VAN HOLLEN TO CHALLENGE SCHUMER FOR NEXT SENATE MAJORITY LEADER: After a week of “actively listening” to progressive Democrats who were calling on him to challenge Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) for Senate majority leader, Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) confirmed late Thursday that the race is on. William J. Ford/Maryland Matters.
ENVIRONMENT SECRETARY TO STEP DOWN, LATEST SHAKEUP IN MOORE’S CABINET: Serena McIlwain, who has led Gov. Wes Moore’s (D) environmental department since shortly after his inauguration in 2023, will step down at the end of this year, she announced Thursday. Christine Condon and Bryan P. Sears/Maryland Matters.
- Two more cabinet secretaries plan to depart Maryland Gov. Wes Moore’s administration as he heads into his second term. Pamela Wood/The Banner.
MOORE TAPS MO CO ASSISTANT CHIEF ADMIN OFFICER FOR CABINET POST: Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) on Thursday announced he will nominate Montgomery County Assistant Chief Administrative Officer Earl Stoddard to be the state’s next secretary of emergency management. Ceoli Jacoby/Bethesda Today.
SENATORS DEMAND END OF IRAN WAR FUNDING IN ANY BILL AVERTING SHUTDOWN: The possibility of a government shutdown next month increased somewhat Thursday as a group of U.S. senators said the stopgap spending bill must cut off funding for the Iran war. Jennifer Shutt/Maryland Matters.
KIM KLACIK STRONGLY CONSIDERING GOP CHAIR: Kim Klacik, the nationally recognized Republican commentator whose 2020 congressional campaign attracted millions of dollars in donations, is considering a run to lead Maryland’s Republican Party, accusing its leadership of failing to compete as Democrats tighten their grip on state government. Gary Collins/Fox 45 News.
ADVOCATES SAY MORE CUSTOMERS COULD LOSE POWER UNDER BGE’S ‘FLEX PAY ‘ PROPOSAL: Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. wants to offer customers a new way to pay their utility bills — and consumer advocates are not happy about it. Advocates and community members gathered Tuesday at the Epiphany Lutheran Church of Baltimore with a message for state lawmakers and the Maryland Public Service Commission: No way to FlexPay. Shayla Colon/The Banner.
CALVIN BALL’S LEGACY IS ELLICOTT CITY’S TUNNEL. FINISHING IT FALLS TO HIS SUCCESSOR: Howard County Executive Calvin Ball won election in 2018 promising to do more to protect Ellicott City’s historic Main Street from flooding than incumbent Allan Kittleman had. Lillian Reed/The Banner.
MO CO COUNTY COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY VOTES TO BAN HIRING OF FEDERAL IMMIGRATION AGENTS: People who have recently worked for the federal government in immigration enforcement roles will soon be barred from holding many Montgomery County government jobs under a bill passed unanimously by the County Council on Tuesday. Ceoli Jacoby/Bethesda Today.
UMBC POLL: 61% SAY THEY PAY TOO MUCH IN TAXES: When it comes to taxes, even when asked to keep the services provided by them in mind, 61% of respondents said they pay too much in state taxes, 61% said they pay too much in federal taxes and 57% said they pay too much in local taxes. Rachel Duncan and Marie Miller/WBAL TV.
JONES WIDENS LEAD TO 262 VOTES IN AA CO COUNCIL RACE: Democrat Spencer Jones extended his lead over Republican Dawn Pulliam to 262 votes Thursday in the race for the Anne Arundel County Council’s District 7 seat. Ahmad Garnett/The Baltimore Sun.
