is ticking for taxpayers in Baltimore City as Port Covington nears completion with no tenants and a new development company after Marc Weller was forced out of the developing area once touted as “Dubai on the Patapsco.” Marc Reutter/Baltimore Brew.
BALTIMORE BANNER, WYPR ANNOUNCE OPERATING AGREEMENT: WYPR, Baltimore’s NPR news station, and the Baltimore Banner, an online news organization recently established by The Venetoulis Institute for Local Journalism, have reached a joint operating agreement. The agreement, announced Thursday, allows the non-profits to collaborate on journalism projects in Maryland. Joel McCord/WYPR
FREELANCERS WANTED: MarylandReporter.com is looking for freelance writers to cover stories in state and local government, particularly Howard County. If interested contact editor Tim Maier at Tim@MarylandReporter.com. A resume and clips would be helpful if Tim is unfamiliar with your work.
