STATE MISSED CRITICAL KEY BRIDGE VULNERABILITY PRIOR TO COLLAPSE: The Maryland Transportation Authority failed to conduct a critical vulnerability assessment that would have allowed them to identify previously known structural risks with the Francis Scott Key Bridge before it collapsed in March 2024, the National Transportation Safety Board said on Thursday. Adam Thompson, Kelsey Kushner, Tara Lynch, Christian Olaniran/CBS Baltimore.
- The Maryland Transportation Authority never conducted a risk assessment on the Francis Scott Key Bridge that would have shown the 47-year-old span was well over the established risk threshold for collapse due to a vessel strike, federal officials said Thursday. Thomas Robertson/Maryland Matters.
BUDGET AGREEMENT COULD MEAN $1BILLION IN NEW REVENUE: A compromise spending plan for the coming budget year includes more than $1 billion in tax increases, including a proposal to let local governments to increase the maximum local piggyback tax rate. Bryan P. Sears/Maryland Matters.
- Top Maryland Democrats on Thursday announced an agreement on a “framework” for the state’s budget that slashes government spending but also includes tax hikes for high earners and a new tax on information technology services. Pamela Wood and Madeleine O’Neill/The Baltimore Banner.
DEMS SAYS NEW TAX ON SERVICES ‘HAS TO BE IN BUDGET’, REPUBLICANS SAY ‘IT’S A BAILOUT’: Marylanders will have to pay some kind of a new sales tax in the next state budget, but it’s not clear what it will look like. Natalie Jones/The Baltimore Sun.
MOORE, LAWMAKERS REJECT SALARY CUTS, WHILE PAYROLL OUTPACES INFLATION: Maryland state government payroll has outpaced inflation over the last decade, with the department under Gov. Wes Moore’s direct purview seeing a larger jump in compensation paid to employees in the last two years compared to the biggest state agencies, according to an analysis of payroll data by The Baltimore Sun. Sam Janesch/The Baltimore Sun.
THOUSANDS SUE OVER SEXUAL ABUSE IN JUVENILE DETENTION CENTERS: Survivors can seek damages against state and local governments of up to $890,000 for each occurrence of abuse. The cap is higher for cases against private institutions, at $1.5 million. Since the law took effect, more than 3,500 people have filed lawsuits against Maryland state agencies, many alleging abuse in the state’s juvenile detention facilities. Amanda Hernández/Maryland Matters.
MOORE PUSHES BACK ON BLOCKING OF FBI HEADQUARTERS PROJECT: Gov. Wes Moore is responding to President Donald Trump’s recent threats to block a new FBI headquarters from being built in Maryland. Dominick Philippe-Auguste/WMAR-TV News.
BILL WOULD ALLOW FIREFIGHTERS TO USE MEDICAL CANNABIS WHEN OFF DUTY: A bill working its way through the legislature would prevent employers from punishing firefighters and other rescue workers for using medical cannabis when they’re off the job. Madeleine O’Neill/The Baltimore Banner.
LOCAL IMPACT OF TRUMP’S ATTACK ON ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE: Such measures could mean less support for low-income communities in Baltimore like Middle East, east of Johns Hopkins Hospital, and Curtis Bay, the industrialized neighborhood wrestling with the consequences of pollution for its residents. Adam Willis/The Baltimore Banner.
BLUEPRINT BOARD STAFF GETS ANNAPOLIS OFFICE: The board on Thursday approved a 10-year lease with Annapolis West Limited Partnership for a 3,012-square-foot office on West Street in Annapolis. William J. Ford/Maryland Matters.
HARFORD CO MAY SEE LOWER WATER/SEWER RATE INCREASES: Legislation aiming to increase county water and sewer rates by 4.2% each year for the next five years was introduced to the Harford County Council Tuesday with public hearings planned for April. Matt Hubbard/The Aegis.
B’MORE’S MATH SCORES SINGLED OUT AS U.S. EDUCATION DEPT. IS DISMANTLED: President Donald Trump on Thursday used low academic achievement in some Baltimore high schools to help justify plans to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education. Jessica Calefati/The Baltimore Banner.
NEW CAMPAIGN TO CUT DOWN ON HEALTHCARE VIOLENCE: Maryland is trying to cut down on the amount of workplace violence that healthcare workers are experiencing through a new ad campaign. Scott Maucione/WYPR-FM.
SPECIAL ELECTIONS BILL MOVES FORWARD: A Maryland General Assembly bill that could require special elections to fill legislative vacancies in certain circumstances has made it over the hump of crossover day, increasing the chances it will become law. Ginny Bixby/Bethesda Today.
