Cynthia Prairie, Author at MarylandReporter.com

State Roundup, December 3, 2015

Gov. Hogan’s reform panel urges massive overhaul of government structure, adoption of customer service model toward business needs; prison reform group says state could save $250 million by cutting 3,600 from prison population; Hogan questions reliability of state’s new voting system; judge rules that Bladensburg Cross not unconstitutional; Black Caucus members back Rep. Edwards for Senate; but union that helped Edwards now supporting Rep. Van Hollen for Senate.

Commission recommends overhaul of state government, streamlining regulations and improved customer service

Gov. Larry Hogan’s Regulatory Reform Commission is recommending a massive overhaul of Maryland’s “convoluted” governmental structure along with a host of small and medium-size changes to streamline regulations and focus state employees on helping businesses and citizens.

“We have to fundamentally change the mindset of the state’s regulatory mission from one of glaring bureaucracy looking to punish and change it into a customer service base,” Hogan said as he touted the commission’s initial 30-page report.

Md. state police had record-keeping problems on money and gun licenses, audit finds

Bookkeeping errors by the Maryland Department of State Police contributed to what looked to be questionable spending and inaccurate handgun records, according to an audit released Tuesday.

Will write for food — help us keep our eyes on the State House

“Will write for food” said the T-shirt produced by student journalists over 15 years ago. Since then, the number of journalists writing for food has been cut in half. The advertising model is broken, except for the big search engines. People are so used to getting their news for free that they forget there is no really free news just as there is no free lunch. Now that Giving Tuesday is over and you’ve donated to your favorite school, food bank, charity and social service organization consider a contribution to MarylandReporter.com to keep independent news coverage of state government and politics alive.

State Roundup, December 2, 2015

Governor’s opioid task force wraps up work recommending expanded treatment, more monitoring of prescription drugs. Some solutions may be legislative; Comptroller Franchot targets tax-related crime for tougher penalties; state tells proposed Brooklyn power plant operator it could be in violation of construction deadline; Judge Michele Hotten named to Appeals Court; long, contentious hearing over Montgomery’s controversial liquor system; Gansler named special prosecutor in Pennsylvania case; Kefalas seeks GOP nod to run for Senate; and Van Hollen picks up more support.

Franchot proposes tougher laws to help curb income tax fraud

Maryland’s comptroller on Tuesday proposed legislation to boost penalties for tax-related crimes and increase the state’s prevention and enforcement efforts. “Tax fraud and identity theft associated with it are a growing concern across the country as personal information becomes more and more available to perpetrators and as schemes become more and more sophisticated,” said Comptroller Peter Franchot.

O’Malley courts U.S. House Democrats

Former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley met with the U.S. House Democratic Caucus on Capitol Hill Tuesday morning in an effort to earn more support for his presidential run as he continues to struggle in the polls. Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton has been endorsed by 38 senators and 144 House members, including every Democrat in the Maryland delegation.

State Roundup, December 1, 2015

The Obama administration says it will provide states with more information on Syrian refugees coming into their jurisdictions; Gov. Hogan says Maryland has been prepping for possible problems related to police trials in Baltimore; prison agency audit finds little competition in bidding; Maryland joins suit against VW over emissions rigging; MVA allowed to pull rude Spanish language license plate; controversial videographer in ACORN case now targeting Md. Attorney General; super PAC donates $200,000 to Republican seeking U.S. Rep. Delaney’s seat; Emily’s List hopes to even playing field with $1 million ad campaign for Edwards; and Neuman, Miele named to chair Marco Rubio’s campaign in Maryland.

Tom Horton: Paddling around Delmarva gives ample time to think

Longtime environmental writer Tom Horton offers some thoughts on rounding the Delmarva Peninsula by kayak, a 500-mile journey at a few miles an hour that gives ample time to think.

State Roundup, November 30, 2015

Gov. Hogan proves popular throughout Maryland — and with a NYTimes columnist; some Montgomery business owners say they are wrestling with state taxes, contemplate moving out of state; environmentalists seek to pull permit from proposed incinerator; Montgomery County says it welcomes Syrian refugees; jury selection begins today in first cop trial in Freddie Gray death; lawmakers seek list of police agencies not adopting anti-racial profiling recommendations; Clinton to fund-raise in Owings Mills; and NBA star’s attempt to honor home county backfires with some in PG.

Cynthia Prairie

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