Cynthia Prairie, Author at MarylandReporter.com

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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.

Rascovar on playing refugee politics

Playing to the public’s worst fears is the thing to do if you’re a Republican politician these days, be it Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan Jr., Donald Trump, Ben Carson, Sen. Marco Rubio or Sen. Ted Cruz. It boosts your poll ratings.

Underperformance on PARCC tests: Interactive maps of county scores

The results from Maryland’s newly implemented Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) exams released this month showed room for improvement. During the 2014-2015 school year, Marylanders took the exam in English and algebra. Capital News Service analyzed the state Department of Education data and put the data into these interactive maps.

State Roundup, November 25, 2015

Advocacy groups ask Gov. Hogan to accept federal vetting to allow Syrian refugees in; medical marijuana dispensary applications come from all over, with Takoma Park seeing 30; experts question value of added psychological testing to improve policing; offshore wind industry takes shape on Lower Shore; Talbot Council votes to keep controversial statue; union seeks ethics probe into Del. Frick; Sen. Mikulski honored at White House; and new poll finds Marylanders backing Clinton and Carson in prez race.

Cynthia Prairie

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