Cynthia Prairie, Author at MarylandReporter.com

Advocates seek immunity for young victims of sex trafficking, but police object

A state workgroup is recommending that juvenile victims of human trafficking will not be prosecuted for sex crimes in Maryland, despite objections from law enforcement. From 2012 to October of this year, 82 girls in Maryland were confirmed as victims of human trafficking. Police say youth victims of human trafficking are usually recovered in areas near airports with higher population density, and often come from low-income families with a history of neglect and substance abuse.

Opinion: Congress should back up the Bay Blueprint

With so much progress on the Chesapeake Bay, now is the time to build on our success with the three decades old federal Bay program –to increase our efforts, not relax them. That’s why it was so discouraging this summer to see the House of Representatives add to its Interior appropriations bill a provision to bar funding for EPA “backstops,” a unique element of the Blueprint that gives each state certainty that the others will fulfill their commitments to reduce pollution and improve water quality.

State Roundup, October 6, 2016

Legislative Black Caucus to hold daylong hearing on discrimination in policing, medical marijuana industry; state continues to reconsider relationship with Wells Fargo bank; micro-distillers now allowed to self-distribute to bars, restaurants; Gov. Hogan to take his Cabinet to Washington County; with new state law in place, Aberdeen considers charter amendment on runoffs; midge problem along Baltimore County waterfront spurs Hogan to action; Montgomery councilmembers giving to anti-term limit campaign; and while Hogan is up in the polls, the GOP is down.

Public funding of county campaigns on the Howard ballot

Question A on the Howard County ballot is actually getting statewide attention and even some national notice, as it seeks to establish public funding of campaigns for local offices. Ben Cohen, the Ben of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream, was in Columbia last week to promote a cause he embraced years ago.

State Roundup, October 5, 2016

State and county officials seek collaboration in fight against continued opioid epidemic, deaths; group of Maryland lawmakers seek halt to state’s medical marijuana program to retool for racial diversity; Gov. Hogan delays funding for I-270 busway for at least six years; Baltimore City reverses itself, seeks policing upgrade funds from state; Sen. Muse eyes legislation to end bullying in state agencies; Maryland Insurance Administration challenged over order against “Money Guys;” health commissioner backs proposed Prince George’s Medical Center; Harford State’s Attorney Cassily to retire; and Frederick city police to get body cameras.

Trump adviser says Maryland should be more like Texas

A senior Trump economic adviser told a Maryland business group Tuesday that Maryland should become more like Texas, cutting taxes and regulations to spur economic growth. Economist Steve Moore of the Heritage Foundation told a breakfast meeting of the conservative Maryland Business for Responsive Government that Donald Trump would win the national election, perhaps even win Maryland, and cause a major realignment of the Republican Party.

Opinion: Vice presidential debate is a tie: Pence wins on style, Kaine on substance

The key to the debate was that throughout, Kaine could not defend his presidential nominee from all of the accusations that Trump never was able to make in their last debate but that Pence made. Pence not only couldn’t defend Trump on his erratic rhetoric, but he simply denied that Trump had said things that he had said.

State Roundup, October 4, 2016

As the Maryland Insurance Admin OKs 2017 rates, there is good news for some and bad news for others; congressional action means more money for states, locals to fight Zika virus; Gov. Hogan completes chemotherapy; state’s Attorney General must decide on continuing relationship with Wells Fargo bank; GM National Harbor set to open on Dec. 8; Republican mayoral candidate Alan Walden talks about why he is running; growing number of gunshot victims in Baltimore City are dying; and two Prince George’s residents sue county over taxes.

Desperate House Democrats plead for donations

Do desperate campaign fundraising appeals work? The folks at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee apparently think so, and have been doing it for years, according to published accounts. In just the past week, as the Sept. 30 report filing deadline approached, I got over 40 emails from the DCCC with subject lines that included “We’re BEGGING,” “We’re losing,” “Trump WINS,” “TRUMP.WINS.EVERYTHING” and “throw in the towel.”

State Roundup, October 3, 2016

In light of Wells Fargo scandal, Maryland reviewing its relationship with the bank; despite experts’ warning, Maryland moves ahead with online absentee balloting; population of middle-aged opioid addicts, overdose victims grows; mandatory minimum sentences for drug offenses to be eliminated in a year; GOP congressional hopefuls hope coattails of Gov. Hogan’s popularity propel them to victory; former candidate David Trone to pay $150,000 after $250,000 in illegal campaign contributions discovered; politics invades Arundel judges race; Seat Pleasant mayor, once banned from town hall, gets revenge; and Helen Bentley leaves $2.5 million estate.

Cynthia Prairie

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