Cynthia Prairie, Author at MarylandReporter.com

State Roundup, February 18, 2016

Maryland lawmakers question Gov. Hogan’s plan to delay college projects — some at HBCUs — to build city jail; senators introduce bill to require live streaming of State House floor sessions; health advocates continue to push for another hike in tobacco tax; bill would end “eye-witness” testimony on cohabitation to OK divorce; Dems, Republicans split over acceptability of smoking marijuana in public; congressional candidate Glenn Ivey addresses Supreme Court nomination fight in new ad; U.S. Rep. Harris endorses Ben Carson for president; and Special Olympian and friend to Gov. Hogan dies at 33.

Bipartisanship is a one-way street in Annapolis

There is a great deal of talk in Annapolis about bipartisanship. The reality of divided government in Annapolis, however, is that if you look past the rhetoric to the deeds of the state’s top elected officials it is clear that bipartisanship is a one-way street, says commentator Greg Kline. Maryland Democratic leaders, who dominate the General Assembly, seem to view their monopoly on state politics as nearly a divine right. As such, they regard Republican Governor Larry Hogan as a temporary interloper whose election was merely a fluke.

Health advocates back $1 a pack increase in cigarette tax

In an effort to discourage Marylanders from smoking, health advocates urged lawmakers Wednesday to back a bill that would raise the state’s $2-per-pack cigarette tax to $3. Taxes on other tobacco products would increase by 30% as well. In an effort to discourage Marylanders from smoking, health advocates urged lawmakers Wednesday to back a bill that would raise the state’s $2-per-pack cigarette tax to $3. Taxes on other tobacco products would increase by 30% as well.

State Roundup, February 17, 2016

Democrats’ proposed transportation package seeks accountability, public input and stirs continually boiling pot with Hogan administration; Senate Pres Miller would raise judges’ retirement age to 73; as Arundel dems seek diversity on school board, Republicans seek partially elected body; Gov. Hogan hikes arts funding; federal gerrymandering case attracting more plaintiffs; congressional candidate Szeliga opts to attend GOP fund-raising event, debate to go on without perceived fund-raiser; Alvin Thornton drops out of congressional race; Del. Carter backs Sen. Pugh in Baltimore City mayor’s race, which now has 24 candidates; and Jerry Connell, former delegate and state senator, dies at 88.

Senate president again proposes later retirement age for judges

Senate President Mike Miller is proposing legislation to boost the mandatory retirement age of Maryland judges from 70 to 73. VA similar bill — originally proposing 75 as the retirement age — unanimously passed the Senate last year and was subsequently sent to the House Judiciary Committee where it ultimately passed after amendments. It never received a final vote before the legislative session ended.

Dems seek more control of transportation funding; Hogan calls it ‘reckless power grab’

Complaining that decisions about Maryland’s congested transportation system are made with no accountability or public input, Maryland Democratic lawmakers on Tuesday announced legislation that would create an Oversight and Planning Board for the Maryland Transit Authority. Legislators said Marylanders also need more insight into how and why some projects are funded over others. Another bill announced Tuesday would create a scoring system for transportation projects to determine which get funding.

Comptroller seeks to withhold tax refunds from those with arrest warrants

The comptroller’s office would be able to withhold tax refunds from individuals who have outstanding arrest warrants throughout the state, under a pair of Maryland bills designed to provide criminal suspects with a financial incentive to turn themselves in.

State Roundup, February 16, 2016

Teacher pension costs for counties are expected to increase; Dels. Kathy Szeliga and David Moon team up to push for video streaming of GA floor sessions, say high cost estimates are wrong; Washington County schools predict course shuffling needed to meet Gov. Hogan’s early graduation program; Comptroller Franchot seeks more authority as number of tax cases rises; Supreme Court to hear Maryland utility case; and Leisure World seniors give no rest for District 8 congressional candidates.

Debate continues over creating no-fault birth injury fund

A state-created task force has again called for the creation of a fund that would provide lifetime care needs to babies suffering from birth-related neurological injuries. This is the third time in three years that the task force has pushed for the passage of HB 377. The controversial no-fault birth injury fund, modeled after those in Florida and Virginia, would compensate families of babies with these injuries and allow them to forego the need for litigation. The sponsor of the bill, HB 377, Del. Dan Morhaim, a Baltimore County Democrat, believes Maryland can learn from those states.

Legislators pushing for video of floor sessions say costs inflated

The conservative Republican and liberal Democrat pushing together for video streaming of General Assembly floor sessions also agree that the estimated costs are far too high. In the fiscal note to House Bill 316, legislative staff estimates it would cost $1.2 million to install and operate next year, and then over $400,000 per year to staff and maintain the system. “With modern technology you can do it for much, much less,” House Minority Whip Kathy Szeliga told the House Rules Committee Friday.

Cynthia Prairie

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