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State Roundup, November 18, 2019

Central Maryland school districts split over pre- or post-Labor Day school start; marijuana commission restricts sale of some vape products; environmental, financial concerns arise over proposed American Legion Bridge project; Maryland pushing health care signups even as Trump administration continues to seek dismantling of Obamacare; Gov. Hogan OKs attorney Nicole Williams for former Del. Gaines’ seat; state GOP holds weekend convention; state police agencies wrestle with drone use vs. privacy issues; Maya Rockeymoore Cummings undergoes preventative double mastectomy as she readies run for late husband’s congressional seat; Howard County Del. Hill jumps into fray to seek Cummings’ seat; and House Speaker Pelosi blasts Trump during fundraiser for U.S. Rep. David Trone.

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State Roundup, November 14, 2019

Hundreds of supporters of Maryland’s historically black universities and colleges rally in Annapolis to voice opposition to Gov. Hogan’s final offer of $200 million to settle lawsuit as Speaker Jones takes to the mic to back $577 million settlement; General Assembly likely won’t address legalizing recreational marijuana in 2020 session; Hogan taps Keiffer Mitchell as top lobbyist for his agenda; two companies proposing off-shore wind farms raise the height on their turbines by more than 200 feet, pushing regulators to reopen discussions; oops: state errs in sending 22,000 warnings to drivers over Hatem Bridge; Comptroller Franchot offers same message to Republicans and Democrats on the limits of government; Howard high schools back on the table over redistricting discussions; UB to train 3,000 as elections judges to Feb. 4 special primary to fill U.S. Rep. Cummings’ seat; and Cummings’ papers to go to Howard University.

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State Roundup, November 13, 2019

Maryland, Virginia governors announce partnership to rebuild American Legion Bridge over the Potomac in attempt to relieve major traffic congestion on I-495; dozens show up at last public hearing of Kirwan Commission to show support for pricey, statewide education reform proposals; audit office under Kirwan would be weak; Washington County air concerns to lawmakers before start of Annapolis session; field for seat held by late U.S. Rep. Cummings gets crowded; Cummings was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer 25 years ago; and Baltimore city seeks to fix laws on prohibiting posting ‘early’ campaign signs.

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State Roundup, November 12, 2019

Maya Rockeymoore Cummings has stepped down from her seat as Maryland Democratic Party chair to run for her late husband’s congressional seat; Sen. Jill Carter to make ‘special announcement’ next week as she considers running for Congress; Public Information Act Compliance Board seeks more authority over records disputes; teachers voting on who will serve on Maryland school board; Washington County, Carroll County schools outline wishlists for next Annapolis session; and iconic Baltimore gathering place for pols, Jimmy’s, up for sale again.

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State Roundup, November 11, 2019

Baltimore Republican operative whose posts prompted President Trump’s anti-Cummings, Baltimore tweets to seek Cummings’ congressional seat; Charlton Howard named state prosecutor to head office to probe political corruption; Del. Moon proposes bill to prohibit real estate firms from selling homes based on school districts; two central Maryland school districts chose two different start days for fall 2020 classes; more than 100 Marylanders chose X for gender on licenses; ex-Del. Gaines’ daughter and campaign treasurer pleads guilty to wire fraud; U.S. Rep. Raskin, a constitutional scholar, becomes a star in impeachment probe; 29-year-old Clarksburg resident to challenge U.S. Rep. Trone in Dem primary; and Frederick seeks to bring transportation into rural parts of county.

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State Roundup, November 7, 2019

General Assembly leaders propose spending $2.2 billion on school construction, boosting classroom dollars as it seeks to push forward backlogged projects; lawmakers question why few students accept offer of free community college tuition; Washington County lawmakers listen to constituents on benefits of medical marijuana; physician who aided other hospitals in crisis takes over scandal scarred UMMS; Howard school board kills motion to continue redistricting process by starting from superintendent’s recommended proposal; Bowie State president chastises Congress for holding up HBCU funds; and Montgomery County bans discrimination based on hairstyles.

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State Roundup, November 6, 2019

With a 71% black prison population, Maryland leads all states – including Mississippi; Annapolis lawmakers look to 2021 for changes in voting privacy for Maryland’s disabled voters; two former delegates team up to fight opioid abuse; Handgun Permit Review Board violated open meetings law; U.S. Congress holds up funding for HBCUs; Frederick council, Montgomery school board set legislative priorities; state kills Montgomery plan to avoid Beltway widening; University of Maryland assesses climate goals; and in 2020, Baltimore County to start schools post-Labor Day.

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State Roundup, November 5, 2019

Gov. Hogan joins coalition of governors opposing Trump administration withdrawal from Paris Agreement; Kweisi Mfume officially joins race to replace U.S. Rep. Cummings; law enforcement officials weighing in on Montgomery County Exec Elrich decision to not display ‘blue lives matter’ flag at police station; Del. Luedtke seeks emergency legislation to get 12th early voting site in Montgomery after state board votes against it; and Baltimore City Council gives preliminary OK to banning plastic bags.

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State Roundup, November 4, 2019

Former U.S. Rep. Kweisi Mfume is expected to announced today his will seek the late Elijah Cummings’ seat in Congress; Transportation Secty Rahn says Gov. Hogan won’t raise taxes for major transit projects; Hogan wades into Montgomery County ‘Blue Lives Matter’ flag controversy; U.S. House Speaker Pelosi addresses Maryland Democrats; Maryland’s top court considers changes to timing of judicial suspensions; Hogan names two to Maryland courts; private citizen wants to buy ‘Negro Mountain’ signs as controversy continues over history of its name; in Baltimore County, more African Americans subjected to police stops; and state elections board nixes new Montgomery voting site.

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State Roundup, October 31, 2019

Despite state compensation for wrongful imprisonment, emotional scars remain for the five exonerees; Sen. Kelley said these five cases are just tip of iceberg of those wrongfully convicted in Maryland; Gov. Larry Hogan declines invitation to meet with Kirwan commission “to find common ground” on policy recommendations, funding formula; Frederick County seeks state aid in widening Route 194; Transportation chief Rahn wants Pennsylvania cooperation in securing federal funds for Rt. 219 upgrade; Washington County commissioners rehire lobbyist Bereano for work in Annapolis; campaign treasurer of former Del. Gaines also charged with misuse of funds; Del. Moon chases a car thief; mental health trial postponed for killer of Capital-Gazette employees; and Baltimore city opens public online lobbyist registry, disclosure portal.