SPEAKER JONES DEFENDS JUVENILE JUSTICE REFORM BILL: As Maryland lawmakers take on criticism for a proposed juvenile justice reform bill, House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones testified Thursday in its support. Jones, who rarely appears at bill hearings, spoke first before a packed Judiciary Committee room on House Bill 814 – Juvenile Law Reform. She expressed some frustration at how the legislation has been characterized by critics. William J. Ford/Maryland Matters
- But some Democrats say the proposed bill flies in the face of the Juvenile Justice Reform Act of 2022, which limited what charges kids under 13 can face. Hannah Gaskill/The Baltimore Sun
KIM KLACIK FILES TO RUN AGAIN FOR CONGRESS: Kim Klacik, the conservative radio personality and MAGA provocateur, entered the Republican primary this week for the 2nd congressional district seat. Love her or hate her, this means the race to replace retiring 11-term U.S. Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger just got a lot more interesting. Josh Kurtz/Maryland Matters
MO CO LEADERS WILL MEET WITH ICE OFFICIALS: Montgomery County leaders will meet with U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials by the end of the month to discuss how local law enforcement can better partner with federal immigration officials, especially regarding detainers, according to the county’s Assistant Chief Administrative Officer Earl Stoddard. Last week, ICE put out two press releases for separate instances where it said Montgomery County ignored immigration detainers. Courtney Cohn/MoCo 360
NICK MOSBY DISCUSSES TESTIMONY AND PLEADS FOR SECOND CHANCE WITH VOTERS: Now that he’s seeking a second term as president of the Baltimore City Council, Nick Mosby sat down for an interview to discuss his bombshell testimony during the federal mortgage fraud trial of his ex-wife, Marilyn Mosby, and why he is asking voters in Baltimore for a second chance. Mikenzie Frost/WBFF FOX45
ALSOBROOKS PITCHES SHIFTING TAX FUNDS TO PAY FOR P.G. CO. SCHOOLS: As local spending required by Maryland’s landmark education law climbs, Prince George’s County Executive Angela D. Alsobrooks (D) is asking state legislators for more discretion over how the county pays for schools. Citing financial pressure, Alsobrooks is taking aim at a law that funnels most money generated by the local telecommunications and energy taxes to county schools under rules set long before the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future law — and its mandates — took effect. Lateshia Beachum and Nicole Asbury/The Washington Post
MCPS RELEASES LESS REDACTED DOCUMENT PROBING SEX HARASSMENT CASE: The Mongomery County Board of Education on Thursday released a less redacted version of the Jackson Lewis law firm’s investigation into allegations of sexual harassment by former Farquhar Middle School principal Joel Beidleman, prior to a meeting with the Montgomery County Council. Ginny Bixby/MoCo 360
BILL AIMS TO BAN LEGACY ADMISSIONS AT STATE-FUNDED COLLEGES: A new Maryland General Assembly bill would prohibit universities and colleges that receive state funding from considering legacy status in the admissions process. The bill comes in response to a June 2023 Supreme Court decision that prohibited higher education institutions from considering a student’s race in the admissions process. Del. Jazz Lewis (D-Prince George’s), the bill’s sponsor, said that while many Maryland public universities already do not consider a student’s legacy status, the bill would codify the rule into state law. Sam Gauntt/The (UMCP) Diamondback
VAN HOLLEN AND CARDIN VOTE FOR MORE AID TO UKRAINE: Maryland Democratic Sens. Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen have criticized Republican colleagues for blocking the bipartisan package that included border security and military aid to Ukraine. Now aid to Ukraine and Israel has new life as senators on Thursday voted 67-32 to advance consideration of the foreign aid package without an immigration component. Cardin and Van Hollen were among the “yes” votes. Katharine Wilson of Capital News Service/Baltimore Fishbowl
BALTIMORE POLITICIANS TACKLE KILLINGS OF YOUTHS: Across Baltimore, family members, neighbors and other community residents have issued similar pleas for an end to youth killings — making the violence afflicting young people an inescapable issue for Democratic Mayor Brandon Scott and other city officials, even as the city sees promising declines in overall homicides and even though youth killings represent a fraction of that total. Darcy Costello/The Baltimore Sun
DEL. MANGIONE PROPOSES BILL TO COMBAT TAX AND FEE HIKES: Critics have been wary of Gov. Wes Moore’s spending – as the state faces a $1.1 billion budget deficit by the end of the decade. One lawmaker is working now to make sure the cost isn’t passed on to Marylanders without legislative approval. Del. Nino Mangione, a Baltimore County Republican, testified for his Taxpayer Disclosure and Protection Act. Keith Daniels/WBFF Fox
COMMENTARY: COUP OR COURSE CORRECTION? ANNE ARUNDEL SUFFERS A MOMENT OF COUNCIL CHAOS: In the final 20 minutes of Monday night’s Anne Arundel County Council meeting, a Democrat and three Republicans pushed through a change that might be tough for a casual observer to care about. Was it an undemocratic travesty that stripped Chair Allison Pickard of power over the council staff — an administrator, assistant administrator, and council attorney — and birthed a seven-headed hydra that will create chaos? Rick Hutzell/The Baltimore Banner
COMMENTARY: DESTROYING HOMELESS PEOPLE’S CAMPS IS CRUEL, INEFFECTIVE: “This winter we contacted the Mayor’s Office of Homeless Services seeking emergency shelter for people with no alternative to sleeping outside. The frequent response is that there are no beds available. Why then would the city destroy the small communities that its impoverished residents create to protect themselves?” Jeff Singer and Lauren Siegel/Baltimore Brew
