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State Roundup, February 4, 2020

Voters in the 7th Congressional District head to the polls today to nominate a candidate to replace the late Elijah Cummings; in expected low turnout, ‘super voters’ are targeted; panel postpones appointments to UMMS board of directors until audit is complete; Gov. Hogan speaks with city leaders on crime, violence and squeegee kids; Hogan pushes back against bill to use education funds for Pimlico revitalization; Senate panel OKs two Hogan picks to lead Transportation, Corrections; Montgomery House delegation cuts proposed salary hike for local school board members by $50,000; prez candidate Michael Bloomberg taps Maryland campaign team; and mayor of Thurmont, widow of slain Capital Gazette reporter to attend President Trump’s State of the Union address.

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State Roundup, February 3, 2020

Baltimore city officials push lawmakers for more aid, cooperation in reducing violent crime; aid in dying advocates continue to push bill; while Baltimore County lawmakers praise the Pimlico-Laurel racetrack plan, they ponder future of State Fairgrounds in Timonium; bills would strengthen state’s public records laws; lawmakers seeks to reduce late fees for toll payments; Tuesday is Special Primary Day for the 7th District Congressional race to fill the late U.S. Rep. Cummings’ term, and the Baltimore Sun editorial board backs state Sen. Jill Carter in the Democratic Primary and community activist Reba Hawkins in the Republican Primary; back in Annapolis: Republican lawmakers put forward bill on what can be labeled ‘meat;’ Baltimore County government hasn’t recycled glass in years; and Howard County has significant health disparities that exist along racial lines.

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State Roundup, January 30, 2020

Republican lawmakers attempt to amend bill on sales of long guns, while Democrats call them a ‘distraction’; Senate President Ferguson and Sen. Miller push for online ad tax to help fund education, others question its fairness, constitutionality; Gov. Hogan revives push for statewide post-Labor Day school start; proposal would protect Maryland drivers who have their licenses confiscated due to Real ID non-compliance; Speaker Jones turns on House live-streaming; legislation would extend protection to private citizens breaking into cars to save heat-distressed animals; and sisters of late U.S. Rep. Cummings endorses Mfume, Spikes.

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State Roundup, January 29, 2020

Acting Transportation Secretary Slater says traffic congestion estimates stable, agency to work to find firms to minimize home loss to road construction; Gov. Hogan says westbound Bay Bridge lane to reopen before summer; with a slew of convictions in the General Assembly, Annapolis pushes new ethics laws for lawmakers; Mothers Demand Action, lawmakers push to fill “significant loophole” in gun laws; aid-in-dying bill returns, but chances of passage are debatable; and National Organization for Women objecting to Kweisi Mfume’s use of old endorsement, in light of more recent allegations;

AARP

State Roundup, January 28, 2020

Senate panel grills new nominees, three returnees to scandal-embattled UMMS board; new bill would push state into creating MARC commuter routes into N. Virginia; Prince George’s State’s Attorney outlines changes in attitude toward pot possession, approaches to prosecution; AARP blankets Annapolis over aging issues; Sen. Jennings says Preakness must stay in Baltimore; bill would allow some jurisdictions to set up commissions to address climate change; developers ask BPW to review contract over Maryland Insurance Commission offices; Gov. Hogan names Chanel Branch to replace former Del. Glenn; Baltimore’s Airbnbs generated $20 million in revenue in 2019; and first Marylander tested for coronavirus.

Elijah Cummings

State Roundup, January 27, 2020

Republican Sid Saab asks that his name be removed from bill that would require the state to get approval from affected counties before building toll-financed roads; scientists question whether stream recovery projects are worth it; in fallout from Del. Glenn case, medical marijuana grower demands licenses be approved; lawmakers hope to repeal state’s archaic sex laws; Baltimore County community activist tapped to replace Del. Sydnor; before corruption, Del. Glenn found herself with mounting debt; bill would allow divorcing couples to remain under one roof; Del. Barve, Sen. Feldman consider running for comptroller; Kweisi Mfume seeks to regain seat he gave up to lead NAACP; Maryland schools, others begin to address coronavirus possibilities; Baltimore city business leaders seek new leadership in City Hall; and Arundel exec keeps tax hike option on the table.

Boyd Rutherford

State Roundup, January 23, 2020

Former Del. Glenn pleads guilty to taking bribes as names of business ‘associates’ remain sealed; bills seek to put legalizing sports betting to referendum; bipartisan group of lawmakers push for more business-friendly state before Maryland Chamber; Senate President Ferguson touts digital ad tax; lawmakers urge special elections to fill vacancies in General Assembly; bill would make it a crime to cause severe emotional distress to a disabled adult under one’s care; new Transit Caucus pushes for Washington County commuter train service, among other ideas; Sheriff Jenkins can enter into immigration enforcement agreement, but Frederick County doesn’t have to fund it; and who are the Republicans running for Elijah Cummings’ congressional seat?

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State Roundup, January 22, 2020

Gov. Hogan is asking the federal government for more visas for foreign workers to aid the state’s seafood industry; override of vetoed bill to provide tuition exemption for some undocumented immigrants set for this month; lawmakers says Redskins owner pushing legalized sports betting to keep stadium in Maryland; state prisons severely understaffed; legislators unlikely to give boost to 5G firms to build towers; bill would offer tax credits to long-distance commuters; Hogan budget designated $7.6 million for Carroll County projects; 2022 gubernatorial hopeful Peter Franchot already has $1.6 million in campaign coffers; and Baltimore County OKs gun shop security bill.

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State Roundup, January 21, 2020

State fiscal analysts urge legislative budget committees to do more to address structural deficit before Kirwan reforms, economic downturn; following Dem Party complaints, Hogan returns $63,000 in donations; WalletHub study finds Maryland 9th among states in race relations; in Martin Luther King Day address, Del. Mosby draws link from King to historic speakership of Adrienne Jones; $40,000 of $4.7 million to aid Garrett County’s clean water push; 7th Congressional District Democratic hopeful find room for disagreement; Prince George’s leading Montgomery as D.C. suburban job creator; and the Baltimore County Council will vote on bill to make gun shops, sales more secure.

State Roundup, January 20, 2020

Seven hundred shore-area residents pack PSC hearing on offshore wind proposal; bill would give jurisdictions veto over state-backed toll road projects; Gov. Hogan’s greenhouse gas plan called ‘truly vague;’ with left-leaning General Assembly, lawmakers expect more strict gun control regulations; with Chanel Branch’s nomination to fill Del. Glenn’s seat, General Assembly revives debate over filling vacancies; Maryland has highest rate of incarcerating black men ages 18-24; bill sets stage to keep Preakness Stakes in Baltimore, make Laurel Park year-round racing venue; and Allegany Board of Commissioners president defends board support of Dan’s Mountain wind project.