STATE HEALTH INSURANCE MARKETPLACE GROWS 16%, ADDING MORE MINORITIES, YOUTH: Maryland’s health insurance marketplace saw a 16% growth in enrollments during its open season period, marking the seventh year in a row that the state has seen increased membership in state-based health plans. Scott Maucione/WYPR-FM.
- A record-breaking 247,000 Marylanders got private health insurance through the state’s insurance marketplace during the just-ended 2024 open enrollment period, an increase which includes more Black, Hispanic and young Marylanders enrolling in private health care, new data shows. Danielle Brown/Maryland Matters.
GAY ADVOCATES WORRY ABOUT TRUMP LIMITING RIGHTS: Maryland advocates are anticipating early action from the new Trump administration to limit gay and transgender rights. But at a town hall held in Easton last week, local leaders also said the state has many protections already in place — and they’re working to develop more. Del. Kris Fair, chair of the LGBTQ+ Caucus in the General Assembly, said the top concern he hears from the queer community is about access to gender-affirming health care through Medicaid. Bri Hatch/WYPR-FM.
INTERNATIONAL ADOPTEES SENSE UNCERTAINTY DESPITE CITIZENSHIP: The prospect of another Trump presidency is producing a newfound level of uncertainty for some international adoptees about whether they will be protected as U.S. citizens, given Trump’s past comments about immigration, birthright citizenship and China. John John Williams/The Baltimore Banner.
NEW FREEDOM CAUCUS FAILS IN PROTEST OF PRO FORMA SESSIONS: A group of hardline conservatives in the House continued their campaign to end pro forma sessions for a second day Friday, and for a second day their arguments got nowhere. Members of the Freedom Caucus — a seven-delegate subset of the House Republican Caucus — attended a scheduled pro forma session of the House Friday morning. At the end of the session, which took less than two minutes, the group attempted to question the constitutionality of such meetings but was essentially ignored. Bryan Sears/Maryland Matters.
FERGUSON SKEPTICAL ON B’MORE TAX RELIEF PLAN: Senate President Bill Ferguson expressed cynicism on Friday for a Baltimore City property tax relief plan. Mayor Brandon Scott wants the state to remit 2% of the Baltimore City local sales tax so that the city could fund its vacant housing strategy and also cut a $1,000 check to residents for property tax relief. Ferguson said that those are bold ideas but not likely to happen this session due to the state’s nearly $3 billion budget shortfall. Emily Hofstaedter/WYPR-FM.
CARROLL DELEGATION OKs FOUR PROPOSED LAWS: Carroll County’s all-Republican delegation unanimously approved four pieces of legislation proposed specifically for the county, including a public facilities bond to fund several capital projects. Sherry Greenfield/The Carroll County Times.
STRONGER OPPOSITION TO LAW ALLOWING MINORS TO BE CHARGED AS ADULTS: Maryland law requires minors accused of certain crimes, ranging from misdemeanor gun possession to assault and murder, be charged in adult criminal court. For more than a decade, a few state lawmakers have tried unsuccessfully to change that law. But this year, changing the law has some powerful support. Rachel Baye/WYPR-FM.
- There remains opposition to the change. “While I understand their call, I cannot support or agree with the idea of automatic charging of all juvenile offenses in juvenile court,” Howard County State’s Attorney Rich Gibson, president of the Maryland State’s Attorney’s Association, said in an interview. “That would create a significant public safety risk and is not in the best interest of the community.” Alex Mann/The Baltimore Sun.
PROPOSED CUTS TO DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AGENCY DRAW CONCERN: In the days since Gov. Wes Moore introduced his budget, proposed cuts to an agency that helps people with intellectual and developmental disabilities have emerged as an early area of concern among top Democrats in the legislature. Jack Hogan/The Daily Record.
