SENATE PASSES TRANS HEALTH CARE BILL: Amid a rise in anti-trans legislation sweeping the country, trans advocates and allies have been lobbying the state General Assembly to pass a bill sponsored by Montgomery County-based Del. Anne Kaiser (D-Dist.14) that would require Maryland Medicaid to cover gender-affirming care for transgender residents. The legislation would enable Marylanders without private insurance to obtain comparable gender-affirming care. The bill passed the Senate Monday night, after passing the House of Delegates Saturday. Ginny Bixby/MoCo360.
- The bill that would expand Medicaid coverage options for transgender individuals across Maryland passed the House of Delegates just before the legislative deadline, known as Crossover Day, this past weekend. Scott Maucione/WYPR-FM.
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE TRANS HEALTH CARE BILL: Here’s answers to some questions asked about the Trans Health Care bills passed by the House and Senate. Callan Tansill-Suddath/The Baltimore Banner.
COMMUNITY SCHOOL MODEL GAINS TRACTION: In Maryland and across the country, one South Baltimore high school is considered a model among community schools, a term gaining more attention around the state as they expand rapidly under the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. The model has been implemented in hundreds of schools across Maryland, a win for education advocates who say the approach can help more children thrive and compensate for wealth and race disparities in the classroom. Hallie Miller and Kristen Griffith/The Baltimore Banner.
HOGAN BOOST SCHOOL VOUCHER PROGRAM FACING OPPOSITION: A voucher program championed by former Gov. Larry Hogan (R) that allows low-income students in the state to attend private schools using state money is quietly causing friction among Democrats in Annapolis. Ovetta Wiggins/The Washington Post.
COMMENTARY: TRAGIC SITUATION FOR BOOST PROGRAM: Two events happened last month, both related to education, that are sadly related to one another. The first reported tragic results. The second reported a tragic decision. Both demonstrate how Maryland continues to leave thousands of students behind. AJ Swinson/MarylandReporter.com.
AFTER CROSSOVER DAY, WHAT’s NEXT? Lawmakers churned through hundreds of bills Monday as they streaked toward a target date to pass legislation out of one chamber of General Assembly and send it to the other. Crossover Day is the deadline for guaranteeing that a bill passed in one house will be considered in the other house during the final three weeks of the legislative session, which ends on April 10. “It’s been really remarkable,” Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City) told his colleagues as the final session of the day drew to a close. “We have 21 days left. It’s going to be tight.” Josh Kurtz, William Ford, Bryan Sears and William Zorzi/Maryland Matters.
- Going into the legislative session’s final three weeks, among other work, lawmakers are speeding toward the full legalization of recreatonal cannabis, closer than ever to removing the statute of limitations on child sex abuse lawsuits and pumping the brakes on some of what new Gov. Wes Moore wants with the minimum wage. Staff/The Baltimore Sun.
MOORE UPBEAT EVEN AS WAGE PROPOSAL REJECTED: Gov. Wes Moore was all smiles Monday as a key deadline loomed in the Maryland General Assembly, touting the fact that all of his proposals have survived in some fashion. Pamela Wood/The Baltimore Banner.
- While the General Assembly is advancing Moore’s bill to accelerate a planned increase in the minimum wage so that it hits $15 per hour later this year, about two years earlier than planned, they roundly rejected his idea to tie future increases to inflation — and give up their power to set the minimum wage. Erin Cox/The Washington Post.
MOORE CONTINUES TO PUSH STADIUM AUTHORITY NOMINEE: Gov. Wes Moore (D) is resolutely pushing for his nominee to the Maryland Stadium Authority board, Yolanda Maria Martinez, to be approved by a Senate committee, which held her name last Monday after details of her past financial problems became public, surprising many legislators. William Zorzi/Maryland Matters.
***BOARD OPENINGS FOR MONTGOMERY AND PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY RESIDENTS: The Employees’ Retirement System (ERS) of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission has openings for residents of Montgomery and Prince George’s counties on the ERS Board of Trustees; one vacancy for each county. The term of appointment is July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2026. Anyone interested who is a resident of the county to which they want to represent must submit a Letter of Interest and resume of qualifications, received no later than close of business on April 7, 2023. Visit our website, https://www.mncppc.org/1644/Employees-Retirement-System for a Board of Trustee Candidate Packet.***
BOOK ON ROY McGRATH EMERGES AS HUNT FOR HIM CONTINUES: As if there weren’t enough questions swirling around the disappearance of former Maryland government official Roy McGrath before his criminal trial, another puzzle has emerged. With the manhunt heading into its second week, a self-published book went for sale online and captured attention Monday: “Betrayed: The True Story of Roy McGrath.” Tim Prudente/The Baltimore Banner.
MAYOR SCOTT SUPPORTS ALL-BOYS CHARTER SCHOOL: In early March, the Baltimore Collegiate School for Boys, a charter school in the city, was given new life. The Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners voted to renew the school’s charter. Mayor Brandon Scott apparently is a supporter, saying, “We cannot operate a school system in the city of Baltimore that does not have a school directly designed for our young boys in Baltimore, and dare I say our young black boys in Baltimore.” Chris Papst/WBFF-TV News.
BIDEN NOMINATES 2 BALTIMORE LAWYERS TO FEDERAL BENCH: President Joe Biden on Monday nominated two Baltimore men — a former public defender and a longtime federal prosecutor — to the federal bench in Maryland following his pledge to appoint judges with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Jeff Barker/The Baltimore Sun.
