Len Lazarick, Author at MarylandReporter.com

Rascovar: At Mt. St. Mary’s, Newman was wolf in the hen house

Putting a wolf in charge of the hen house would be terribly irresponsible. Yet that’s what trustees at Mount Saint Mary’s University in rural Emmitsburg did – with horrific results, writes columnist Barry Rascovar. It’s a classic case of poor judgment by college trustees and a lesson for other Maryland higher education institutions eager to run their campuses more like a business and less like an academic citadel.

State Roundup, March 4, 2016

Sen. Young, seeing lagging support in committee, yanks death with dignity bill; bill to allow automatic voter registration goes before House panel; Democrats propose their own version of Hogan redistricting reform bill; House Judiciary panel OKs bill to widen use of ignition locking systems for drunk drivers; Senate passes bill allowing jail for adults who enable kids to drink; bill would give student journalists more press freedom; and Baltimore City mayoral candidates meet at forums.

Vatz on the debate: Republican March Madness with the final four

The debate Thursday night wasn’t filled with comity, but it was less divisive than many would have predicted, perhaps because we have become used to consistent personal shots in these debates. As for the outcome of the debate, it cannot be certain what effect Thursday’s events — the Romney speech, the McCain echo and the debate — will have on the primary season. Still, it appears that Trump’s supporters are immovable.

Dundalk Republican proposes deep toll cuts on Key Bridge

A proposal that would allow drivers travelling across the Francis Scott Key Memorial Bridge to pay $20 per year as opposed to several hundred, was promoted on Thursday by Del. Ric Metzgar, R-Baltimore County, at the House Environment and Transportation Committee.

Activists, legislators tout statewide poll results before hearing for Clean Energy Jobs Act

Legislators, environmental activists and renewable-energy workers congregated outside the Maryland State House Thursday, trumpeting statewide polling results that found a majority of respondents — across ideological and geographical lines — in favor of a bill that sets new goals for renewable energy consumption and puts $40 million aside for more clean-energy jobs training.

State Roundup, March 3, 2016

Speaker Busch, Senate Pres Miller agree of need to reduce taxes to aid business but are divided on which taxes to cut; for 2nd year in a row, death with dignity bill dies; debate swirls over where to put savings from criminal justice reforms; contractor hired for Purple Line; Senate OKs bill to curb audio-recording by MTA; legislature moves forward with new Prince George’s hospital plan; Gov. Hogan visiting ill relative in North Carolina; Carson finally out in presidential race; and Washington GOP taps replacement for former Commissioner Spong.

Supporters say Maryland Education Credit would provide more opportunities

700 private school students from across the state saw the legislative process in action when they marched to the State House and urged lawmakers to pass the Maryland Education Credit bills. Inspired by successful programs in 16 other states, the Maryland Education Credit in SB 706 is designed to address affordability and accessibility concerns that limit a family’s ability to send a child to a private school.

Opinion: Bike lobby becomes favored special interest

As more and more cyclists take to the roadways, they have organized into a potent special interest group which has effectively sought to manipulate the coverage of cycling related stories in local media, writes Greg Kline in this commentary. Simultaneously, the cycling lobby has become quite effective in advancing their agenda at all levels of government.

State Roundup, March 2, 2016

Paid sick leave proposal is gaining traction with workers, health advocates, but business groups and unions resistant; bill seeks to cut wait time for drug treatment for criminal offenders; UM merger talks resume but school officials want to study cooperation proposal; bill would ban guns from campuses, institute penalties for violations; disagreement swirls around proposal to cut penalties for some narcotic possession; transit buses, trains are equipped with homeland security eavesdropping devices; Prince George’s facing a tough budget road ahead; and former Pennsylvania governor bemoans the state of GOP presidential politics at annual Lincoln-Reagan Day Dinner.

Sick leave proposals pit labor and health advocates against business groups

Bills forcing employers to extend benefits to sick employees had labor and health advocates sparring with representatives of business groups at a hearing Tuesday. The Maryland Healthy Working Families Act, sponsored by Del. Luke Clippinger, D-Baltimore City, would require businesses with more than nine employees to provide paid sick leave to those who work eight or more hours per week.

Len Lazarick

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