Cynthia Prairie, Author at MarylandReporter.com

State Roundup, February 1, 2017

House of Delegates begins process to over-ride Gov. Hogan’s veto of renewable energy bill that would require state to buy 25% of energy from renewables by 2020. But business advocates, Republicans say bill is too costly; Democrats introduce series of bills aimed as a defense against actions by Trump administration including expanding Atty. Gen. Frosh’s authority to sue federal government; Hogan to give 3rd State of State today; Washington County lawmakers leaning against legalizing recreational pot; bills aimed at curbing gun ownership for domestic abusers; UM student organisation seeks fracking ban; Trump to tap Maryland U.S. attorney for deputy atty. gen. spot; and Trump-Cummings meeting over drug prices “in the work.”

State House Democrats propose legislation aimed at Trump policies

Democratic lawmakers in Annapolis announced five priorities Tuesday aimed at resisting policy efforts by President Donald Trump’s administration and the Republican-controlled Congress. One would withdraw all of Maryland’s past calls for a constitutional convention, another would direct the attorney general to oppose “harmful” federal policies, two would create commissions to monitor health and financial regulatory developments at the federal level, and the fifth would instruct the state’s congressional delegation and governor to resist any effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

State Roundup, January 31, 2017

Atty. Gen. Frosh considers joining legal action to block President Trump on travel ban as families, universities and medical centers assess problems it has created. Meanwhile, Rep. Harris supports it; lawmakers proposed legalizing marijuana for recreational use; Simonaires propose including law enforcement for hate crime protections; Gov. Hogan suggests 401(k) for new state workers instead of pension, sparking backlash from union; lack of funding for replacement jail concerns some; and Prince George’s Exec Baker seeks control over county liquor board.

Collins: Politics as usual on Prince George’s County hospital

Prince George’s County elected officials, including the Senate president, are lobbying hard to prevent the Anne Arundel County Medical Center from getting a cardiac surgery program they say may take patients from their hospital. Columnist Michael Collins calls it politics as usual.

State Roundup, January 30, 2017

Following President Trump travel ban, Gov. Hogan mum; thousands demonstrate at BWI; bill would limit state cooperation with deportation authorities; marijuana laws in flux with more licenses and regulations on legal use proposed; former Gov. O’Malley now supporting redistricting reform; Arundel seeks representation on oyster commission; legislation would require updates to Baltimore City police districts; manufacturing sector in Maryland grows; first lady hosts third Lunar New Year celebration; and Cumberland officials not sold on fracking.

O’Malley now supports non-partisan commissions to draw congressional districts he admits gerrymandering

Former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley now says he supports “non-partisan redistricting commissions not only for drawing Congressional districts every ten years, but for state legislative districts as well,” even while admitting he engaged in partisan gerrymandering as a Democratic governor. “We must, on a state by state basis, push for an end to gerrymandered Congressional districts,” he told an audience Tuesday at the Boston College law school, where he is a distinguished visiting professor.

Rascovar: Will Hogan’s slimmed-down budget implode?

Through no fault of his own, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan’s slimmed-down, $43.5 billion budget could implode at any moment, depending on actions in Washington by President Trump and a Republican-controlled Congress intent on slashing federal domestic spending.

State Roundup, January 27, 2017

Senate override of Hogan 2016 veto on renewable use delayed a week; annual Environmental Summit draws 300 ready to fight to issues in General Assembly; Sen. Conway says fracking ban unlikely although moratorium stands better chance; as state ACA enrollment rises, lawmakers ask Gov. Hogan to defend parts of plan to President Trump; bill would block individual jurisdictions from minimum wage hikes above state; Del. Oaks nominated to replace Sen. Gladden; U.S. Rep. Cummings defiant on defending democracy, but willing to talk to Trump on cutting prescription drug costs; and would-be Montgomery exec candidates start war of words.

Senate postpones vote on renewable energy veto

A Senate vote to increase the state’s Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard and override Gov. Larry Hogan’s veto from the 2016 session was postponed Thursday for a week. The bill would mandate that 25% of all electricity consumption in the state come from renewable energy sources by the year 2020. The measure ups the renewable energy goal from the current 20% by 2022. Senate Minority Whip Stephen Hershey said the vote scheduled this Thursday came earlier than expected and was anticipated to take place only after the House took up the RPS veto next week.

State Roundup, January 26, 2017

Board of Public Works chides Howard school officials over mold remediation, release $10 million to Baltimore City, Baltimore County schools for air conditioning; Gov. Hogan pushes for hike in the number of charter schools, easier path to open them; as fight looms over bail bond reforms, industry puts money where the votes are; advocates return again to seek death with dignity law; Judge Barbera says she’ll willing to cut $6.5 million for overall budget; former Hoyer aide tapped to fill former delegate’s seat; showdowns with White House expected over Bay funds, sanctuary cities; and Mayor Pugh says she is unconcerned over donation charges against two staffers.

Cynthia Prairie

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