MARYLAND VOTERS SUE BOARD OF ELECTIONS TO ELIMINATE CLOSED PRIMARIES: Five politically unaffiliated Maryland voters sued the state Board of Elections this week, claiming that taxpayer funding of closed primary elections in which they can’t vote violates their constitutional rights. In Maryland, Democratic and Republican primary elections are “partially closed.” The state’s nearly 1 million unaffiliated, Green Party and Libertarian voters may only participate in major party primary elections with permission from the respective party, even though they help fund them, according to state law. Glynis Kazanjian/The Baltimore Sun.
S&P MAINTAINS STATE’s AAA BOND RATING: Maryland’s AAA credit rating was maintained by one of the big three credit ratings agencies, indicating a strong view of the state’s economy by some investors and lenders despite a tough legislative session and policies implemented under President Donald Trump. S&P Global Ratings issued a AAA bond rating with a “stable” outlook. Hannah Gaskill/The Baltimore Sun.
- The AAA rating from Standard & Poor’s follows a similar rating from Fitch two weeks ago. Standard & Poor’s — one of three firms that Maryland hires to rate its creditworthiness in advance of annual bond sales — issued its rating with a stable outlook for the state, but also with a warning. Bryan Sears/Maryland Matters.
- Fitch, S&P and Moody’s assess the creditworthiness of government agencies, assigning a rating to the bonds that agencies issue to finance debt such as construction projects. A government’s bond rating is akin to how an individual’s credit score influences interest rates for mortgages and car loans. A worse rating means the state may have to pay more interest when it pays back bondholders. Pamela Wood/The Baltimore Banner.
STATE TO SET UP CANNABIS BUSINESS INCUBATOR IN CATONSVILLE ARMORY: The Maryland Cannabis Administration is planning to create a state-run incubator program inside the Catonsville armory to help foster growth for small cannabis companies. Funding for the $7 million renovation of the 29,000-square-foot armory building on Mellor Avenue in Catonsville is included in the state’s fiscal 2025 and 2026 budgets. Natalie Jones/The Baltimore Sun.
FEMA FREEZES FLOOD MITIGATION FUNDS FOR ELLICOTT CITY, OTHER MARYLAND TOWNS: Nine years after Ellicott City’s devastating and deadly flooding, two pieces of the city’s ambitious flood mitigation plan — stormwater retention ponds funded by $10 million in low-interest loans — are being paused by the Trump administration’s FEMA as it assesses the value of such disaster prevention projects. FEMA is also canceling as much as $150 million in additional funding designed to reduce flood potential and damage in some of Maryland’s most at-risk areas, including South Baltimore and the cities of Cambridge and Crisfield on the Eastern Shore. Jeff Barker/The Baltimore Sun.
MARYLAND JOINS LAWSUIT TO BLOCK TRUMP ADMIN FROM CUTTING SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH: Maryland has joined another lawsuit by multiple states against the Trump administration, this time trying to block its threatened cuts to scientific research. The lawsuit filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in New York, also alleges that the National Science Foundation seeks to eliminate programs designed to increase participation by women and “individuals from underrepresented groups” in science, technology, engineering and math fields, or STEM. William Ford/Maryland Matters.
HUNDREDS GATHER TO HONOR LIFE OF PARREN MITCHELL: A few hundred friends, family members and dignitaries braved the rain to honor Parren Mitchell, the first African American member of Congress from Maryland as well as a pioneer in other areas, during the dedication of the black stone memorial at the Pip Moyer Recreation Center in Annapolis, featuring images and words from the late congressman’s life. William Ford/Maryland Matters.
- In 1970, Mitchell won a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives representing Baltimore, where he was born, and part of Baltimore County. Over his eight-term congressional tenure, which concluded in 1987, Mitchell earned a reputation as a champion of the Civil Rights Movement. He was one of 12 founding members of the Congressional Black Caucus. Alex Mann/The Baltimore Banner.
QUANTUM PHYSICIST’s BIG CHALLENGE TO BENEFIT MARYLAND: Quantum physicist Ronald Walsworth’s biggest challenge these days is helping the state of Maryland become a leader in the burgeoning field of quantum computing. Walsworth heads the Quantum Technology Center, based at the University of Maryland.In January, Gov. Wes Moore unveiled a plan to make Maryland the “quantum capital of the world,” earmarking $27.5 million in the 2026 state budget specifically for quantum technology investments and to support academic, technical and workforce development in the industry. W. Wade Devinney II of Capital News Service/Maryland Reporter.
MFUME SEEKS HOUSE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP POST: Democrats have a sudden vacancy in a visible committee role. Rep. Kweisi Mfume is in the race to fill it. A number of lawmakers are campaigning to become the Democratic leader of the House Oversight Committee. Among them is Mfume, a Baltimore Democrat. Ben Mause/The Baltimore Sun.
TRUMP ADMIN SEEKS DISMISSAL OF ABREGO GARCIA LAWSUIT: The Trump administration has asked a federal judge to dismiss the lawsuit over Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s mistaken deportation to El Salvador, arguing the court lacks jurisdiction because he’s no longer in the United States. Ben Finley/The Associated Press.
CITY COUNCIL SCRUTINIZES DPW COMMITMENT TO WORKER SAFETY: The Baltimore City Council scrutinized the Department of Public Works’ $1.34 billion proposed budget for the 2026 fiscal year, probing the agency’s recent performance and questioning its commitment to safeguarding employees. Mathew Schumer/The Baltimore Sun.
COMMON CAUSE JOINS CHORUS OF COMPLAINTS OVER KLAUSMEIER ON IG DECISION: Common Cause Maryland has added its voice to the chorus of criticism over Kathy Klausmeier’s decision to withhold the reappointment of Baltimore County’s inspector general, urging the interim county executive “to immediately reappoint award-winning Inspector General Kelly Madigan” to a second term. Mark Reutter/Baltimore Brew.
NEW B’MORE SHERIFF’s UNIT TO CRACK DOWN ON ‘NUISANCE’ LIQUOR STORES: Lawmakers and Baltimore City officials announced a new unit within the Baltimore City Sheriff’s Office Wednesday to crack down on “nuisance” liquor stores and other venues where liquor is sold. “We know the enforcement around liquor license establishments is something that has been a challenge for the city,” Senate President Bill Ferguson said Wednesday at the Baltimore City Board of Liquor License Commissioners’ office. “It’s not really about reducing crime, but deterring crime before it happens.” Danielle Brown/Maryland Matters.
- The initiative comes out of a concern from local communities that not enough is being done to enhance public safety and enforce the city’s liquor laws in high-traffic areas such as Fells Point and Federal Hill. It’s unclear when or how many personnel will be assigned to the newly named Neighborhood Services Unit. Matti Gellman/The Baltimore Banner.
