First elected in 1962, Sen. Norman Stone is the longest serving member in the current Maryland General Assembly and the longest serving state senator in Maryland history. He is historical artifact in other ways: one of the last remaining fiscally and socially conservative Democrats – an opponent of tax hikes, abortion and gay marriage, a supporter of labor unions and the rights of workers and crime victims.
Len Lazarick
Toll agency workers begin effort to unionize
Employees of the Maryland Transportation Authority, which operates the state’s toll bridges and tunnels, have kicked off a campaign for union representation even though the governor has yet to sign the bill authorizing collective bargaining at their agency.
State Roundup, April 30, 2012
Audrey Scott loses GOP national committee seat to activist upstart; citizen challenges state remap; corporate donation information law awaits governor’s signature; economist says Spending Affordability Committee to blame for higher state budget; shore municipalities consider raising taxes; Baltimore County police end DNA collection after court ruling; and Frederick officials split over cutting social programs.
Pressure mounts for special session from groups impacted by budget cuts
The pressure is mounting for a special session to raise the taxes that failed to pass as the legislature adjourned April 9 and “fix” a “doomsday” budget with cuts that had been specifically designed to scare up votes for tax hikes.
Details have not been worked out, but legislators have been advised that Gov. Martin O’Malley will likely call a special session for the week of May 14.
Republicans emboldened by budget mess and tax hikes: Hogan, Madden, Craig
The budget mess that has led to plans for a special legislative session has further emboldened Republicans to seek fiscally conservative solutions to what they see as failed policies of the Democratic monopoly. Larry Hogan has 12,000 people in his Change Maryland group; Marty Madden has an exploratory committee for governor and would seek public financing; and David Craig seems the best organized.
Baltimore lawmakers’ concerns complicate gambling compromise
Any compromise on a 6th slots casino at National Harbor in Prince George’s County is complicated by strong regional interests of those jurisdictions like Baltimore City that already are supposed to have one of five casinos.
O’Malley fosters trade with India, but two special sessions are on his mind
Gov. Martin O’Malley addressed more than 60 business leaders from India and Maryland in an attempt to strengthen trade and investment. But in an interview, O’Malley said two special sessions for the legislature are likely — one in May to resolve budget issues and another in August to deal with gaming. He also suggested it might be time to create a new gaming commission to regulate gambling in the state.
University students, administrators are anxious over possible tuition hikes
Students and administrators at the state universities are worried that the $50 million cut in the state budget will lead to a double-digit tuition hike.
Video: Four journalists look ahead to special session
At a forum sponsored by Maryland Business for Responsive Government last week, four journalists wrap up the legislative session and look ahead to the prospects for a special session to resolve the budget mess. The panel included Andy Green of the Baltimore Sun, Kenneth Burns of WBAL and WNAV, Len Lazarick of MarylandReporter.com and John Rydell of Fox 45.
State Roundup, April 20, 2012
O’Malley emails Democrats asking for party unity, decrying Republican cheers for doomsday budget; Maryland’s corporate tax rates are unfavorably compared to D.C.; Leggett says Montgomery County is better off under the “doomsday budget;” University of Maryland College Park students protest potential tuition increases under current budget; blue crab population continues to grow; Franchot wants school year to start after Labor Day.
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