HOGAN COMMITS TO NEXT PHASE FOR NEW BAY SPAN: Gov. Larry Hogan (R) on Friday committed Maryland to the next step in building a new crossing of the Chesapeake Bay, announcing he’s using federal infrastructure cash to launch a costly study of expanding capacity at the existing Bay Bridge site. Erin Cox/The Washington Post.
- Maryland will spend $28 million to study how to improve mobility in the U.S. 50/Route 301 corridor, Hogan announced. The “Tier 2” study that concluded that the best way to make crossing the Chesapeake Bay easier would be to add a third span near the existing Bay Bridge. Bruce DePuyt/Maryland Matters.
LAUNCH OF RECREATIONAL POT INDUSTRY COULD FACE DELAY: When Marylanders vote in November, they are expected to overwhelmingly support a referendum that would legalize adult-use cannabis. But that doesn’t mean you’d be able to walk into a dispensary and buy a joint the next day. A medical cannabis industry group is sounding the alarm that if lawmakers don’t hammer out details this summer, the recreational industry won’t launch until 2025 — or later. Giacomo Bologna/The Baltimore Sun.
Rushern Baker, left, has ended his campaign for governor. In this campaign photo he is with running mate Nancy Navarro.
BAKER ENDS CAMPAIGN FOR GOVERNOR: Rushern Baker III, a former Prince George’s County executive with a blunt-talking campaign, paused his bid to be Maryland’s next governor Friday, the first candidate in the 10-man Democratic field to step back from the race. Erin Cox and Ovetta Wiggins/The Washington Post.
- The former Prince George’s County executive, who also sought the party’s gubernatorial nomination in 2018, announced his decision on Twitter. Hannah Gaskill/The Baltimore Sun.
- In an interview in his College Park office, Baker said he was proud of his 14-month bid for his party’s nomination. But his campaign is low on funds, leaving him unable to compete during the final stretch. The primary is July 19. Bruce DePuyt/Maryland Matters.
- Left mostly unspoken was the obvious: Now that Baker is out of the race, the Democrats still battling for their party’s nomination would all love to have his endorsement.In an interview, former Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) called Baker “the most experienced executive in the whole field.” He said Baker’s endorsement would be “very significant.” Bruce DePuyt/Maryland Matters.
POLITICAL NOTES: LIERMAN BACKED BY ALSOBROOKS: Del. Brooke Lierman pulled in a big endorsement Friday from the backyard of her Democratic primary opponent in the race for comptroller: Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks (D). Josh Kurtz/Maryland Matters.
STATE POLS FIGHT OVER CARROLL SCHOOLS PRIDE FLAG BAN: Last week’s decision by the Carroll County Board of Education outlining which flags can and cannot be displayed on school property has state politicians battling on social media. On Wednesday, the school board voted 4-1 to permit only American, Maryland, Carroll County flags and flags related to student achievement, sports banners and flags of other nations to be displayed on school property. The effect of the vote was to ban the display of rainbow LGBTQ+ pride flags. Baltimore Sun Staff/The Carroll County Times.
DEL. COX URGES MDGOP TO SET UP DEBATE WITH SCHULZ: Del. Dan Cox is begging the Maryland Republican Party to save his sinking gubernatorial campaign. In a letter released today on his Facebook page Cox has asked the Maryland Republican Party, specifically Chairman Dirk Haire, to intervene to force Kelly Schulz to debate him. Brian Griffiths/The Duckpin.
OPINION: RELIGIOUS GERRYMANDER IN MARYLAND? Maryland’s 3rd congressional district no longer looks like a case of religious gerrymandering. After Gov. Hogan signed a quickly redrawn congressional district map into law on April 4, I … determined that the newly-drawn 3rd District had lost 49 of the 122 active synagogues in the state. Because the United States has no Census question on religion, I compiled the list of 122 active synagogues from Maven Search: Jewish Web Directory to determine which districts they fell into under the new 2022 map. As a result, the new 3rd District has only 10 temples, or 8.2% of the statewide count. In comparison, the old 3rd had 59 synagogues with 48.4%. Howard Lee Gorrell/Maryland Matters.
