State Roundup: Dan Cox seeks GOP nomination for governor; affordable housing faces community challenges; redistricting bill moves along

REPUBLICAN DAN COX FILES TO RUN FOR GOV AGAINST WES MOORE, AGAIN: Dan Cox, a Republican who was resoundingly defeated by Democratic Gov. Wes Moore four years ago, has filed to run for governor again this year. Cox’s candidacy was posted on the Maryland elections board website Friday; he did not immediately respond to an interview request. Cox listed Rob Krop as his running mate for lieutenant governor. Moore’s campaign declined to comment on Cox’s candidacy. Pamela Wood/The Baltimore Banner.

• Cox’s filing on Friday comes just 10 days after two-term former Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican, announced that he would not seek his old job and was done with running for elected office. Hogan was widely seen as the best hope for Republicans to challenge Moore. Diane Morris/WTOP-FM.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING DILEMMA: A DISLIKE FOR SMALLER LOTS, HIGHER DENSITY: A wave of residents say they have been chased from the state by its lack of affordable housing, a tide that Maryland officials increasingly are focused on stemming. Gov. Wes Moore’s administration and legislators have introduced bills this session designed to spur more housing construction. But with the measures calling for increasing density and smaller lots, they face pushback from localities loath to have apartments and town houses too near to their communities of single-family homes. Jean Marbella/The Baltimore Sun.

$150 MILLION IN CUTS TO DISABILITIES ADMIN WORRIES PARENTS: A recent proposal to cut funding from the state agency that oversees services for people with disabilities may put those supports at risk. Gov. Wes Moore’s fiscal 2027 budget proposal, released this month, calls for $150 million in “cost containment” measures in the budget for the Developmental Disabilities Administration. Reductions in spending on provider wages is just one of the proposed cuts. One mother and her son worry about what will happen if wages drop too low to attract qualified candidates. Danielle Brown/Maryland Matters.

HOUSE ADVANCES REDISTRICTING PLAN, REBUFFING REPUBLICAN AMENDMENTS: The Maryland House of Delegates is advancing a bill to redraw Maryland’s congressional map in favor of Democrats to its third and final vote in the chamber, but the bill is likely to sit in a drawer if it reaches the Senate. Sarah Petrowich/WYPR-FM.

• The House gave preliminary approval Friday to House Bill 488 after the Democratic supermajority rebuffed a series of Republican amendments over two days. Del. C.T. Wilson (D-Charles), sponsor of the bill, said it makes the state’s congressional districts “fairer.” “We’re, in fact, forcing the issue, and the issue isn’t R and D,” Wilson said. “The issue is standing up to this current administration.” Bryan Sears/Maryland Matters.

COMMENTARY: DEM DELEGATES SHOULD CHECK THEIR OWN PROMISES: The Democratic delegates on the House Rules and Executive Nominations voted 18-6 on Jan. 25 to send the map drawn by the 2025 Governor’s Redistricting Advisory Commission to the House of Delegates. Some of these delegates should re-read their 2018 campaign promises on redistricting in the 2018 MDLWV Voter’s Guide. At the time, some expressed strong support for an independent commission to draw district lines. Howard Gorrell/Maryland Reporter.

COMMENTARY: PEÑA-MELNYK RISKS REPUTATION OVER REDISTRICTING: One of the biggest misconceptions in politics is that it’s possible to act unfairly on certain issues and still contribute to a healthy political culture. House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk is trying her best to walk this tightrope without recognizing that the effort is destined to fail. Her early and strong support for Gov. Wes Moore’s project to gerrymander Maryland’s last Republican district out of existence will overwhelm the goodwill and respect she worked hard to earn earlier in her legislative tenure. Colin Pascal/The Baltimore Sun.

CLIMATE ADVOCATES SEEK TO PROTECT ENERGY FUNDS: For the second straight year, the General Assembly is looking to tap a large state energy fund as legislators grapple with another significant budget deficit. This time, climate advocates hope they’re better prepared to defend it. The Strategic Energy Investment Fund is meant to be used for programs that help reduce energy bills, minimize energy waste and bring new renewable energy online. Christine Condon/Maryland Matters.

H5 AVIAN FLU FOUND ON COMMERCIAL FARM IN CAROLINE: State agriculture officials announced last week that the highly pathogenic H5 avian influenza, known as bird flu, was detected on a commercial farm in Caroline County, the first case detected in Maryland this year. Danielle Brown/Maryland Matters.

MO CO LEADERS TO HOLD FORUM ON PROPOSED DATA CENTER LAWS: Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and members of the County Council will host a community forum Tuesday evening in Rockville on proposed data center legislation and policies.  It will be open to residents, community organizations, businesses and environmental groups. The forum follows the introduction of a zoning text amendment earlier this month to restrict data centers to industrially– zoned areas of the county.  Ceoli Jacoby/Bethesday Today.

BALL SEEKS TO BLOCK ICE DETENTION CENTERS FROM HOWARD COUNTY: Aiming to halt ICE facility plans in an Elkridge building, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball has submitted emergency legislation to be read Monday at the County Council’s legislative meeting. The bill would prohibit permitting for privately owned buildings that are operating as detention centers in Howard County. April Santana/The Baltimore Sun.

CARROLL SHERIFF JOINS CHALLENGE TO BAN ON ICE AGREEMENTS: Carroll County Sheriff Jim DeWees joined other Maryland sheriffs last week in challenging a proposed state bill to ban local agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Bryna Zumer/The Carroll County Times.

HUNDREDS PROTEST ICE IN B’MORE: Bundled in parkas and armed with “ICE OUT” signs, hundreds of people gathered and listened as speakers doled out advice on dealing with immigration officers. The rally, held in front of Baltimore City Hall on Saturday afternoon, was a bit more than a protest against ramped-up immigration enforcement. Inspired by protesters and legal observers in Minnesota, local organizers held a public training session for encounters with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. Sara Ruberg/The Baltimore Banner.

• “Baltimore was built on the backs of immigrant labor,” one protester reminded the crowd. “Migration is natural,” said another sign, which included an orange and black Baltimore Oriole. Other groups made their feelings known with “Teachers against fascism,” “Vets say: no war in our cities” and “Nurses against cruelty.” Fern Shen/Baltimore Brew.

SECTY COKER CONFIDENT THAT PG WILL GET THE SPHERE: Although Gov. Wes Moore and Prince George’s County Executive Aisha Braveboy’s office cautioned recently that the Sphere plans are not finalized, state Commerce Secretary Harry Coker was adamant that bringing the attraction to Maryland was, effectively, a done deal. “I am eminently confident that the Sphere will be open in Prince George’s County,” Coker said, explaining that “everyone is in agreement” about getting it built. Bryna Zumer/The Baltimore Sun.

SALISBURY OUTSPENDS OTHER EASTERN SHORE TOWNS ON ELECTIONS: Salisbury spent nearly $90,000 to run its last municipal election — far more than other towns on Maryland’s Eastern Shore and significantly more than several cities of comparable size across the state, according to election officials and budget records. Josh Davis/The Baltimore Sun.

WORCESTER SEEKS FEDERAL AID TO DEAL WITH UNEXPLODED ORDNANCE: Worcester County is seeking federal assistance to address unexploded military ordnance washing ashore on local beaches — a recurring problem officials say is growing more complex, costly, and dangerous. County leaders say the devices pose risks to public safety, marine life and beachgoers, and routinely require highly trained bomb technicians and, at times, the temporary evacuation of popular shoreline areas. Josh Davis/The Baltimore Sun.