MARYLAND JOINS ‘DIRECT FILE’ FOR ONLINE TAXPAYING; 700,000 COULD BENEFIT: More than 700,000 Marylanders should be able to file their state and federal income tax returns online for free next year, saving residents hours of work and hundreds of dollars on tax software and prep services. Maryland joined dozens of states Wednesday in a voluntary federal program called Direct File after a test run received positive reviews and showed possible cost savings. Filing paper returns by mail will still be an option. Brenda Wintrode/The Baltimore Banner.
- The service was tested in 12 states this year, where 140,803 people filed with Direct File, saving an estimated $5.6 million in tax preparation fees. Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman (D) estimated Wednesday that as many as 700,000 Maryland taxpayers could be eligible for the program when it debuts in the state next year. Danielle Brown/Maryland Matters.
PORT OF BALTIMORE AMONG THOSE FACING DOCKWORKERS STRIKE: The Port of Baltimore could be headed for its second partial shutdown this year. A six-year contract between a dockworkers’ union and shipping companies expires at the end of this month, and labor leaders say they are closer than ever to their first strike in nearly 50 years. Such an action would affect ports along the East Coast and the Gulf of Mexico, upend the global supply chain and put thousands of Baltimore-area residents out of work. The longshoremen’s union has three local organizations operating in the Port of Baltimore, the largest with 1,850 members. Giacomo Bologna/The Baltimore Banner.
DALI TO SAIL TO CHINA THIS MONTH: The Dali was bound for Sri Lanka the day it instead struck and knocked over the Francis Scott Key Bridge, and now, nearly six months later, it will embark on another Asian voyage. The 984-foot container ship, which has a gashed bow and is currently receiving repairs in Norfolk, Va., will sail directly to China “on or about September 17, 2024? according to a letter filed in federal court by the Department of Justice’s civil division Wednesday. The letter states that the ship’s owner and manager have informed “claimants” of their intent to sail and that from Thursday through Sept. 14, the claimants will be able to “perform inspections and testing.” Hayes Gardner and Madeleine O’Neill/The Baltimore Sun.
PARROTT HOLDS SLIGHT EDGE OVER McCLAIN DELANEY IN NEW POLL: A former Republican state delegate has a wafer-thin lead in the 6th District race for Congress, although he trails in the most densely populated portions of the district, a poll out Thursday shows. Republican Neil Parrott has a 41%-39% edge over Democrat April McClain Delaney if the general election were held today, according to Gonzales Research & Media Services. The 2-point gap is well within the margin of error. Brenda Wintrode/The Baltimore Banner.
- Pollster Patrick Gonzales, who conducted the poll, said the campaign could be decided by one county. “In my opinion, this thing is going down to Frederick,” Gonzales said. Gonzales surveyed 317 registered voters in Montgomery, Frederick, Washington, Allegany and Garrett Counties who said they are likely to vote in November. The small sample poll, conducted between Aug. 24-30, has a margin of error of plus or minus 5.6%. Bryan Sears/Maryland Matters.
CARROLL REPUBLICAN DELEGATE WON’T SEEK SECOND TERM: Two years into his first term as a state delegate in the Maryland General Assembly, Eric Bouchat, 56, said Wednesday he does not intend to seek a second term, because it’s virtually impossible to effectively lobby for his constituents in Carroll and Frederick counties as a Republican in a chamber where Democrats hold the majority. Sherry Greenfield/The Carroll County Times.
AG BROWN BACKS OFF 50-50 OPIOID SETTLEMENT WITH KROGER; PROPOSES 70-30 SPLIT: The Maryland Attorney General’s Office has backed off an earlier proposal to evenly split the state’s share of an upcoming $1.2 billion opioid settlement with the grocery chain Kroger. The state’s top prosecutor is now proposing to split the money 70/30, with the majority going to local subdivisions such as county governments. The agreement would incorporate “the same intrastate allocation as in prior settlements,” according to an Aug. 23 letter from the office. Madeleine O’Neill/The Baltimore Sun.
BA CO GOP COMPLAINS DEMS ON ROAD TO PARTISAN CONFLICT OVER MAP: Baltimore County Council Democrats want to throw out a new map of redrawn council districts that was part of a compromise to get the proposed council expansion on the November ballot. Republican Baltimore County Council members say the Democrats are going back on their word and that it could lead to partisan conflict and chaos on the council. John Lee/WYPR-FM.
B’MORE WINS $7.5 MILLION SETTLEMENT WITH JUUL LABS: The city of Baltimore won yet another settlement from drug manufacturers Wednesday after coming to an agreement with JUUL Labs. JUUL Labs, which produces e-cigarette products, agreed to pay either $7.5 million by the end of the year or $8 million over three years. Scott Maucione/WYPR-FM.
- The city sued Juul Labs in 2020, following the lead of other jurisdictions that accused the company of deceptive marketing campaigns aimed at children and teens by offering flavored vaping pens without disclosing their high nicotine content. Lee O. Sanderlin/The Baltimore Banner.
