Len Lazarick, Author at MarylandReporter.com

Commentary: Why cut the $73M Bay program that provides billions in benefits?

There was more good news for the Bay this spring. There is clear consensus in the scientific community that the health of the Bay is improving. But the recovery is fragile and still could be undone with a loss of federal aid and the programs it supports.

State Roundup, June 22, 2017

The Maryland Insurance Administration hears bids to hike health premiums, as Cigna pulls out of market; meanwhile a majority of red state voters oppose House health care overhaul; Comptroller Franchot questions land purchase, BPW delays action; Maryland slips in removing stormwater pollutants, but largely on track with Bay restoration efforts; Sen. John Astle announces run for Annapolis mayor; incumbent District 39 General Assembly slate causes tumult as it taps a newcomer; Frederick Sheriff Jenkins touts immigration enforcement to U.S. Attorney General Sessions; and Rockville City Council rejects immigration enforcement cooperation.

State Roundup, June 21, 2017

Rushern Baker to announce his run for the Democratic nomination for governor; organization calls on state insurance regulator to reject CareFirst’s 52% rate hike request; state medical examiner pins 47 of 56 OD deaths in Arundel on fentanyl derivative; new Arundel Safe Station program helping addicts; GOP attempts to roll back Obamacare runs headlong into opioid crisis; planned Frederick convention hotel, funded in part with state funds, looked at as a boon and a boondoggle; District 39 slate ruffles feathers and Del. West to seek Sen. Brochin’s seat; and as Baltimore City seeks federal pilot programs it fails to get one addressing violence.

Term limits create opportunities for women to run for Montgomery County Council

Only one of the two women currently serving on Montgomery’s nine-member County Council — Nancy Navarro — is up for re-election next year when four incumbents must vacate their seats because of new term limits. This leaves plenty of opportunity for new female candidates to fill those seats on what has historically been a council dominated by men. So far, three women are running for council seats, and at least two others are considering it. The list is likely to grow longer.

State Roundup, June 20, 2017

Supreme Court’s decision to take on Wisconsin gerrymandering case could impact Maryland; as opioid crisis rises, Maryland schools will begin teaching addressing heroin crisis, starting with elementary schoolers; MTA rolls out new BaltimoreLink bus service to praise and criticism; Prince George’s school board members ask state to probe grades, graduation rates; more hot air on Paris climate accord; Comptroller Franchot to get a beer named after him; Del. Aumann to step down, won’t run for Sen. Brochin’s seat; and Arundel County Councilman Peroutka denounces secessionists’ racists statements.

Collins: Hot air on the Paris climate agreement

There has been a lot of noise from Democratic office holders and candidates that they will uphold the Paris Agreement on climate change. They also demand to know if Gov. Larry Hogan and other Maryland Republicans will do likewise. Such progressives think it is a great strategy to label Republicans as climate and science “deniers.” Republicans should not take the bait.

State Roundup, June 19, 2017

Maryland ranks 16th in well-being in latest Kids Count data; National Harbor boosts casino revenue; Sen. Oaks say he’ll stay in state Senate as he fights fraud charges; potential Dem rival to Gov. Hogan asks for ridership data on overhauled bus system; Baltimore City runs low on OD reversal drug; state environment secretary to head regional air quality board; Maryland congressmen continue to push Hogan on Paris pact; Maryland legislators propose Metro board overhaul; Del. McCray poll says he could upset Sen. McFadden; David Trone may be readying for congressional race; and ethics complaint filed against Washington County commissioners.

Rascovar: Judge shouldn’t play Humpty-Dumpty with Md. universities

It could be a cringe-worry moment when U.S. District Judge Catherine Blake finally rules on the lawsuit by black state universities demanding sweeping changes in Maryland’s public higher education system that benefit only their own campuses. In no way is Judge Blake qualified to disassemble Maryland’s well-regarded higher education network and then re-assemble the pieces in an entirely new way that miraculously makes historically black schools integrated and thriving learning institutions.

State Roundup, June 16, 2017

State delegates suggest moving Preakness to Laurel; federal judge blames state on Purple Line funding problems, won’t allow construction to begin; state senators call on Gov. Hogan to declare a state of emergency in violence-plagued Baltimore City; research finds that Chesapeake Bay’s “dead zone” growing; attorney general’s office upholds Ocean City ban on female toplessness; Hogan continues to get push back on Paris accord; Senate legislation would force President Trump to get congressional OK to return Russia’s Eastern Shore compound; and David Trone continues to test political waters.

Bay ‘dead zone’ expected to be bigger this summer due to heavy rains in Pa., N.Y.

A year after experiencing its best water quality in decades, the Chesapeake Bay is expected to have a larger than average “dead zone” this summer, where fish, crabs and shellfish will struggle to breathe.

Len Lazarick

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