Cynthia Prairie, Author at MarylandReporter.com

Md. legislators score better with both environmentalists, businesses

Environmentalists and business groups generally give very different ratings of Maryland legislators based on their votes. But in scorecards just released by the Maryland League of Conservation Voters and Maryland Business for Responsive Government almost all Annapolis lawmakers improved their scores with both groups.

Democrats, as usual, scored much higher on the environment and Republicans scored significantly better on business issues.

State Roundup, July 20, 2015

Gov. Hogan rolls out $2 billion in asphalt projects but none for Baltimore City, little for Baltimore County; questions arise over Purple Line funding; state ethics panel outlines what industries lobby Annapolis — and how much is spent; prisoner isolation tactics get another look in Maryland; Hogan to begin Round 2 of chemo; look beyond the declared dollars, and congressional campaign financing more than a numbers game; Who’s Who of donation in congressional race; Maryland ranks 6th in giving to presidential candidates; and Baltimore City moves to change name of Robert E. Lee Park, while Montgomery exec orders Confederate soldier statue moved.

Md. ranks 6th in presidential race donations; Hillary gets the most

Maryland ranks sixth in the country for its overall contributions to presidential campaigns, outranking many much larger states, including nearby New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia, according to an analysis by Maplight, a nonpartisan research organization that examines money in politics.

Based on candidate reports filed July 15, Marylanders contributed $2.7 million this year to candidates of all parties. According to the Maplight analysis, more than half the Maryland contributions, $1.4 million, went to Hillary Clinton, and another $882,000 went to former Maryland governor Martin O’Malley. Former Florida governor Jeb Bush was by far the most popular Republican with $180,000.

Rascovar on the debtor president

Should we elect as president a candidate who can’t seem to handle his own family’s finances?

Martin O’Malley, presidential contender and former Maryland governor, ran up $339,000 in college education debt for just two of his four children – a staggering amount – on an annual family income that easily topped $300,000.

State Roundup, July 17, 2015

The Board of Public Works delays cutting 63 jobs from Public Safety and Correctional Services; BPW also delays funding of Queen Anne’s homeless shelter; good government groups unite for cake, ice cream and a bit of fun to urge changes in Maryland’s redistricting process; DNR Police chief set to retire; Gov. Hogan’s new transportation leaders hail from outside state; dueling gubernatorial campaign finance complaints likely to go nowhere; “Hogan Strong” merchandize hits markets; education advocate Alvin Thornton tosses hat in the ring for the 4th Congressional District race; Van Hollen proposes anti-Super PAC pledge, but Edwards won’t bite; and Frederick Exec Gardner pushes ethics panel.

Cake, ice cream and a Rutherford promise of a commission to reform redistricting

The cake and ice cream in Lawyer’s Mall at the State House Thursday was for Elbridge Gerry again. But the long-dead statesman, signer of the Declaration of Independence and 6th vice president of the United States was not being honored for his distinguished career, but for a minor political act that has outlived him.

As governor of Massachusetts, he gave his name to the gerrymander, the drawing of legislative districts for partisan political gain.

Lt. Gov. Boyd Rutherford came out not just to get a piece of chocolate cake, but to lend the Hogan administration support for the Tame the Gerrymander effort in Maryland.

Thornton to run for Congress in 4th

Howard University political scientist Alvin Thornton, who chaired the commission that formulated Maryland’s current system of public school funding that often bears his name, plans on running for Congress in the 4th Congressional District.

State Roundup, July 16, 2015

Public Safety HR jobs cuts at Board of Public Works; support for more express lanes on Capital Beltway in Md.; tightening money race in 4th Congressional District; Matthews, Raskin ahead in 6th Congressional District; Hogan endorses Christie; MoCo Council chair suggests cuts to top salaries; and Horseshoe Casino among few major donors to Baltimore recovery fund.

Crabs a plenty, candidates few at annual Tawes feast

The crabs and clams were plentiful, but the candidates were in short supply at 39th annual Tawes Crab and Clam Bake in Crisfield Wednesday in this off-election year. The only items usually baked are the thousands of crab pickers, but Crisfield was mid-80s and breezy. Here’s a photo gallery.

State Roundup, July 15, 2015

Reaction to Gov. Hogan’s request for more money from Montgomery and Prince George’s for Purple Line illustrates disparities between the two jurisdictions; Hogan says he’s open to alternatives to Baltimore City’s Red Line; Western Maryland jurisdictions seek restoration of highway funds; delegate says state may be losing revenue by not allowing smoking in casinos; Del. Kelly arrested for trespass, indecent exposure in personal altercation; in 4th Congressional District fund-raising race, Davis has $188,000, Turner has $264,000; in 8th Congressional District, Jawando raises $112,000; and Prince George’s Council votes to put half of all casino tax revenue to schools and libraries.

Cynthia Prairie

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