AMONG 175 NEW LAWS, MOORE TO SIGN BILLS TO LIMIT GUN CARRYING: Set to sign another 175 new laws today, Gov. Wes Moore, a Democrat, will finalize Maryland lawmakers’ efforts to put further limits on who can carry guns and where they can carry them — including prohibitions on firearms in public spaces like schools, bars, restaurants, performance venues, polling places and more. Sam Janesch/The Baltimore Sun.
CONVICTION EXPUNGEMENT WAIT TIME TO BE HALVED: Gov. Wes Moore (D) is expected to sign into law changes to bring Maryland’s conservative criminal record expungement rules in line with the state’s philosophical shift away from ’90s-era ‘tough on crime policies that left Black people disproportionately incarcerated. Proponents of the legislation, which halves wait times to apply for expungements on nonviolent convictions, say the change is long overdue. Ovetta Wiggins/The Washington Post.
4 MD UNIVERSITIES TO GET FED FUNDS TO AID STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH: The Biden administration will distribute more than $2.5 million to four Maryland universities to train and hire new mental health service personnel in an effort to combat a “mental health crisis in our schools.” The University of Maryland Baltimore will receive $825,567, Johns Hopkins University will receive $693,004, Bowie State University will receive $674,464 and Loyola University Maryland will receive $377,941. Danielle Brown/Maryland Matters.
FEDERAL FOSSIL FUEL PROPOSAL UNLIKELY TO HAVE IMMEDIATE IMPACT ON MARYLAND: The Biden administration’s proposed rule to regulate fossil fuel power plant carbon dioxide, which is responsible for about a quarter of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, is unlikely to have an immediate impact in Maryland. “We’re still evaluating what’s been proposed,” Environment Secretary Serena McIlwain said in an interview Monday. Robert Zullo/Maryland Matters.
OLSZEWSKI THROWS SUPPORT TO ALSOBROOKS FOR U.S. SENATE: Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Monday ruled out a run for the U.S. Senate in 2024. Instead, he threw his support behind the candidacy of Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks. John Lee/WYPR-FM.
- “Through our regular and ongoing communication, sharing of best practices, and just talking about our lives, I have found her to be hard-working, laser-focused on progress, and always grounded in the communities she serves,” Olszewski said Monday. “She has a passion not just for the work, but for the people she’s helping.” Marcus Dieterle/Baltimore Fishbowl.
- Olszewski’s endorsement was one of several new developments in the fast-moving race to replace Cardin, who has held elective office since 1967. In another, an Anne Arundel County businessman, Juan Dominguez, told Maryland Matters on Monday that he is contemplating whether to enter the Democratic primary. William Zorzi and Josh Kurtz/Maryland Matters.
- Alsobrooks said Baltimore was “central” to her career as a graduate of the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, and that she would focus on creating jobs, strengthening education and making health care more accessible for families. U.S. Rep. David Trone, Montgomery County Councilman Will Jawando, and activist Jerome Segal announced their campaigns earlier this month for Cardin’s seat. Lia Russell/The Baltimore Sun.
HARFORD RESIDENTS, EDUCATORS, DEMS PROTEST CASSILLY BUDGET CUTS: The Harford County Education Association, members of the Harford County Democratic Central Committee, and other community groups rallied Thursday night in Bel Air to fight County Executive Bob Cassilly’s proposed budget cuts to public programs. Katia Parks/The Aegis.
MO CO SCHOOLS ALLOWING STUDENTS TO CARRY NARCAN: Montgomery County Public Schools are now allowing students to carry personally obtained Narcan amid the rise of drug overdoses, officials said, adding that the overdose-reversing nasal spray, also known as Narcan, is available in every school and has been used 15 times this school year on school grounds. Ida Domingo and Kellye Lynn/WJLA-TV News.
