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State Roundup, September 19, 2019

Gov. Hogan launches process to pay millions of dollars to five men wrongly convicted, imprisoned; within minutes of touting competition in bidding process, Hogan defends no-bid contract extension; while Maryland farmers fight climate change on a day-to-day basis, state program hopes to help them see the long view; state vows to fight President Trump order nixing its say over auto emissions standards; survey finds fewer commuters are driving solo; Hogan pushes Attorney General Frosh to take up more Baltimore City criminal cases; Prince George’s State’s Attorney Braveboy to end cash bail requests; Annapolis campaign consultant pleads guilty to wire fraud; and Washington County see influx of meth cases.

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State Roundup, September 18, 2019

Audit finds that the Maryland Department of Commerce failed to verify that companies given taxpayer-funded incentives actually created jobs; in the first six months of the year, opioid deaths in Maryland fell; 10 candidates on list for opening on Maryland’s Court of Appeals; Howard County residents protest proposed desegregation plans; Baltimore’s police commish tells state panel that no internal probe into Gun Trace Task Force corruption has begun; Baltimore mayor invites plaintiffs with grievances against police to speak to spending panel; and Montgomery County introduces ambitious racial equity bill.

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State Roundup, September 17, 2019

Maryland’s congressional Democrats ask Ag Secty Perdue to rescind rule that they say could yank 50,000 in state from food stamps; state census panel stymied by lack of planning; Gov. Hogan to lead infrastructure, economic mission to Australia; U.S. Rep. Brown touts gaming industry as important to state education, economy; BGE says Howard council member’s Ellicott City plan could harm its service to the area; Montgomery County seeks to restrict youth access to e-cigarettes with bill to restrict location of vape shops; and Montgomery finds itself lagging in fulfillment of climate change promises.

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State Roundup, September 16, 2019

Gov. Hogan pledges State Police copter crews for Baltimore crime-fighting efforts; cocaine-related deaths have skyrocketed since 2015; state’s Lynching Truth and Reconciliation panels begin tour of Maryland; state approves more than $23 million in funding to bring air conditioning to more than 15 additional schools in Baltimore County and city; Montgomery’s public campaign financing program said to be a model for rest of state; as probe of Metro and its former chairman to kick off, Maryland closer to releasing its portion of funding; as President Trump pulls funds from military projects for border wall, replacement child care facility in Prince George’s imperiled; Maryland winemakers see impact of climate change; and Howard councilwoman pushes plans for Ellicott City flood mitigation.

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State Roundup, September 12, 2019

Seven medical cannabis users have reported unexplained respiratory problems; letters between Hogan administration and state Health Care Commission seem to offer path toward new Prescription Drug Advisory Board; Attorney General Frosh criticizes tentative Perdue Pharma settlement; D.C. Council of Governments pushing for more affordable housing; with President Trump’s planned visit to Baltimore, protesters expected to be out in force; while presidential hopeful Joe Biden leads the money race in Maryland; Sen. Bernie Sanders outshines with most donors; Maryland Democratic Committee, siding with DNC, soundly defeated proposal for a dedicated climate change presidential debate; musicians reject latest BSO proposals; and with Maryland members splitting down party lines, U.S. House votes to ban off-shore drilling.

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State Roundup, September 11, 2019

Maryland’s four historically black universities offer to settle suit against state for $577 million; as College of Southern Maryland embarks on fundraiser to set up leadership institute named for Senate President Mike Miller, several entities with business before state government are donating; Gov. Hogan pledges $21 million to help Baltimore fight crime, backs surveillance plane; state’s medical marijuana regulators ask licensees to report any vaping-related illness; state gets $700,000 federal grant to study endangered Atlantic sturgeon; U.S. House Republicans want deeper probe into Jack Evans’ tenure as Metro chair; House panel splits along party lines to pass gun safety measures; and in the series Code Red, Part III looks at an effort to plant shade trees throughout Baltimore.

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State Roundup, September 10, 2019

The Maryland Transit Administration fund for capital projects will fall by about $345 million over the next six fiscal years; Natural Resources proposing 30% cut in oyster harvest for the season; state lawmakers press U.S. Ed Secty DeVos on application denials from student locan forgiveness program; in Code Red, Part II, excessive heat can be detrimental to many with health issues; 2014 candidate for sheriff charged with campaign reporting violations; fuel-laden vans seized in Baltimore region; chair of city labor committee proposes ending pot testing of job candidates; and Chevy Chase council votes to decommission its barky dog park.

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State Roundup, September 9, 2019

Speaker Jones appoints 2nd in command, changes up House leadership, committee assignments; Maryland’s young medical marijuana industry growing dramatically with new patients, anticipated legalizing recreational marijuana; despite concern, workgroup includes teacher salary hikes in ‘foundation’ formula; August was fourth best month for casinos – but not for Horseshoe; Ben Jealous isn’t running for mayor, but will he run for governor?; law professors urge court to revisit Maryland’s emoluments lawsuit; sex assaults in Montgomery draw White House attention to undocumented residents, sanctuary policy; state removes signs for Negro Mountain; and Bowie mayor retiring after 21 years, leaving field wide-open..

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State Roundup, September 5, 2019

Gov. Hogan wants administrative law judges to handle financial settlements for five wrongfully convicted, but others on Board of Public Works, group of delegates say BPW should; as more restaurants use unregulated CBD products in drinks and food, former medical marijuana commissioner raises alarm; Treasurer Nancy Kopp is asking state officials to present a “coherent plan” for maintaining state buildings; $66.5 million cut from Maryland military facilities to help pay for President Trump’s border fence; D.C. suburbs to face major crisis in shortage of affordable housing; Kushner Cos. rejects state settlement over rental housing practices, calling complaint political; and is aide to U.S. Rep. Andy Harris running for Cecil County exec?

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State Roundup, September 4, 2019

Queen Anne’s business, environmental leaders join in opposition to Gov. Hogan’s third Bay Bridge span; elections officials reassure congressional lawmakers after concerns raised over vote integrity; foreseeing a call for more feasibility studies, Stadium Authority raises upper limit of consulting contract; state lawmakers are pressing Ed Secty DeVos for more clarity on student debt foregiveness program; state court rules that child in state care can be immunized despite parents’ religious objections; St. Mary’s schools are cracking down on student smoking, vaping; Prince George’s County Council using ‘text amendments’ to circumvent zoning rules; Charles County community upset over superintendent’s $17,000 salary hike, lifelong health benefits; and Taneytown driver charged in damage to Town Hall.