Cynthia Prairie, Author at MarylandReporter.com

Rascovar: Batts is scapegoat for Baltimore mayor

Anthony Batts, Baltimore’s recently fired police commissioner, became beleaguered Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake’s scapegoat. She dumped him in an effort to deflect the crescendo of dissatisfaction with her handling of Baltimore’s unprecedented crime and violence. Here’s what she conveyed in her sudden dismissal of the police commissioner: None of this is my fault; Batts is to blame.

State Roundup, July 10, 2015

Gov. Hogan creates task force to review state regs in attempt to make them less burdensome on business; Hogan wants to hold the line on getting rid of all Confederate symbols in Maryland, while state Del. Young seeks new words to Maryland song; Sen. Mikulski, others want Harriet Tubman on new $10 bill; Batts’ firing surprised Hogan; Arundel Fire Department gets federal bucks for new firefighters; and presidential candidate O’Malley gets caught in fake news net.

Md. blames proofreading error for $34 million feds want returned from disabilities aid

Federal auditors told state officials earlier this week that more than $34 million for the care of developmentally-disabled citizens during 2010-2013 had been spent improperly, and the money needs to be refunded. This latest disclosure indicates the state continues to harbor chronic and widespread deficiencies involving the care for people with disabilities despite “fixes” implemented over 10 years or longer.

State Roundup, July 9, 2015

Gov. Larry Hogan, in appealing denial of disaster aid, points to LA riots of 1992 as precedent for help; blue crab numbers are up after deadly winter, but committee urges caution; Talbot NAACP calls for removal of Confederate statue in front of Talbot County Courthouse; as a medical marijuana company buys land for growing, U.S. Rep. Harris backs bill that would allow more research into drug’s benefits; U.S. Rep. Van Hollen reports raising $1 million more than U.S. Rep. Edwards in race for Sen. Mikulski’s seat; and Baltimore City mayor fire police commissioner.

New Democratic Party director says voters chose divided government, not GOP government

Pat Murray, the new executive director of the Maryland Democratic Party, hasn’t quite put together a grand scheme for reviving a party still licking its wounds from a humiliating loss of the governorship and legislative seats last year.

“What’s the plan?” Murray asked rhetorically at the Columbia Democratic Club Wednesday night. “It’s day 3,” said Murray, who started his new job on Monday.

But Murray, a veteran political tactician who’s worked for both House Speaker Michael Busch and Senate President Mike Miller, has clearly given his new job and the party’s role a lot of thought.

State Roundup, July 8, 2015

Corporate spending on lobbyists continues to rise, with health care industry leading the pack; dime hike in bus fares impacts community aid organizations; U.S. Rep. Cummings policing agencies; state Sen. Raskin reports $500,000 in congressional campaign coffers; U.S. Rep. Edwards wants toughened gun laws nationwide; and two appointees by Howard Exec Kittleman stalled by council.

Health care interests spent the most lobbying Annapolis

Health care interests representing hospitals, providers and insurers continue to spend the most to influence Maryland legislators and state officials, paying out $4.5 million to lobby this past session, according to figures compiled by Common Cause from State Ethics Commission filings.

The result is not a surprise given the state’s heavy role in both regulating and paying for health care, which makes up over $12 billion (31%) of the total state budget, including federal funds.

Md. maintains AAA bond rating

The state of Maryland has continued to maintain its triple-A bond rating from all three New York rating agencies ahead of next week’s sale of $500 million in state bonds.

State Roundup, July 7, 2015

Gov. Hogan lists 43 cuts to Purple Line costs totalling $210 million; Hogan returns to public life, takes unscheduled tour of renovated Old Senate Chamber; judge upholds EPA authority over Chesapeake Bay pollution controls; state to appeal FEMA denial of disaster funds following Baltimore City riots; internal Anthony Brown poll gives him wide lead over Glenn Ivey in U.S. House race; and Frederick County Exec Gardner seeks more public input into government.

Md. gets better at child support collection, but still need improvement, auditors find

The state of Maryland is getting a lot better at collecting child support payments, auditors say, but is still collecting less than a third of $1.8 billion owed by non-custodial parents to take care of their children.

The good news, according to an audit of Child Support Enforcement Administration in the Department of Human Resources released Monday, is that the agency has corrected all 11 of the problems legislative auditors found four years ago and the amount of child support payments in arrears has been substantially reduced.

Cynthia Prairie

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