Cynthia Prairie, Author at MarylandReporter.com

Redistricting reform gains some Senate support

Gov. Larry Hogan’s is again pushing to create an independent commission to draw congressional and legislative district lines. The retired federal judge Hogan appointed to head the commission that made the recommendation said the state needs to fix its oddly shaped, highly partisan congressional district lines or federal judges will do it for Maryland.

New septic bill struggles in the Senate

A bill to require Best Available Technology (BAT) for all new construction on septic everywhere in Maryland is struggling to survive in the Senate.

The bill, SB266, sponsored by Sen. Joan Carter Conway, D-Baltimore City, would establish a 2012 regulation issued under former Gov. Martin O’Malley into law that required BAT systems for all new construction in the state, even beyond the critical areas. Gov. Larry Hogan killed the O’Malley-era regulation last summer and limited BAT system requirements to the critical areas only.

Rascovar: Delegate Morhaim’s moment of shame

It had to be one of the most painful and humiliating moments of Dan Morhaim’s life. Last Friday he sat in the House of Delegates chamber as his colleagues voted 138-0 to reprimand him for not informing them and a state commission he had a conflict of interest on medical marijuana issues.

State Roundup, March 3, 2017

State Senate revives bill to reinstate O’Malley septic rule; Gov. Hogan pollution credit bill gets watered down, passed unanimously in Senate; ethics panel finds Del. Morhaim acted improperly in marijuana law/dispensary controversy. He issues an apology; in time of Trump, State House dems move to rescind calls for constitutional convention; Hogan, ‘House of Cards’ actor issue addiction-help PSAs; Attorney General Frosh asks feds to declare hospitals, schools, courts safe from immigration raids; Bay advocates fear 93% cut in federal program; and Kathleen Matthews named interim chair of state Dems.

Dems move to rescind Md. calls for U.S. constitutional convention

Responding to fears about how President Trump and a runaway constitutional convention might tamper with the U.S. Constitution, Democrats at the State House are moving closer to rescinding decades-old calls for a constitutional convention to deal with issues of the day. A Senate resolution that would “rescind, repeal, cancel, void, nullify, and supersede” four historical applications to the U.S. Congress for a convention was adopted in the Senate on Thursday. Republicans fought in vain for an amendment to keep the 1975 call for a balanced budget open for seven years.

State Roundup, March 2, 2017

Gov. Hogan declares state of emergency over state’s opioid death problem, hopes to bring together jurisdictions to fight it; Hogan also accuses Del. Morhaim of “trying to legalize heroin” after delegate introduces “safe spaces” bill. Morhaim futilely demands an apology; the House of Delegates gives a preliminary OK to paid sick leave bill; Hogan slams Baltimore City schools spending while advocates slam back over failed casino funds promise; as Hogan condemns threats against Jewish institutions, congressional delegation calls for a probe; U.S. Rep. Cummings urges Sessions to resign after latest Russia revelation; and another Montgomery Council member announces for county exec.

State Roundup, March 1, 2017

House OKs limits on school testing; opioid overdose deaths now rank among top killers in Maryland; Del. Morhaim introduces bill to allow safe places for drug injections; defense attorneys balk at allowing past sex offenses to be evidence; fracking ban gets hearing; Senate rejects law that would allow students to opt out of dissecting; Senate Pres Miller has slight health scare; and former NAACP chief Benjamin Jealous considers running for governor.

Large chicken houses spur health concerns

With no help from their state representatives, some residents of the lower Eastern Shore have sought help from a Montgomery County Democrat to address health problems blamed on an explosion of large poultry operations. Respiratory problems have been linked to ammonia, hydrogen sulfides and particulates venting from rows of large industrial fans in chicken houses. Large poultry operations have increased dramatically in the last decade, according to residents who testified in Annapolis on Tuesday.

Opinion: Md. leaders should pave the way for self-driving vehicles, not put state in reverse

America is on the verge of a transportation revolution powered by self-driving technology. As this industry takes shape, Maryland’s elected leaders are facing a serious question this legislative session: Will the Old Line State embrace the future, or get left behind?

State Roundup, February 28, 2017

Immigrant activists march to draw attention to legislation to limit local governments’ ability to aid federal immigration enforcement; bill would prevent colleges from asking applicants about their criminal past; craft brewers concerned about Guinness legislation; bill with Sen. Oaks’ name on it wasn’t sponsored by Oaks; legislation would allow students to opt out of dissecting animals; two years after appointment, Gov. Hogan’s lottery nominee finally approved; HBCUs lobby White House for support; and bomb threats hit Jewish centers, schools in state.

Cynthia Prairie

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