- It’s not entirely clear how the cost reductions will officially come down on the DDA, but there are some cuts outlined in the budget bill. One of the larger proposed cuts would eliminate the “geographical differential” rates, which pay more to service providers in Montgomery, Prince George’s, Charles, Calvert and Frederick counties. Cutting it would save $55 million, according the budget bill. Danielle Brown/Maryland Matters.
DEM DELEGATES VIE FOR SENATE SEATS BEFORE COMMITTEES: When a subset of the Baltimore City Democratic Central Committee meets Tuesday evening to recommend a replacement for former Sen. Jill Carter, they will choose from two of the district’s delegates, Dalya Attar and Malcolm Ruff. And two Democratic delegates are also squaring off in a battle to fill a vacancy in Baltimore County’s 8th Senate district: Harry Bhandari and Carl Jackson. The Senate seat is open because the long-time incumbent, Kathy Klausmeier (D), was just appointed Baltimore County executive. Josh Kurtz, Bryan Sears and Danielle Brown/Maryland Matters.
SUPREME COURT TO HEAR APPEAL FROM MO CO PARENTS ON LGBTQ+ BOOKS: The U.S. Supreme Court agreed Friday to hear an appeal from a group of Montgomery County parents challenging a school system policy that does not let them opt out their lower elementary school children from classes that use LGBTQ+ books. Steve Crane/Maryland Matters.
ATTY GEN BROWN JOINS EFFORT TO KEEP WALMART ON DEI TRACK: Maryland’s state attorney general joined a dozen others in calling out Walmart for joining other companies in rolling back its commitments to diversity, equity and inclusion. Darreonna Davis/The Baltimore Banner.
JHU TO RETAIN FINANCIAL TIES TO ISRAEL: A Johns Hopkins University committee on Thursday rejected calls from a handful of student groups to cut financial ties with Israel. Ellie Wolfe/The Baltimore Banner.
BRAVEBOY LEADS MONEY RACE FOR PG’s DEM COUNTY EXEC PRIMARY: Less than three months before the special Democratic primary for Prince George’s County executive, State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy has the most money to spend of the five leading candidates, new campaign finance reports show. Braveboy reported having $530,299 in her campaign account as of Jan. 8. Following Braveboy in cash on hand: County Council President Jolene Ivey, County Councilmember Calvin Hawkins, former County Executive Rushern Baker III and state Sen. Alonzo Washington. Josh Kurtz/Maryland Matters.
HARFORD COUNCILMAN BANNED FROM SHERIFF’s ISSUES: Should Harford County Councilman Aaron Penman win his appeal case for the right to serve as both a councilmember and a sheriff’s deputy, he’ll be prohibited from engaging in county matters that impact the sheriff’s office, the Harford County Ethics Commission ruled. Matt Hubbard/The Aegis.
ARUNDEL HAS LARGE NUMBER OF NATIONALLY CERTIFIED TEACHERS: Anne Arundel County Public Schools has one of the largest groups of nationally certified teachers in its history, nearly 8% percent larger than last year. A total of 125 educators were certified for the first time and 41 others successfully maintained their certifications. The district now has 551 educators who have earned this status. Bridget Byrne/The Capital Gazette.
JOE CASSILLY, HARFORD’s FORMER LONGTIME STATE’S ATTY, DIES AT 74: Joseph I. Cassilly, who served as Harford County’s state’s attorney for 36 years, died Friday morning of cardiac arrest at his home. He was 74. Cassilly, the older brother of current Harford County Executive Bob Cassilly and 10 other siblings, was first elected the county’s top prosecutor in 1982. He was reelected eight times, retiring in 2016. Jonathan Pitts/The Baltimore Sun.
- He was the longest-serving state’s attorney in the 200 years of Harford County history listed online by the Maryland State Archives. “He made everyone else forget his disability,” said Harford Circuit Judge M. Elizabeth Bowen, referring to the fact that he was paralyzed during the Vietnam War. “He was absolutely determined that it was not going to define him and it was not going to limit him.” Tim Prudente/The Baltimore Banner.
