Cynthia Prairie, Author at MarylandReporter.com

State Roundup, June 8, 2015

Bipartisan group of state lawmakers to begin developing recommendations to improve police-community relations, upgrade police training; as eyes focus on spike in violence in Baltimore City, then Gov. O’Malley had offered aid to Mayor Rawlings-Blake on crime-fighting, 5th member of mayor’s Criminal Justice Office bolts and mayor making the rounds of neighbors; while Gov. Hogan touts maglev, Red and Purple Line advocates ask, hey, what about us?; Eastern Shore farmers need a bit of schooling on the chicken manure front; overall casino revenues are up, but Baltimore City’s Horseshoe site is down; O’Malley courts Dartmouth students; former chair of Calvert GOP CC dies; Montgomery County Board of Elections shifts to Republican control; and Wicomico sheriff in the national spotlight.

Rascovar: Hogan’s ‘incredible’ maglev gaffe

In the name of improved economic ties with Japan, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan Jr. allowed himself to be used as a marketing tool for a pie-in-the-sky, ultra-expensive transportation project known as “maglev.”

State Roundup, June 5, 2015

Gov. Hogan takes a fast trip on Japan’s maglev, calls experience “incredible,” then announces application for $28 million in federal funds for Baltimore-D.C. maglev project; advocates of the Purple Line ask, What about us?; court upholds earlier ruling, says Staples owes state $14 million in back taxes; Baltimore City Democrats are seeking $1 million from the state to help fund youth jobs; Baltimore City police chief seeks state, federal help in quelling tide of crime; Speaker Busch touts school aid close to home; and Frederick County tackles ethics, executive orders.

Election board member calls for more openness about campaign finance investigations

The ranking Republican on the Maryland State Board of Elections is calling for more transparency when staff investigates campaign finance violations that have the potential to be referred to the State Prosecutor’s Office.

In March state election staff cleared former Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown’s campaign for alleged campaign finance coordination during the 2014 gubernatorial primary election, but board members are still waiting for written documentation that supports the finding.

State Roundup, June 4, 2015

With absent Hogan, Lt. Gov. Rutherford continues governor’s concern over rubber-stamping contracts at Board of Public Works’ meeting, defers OK on Dept. of Juvenile Services contract; Maryland might as well kiss its Hollywood ties goodbye; Hogan allows two-year fracking moratorium to pass without his signature; medical marijuana business eyes changes in Maryland law, pushes for Easton shore factory; with state grant in hand, counties hope to break cycle of opioid addiction and crime recidivism; Kathleen Matthews jumps into crowded field touting progressive stance in seeking Van Hollen’s congressional seat; and O’Malley PAC to aid ads as he courts Latino votes.

Why did it take Md. decades to end overuse of chicken manure?

The Chesapeake Bay just got an important “win,” with Maryland’s agreement to end the spreading of poultry manure across sections of its Eastern Shore.

Everyone should be happy about that. But no one should be satisfied. We could have had this win a decade ago. Understanding why we didn’t is important for ensuring the current agreement works.

State Roundup, June 3, 2015

The Hogan administration to start jailhouse heroin treatment programs with $500,000 federal grant; ACLU seeks reopening of suit against state over squalid conditions at Baltimore Detention Center; the Maryland GOP teams up with NAACP in effort to reach out to Baltimore’s black voters; California bucks luring ‘VEEP,’ ‘House of Cards’ from Maryland, other shows from other states; Baltimore Mag profiles artist, teacher and first lady Yumi Hogan; presidential hopeful Martin O’Malley spins his leadership of Baltimore, but what’s Baltimore like really?; fire at U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings’ home; former Del. Smigiel to run against U.S. Rep. Harris; and Kathleen Matthews to announce for the 8th District race.

Anne Arundel exec pushes tax cut, new spending, but council is wary

To fulfill campaign promises, Steve Schuh, the new Republican Anne Arundel County executive, is proposing a 3% property tax cut, and new spending on schools and infrastructure. But the County Council Chairman Jerry Walker, also a Republican, is concerned about a potential structural deficit and plans to extend the term of county bonds to 30 years so it can pay for more projects.

State Roundup, June 2, 2015

Gov. Hogan offers state workers half-day paid leave for community service; WBFF seeks riot-related government emails, told the cost would be $11,000; schools gear up for keeping kids till age 18; Hogan’s vetoes stump some supporters; Montgomery, Howard prosecutors to review, try each other’s police-involved death cases; O’Malley courts Latino voters; Arundel exec uses social media to push tax cut; and Washington County sheriff buys riot gear.

Hogan punted on hotel sales tax

Out of dozens of tax bills introduced this year, Gov. Larry Hogan vetoed one of the only ones that made it through the legislature — the hotly debated and heavily lobbied online hotel sales tax.

Proponents of the bill, SB190, mainly Maryland brick and mortar hotels, claimed the online companies are charging but not remitting to the state the same tax the hotels charge.

Online travel companies claimed the bill was really a “trojan horse,” an entirely new tax disguised as an effort to even the playing field.

Cynthia Prairie

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