PUBLIC FINANCING PLAYED BIGGER ROLE IN COUNTY EXEC PRIMARIES: Public funding in Maryland faced its biggest year yet in this year’s county executive primaries, with five counties using their systems simultaneously for the first time in a competitive field with only one incumbent seeking reelection. This primary was the first chance for candidates in Anne Arundel, Baltimore and Prince George’s counties to try public financing for their campaigns. It was the second time in Howard County and the third in Montgomery. Will Hammann/Maryland Matters.
OLSZEWSKI ACT IN HOUSING BILL OFFERS GRANTS FOR REDEVELOPMENT: A bipartisan federal housing bill that includes legislation written by Rep. Johnny Olszewski has become law, creating a pilot program to help communities convert vacant and blighted properties into affordable housing. Olszewski’s act authorizes a competitive pilot program through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development with up to $10 million in grants to help communities redevelop vacant properties into affordable housing. Wambui Kamau/WYPR-FM.
SERVICE SHUTOFFS FOR NONPAYMENT RISE FOR MARYLAND RESIDENTS: Maryland residents had their natural gas and electricity service shut off for nonpayment nearly 115,000 times last year, according to data filed with state regulators. That’s a substantial increase from just over 100,000 instances the year before, according to a federal government report. Bria Overs/The Baltimore Banner.
PJM PRICES TO REMAIN HIGH AFTER LATEST AUCTION: Electricity prices will remain elevated in PJM Interconnection’s 13-state service area, which includes Maryland, following an auction that set prices for future generating capacity. The $325-per-megawatt-day price for generating capacity in 2028 and 2029 is at the maximum price under a cap negotiated last year by the administration of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, after the 2024 auction closed at a then-record price of $269.92 per megawatt-day. Peter Hall/Maryland Matters.
DEL BOUCHAT RETURNS; TORI LEONARD RETIRES … Del. Christopher Eric Bouchat washed his hands of the General Assembly this spring, refusing to participate in committee or floor sessions in what he called a protest of Republicans’ lack of clout in the legislature. But now, there is redistricting. Tori Leonard, a longtime spokesperson for the commission that regulates public utilities in Maryland, retired earlier this month, after a lengthy career serving in communications roles at various state agencies. Two Maryland legislators are helping to craft policy on education and criminal justice reform as part of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators. Christine Condon, William J. Ford and Steve Crane/Maryland Matters.
PITTMAN SAYS DEM CENTRAL COMMITTEEMAN SHOULD BE REMOVED: A Baltimore City Democratic State Central Committee member has been accused of verbally assaulting a 78-year-old campaign volunteer over the contentious District 41 state Senate primary race, with two bystanders saying they intervened to prevent a physical attack. The alleged conduct of committee member Ronald “Ronnie” Rosenbluth warrants his removal, according to a petition submitted June 22 to state party Chair Steuart Pittman Jr. A three-member Maryland Democratic Party committee will discuss Rosenbluth’s fate today. John John Williams/The Baltimore Banner.
EHRICH ENDORSES COX FOR GOVERNOR: Former Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. on Tuesday endorsed Dan Cox, the Republican nominee for Maryland governor. Cox announced the endorsement on X, adding that Ehrlich will also serve as his campaign finance advisor. Tinashe Chingarande/The Baltimore Sun.
MOUNT AIRY MAYOR TO RESIGN CITING COMMERICIAL PILOTING JOB: Mount Airy Mayor Larry Hushour said Monday that he would resign from office in late August, triggering a special election in the fall. Hushour, a pilot for Southwest Airlines, announced the decision during a Mount Airy Town Council meeting. In a public YouTube video, he said demands from his job as a commercial pilot have made it difficult to serve as mayor while also spending time with his family. Marissa Yelenik/The Carroll County Times.
B’MORE MONITOR OF DIVERSION PROGRAM COMES WITH HIS OWN BAGGAGE: The person selected by Mayor Brandon Scott to lead a review of the SideStep youth diversion program resigned under a cloud from his last big job. Karl A. Racine’s departure last August as federal consent decree monitor of the Cleveland Police Department followed disputes with city officials over high legal fees and an early morning incident at a Cleveland casino where he was described as drunk and belligerent. Mark Reutter/Baltimore Brew.
ENTREPRENEUR SEEKS TO HELP ADDRESS AFFORDABILITY CRISIS: Randy Altschuler says it’s personal. The entrepreneur behind Xometry, a $5 billion, North Bethesda-based, artificial intelligence manufacturing marketplace, is stepping away from a longtime CEO role to launch the Maryland Affordability Project. Altschuler describes MAP as a grassroots, nonpartisan movement to address a growing affordability crisis facing families, workers, employers and small businesses in Maryland. Lorraine Mirabella/The Baltimore Sun.
MORE HOUSES OF WORSHIP ADD SECURITY WITH STATE, LOCAL GRANTS: Like most synagogues, Congregation Kneseth Israel in Annapolis has a menorah on the wall out front, a mezuzah by the door and stained glass in the sanctuary. And like many synagogues today it has security guards, keycard-restricted entrances and cameras both inside and out of the building. With hate crimes on the rise and political tensions mounting, houses of worship across the state say they have come to rely on state and local grants to supplement their own congregation’s funds to bolster security. Mayah Nachman/Maryland Matters.
ARCHDIOCESE TO HOLD GUN BUYBACK EVENT: On Saturday, Aug. 8, the Archdiocese of Baltimore will hold its annual gun buyback event in Southwest Baltimore, which to date has removed more than one thousand guns from the community. Aliza Worthington/Baltimore Fishbowl.
