Cynthia Prairie

Some Montgomery lawmakers, town officials push back against Gov. Hogan’s plan to widen D.C. area highways; some in Maryland congressional delegation promote bills to ease transition of former inmates, prevent returning to crime; Indiana nonprofit group seeks state voter rolls to assess flaws in registration; state sues shuttered paper mill over pollution in Potomac; Carroll elementary teacher elected to state school board; and tiny Queen Anne’s town considers hosting ICE detention facility.

Without explanation, Gov. Hogan cancels Board of Public Works meeting that was to feature vote on road widening plan, among other issues; UMMS audit finds oversight of ‘Healthy Holly’ situation, other self-dealings and too-long tenures were ignored; Hogan announces education spending plan that includes pre-kindergarten expansion; as it celebrates 36 years, multi-jurisdiction Chesapeake Bay pact turns up mixed improvements; Allegany delegation to push for local control over filling vacated school board seats; Del. Haynes of Baltimore and Del. Sydnor of Catonsville nominated by home party committees to fill Sen. Nathan-Pulliam’s seat; federal law preventing bank loans to medical marijuana businesses straps them for cash; Sheila Dixon announces for mayor; and Frederick County wrestles with high demand, low return on recycling.

Maryland business leaders urge Gov. Hogan to support Kirwan recommendations to improve public schools; state revenue projections up slightly; Speaker Jones says 2020 session livestreaming a test run, will only occur for about a third of time; Hogan announces plan to push through prosecutions as he targets crime in Baltimore city; medical marijuana commission navigates unknown territory, now tackling edible marketplace; Senate President Mike Miller talks life and the afterlife; city audit finds funds for city 911 went to police instead; Carroll Republicans get VIP treatment at Trump rally; overdoses spike in November in Carroll; in Washington County, syphilis cases tied to opioid crisis; new report urges Montgomery County to preserve low-income housing along Purple Line; Shiela Dixon expected to announce run for mayor; and prez candidate Buttigieg in Baltimore.

Maryland is using surveillance, data to track motorists and traffic, raising privacy concerns; Gov. Hogan approves of latest House-Trump efforts on new NAFTA replacement trade deal; Bill Ferguson, presumptive president of the Maryland Senate, tours the Eastern Shore, western Maryland; state unveils BWI rail station rehab; city schools opt for pre-labor Day start in 2020; professor seeking Cummings’ House seat lends campaign $500,000; and former District Heights mayor sentenced to two days in jail, fine over fireworks deal.

Transportation Secretary Pete Rahn resigns, will be replaced by SHA’s Gregory Slater; state auditors find record-keeping, staff retention problems within college savings program; too much fresh water is pouring into the Chesapeake Bay; federal appeals court finds new Maryland law aimed at extending the state’s campaign finance oversight into online political ads goes too far; new rules governing medical cannabis edibles expected to be finalized next week; and study finds Montgomery County schools exacerbate student achievement disparities by concentrating its low-income students in handful of schools.

Accuracy of the 5-star school rating system questioned; Washington County monitoring education legislation coming out of Annapolis; Trump administration changes to food stamp program could yank benefit from up to 80,000 Marylanders; changes in leadership in Annapolis could help Baltimore city, its suburbs; the 4th wheel of the three-member Board of Public Works to retire after 20 years; Dels. Hettleman, Cardin to seek Sen. Zirkin’s seat; Kansas artist sues state environment department for using his images; as expected, Yvette Lewis elected to head Maryland Democratic Party; Baltimore city councilwoman elected president of MaCO; Capital Trails Coalition hopes to double size of area network; and Washington County schools lead Tri-State districts in technology.

With inclusion of science test scores, surveys of students, educators, school star ratings see fewer high fliers and low performers; Maryland schools Superintendent Karen Salmon says she won’t seek reappointment; accountability structure is key to Kirwan education proposal; a state task force is weighing tighter regulations over vaping; local GOP begins to mull replacement as Del. Cassilly becomes aide to governor; Del. Mosby to seek to become Baltimore City Council president; Supreme Court interested in Carroll County appeal of state-imposed stormwater regulation; Maryland employers, employees and job seekers continue to seek guidance over medical cannabis use in the workplace; and city schools could face $6 million budget gap.

Citing health concerns, long-time state Sen. Shirley Nathan-Pulliam, 80, announces retirement; Board of Public Works could reverse promises to Montgomery, Prince George’s on toll lanes to push Beltway project through; failed direct deposit to 3,500 state workers laid to Capital One; report card on Maryland’s medical marijuana industry finds bright spots with some ‘needs improvement;’ former state Democratic chair Rockeymoore Cummings spent down party’s savings; lobby firm suing former clients; former Gov. O’Malley verbally assaults Trump Homeland Security deputy in D.C. bar; two Garrett County towns suing 3M over PFA contamination; and problems don’t follow police officers from one job to the next.