E-Z PASS FINES BALLOON INTO TENS OF THOUSANDS IN DEBT AS LAWMAKERS PUSH FIX: Across Maryland, drivers are reporting toll debt ballooning into the tens of thousands of dollars. Some dispute the accuracy of their E-ZPass charges or say they weren’t aware of them, while others say they simply can’t afford the high penalties. Now, a group of bipartisan lawmakers are stepping in with legislation aimed at giving the state more flexibility to reduce what some call “egregious” debt. Brooke Conrad/The Baltimore Sun.
AMAZON WANTS SPRAWLING DATA CENTER CAMPUSES AT CALVERT CLIFFS NUCLEAR SITE: Amazon wants to build data centers on 2,000 acres of land at Constellation Energy’s Calvert Cliffs nuclear plant in Southern Maryland. Bria Overs/The Baltimore Banner.
HOUSE AND SENATE KEEP DIVERGING ON ENERGY BILL: Tthe Senate, which gave initial approval to the Utility RELIEF Act on Thursday, has added a number of substantive amendments — including three from the Republican minority. Their bill is inching farther and farther from the version passed a few weeks ago by the House of Delegates. Meanwhile, less than two weeks remain in the 90-day legislative session. Christine Condon/Maryland Matters.
- Maryland lawmakers are debating utility relief legislation that could help save consumers money in a number of ways. The Utility Reducing Energy Load Inflation for Everyday Families (RELIEF) Act would make wide-ranging changes to Maryland’s energy policy. It’s also drawing criticism from environmentalists and Republicans. David Collins/WBAL.
HOUSE HEARS FOUR KEY BILLS TO SPUR AFFORDABLE HOUSING, REDUCE RED TAPE: Affordable housing was the theme of the Maryland House Economic Matters Committee on Thursday as the 2026 legislative approaches its final days. State lawmakers heard four Senate bills that aim to reduce red tape for housing developments, increase accessibility to rental properties and invest more state dollars in the incentivization of low-cost housing. Sarah Petrowich/WYPR.
HOUSE GIVES FINAL OK TO BILL CODIFYING GUARANTEE OF EMERGENCY ABORTIONS: It took three years, but a bill that would enshrine emergency abortion protections in state law won final approval in the House Thursday and is headed to the governor for his signature. Danielle J. Brown/Maryland Matters.
HOUSE PANEL ACCEPTS SENATE BILL TO LIMIT OFFENSES THAT CHARGE YOUTH AS ADULTS: A House panel Thursday approved a clean Senate version of a bill that would make it harder to charge youth in adult courts, smoothing the way to final passage for a proposal that has been more than a decade in the making. William J. Ford/Maryland Matters.
HOUSE REPUBLICAN SEEKS TO EXPEL BOUCHAT FOR ABSENCES: A Republican who has walked away from many of his duties as a state delegate could face an expulsion resolution offered by a member of his own party. Bryan P. Sears/Maryland Matters.
HOWARD’S PROPOSED CAPITAL BUDGET PROMISES $98.6M FOR COUNTY SCHOOLS: Howard County Executive Calvin Ball released a proposed capital budget for fiscal year 2027 on Wednesday that is more than a $60 million increase from the prior year. The $432.6 million planned allocation represents what Ball said is an “investment” in the future of every “resident, business, visitor and family” in the county. April Santana/The Baltimore Sun.
POLICE IMPERSONATION SCAM SPREADS, PREYING ON FEAR AND URGENCY: Maryland law enforcement agencies are warning residents about a fast-growing scam in which callers impersonate police officers, threaten arrest and demand immediate payment — a scheme investigators say is becoming more sophisticated, more convincing and widely underreported. Tessa Bentulan/Spotlight on Maryland.
SALISBURY UNIVERSITY GROUP TO HOST TALK BY ‘GODFATHER OF THE ALT-RIGHT’: Jared Taylor, a white nationalist known as the “godfather of the alt-right,” will speak at Salisbury University on April 29, two months after his talk was postponed due to safety concerns. Ellie Wolfe/The Baltimore Banner.
DEBATE OVER RENT STABILIZATION UNDERSCORES MO CO DISTRICT 3 COUNCIL RACE: In Montgomery County’s third council district primary race, all three Democratic candidates agree the lack of affordable housing is one of the biggest issues affecting residents. What they don’t agree on is the way to fix it. Ginny Bixby/The Banner//Montgomery.
