Sadusky tapped as Grasmick’s interim replacement; five Baltimore County Council members go on record supporting petition to stop in-state tuition for illegals, while two support the students; McDonough says state should extend signature time; cost of O’Malley Asia trip questioned; Pinsky, Hucker praise withdrawal of poultry drug they tried to ban.
Len Lazarick
Social services offices drastically understaffed while needs increased, study says
As state dollars got tighter and average incomes got lower, the state’s social services offices were nearly 1,100 employees and $50 million short of what was needed to meet demand according to a new study from the Maryland Budget and Tax Policy Institute.By the institute’s calculations, the state needs 640 more case managers and 241 more clerks, along with 94 more supervisors. Many of these missing employees would work for the state in local offices, and they are most likely to work for the Department of Human Resources.
GOP House caucus questions cost of O’Malley Asia trip
The Republican leaders in the House of Delegates are suggesting that Gov. Martin O’Malley’s trip to Asia is costing Maryland taxpayers far more than the $100,000 advertised price tag. In a letter they sent the governor’s office Wednesday, they are asking for a full accounting of the cost and sources of funding for all the state officials on the trip, including 14 from the university system.
Exclusive airport taxi contracts like BWI’s are common and controversial
Cabbies and cab companies are unhappy as BWI airport officials seek to sign an exclusive contract to provide taxi service, which the Board of Public Works delayed approving last week. Industry insiders agree that this process can be a headache, but the best way to ensure quality and consistency of service to passengers.
Study says Maryland one of “least free” states, but ranks well on taxes and spending
The Free State really isn’t very free, according to a new report from the Mercatus Center in Northern Virginia, a libertarian research group. Done by two scholars with the George Mason University-based group, the study ranks Maryland dead last in personal freedom, 44th in regulatory freedom and 28th in economic freedom. But one surprise in the study was how well Maryland ranks on fiscal issues, coming in 11th among the states on its freedom rankings.
UPDATE: Opponents of immigrant tuition blast beyond first goal with 31,000 valid signatures on petitions
UPDATE TUESDAY 9 P.M.: Local elections boards have now counted 31,000 valid signatures on the petition drive to overturn the law granting resident tuition to illegal immigrants, over 12,000 more than than needed to meet the first goal, according to the State Board of Elections website Tuesday evening.
GOP candidate Herman Cain energizes Maryland crowd, moves up in polls
Atlanta businessman Herman Cain has become the flavor of the month on a menu of Republican presidential candidates leaving partisans hungering for something different. He’s been moving up in state polls. And Friday night, he got a hootin’ and hollerin’ reception at the Howard County Lincoln Day Dinner organized and attended by a number of local Tea Party activists who have latched onto Cain’s candidacy.
Video: Herman Cain, GOP presidential flavor of the month
Here's an exclusive Maryland Reporter interview with Atlanta businessman Herman Cain after a speech in Howard County. His big applause line as he campaigns for president around the country is: "I've never held public office before."
UPDATED: Local boards validate 9,280 signatures
Local boards of elections Friday started validating the signatures on what turns out to be somewhat fewer petitions than originally claimed to overturn the law granting in-state tuition to illegal immigrants. With some boards working on the weekend, as of Monday morning, the count now stands at 9,280 valid signatures, 1,283 invalid. Two counties with almost a third of the petitions, Anne Arundel and Harford, have not processed any signatures.
State Roundup, June 3, 2011
O’Malley announces $45 million worth of economic deals in China; MdTA gives preliminary approval to toll hikes; Sen. Pugh to formally announce mayoral bid; lottery revenues still growing; in-state tuition for illegals supporters try to keep the issue off the ballot.
Recent Comments