NADLER STEPS ASIDE, ENSURING RASKIN OF TOP DEM JUDICIARY SEAT: U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin of Takoma Park on Wednesday was ensured of becoming the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee in the next Congress, putting him squarely in the midst of what is expected to be a major battleground between House Democrats and the incoming Trump administration. Louis Peck/MoCo 360.
- Jerry Nadler, the 77-year-old dean of New York’s congressional delegation, had been facing a direct challenge from Raskin, a close ally. Raskin, 61, was said to have secured the votes necessary to defeat him. The transition would represent a significant departure for House Democrats, who have traditionally awarded coveted committee leadership jobs based primarily on seniority. Nicholas Fandos/The New York Times.
- “I am also proud that, under my leadership, some of our caucus’s most talented rising stars have been given a platform to demonstrate their leadership and their abilities,” Nadler wrote in the letter to Democrats. “That includes Jamie Raskin, who in just a few terms in Congress has already proven himself to be an exceptional leader and spokesperson for our party’s values.” Farnoush Amiri/The Associated Press.
- Raskin, who was careful to emphasize his respect for Nadler even as he launched his bid to challenge him, said, “Jerry Nadler is an extraordinary lawyer, patriot and public servant. His dogged defense of civil rights and civil liberties is a great inspiration to our people. I am honored and humbled to have his support in the battles ahead.” Josh Kurtz/Maryland Matters.
STATE CENTER CLOSED AGAIN, UNIONS DISSATISFIED WITH RESPONSE: State government officials are continuing to battle Legionella bacteria at the aging State Center office complex in Baltimore, sending workers home this week as they flush the buildings’ water systems. Unions representing thousands of workers at State Center are unsatisfied with the lack of communication and slow resolution of the health concerns over the bacteria in the water. Pamela Wood/The Baltimore Banner.
- State employees who work in the affected buildings were informed Tuesday that their offices would be closed over the coming days while the water pipes are flushed and sanitized, according to an email to employees. The buildings house the departments of health, labor, general services and budget and management. Katie Mettler, Katie Shepherd and Jenna Portnoy/The Washington Post.
- Members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 3 say that the state is not doing enough to protect vulnerable employees from exposure to bacteria that could cause severe respiratory disease, according to a Wednesday statement from the union. Danielle Brown/Maryland Matters.
MARYLAND FBI HQ LOCATION COULD BE DEAD UNDER TRUMP: The decade-long endeavor to move the FBI out of its crumbling headquarters in D.C. and into a new facility outside the city could face roadblocks next year. President-elect Donald Trump and some of his top allies in Congress have rebuked the federal agency that undertook the search for a new suburban location, ultimately deciding on Greenbelt. Once Trump is back in the Oval Office and the GOP controls both chambers of Congress, the funding stream for the General Services Administration to build the new facility could end. Jennifer Shutt/Maryland Matters.
DESIGN OF NEW KEY BRIDGE EXPECTED IN EARLY 2025: As Congress weighs funding the rebuild of Francis Scott Key Bridge, the state continues to make progress in replacing the structure that collapsed into the Patapsco River after being struck by a container ship on March 26. The design of the bridge rebuild is expected to be ready early next year. Demolition of the remaining Key Bridge structures is anticipated to begin in spring 2025 to be followed by construction. The planned completion date is scheduled for the fall of 2028. Todd Karpovich/The Baltimore Sun.
HOUSE SPEAKER JONES ‘DEAN’ OF BLACK CAUCUS LEADERS: Maryland House Speaker Adrienne Jones was part of a historic gathering Wednesday of Black state legislators who lead their respective House or Senate chambers. Jones, who was elected to the House in 1997, is the longest-serving of the legislative leaders gathered on stage at the National Black Caucus of State Legislators 48th annual legislative conference in Washington, D.C. William Ford/Maryland Matters.
B’MORE, BA CO ECONOMIES COOL OFF: The economy has cooled off in Baltimore City and Baltimore County, possibly a result of steps to combat inflation. Government estimates released Wednesday showed the Baltimore region’s economic growth slowed most dramatically in the city and the surrounding county in 2023. Lorraine Mirabella/The Baltimore Sun.
ACTING PG EXEC SAYS GOV’T STABILITY HER MAIN GOAL: In her third day on the job as acting Prince George’s County executive, Tara H. Jackson said Wednesday that her main goal is to “maintain the stability of the government” after former County Executive Angela Alsobrooks (D) resigned Monday to take her seat in the U.S. Senate. “I believe in keeping the trains running,” Jackson said. “That means trash is still picked up. If we get snow on Thursday, then snow is removed quickly. I pledge to do that for whatever time I have in this office.” William Ford/Maryland Matters.
JUDGE WON’T BLOCK GUTHRIE’s REMOVAL FROM HARFORD COUNCIL: A Harford County judge refused Wednesday to temporarily block Dion Guthrie’s removal from the Harford County Council, and appeared to back the county’s interpretation of a state constitution provision that triggered his removal last month. Bryan Sears/Maryland Matters.
ON HIS LAST DAY, CITY COUNCIL PRES MOSBY HANDS OUT MILLIONS: Hours before his term as City Council President was over, Nick Mosby arranged for eight entities, including a for-profit gaming shop and his high school alma mater, to receive $1,075,000 in public dollars. Mark Reutter/Baltimore Brew.
