Author: Cynthia Prairie

O’Malley to be sworn for a second term, followed by scaled-down festivities; feds say 2.5 million Marylanders could lose health coverage if repeal goes through; Kittleman resigns as minority leader, many urge him to stay; number of millionaires in Maryland drops again; minimum wage hike bill to be introduced by a Montgomery Democrat; Sargent Shriver, who died yesterday at 95, is remembered around the state.

Shoved between the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, the weather and O’Malley’s inaugural, today is unusually quiet in state politics: A General Assembly committee could hold hearings on reviving the death penalty within a month; filling health care gaps among priorities for the Legislative Black Caucus; expect clashes in the State House over immigration issues; O’Malley at College Park; and long-time Montgomery politician William Hanna Jr. dies.

Death penalty return anticipated; Several abortion-related bills to be introduced; Rocky Gap slots bill to be fast-tracked as “emergency bill;” Klausmeier bill would legalize poker, blackjack and other table games; veterans groups seek slots at their posts; lawmakers seek to overturn individual health insurance mandate; Steele bows out of RNC race; Ehrlichs said to be shopping around another radio show; and eight firms said to be interested in offshore wind projects.

State lawmakers return to Annapolis to be sworn-in and celebrate before the tough stuff starts; lots of photos of opening day; budget cuts are the talk of the day; while leaders are reluctant to talk tax hikes, they will consider them — if county’s ask; Pat McDonough to introduce 16 bills to crack down on illegal immigration; and State Center redevelopment put on hold.

O’Malley to remain “open-minded” over new taxes; not all state workers who seek buyouts will get them; looser requirement over Rocky Gap slots are sought; state ethics panel warns legislators over room offers; Munson to volunteer in Annapolis; and Baker hopes to move federal agency from Rockville to Prince George’s.