TEAM MD. INTRODUCES BILLS TO REQUIRE TO FEDS TO PAY FOR 100% OF NEW BRIDGE: Team Maryland introduced legislation to ensure 100% federal support for replacing the Key Bridge. Introduced in both the Senate and the House the “Baltimore Bridge Response Invests and Delivers Global Economic Relief Act” or “Baltimore BRIDGE Relief Act” would remove the 10% cost-share requirement for federal funds. Colleen Johnson/WBFF (Fox)
- All 10 members of the Maryland congressional delegation have sponsored the measure, including the lone Republican, U.S. Rep. Andy Harris. Jennifer Shutt/Maryland Matters
- The Freedom Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives has pressed the federal government to seek money from shipping companies that may be liable for the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse before spending taxpayer dollars on a replacement. But the group’s member from Maryland, U.S. Rep. Andy Harris, said Thursday that he believes it’s OK for the government to “front the money” for a new Key Bridge, while working to be paid back by any liable parties. Pamela Wood/The Baltimore Banner
PORT’S CLOSURE IMPACTING SMALL BUSINESSES: The magnitude of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse and the closure of the Port of Baltimore is beginning to sink in for a variety of business owners in Baltimore, such as Nicholas Johnson from Su Casa Furniture in Fells Point. Before the bridge’s collapse, Johnson wasn’t aware that the Port of Baltimore was a main hub for plywood. He worries how this may affect his furnishing business, but also how the port’s closure may impact Baltimore’s small-business economy. Emily E. Condon of Capital News Service/Maryland Reporter
PORT’S SMALL-BUSINESS OWNERS SEEKING AID: William “Billy” Marquez is used to hauling five containers a day from the Port of Baltimore. But since the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed on March 26, blocking most container ships from entering the port, there’s been nothing to move. Marquez is among more than 1,000 small-business owners and nonprofits who’ve turned to the U.S. Small Business Administration for emergency help as work dries up. Bria Overs/The Baltimore Banner
BMORE CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT RACE TIGHTENS: The Democratic race to become Baltimore City Council president is up for grabs about a month from primary day, according to a new survey from Goucher College Poll and The Baltimore Banner, as the race has tightened now that a third candidate is in the field. Adam Willis/The Baltimore Banner
AG BROWN ENDORSES TRONE FOR U.S. SENATE: The political relationship between state Attorney General Anthony Brown (D) and U.S. Rep. David Trone (D-6th) runs deep. So it wasn’t altogether surprising that Brown endorsed Trone for U.S. Senate on Wednesday, cutting a TV commercial in which he testifies to Trone’s abilities, priorities and trustworthiness. For Trone’s principal opponent in the May 14 Democratic Senate primary, Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, the endorsement has got to sting. Josh Kurtz & William J. Ford/Maryland Matters
BALLOTPEDIA TAKES A CLOSER LOOK AT DEMOCRATIC SENATE PRIMARY: You won’t learn much new if you’ve been reading , but the national website for election info describes the Senate race.
ACADEMIA WILLING TO HELP WITH BLUEPRINT EDUCATION REFORM PLAN: Before leaders of Maryland’s 24 school systems meet deadlines this year to show how they will continue implementation of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future education reform plans, they can seek assistance from certain scholars at the University of Maryland, College Park. William J. Ford/Maryland Matters
SOME ANNE ARUNDEL BILLS THAT PASSED OR FAILED: During this year’s Maryland legislative session lawmakers representing Anne Arundel County sponsored dozens of bills covering a variety of issues from environmental welfare to education to consumer protection. Many of those bills passed both the Senate and House of Delegates before the session’s conclusion Monday night, while others fell short. Dana Munro/The Baltimore Sun
OPINION: COLUMBIA FLIER BUILDING TO BE DEMOLISHED: “Howard County Executive Calvin Ball asked me Tuesday morning if being at the old Columbia Flier building where I had spent 10 years of my career brought back memories. The old building didn’t so much bring back memories as it made me sad again about last year’s death of the newspaper that built it.” Len Lazarick/Maryland Reporter
