Author: Cynthia Prairie

The state budget spares counties on teacher pension costs, but adds new ones; state leaders say O’Malley falls short on state pension fixes; major tax package would aid roads funds; gay marriage gains momentum — but not for everyone; three jurisdictions join the chorus for allowing BYO-wine; jobless rate steady in state; state police oppose proposal to allow concealed weapons across state lines; and Ruppersberger named top Dem on House Intelligence panel.

New poll numbers are upbeat for O’Malley, same-sex marriage; O’Malley outlines his legislative agenda, including gun crime, child welfare, jobs and greening Maryland; lots of coverage on medical marijuana — it gets an emotional boost from talk-show host Montel Williams who has MS; Frederick senator seeks statewide count of all illegal aliens in schools; legal table games through constitutional amendment or through legislation?; restaurant group against allowing BYO wine; and death penalty revival hits snag as maker of lethal drug halts production.

More indepth budget coverage: DBED gets more funding, Medicaid cut, critics of budget include state workers who may have to pay more into pensions, and Baltimore County not too unhappy with its share; Jacobs elected minority leader; Laurel to hike purses; Baker opens up about corruption in Prince George’s; and Frederick commissioners pull out of pension system.

No surprise that O’Malley’s 2nd inauguration gets lots of coverage: a closer look at his speech and its meanings; how the budget crisis impacted the celebration and will impact his second term; lots of photo galleries of the day and a slew of videos; two weeks before U.S. Rep. Andy Harris gets federal health care and he votes to repeal it for 32 million; does Kittleman’s resignation as minority leader foreshadow plans to run for governor?; PSC OKs merger of FirstEnergy and Allegheny Energy; and ambulance fee talk still alive in Montgomery County.

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.