Editor’s Note: The staff of Maryland Reporter wishes everyone a happy and peaceful holiday.
AFSCME FILES UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICES COMPLAINTS AGAINST STATE: Maryland’s largest public employees union filed a series of unfair labor practice complaints Tuesday, claiming state administrators have violated rules on employee surveillance at work and unilaterally changed agreed-upon policies on telework eligibility and shift differentials. William Ford/Maryland Matters.
- The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees filed three complaints alleging that the state is not following its telework policy for employees, not giving required higher pay to employees who work unfavorable shifts and not properly implementing leave for employees called up to military duty. Pamela Wood/The Baltimore Banner.
- The filings will be heard in front of the Public Employees Relations Board, which will make a final decision on the charges. The unfair labor practices claims come amid ongoing wage reopener negotiations with the state, which AFSCME President Patrick Moran says have not been promising thus far. Sarah Petrowich/WYPR-FM.
MARYLAND DELAYS EV CHARGER INSPECTION FEE: Maryland is delaying a new inspection fee for electric vehicle chargers that was set to take effect next week, amid concerns that the payments could slow chargers’ rollout in the state. The Maryland Department of Agriculture, which is planning to inspect public chargers for functionality and accuracy, announced Tuesday that it won’t require charger owners to pay the fee of $150 per port until July 1 — as opposed to Jan. 1 was originally planned. Christine Condon/Maryland Matters.
MARYLAND CAN FIX SYSTEM THAT LETS ANYONE SEEK CRIMINAL CHARGES: Prosecute those who lie for perjury. Require police to investigate allegations. Give people a different way to resolve disputes. Those are among the changes law professors, state’s attorneys and advocates say could improve an unusual part of the criminal legal system in Maryland — one that allows anyone to seek charges on their own without input from police or prosecutors. Dylan Segelbaum/The Baltimore Banner.
TWICE-FIRED MARYLAND GUARD STAFFER SUES TO RECLAIM JOB: The Maryland Military is embroiled in a yearslong fight with a twice-fired staffer attempting to reclaim his job and pension even though the state alleges he abused the children in his care. A hearing is scheduled for February 2026 in Harford County Circuit Court. Maryland National Guard Freestate Challenge Academy staff member Marcus Lisbon was fired in October 2023, accused by the state of neglecting his duties. Kate Cimini/The Baltimore Sun.
PART 4: MOORE ON HIS EDUCATION, MILITARY SERVICE AND HIS FOCUS: In the last of a four-part interview, Gov. Wes Moore talks about his time at Oxford University, his focus on Middle Eastern studies, his military service and Bronze Star, which was delayed in being awarded and caused a lot of controversy over whether he had really earned it, and what he is trying to focus on now. Armstrong Williams/The Baltimore Sun.
FEDERAL GRANT TO AID MCDANIEL COLLEGE WITH NEW NURSING PROGRAM: McDaniel College will receive $830,000 in federal funding to supply equipment and technology for a new nursing facility at Carroll Hospital, where nursing students will be able to take classes and get hands-on experience starting next year. Lily Carey/The Carroll County Times.
CONGRESSIONAL DEMS VOTE AGAINST BILL CITING HARMFUL PROVISIONS: Seven of Maryland’s eight U.S. representatives — all Democrats — voted against a congressional bill named for a 20-year-old Aberdeen murder victim. At least one representative said his negative vote was because the proposal included provisions that could be harmful to children. Shaela Foster/The Aegis.
ELRICH ‘OPTIMISTIC’ ON FULLY FUNDING SCHOOLS FOR FISCAL 2027: Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich said Tuesday he’s “optimistic” the county will be able to fully fund Montgomery County Public Schools’ proposed $3.78 billion spending plan for fiscal year 2027 as well as its proposed $2.7 billion six-year capital improvements program. Ceoli Jacoby/Bethesda Today.
FREDERICK COUNCIL OKs PLAN FOR DATA CENTERS ON 2,600 ACRES: The Frederick County Council voted Tuesday night to approve a zoning plan that would allow for new data centers to be built on 2,600 acres of land. More than 100 people weighed in on the proposal over two public comment periods last week. The approved plan will double the Maryland county’s current campus size. It was approved with a 5-to-2 vote. Staff/WTOP-FM.
B’MORE NONPROFIT’s SALARIES RAISE QUESTIONS: The taxpayer-backed Baltimore Children and Youth Fund pays its employees, on average, well above the median household income in Baltimore City, with its president making $219,000 — a notable increase from recent years that some experts say raises questions about best practices for nonprofits. Patrick Hauf/The Baltimore Sun.
OFFICERS OF AFSCME LOCAL 44 FINALIZED AFTER CONTENTIOUS ELECTIONS: Veteran sanitation worker Clarence Thomas was elected vice president of AFSCME Local 44 in a weekend runoff, completing the roster of officers at the municipal union that underwent an election re-do earlier this month. Mark Reutter/Baltimore Brew.
BEL AIR COMMISSION FILLS VACANT SEAT: A new member was appointed to the Town of Bel Air’s Board of Town Commissioners during a special meeting Monday night. Kristien Schlehr Foss filled the vacant seat on the five-member board left after the resignation of James Rutledge in October. Shaela Foster/The Aegis.
My biggest problem with non-profits is how much the people get paid. The truth is you don’t spend money you earn as efficiently as money that is handed to you. I’m not sure $219,000 is unreasonable for the president, depending on the size of the non-profit and their responsibility. But one has to remember a non-profit only has to spend 51% of their money each year, which then creates the the write-off that makes the books non-profit. I knew of a guy that worked at a Pizza Hut and his “non-profit” gave out school supplies to children in glen burnie. I’m pretty sure they used it to illegally pocket cash, because they solicited my business for a donation and wanted cash. I said I’ll give you a check. “Well we would really prefer cash. You can see all of our paperwork is in order on-line, we are on the up and up.” Needless to say we refused. Come get this check, other wise F-Off. I wasn’t born yesterday, I know what they were doing. No one is that forceful for cash over a traceable payment if they are not being shady to some degree. This is just an example at how shady non-profits can be and I’m not so sure any of them are efficient or worth it anymore.