MOORE SEEKS TO UPSTAGE TRUMP, OTHER DEMOCRATS WITH HOLIDAY PATRIOTISM SPEECH: Gov. Wes Moore will compete with hot dogs, fireworks and intense heat when he delivers a speech extolling patriotism on a milestone birthday for the nation. Maryland’s Democratic governor will deliver a Fourth of July speech about patriotism and why America is worth fighting for from the State House in Annapolis in front of a group of military veterans. The event offers counterprogramming — and a contrasting message — to President Donald Trump’s Fourth of July festivities in Washington, according to Moore’s team. Pamela Wood/The Baltimore Banner.
BGE TO RESUME POWER SHUT OFFS THIS SUMMER AFTER HIATUS: Baltimore Gas & Electric plans to resume power shut-offs this month for residential customers behind on their bills. The company had been barred from conducting shut-offs over the last six months, due to issues with its customer service call center. But now, BGE has warned customers that shut-off notices are resuming, and could arrive in the mail this week, coinciding with a blistering heat wave. Christine Condon/Maryland Matters.
BGE SEEKS $8 MONTHLY RATE INCREASE: BGE residential customers would pay $8 more on average each month under a proposal to boost electric distribution rates starting early next year. The utility filed a plan with state regulators Thursday, calling it a “bare-bones” strategy to keep bills affordable by investing only in essential maintenance and immediate risks to the electric system serving 1.3 million people. Lorraine Mirabella/The Baltimore Sun.
EXTREME HEAT FORCES CANCELLATIONS AND SCHEDULE CHANGES: Much of Maryland is under an extreme heat warning through Friday evening as temperatures climb into the triple digits. The temperature hit 101 degrees at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport on Thursday, though it fell short of the record of 103 degrees set in 1872, said Connor Belak, a meteorologist with the weather service. Clara Longo de Freitas/The Baltimore Banner.
BOARD RULES STATE VIOLATED BARGAINING AGREEMENT WITH UNION: The Maryland Public Employee Relations Board said the Department of Budget and Management failed to bargain in good faith with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 3 when it denied access to information about telework eligibility. Bryan P. Sears/Maryland Matters.
NEW $109M VOTING SYSTEM DELAYED DUE TO TRANSPARENCY CONCERNS: The Maryland Board of Public Works has delayed approving a $109 million voting system overhaul after advocates and state lawmakers brought up concerns around the contract’s transparency and price tag. Sarah Petrowich/WYPR-FM.
FATE OF PROPOSED HO CO ICE FACILITY STILL UP IN THE AIR: A federal judge is still deciding whether or not to reinstate the permits for a proposed ICE facility in Elkridge. Meanwhile, immigrant advocates are continuing to rally against it. Dennis Valera/CBS/Baltimore.
WANT A LOW INTEREST LOAN AND $20k TO BUY A B’MORE HOME? HERE’S HOW: Maryland government leaders want to give away nearly $4.5 million to Baltimore homebuyers who purchase newly renovated vacant homes. The money will come in two different forms: A savings initiative that can reduce a homebuyer’s mortgage interest rate to 3.5%, and up to $20,000 in down payment assistance that can be forgiven after five years. Hallie Miller/The Baltimore Banner.
MARYLAND 250 COMMISSION SUPPORTS EVENTS AROUND STATE: It serves as the state’s official representative for the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission, a bipartisan committee created by Congress in 2016.
QUESTIONS ABOUT MOORE’S PROMISES SPREAD BEYOND MILITARY RECORD: As Gov. Wes Moore takes the national stage with a speech on America’s 250th birthday, he faces a growing list of questions in Maryland over whether his administration is delivering on promises that helped propel him into office. The scrutiny extends well beyond Moore’s long-running military records controversy. Gary Collins/The Baltimore Sun.
MCPS SUPPORT STAFF UNION ADVANCES GRIEVANCE AGAINST DISTRICT: SEIU Local 500, the union representing support staff in Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), filed a grievance with the district Friday over concerns with the school system’s involuntary transfer process after the union said the district isn’t providing summer work for employees according to its collective bargaining agreement. Ashlyn Campbell/Bethesda Today
