Cynthia Prairie

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Through her attorney, Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh resigns amid the Healthy Holly scandal, apologizing to the city; Gov. Hogan, others weigh in on Pugh’s resignation; one analysis says Pugh’s lack of leadership throughout her mayorship contributed to loss of confidence from the public; what are the next steps for the former mayor; Jack Young automatically becomes mayor; coalition of Prince George’s, Montgomery state lawmakers ask Board of Public works to delay vote of Hogan’s highway widening plan; public begins to get to know who Speaker Adrienne Jones is; Emerge Maryland emerges as a force to usher Democratic women into office; and court upholds Montgomery County ban on cosmetic pesticides.