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State Roundup, May 17, 2019

University Chancellor Caret decides to step down in June 2020; state officials call for more reforms as probe finds UMMS affiliate hospitals also have business ties to some of their board members; Comptroller Franchot considers divesting state of financial ties to Alabama after that state bans all abortions; new Speaker Adrienne Jones has a firm had but a quiet demeanor; acting state labor secretary urges businesses to update their job descriptions, reconsider banning hiring ex-offenders; Maryland businesses begin to grapple with hike in minimum wage; Attorney General Frosh brings consumer protection charges maker of Oxycontin; and Montgomery Exec Elrich would like to see state police adopt new Montgomery Police practice of using outside agency to probe local police-involved shootings.

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State Roundup, May 16, 2019

Despite “serious concerns,” Gov. Hogan allows $850 million school spending bill to become law without signature; transit advocates cry foul over ranking of highway widening, Red Line projects; clean energy advocates wait for Hogan to sign Clean Energy Jobs Act; state officials ask UMMS affiliate hospitals to reform boards; Stronach founder bemoans family’s push on Maryland tracks, says all options should be open; UM System Chancellor Robert Caret’s future shaky; and Arundel County Exec Pittman announces policies to strength environmental rules.

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State Roundup, May 15, 2019

Sen. Nancy King of Montgomery supports Gov. Hogan’s plan to widen I-270 and Beltway, but she want local firms to lead; trust managing Hogan’s business takes ownership interest in 43 LLCs; Montgomery, Prince George’s, and Baltimore city and county issue 60% of all speed camera fines; Maryland businesses favor tariffs on Chinese goods, but economists warn of affect on consumer goods; UM economist – a former Bush appointee – tapped to head Congressional Budget Office; Westminster to ban single-use plastic bags; Caroline County hires firm to probe police-involved death; and journalist sues Baltimore City court to obtain court audio recording.

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State Roundup, May 14, 2019

Former Deputy AG Rod Rosenstein speaks in Baltimore about former FBI director Comey, Mueller probe; Gov. Larry Hogan is facing pressure to sign bills to create a board to monitor drug prices and to increase state renewable energy requirements; Hogan signs 182 bills into law including legalizing edible medical marijuana products, increasing child-care tax credits, requiring consent before invasive medical exams and making it easier to get health insurance; MVA’s warning on REAL ID requirement causing confusion; Howard County Exec Ball picks Ellicott City flood mitigation plan that would raze four buildings, bore a tunnel; former UMMS board member also resigns from Board of Regents.

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State Roundup, May 13, 2019

Washington area residents favor Gov. Hogan’s toll lane plans, while those in Maryland’s suburbs concerned over toll costs, home destruction; Montgomery County Exec Elrich asks planning commission to not cede land to Hogan for toll lane plans; Gov. Hogan to sign a number of health, education-related bills today, including one to raise legal age to buy tobacco products; Maryland to join 40 other states in lawsuit claiming drugmakers conspired to inflate generic prices; state Republicans support GOP national committeeman and fund-raiser David Bossie, whose Presidential Coalition is under scrutiny; Howard Exec Ball to unveil Ellicott City flood mitigation plan; and Carroll County Commissioners to explore other forms of governance.

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State Roundup, May 10, 2019

Statewide increases in opioid related deaths slows in 2018 while Montgomery County’s death rate drops and Baltimore City’s climbs; Transportation Secretary Rahn defends highway widening plan, says opponents are “putting their heads in the sand;” more than 66,300 Marylanders with new REAL ID need to file residency docs in a month; state agencies hope to collect illegal pesticides that have killed bald eagles; poll finds Metro’s reputation is up even though ridership isn’t; ex-UMMS board member says they did nothing wrong in contracting; Montgomery County will have to wrestle with trash problem if waste incinerator shuts down; and Chamber of Commerce lashes out at Frederick State House reps for not supporting hotel and conference center.

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State Roundup, May 9, 2019

In presidential primary challenge, Maryland voters would back Donald Trump over Gov. Hogan, new poll finds; poll also finds Comptroller Franchot is popular, although 25% didn’t recognize his name; Prince George’s Council wants more info on Hogan Beltway widening plan; Gov. Hogan praises federal approval of more foreign visas to work in state crab industry; Hogan signs bill to prevent Baltimore homeowners from losing their homes over water bills; three people supposedly on board of jobs program chaired by ex-Mayor Pugh – including a state senator – say that they are not; Stronach Group seeks dismissal of Baltimore City lawsuit; President Trump distances self from longtime friend David Bossie of Montgomery County, accused of scamming elderly Republicans; and Gov. Hogan, Sen. Cardin to speak at Jack Young’s inauguration as mayor today.

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State Roundup, May 8, 2019

UMMS chair Burch, two other board members resign in wake of ‘Healthy Holly’ self-dealing scandal; Hopkins protesters arrested after occupying administration building; UMd Board of Regents OKs proposal to make University of Maryland, Baltimore first in country to offer grad degree in cannabis therapeutics; JHU officials slam protesters occupying building, offer amnesty if they leave; Montgomery County to require investigations by outside law enforcement officers of police-involved deaths in the county; losing gubernatorial candidate Ben Jealous, pondering run for Baltimore City major, takes consulting job with vaping company; new poll finds city residents unhappy with crime, education; and Baltimore City government hit with ransomware.

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State Roundup, May 7, 2019

Following Healthy Holly self-dealing scandal, Gov. Hogan says he wants to ‘clean house’ on UMMS board; Hogan approves appointment of Shaneka Henson to fill late Del. Michael Busch’s Annapolis seat; law to require testing of qualified rape kits doesn’t address backlog of more than 6,000; U.S. Rep. Ruppersberger touts proposal to duplicate success of Shock Trauma violence prevention programs across the country; two long-time members of Baltimore City council won’t seek re-election; and, modeled on farm-wineries, Anne Arundel to allow farm-breweries.

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State Roundup, May 6, 2019

The Board of Public Works will delay the vote on Gov. Hogan’s controversial I-495/I-270 widening plan; meanwhile a community meeting on the project Sunday draws an irate standing room crowd concerned about loss of homes and businesses. In response it also draws angry tweets from the governor; Maryland sees high number of eagle deaths from pesticides; Hopkins students take over building in protest of planned private police force OK’d by General Assembly; Maryland school districts await $250 million in state grants; Jack Young begins term as Baltimore mayor as candidates for mayor begin to emerge; and with latest ruling in Ohio, federal courts in five states – including Maryland — have struck down maps as partisan gerrymanders.