Cynthia Prairie, Author at MarylandReporter.com

Some surprises in Hogan’s budget: City school aid drops, no local bond bills

As the legislature’s budget analysts drilled down in the governor’s $42 billion spending plan, they’ve come up with a few surprises that weren’t previously announced. Members of the fiscal committees were briefed Tuesday.

Vatz and Lazarick on the Democratic Town Hall in Iowa

The final meeting before the Iowa Caucuses of the Democratic candidates — a CNN town hall series of interviews and audience question-and-answers at Drake University — Sen. Bernie Sanders, former Gov. Martin O’ Malley former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, was energized by three things: the closeness of the Iowa race, Sanders’ surging ahead in New Hampshire, and President Obama’s not-so-deft near endorsement of Hillary Clinton.

State Roundup, January 26, 2016

While the blizzard continues to dominate the headlines, Senate Pres Mike Miller in Annapolis on Monday, says he expects a battle over Gov Hogan’s budget; and the Maryland Judiciary says it needs more judgeships to meet demand; Now, back to the snows: while who gets plowed first has always been a treacherous road to go down politically, Howard Exec Kittleman gives the early nod to Lt. Gov. Rutherford’s road; if it hadn’t been for the DGS, lawmakers would have had a dangerous time on Monday night; cleanup costs are expected to run into the millions; in other political news: former Salisbury mayor Ireton hopes to challenge U.S. Rep. Harris; wine merchant Trone considers 8th Congressional district seat; and former ER doc Plaster stumps for the 3rd.

The decline of political conventional wisdom

As we move close to actual voting in Iowa and New Hampshire, it’s not at all clear that any other Republican candidate is going to be able to stop Donald Trump’s momentum. Stranger still, stories are starting to appear citing high-level Republican insiders who would rather take their chances with Trump as their nominee than the widely despised junior senator from Texas, Ted Cruz. These two candidates set off alarm bells on both ends of the political spectrum.

Plaster doesn’t need third career in politics, but he wants one

Mark Plaster has a big, black, 38-foot RV with his name plastered all over it. You may have seen it in Annapolis or Bowie or Olney or Burtonsville or Silver Spring or Towson or Columbia or Baltimore. In other words, you may have seen the RV all over the odd-shaped 3rd congressional district, the second most-gerrymandered district in the country. “That’s why we bought the bus,” said Plaster. “We want to have a presence throughout the district.” Republican Plaster is running (or should that be riding?) for Congress, hoping to unseat Democrat John Sarbanes.

State Roundup, January 25, 2016

Now that the blizzard is over, Maryland will seek federal disaster aid as the cleanup continues throughout the state and crews work to restore power to those who lost it; meanwhile, many government offices are closed as roads continue to get plowed, but the General Assembly will still kick into gear later today; Dems expected to wrangle over Hogan’ budget; Montgomery delegate introduces legislation to encourage STEM studies; Harford sheriff backs end to handgun license fee; seven state lawmakers hope to make the jump to Capitol Hill, including Del. McDonough, who hopes to oust U.S. Rep. Ruppersberger; former Lt. Gov. Brown — who is also running for Congress — is chipping away at gubernatorial campaign debt; and civil trial of John Leopold postponed by snows.

Rascovar on Hogan’s conflicted budget

At first glance there is lots to like about Gov. Larry Hogan, Jr.’s new budget. It’s largely a status quo blueprint that keeping spending under expected revenue growth without harming ongoing programs. There’s a bit of sunshine for just about every group – liberals, conservatives, environmentalists, law-and-order types, urban dwellers, rural residents and suburbanites.

State Roundup, January 22, 2016

Gov. Hogan declares a state of emergency as Maryland braces for a blizzard starting later today; meanwhile Democrats overturn Hogan’s 2015 vetoes to decriminalize possession of pot paraphernalia and restore rehab funding to Annapolis art center. But a vote on giving voting rights to ex-felons upon jail release is delayed awaiting new Montgomery senator; Montgomery Dems back Del. Zucker for Senate seat; Hogan’s budgeted higher education funding getting mixed reviews; one year into a four-year term, and Hogan hints at seeking a second term; and former news anchor Jack Bowden dies.

Maryland lawmakers override 5 of Hogan’s vetoes; Senate delays on felon voting rights

Despite impassioned speeches from Republicans, the Democrat-controlled Maryland Senate voted Thursday to override three of Gov. Larry Hogan’s vetoes from last session, and decided to postpone voting on a fourth.

Montgomery County should declare “Perestroika” on liquor sales

When government tries to control a particular industry and interfere with natural market forces, even when it comes to something as straightforward as selling cars or liquor, it leads to all sorts of problems, like inefficiency, limited product choice, artificially high prices, and corruption.

Cynthia Prairie

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