ANGELOS SONS IN COURT BATTLE OVER O’s TEAM, LAWFIRM & FAMILY FORTUNE: The two sons of longtime Baltimore Orioles owner Peter Angelos are fighting over the future of the baseball team, their father’s law firm and the family fortune, according to an explosive new lawsuit. Louis Angelos, 52, of Baltimore County, sued his brother and mother Thursday in Baltimore County Circuit Court. He claims his father intended for the two brothers to control the team equally, but that John, 54, of Nashville, has grabbed power. Tim Prudente and Justin Fenton/The Baltimore Banner.
- Periodic rumors that the team, beleaguered on the field yet beloved by generations of Baltimoreans, could be sold or moved out of town gained greater currency with the lawsuit filed Thursday by Louis Angelos against his brother, accusing John Angelos of trying to seize control of the team and the rest of their father’s considerable holdings. The suit also named their mother, Georgia Angelos, as a defendant. Jean Marbella and Hayes Gardner/The Baltimore Sun.
- Louis’ requests for the two court orders are based on his allegation that John’s actions regarding the firm and baseball team have violated his fiduciary obligations of loyalty, good faith and honest as a co-trustee with Louis of their father’s revocable trust. Steve Lash/The Daily Record.
PEROUTKA PREACHES ON MD CONSTITUTION: Michael Anthony Peroutka was pacing a small stretch of carpet in an Ellicott City restaurant the other night, brandishing a leather-bound copy of the Maryland Constitution like a weapon. Peroutka’s speech, to a rapt audience of about 30 self-proclaimed patriots, was part first-year law school lecture and part tent revival sermon. Josh Kurtz/Maryland Matters.
HOWARD NAACP, OTHERS SEEK APOLOGY FROM COUNCIL MEMBER: A May 29 encounter between Howard County Council member Deb Jung and a group of young men has representatives from the NAACP Howard County, Council of Elders of Howard County, Howard County African American Community Roundtable and other organizations asking for an apology from Jung. Allana Hayes/The Howard County Times.
BA CO SUPER DEFENDS SELF AGAINST COUNCIL CLAIMS: Baltimore County Superintendent Dr. Darryl Williams is speaking out in response to Friday’s letter sent from five Baltimore County Council members asking for his replacement as superintendent. In a five-page letter to the County Council, Williams claims that the allegations of “inconsistent” and “infrequent” communication, as well as inactivity on long-standing issues within BCPS, have painted an incomplete picture of their partnership. Sierra Hunter/WMAR-TV News.
ARUNDEL SCHOOLS TO SHIFT START TIMES TO MEET SLEEP PATTERNS: Anne Arundel County Public Schools will not offer before-school clubs to students next school year, a change taking place as the district shifts high school start times later and elementary start times earlier. Start times are changing to better align class schedules with adolescent sleep patterns, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and approved by the Anne Arundel County Board of Education. Rachael Pacella/The Capital Gazette.
W.VA. MAN CHARGED IN SMITHSBURG KILLINGS: A West Virginia man was charged with murdering three co-workers at a Washington County machine shop as well as attempted murder and other charges, authorities said late Friday. The Associated Press.
One would hope land-side development patterns will be studied as part of any future new Bay Bridge traffic increases rather just relying on garden variety sprawl to date to be the prevailing development pattern. It’s time for Maryland to get its act together regarding the building of towns which are pedestrian friendly and non auto dependent in their form and planning.
A Chesapeake Bay Ferry System similar to what Washington State has is possible if the political will was found to fund and build it. Maybe building less roads (fueled by increased bay bridge traffic capacity) is the way to go. As a state we could rely on high speed ferries and the resulting marine transit oriented development (MTOD) to fill future well designed and compact towns in the watershed.
People of Anne Arundel and Kent Island are probably not too excited to see more junk space growth in the approaches to the new bridge(s).