Cynthia Prairie

Bill to hike minimum wage heads to Gov. Hogan’s desk as he promises ‘careful review’ of legislation he has said could devastate Maryland economy; senators moved forward on a $46.6 billion budget plan; Speaker Busch promises legislation to overhaul UMMS board of directors as UMMS leaders meet with top officials and promise changes to restore confidence in board; Mayor Pugh returns $100,000 to UMMS, calls inquiry into book deal a ‘witch hunt,’ refuses to show tax documents; Senate also approves bill setting new goals on state use of clean energy; despite its ban on fracking, Maryland has become a gateway to move fracked gas around the world; Green, Libertarian parties lose state recognition; and if state funds come through, construction of Laurel ‘super track’ could begin in fall.

Compromise reported on $15 minimum wage; as the UMMS scandal continues: two more board members resign and UMMS taxes listed payments to Mayor Pugh as ‘grants;’ in Annapolis, House of Delegates OKs new school construction spending and Senate weighs education funding lower than what House approved; as Baltimore County delegation backs Baltimore City over Preakness bill, Pugh sues Pimlico owner to wrestle away venue; Senate passes measure to strip ‘green’ label from trash burning energy producers; state Dem Party leader slams Gov. Hogan over claim he’s a ‘Reagan Republican,’ calling him ‘dog whistle white nationalist;’ Hogan continues to nudge Amazon for at least some of HQ2; and funeral arrangements set for former Gov. Harry Hughes.

Gov. Hogan blasts General Assembly of reckless spending and friendly to violent criminals. But many spending bills with mandates already dead or dying; Mayor Pugh resigns UMMS board, as 8,700 of her children’s books are found in a Baltimore City school warehouse and Senate President Miller says he expects more board resignations, plus an audit of UMMS contracting. UMMS Board member, House Speaker Busch calls scandal worst in Maryland politics as Sen. Ferguson calls on Pugh to return UMMS payments; the crossover push: compromise bill would give a boost to craft brewers; Baltimore City delegations seeks to kill funding for Laurel ‘super track’ to save Preakness at Pimlico; House gives final OK to bill to ban 3-D gun printing, require background checks on long gun purchases; House, Senate approve versions of raising age for tobacco purchasing; more environmentalists using drones to monitor waterways; public financing of campaigns in Baltimore County to go to the voters; and President Trump tries to stop Maryland emoluments lawsuit.

Gov. Hogan, General Assembly leaders call out board of trustees of UMMS for “self-dealing,” calls for an end of the practice; as senator, Mayor Catherine Pugh failed to disclose business relationship with UMMS as money was channeled into her campaign account; Senate panel seeks to cut $1 million for University of Maryland top office in part due to revelation that Chancellor Caret pushed charm bracelets, then retaliated against chief of staff who complained; House set to OK bill to require background checks to purchase long guns; House gives initial OK to lift statute of limitations from filing lawsuits on child sex abuse complaints; state Sen. Smith gets ready for Afghanistan deployment; city lawmakers kill bill to allow public school police to carry guns; and in the latest of our Hogan Prez Watch, the governor gets laughs at St. Patrick’s Day dinner.

Full House of Delegates passes $46.7 billion spending plan while Senate panel constrains funding on Kirwan recommendations; Assembly leaders outraged over UMMS board members – including Mayor Pugh — profiting from relationship with hospital; Gov. Hogan asks Trump administration for more work visas for crab industry; Senate passes $15 minimum wage hike; Senate President Miller says legalized sports betting dead for this year; consumer groups take notice of utility-backed bill; and despite objections from rural lawmakers, House passes pesticide ban.

Former Gov. Harry Hughes, champion of the Chesapeake Bay and leaders of “a very quiet administration,” dies at 92; House of Delegates OKs budget with 4.2% hike, including more funds for Kirwan initiatives; Senate Finance Committee to hear testimony on legislation that would make it illegal for hospital board members to profit from in-house contracts; attempt to kill clean energy bill fails in committee; bill to allow gender-neutral designation on drivers licenses heads to governor’s desk; proposed redistricting map gets first public airing; and U.S. Rep. Cummings loads up on large investigative staff to scrutinize President Trump and his appointees.

With veto-proof majority, Maryland now poised to become first state to ban foam food containers, while Gov. Hogan seems non-committal on signing legislation; owners of medical marijuana shops concerned that legislation will not prevent out of state ownership, consolidation under large corporations; over protests, U.S. Rep. Cummings gives emotional appeal for armed JHU police force; bill would mandate outside investigation of killings by police; Senate passes expansion of child-care credit; measure would ban discrimination against owners of certain dog breeds; bills would push educating students to become organ, tissue donors; and Trump budget proposal would slice 13% from Bethesda-based NIH.

About 8,500 teachers and their supporters rally in Annapolis for major increase in school funding, drawing support from county executives, as House of Delegates takes first look at 2020 budget proposal; residents surrounding Hopkins push back against proposal for private police force; attending Handgun Permit Review hearing enlightening in its lack of clarity, overturning of State Police decisions; state Senate expands child care tax credits; redistricting public hearing to be held today as Gov. Hogan, former California Gov. Schwarzenegger file brief with Supreme Court; and President Trump’s proposed budget slashes 90% of funds for Chesapeake Bay.

House Appropriations Committee OKs $320 million more for Maryland public schools, including salary hikes, pre-K expansion; Gov. Hogan counters $15 minimum wage hike with $12.10 proposal; former member of Hangun Permit board ejected from hearing when she overstays testimony time; MVA adding staffing, hours to accommodate Real ID applicants; House OKs aided suicide bill; Baltimore city bills target lead paint poisoning, control of city police department; Hogan raised $1.6 million for inaugural; and Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association Sunshine Week study finds police reports throughout the state are expensive to obtain.

After emotional debate, Maryland House approves bill to allow terminally ill adults to obtain end-of-life prescription drugs; Senate advances minimum wage bill that delays $15 hike for small businesses until 2028; income taxes account for drop in state revenue projections; General Assembly will likely meet in special summer session over redistricting map; key senators back JHU policing bill; amid growing revelations of sexual misconduct, bill would prevent cited teachers from moving to other schools by banning non-disclosure pacts; and U.S. House Dems push ethics bill written by Maryland Rep. John Sarbanes to cut role of big money in politics and ensure fair elections.