Cynthia Prairie, Author at MarylandReporter.com

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.

Del. Kelly faces charges of indecent exposure, trespass in apparent custody dispute

Del. Ariana Kelly of Bethesda was arrested June 27 in Bethesda on charges of indecent exposure and trespass and is scheduled to appear in district court in Rockville on Aug. 13.

“This arises from a personal family matter,” said attorney Luiz Simmons, a former delegate representing Kelly. “We’re aggressively disputing the allegation.”

State Roundup, July 14, 2015

Baltimore City task force proposes 24-hour addiction treatment, specialized ER in new efforts to fight heroin problems; congressional delegation lobbies president to offer Baltimore City federal aid for riot recovery; state doles out $2.6 million for local projects, organizations; Glenn Ivey reports $275,000 in fund-raising for congressional campaign; environmental advocates back Van Hollen for U.S. Senate; presidential candidate O’Malley blasts Trump over immigrant remarks; and City Councilman Nick Mosby cancels Philly fund-raiser after ad uses City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby, his wife, to promo the event.

O’Malleys go deep into college debt despite high income

Former Gov. Martin O’Malley and his wife Katie, a district court judge, have accumulated an astounding $339,000 in college debt for their two daughters for a couple that has been making over $300,000 a year with minimal household expenses.
Besides the huge number itself — the cost of a family home in many parts of Maryland — it is astonishing that this family took on so much high interest debt, despite their high income, and that O’Malley’s campaign proposal would have had no impact whatsoever on the cost of their daughters’ education.

State Roundup, July 13, 2015

As drug overdose deaths continue to rise statewide, Baltimore City set to unveil $20 million addiction treatment proposal; tobacco sales to minor statewide also continues to rise; Gov. Hogan fires airport chief exec, replaces him with Cleveland director; Annapolis man suggests replacement for “My Maryland;” Baltimore City leaders say recent Hogan decisions a slap to the city; two groups seek documents related to Hogan killing Red Line project; court rules that DNA analysts will have to testify; Washington Commissioners chief to seek to oust U.S. Rep. Delaney; and Sheila Dixon is everywhere.

Cynthia Prairie

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