HOGAN WARNS AGAINST OVER SPENDING: Outgoing Republican Gov. Larry Hogan on Thursday warned incoming leaders, a Democratic governor and super-majority in the General Assembly, to keep a tight lid on spending. Failure to do so, he told reporters at a State House news conference, would jeopardize what he called the “best fiscal position that the state has ever been in.” Josh Kurtz/Maryland Matters
- The state is expected to enter the 2024 fiscal year with a record surplus of more than $2 billion and nearly $3 billion in the Rainy Day Fund. Keeping that money in savings is “critically important,” Hogan said, pointing to inflation levels and economic uncertainty. Rachel Baye/WYPR
- The successful gubernatorial candidate Wes Moore, an author and former nonprofit CEO who has never held public office, is required to submit his budget for the Maryland 2024 fiscal year to the General Assembly on Jan. 20 — a mere two days after he is inaugurated. Hannah Gaskill/Baltimore Sun
- Hogan released his own preliminary budget plan, with large investments in mental health facilities. His proposal could serve as building blocks of what Gov.-elect Wes Moore presents to the General Assembly in January and largely represents the needs of state agencies, but Hogan chose to release his plan publicly and highlight some of his own priorities. Erin Cox/Washington Post
- The Maryland Association of Counties notes Hogan’s budget proposal includes funding for local police and $102 million to fully replenish Program Open Space eight years ahead of schedule, that would accelerate land conservation projects. Michael Sanderson/Conduit Street, MACO blog
NOTEBOOK: NATIONAL ROAD MUSICAL; RICK VATZ LECTURE HALL; GARY ALEXANDER POEMS: The final two performances of “On National Road – The Musical,” the closing act of the year-long celebration of Ellicott City’s founding 250 years ago, are this Friday and Saturday night. Towson University dedicates a lecture hall to honor longtime professor Rick Vatz who is retiring this year. Former lobbyist and speaker pro-tem Garry Alexander pens book of pandemic poems. Maryland Reporter.
MOSBY PRAISED BY CITY COUNCIL: Baltimore’s indicted State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby was honored Thursday by her husband, City Council President Nick Mosby, and nine other members of the Council. They passed a resolution recognizing her service, despite the pending felony charges against her. Fern Shen/Baltimore Brew
- Mosby thanked the council members for their partnership. Though City Councilman Zeke Cohen voted against the measure, calling it inappropriate. “I appreciate the intent of this legislation. I appreciate every hard-working public servant, whether elected or not elected, in the city of Baltimore. However, I am concerned that this is neither the place nor time nor correct venue for this resolution,” said Cohen. WBAL NewsRadio
TANEY BUST TO BE REMOVED FROM NATION’S CAPITOL: The House passed legislation Wednesday that calls for removing from the Capitol a bust of the U.S. Supreme Court justice who wrote the infamous 1857 Dred Scott decision that held that African-Americans were not citizens. The bust of Roger B. Taney, the nation’s fifth chief justice, sits inside the entrance to the Old Supreme Court Chamber in the U.S. Capitol. Kevin Freking/Associated Press in The Frederick News-Post
MONTGOMERY BECOMES FIRST IN REGION TO RECOMMEND MASKING AGAIN: A rise in COVID cases in Montgomery County has led the county government to recommend indoor masking and to require it in its own facilities. The county is the first Washington, D.C.-area locality to make such a recommendation since cases dropped dramatically over the course of 2022. Vaughn Cockayne/Washington Times
OPINION: ST. MARY’S COMMISSIONERS SHOULD ADVANCE CITIZEN PROPOSALS: A community organizer is disappointed the commissioners chose to act against a proposal to change voting for commissioners from at-large to by district. Brandon Russell/Maryland Matters
FINE LEVIED AGAINST BETTING APP FOR STARTING TOO EARLY: BetMGM, one of the new Maryland sports betting apps, agreed to pay a $146,000 fine for taking wagers before they were officially authorized to do so — the largest fine ever levied by gaming regulators. Pamela Wood/Baltimore Banner
MORE STATE OVERSIGHT OF SECURITY GUARDS CONSIDERED: After several deaths, some officials across the state are beginning to pay closer attention to the private security industry, one that equips employees with many of the same tools police use but doesn’t have the same oversight as law enforcement. Alex Mann and Darcy Costello/Baltimore Sun
VACANT HOUSES CATCHING ON FIRE REPEATEDLY ARE STILL STANDING: Data from the Baltimore City Fire Department show fires are starting in vacant homes nearly every day, and an investigation showed most of those are still standing as privately-owned that haven’t met the standard for emergency demolition. Maxine Streicher/WBFF
WES MOORE’S STORY SHAPED BY COLLEGE FOOTBALL DAYS: A college football player who played two seasons with the Johns Hopkins Blue Jays, incoming governor Wes Moore credited football with shaping him as a political leader who can bridge the gap between supporters and opponents. Edward Lee/Baltimore Sun
