LEADERS SAY TRUMP PRESIDENCY WOULD BE UNIQUELY BAD FOR MARYLAND: Maryland leaders are preparing for the possibility of another presidency of Republican Donald Trump — one that could come with cuts to federal jobs in the state, questions over funding for key transportation projects, less cooperation on preventing gun violence, and uncertain effects on the state’s budget. Several of Trump’s policy positions — as well as those prescribed in the Project 2025 plan put out by his allies — would have a unique and detrimental effect on Maryland, officials say. Pamela Wood/The Baltimore Banner.
WHAT TO KNOW AS EARLY VOTING BEGINS: After more than 500 days of 2024 candidates campaigning, it’s time for voters to have their say. Early voting in Maryland begins Thursday, Oct. 24 and election officials have started to count mail-in ballots for the general election. What else do you need to know about early voting? Hannah Gaskill/The Baltimore Sun.
HOGAN ADMIN OK’d PROJECT ON HIS FAMILY PROPERTY: On Jan. 27, 2021, then Gov. Larry Hogan announced some good news for affordable housing in Maryland: nearly $40 million in competitive awards to spur construction of 18 low-income housing projects. “During our administration,” Hogan said, “The State of Maryland has provided financing and tax credits to create or preserve more than 20,000 affordable rental units across the state—an unprecedented level of production.” But there was one detail Hogan didn’t mention: One of the projects was being developed on his own family’s property. Eric Cortellessa/Time Magazine.
COLUMN: FREDERICK COULD BE KEY TO SENATE RACE: In the 18 years since Ben Cardin was first elected to the U.S. Senate, the city of Frederick, on the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains, has changed. It is the potential key to victory in a race that could determine control of the Senate. Rick Hutzell/The Baltimore Banner.
DESPITE VIRTUAL LOCK ON THEIR RACES, THEY CONTINUE TO RAISE MONEY: Although their primary victories in May essentially cinched that they would be joining Congress in January, two Maryland Democrats, state Sen. Sarah K. Elfreth (D-Anne Arundel) and Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. (D) continue to raise and spend money at a rapid clip. They’re following the lead of veteran House members in the Free State. Josh Kurtz/Maryland Matters.
GROWING AFRICAN IMMIGRANT POPULATION SEEKS POLITICAL VOICE: A growing number of African immigrants in Maryland are making their voices heard in Maryland politics. According to the Institute for Immigration Research, African immigrants represent 17% of the state’s immigrant population. Often overlooked, this community of about 900,000 people has begun organizing and demanding more political representation. Wambui Kamau/WYPR-FM.
STATE TO STOP EV CHARGING STATION PROGRAM AS IT RE-EVALUATES IT: Maryland officials are pumping the brakes on a program under which utilities such as Baltimore Gas and Electric installed electric vehicle charging stations. The program enabled four Maryland power companies to use ratepayer funds to install chargers at government buildings across the state. But the Maryland Public Service Commission has ordered the utilities to stop installing new chargers, citing concerns about low usage and maintenance issues. Christine Condon/The Baltimore Sun.
DJS SECRETARY SAYS MOORE SUPPORTS HIM: While calls for Gov. Wes Moore to immediately remove Department of Juvenile Services Secretary Vincent Schiraldi mount, Schiraldi said on Friday, “Gov. Moore has been extremely supportive. He’s gotten us additional funds this year — $17 million to make community safer by expanding programs — and I want those community members who are calling for my resignation to feel safe.” Rachel Duncan/WBAL-TV News.
- Schiraldi vowed to “stay on this job” while responding to members of the General Assembly and Baltimore residents who have called for his removal. Brooke Conrad/The Baltimore Sun.
LAWMAKERS TO WORK ON PRE-K EXPANSION SECTION OF BLUEPRINT: Conceived as part of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, the state’s “mixed delivery” system for pre-K expansion is designed to offer seats through both public and private providers. The Blueprint aims to make pre-K available to every 3- and 4-year-old in the state. For Downtown Baltimore Child Care and other private providers across the state, participating in the pre-K grant program is a challenge. And lawmakers are urging changes in the next legislative session. Brooke Conrad/The Baltimore Sun.
BETHESDA CHURCH GETS POLITICAL DURING SUMMER SERVICE: As at a typical Sunday Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes in Bethesda, prayers were given for the living and the dead, the infirm and the church. But on this day, the reader ended the prayer of the faithful with some unusual words: “We pray for the intention of Donald J. Trump, for whom this Mass is being offered today,” a parishioner remembered hearing at the late-summer gathering. In its do’s and don’ts for election season, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops tells parishes to avoid taking “any action that reasonably could be construed as endorsement or opposition.” Ethan Dodd/The Baltimore Banner.
CAMBRIDGE MAYOR’s RACE TO HEAD TO DECEMBER RUNOFF ELECTION: Residents in Cambridge will have to wait until a December runoff to find out who their next mayor will be, after no candidate topped 50% of the vote in Saturday’s regular election. The runoff will feature Lajan Cephas, the City Council president who garnered 637 votes for 42.52%, and former mayor Andrew Bradshaw, who took 614 votes for 40.99%. A third candidate for mayor, former city commissioner La-Shon Foster, took 247 votes for 16.49% and will not appear on the Dec. 3 ballot. Josh Kurtz/Maryland Matters.
BA CO POLICE TO LIMIT ‘LIGHT DUTY’ POSTS, LIKELY ELIMINATING STAFF: Baltimore County will soon begin enforcing a policy limiting how long injured police officers can work in “light duty” positions — a move that likely will push out staff in a department with more than 300 vacancies. Earlier this month, 29 injured officers who haven’t been able to return to full duty after about a year received letters from Baltimore County Office of Human Resources Director Renee Coleman informing them that they may be forced to leave the department or apply for a different position. Cassidy Jensen/The Baltimore Sun.
UMCP REPORTS THEFT OF 70+ ESCOOTERS: Thieves have been taking e-scooters by the dozens at the University of Maryland in College Park in recent weeks, campus police said Saturday. Since Sept. 1, more than 70 of the electric scooters have been reported stolen from all parts of campus, police said in an advisory. E-scooters run on rechargeable batteries and can reach urban traffic speeds. Prices range from a couple hundred dollars to a thousand or more. Martin Weil/The Washington Post.
FORMER GOP CHAIR DIANA WATERMAN DIES AT 63: Diana Waterman, who chaired the Maryland Republican Party during its most successful election a decade ago, died Oct. 17 after losing a long fight with cancer. She was 63. “Under her leadership, the 2014 election saw historic victories for Republicans,” recalled former Del. Joe Cluster, whom she hired as executive director of the state party. Staff/MarylandReporter.com.
- Besides the party, Waterman had two strong political passions, her son Kevin Michael Waterman said. “She did not think that one-party rule was a good thing. And she strongly encouraged women and young people to become involved in politics and was a mentor to many of both,” he said. Jacques Kelly/The Baltimore Sun.
