Len Lazarick, Author at MarylandReporter.com

Md. revenues grow slightly, but middle class incomes stagnate

The good news on Maryland revenues is that there is no more bad news and some slight growth, leading to calls of “restrained optimism” and “caution” by top state officials. But the sobering news underlining the on-target revenue projections for this year and next is that they are only growing at 3 to 4% because middle class incomes have been largely flat. The slower growth with a static economy is the new normal for a state that had been used to 5% overall growth.

Vatz on GOP Las Vegas debate: Rubio shines, Christie stands out and Trump makes important pledge

The Republicans faced an inextricable bind as they entered into the last GOP debate of the year. If they didn’t seriously confront Donald Trump and his nasty, uninformed and prejudicial rhetoric and exclusionary policy recommendations against honored Americans and major religions respectively, they would be depicted by Democrats as gutless. If they did do that, they would run the risk of angering Trump to sufficiently motivate him to run as an independent, virtually guaranteeing the 2016 election to Hillary. Trump’s answer to that question in the debate may transform the election.

Interns needed to cover Maryland General Assembly, politics

MarylandReporter.com, an online news website covering state government and politics, is offering internships to cover the Maryland General Assembly 90-day session starting Jan. 13, 2016. The internships require at least one day a week in Annapolis from February...

State Roundup, December 15, 2015

Pharmacists in Maryland now able to dispense opioid OD reversal drug to certified people without a prescription; Prince George’s Exec Baker joins U.S. Rep. Van Hollen in asking Gov. Hogan to ban gun sales to those on no-fly list; Attorney General reviewing legality of fantasy sports websites; after screw-up in its own “test” email, Emily’s List files complaint against Van Hollen for purported fix; Maryland, Baltimore City prepare for first verdict in Freddie Gray case; and Washington County braces for rise in homeless pupils.

Franchot steamed as legislature’s representatives defer school air conditioning plan

What began at least four years ago as a personal crusade by Comptroller Peter Franchot to get air conditioning for hot Baltimore County classrooms has now turned into a cause celebre involving the governor, his cabinet secretaries and the presiding officers of the Maryland General Assembly. The heat on this political pot was turned up last week when Tim Maloney, a former delegate who represents the Senate on the Interagency Committee on School Construction, proposed deferring action on a plan to allow $15 million to be used to put room air conditioners in 1,561 classrooms. Most of them are in Baltimore County (1,109) and Baltimore City (416).

State Roundup, December 14, 2015

Sen. Kasemeyer warns of budget shortfall, canceled construction projects; U.S. Rep. Van Hollen urges Gov. Hogan to use power to prevent gun sales to those on terror watch list; state ready to return to black pens and paper ballots for voting; new corrections policy prohibits kissing, touching during first part of a visit; Rep. Harris excited about GOP prospects next year Board of Regents OKs name change for Byrd Stadium; national Latino PAC holds fund-raiser for Joseline Pena-Melnyk; and after fire at Annapolis Yacht Club, Hogan promises state aid.

Hogan’s honeymoon with legislature is over, Senate GOP leader says, but House speaker disagrees

“The honeymoon is over” at the State House, Senate Republican Leader J.B. Jennings told an audience of county officials Friday. “This session is not going to be the lovefest we had last year.” House Speaker Michael Busch, a Democrat, disagreed with Jennings assessment that there won’t be another love fest. “I don’t know why not,” Busch said. “Hopefully we’ll be able to work together with the governor to come up with the best solutions for the people of Maryland.”

Rascovar: Education politics at the State House

He masks it well, but Gov. Larry Hogan, Jr. plays a good game of partisan politics. Behind that smile and friendly voice is a fierce Republican eager to further the conservative cause. Education is a prime example of Hogan’s conservative partisanship trumping over sound public policy.

State Roundup, December 11, 2015

State Dems consider legislation to automatically put eligible residents on voter rolls; AFSCME protests outside Government House over stonewalled negotiations; Gov. Hogan highlights job growth in Western Maryland; tells MACo conference he’s there to help local jurisdictions; Maryland Chamber gears up for 2016 legislative session; Frostburg U., medical marijuana business team up to foster jobs, research; and Sun editorial board urges UM to change name of Byrd Stadium.

Hogan gets warm welcome from county officials, promises to restore road funding, collaborate

overnors traditionally get a warm welcome from the local elected and appointed officials at the winter conference of the Maryland Association of Counties. But Thursday’s night welcome for Gov. Larry Hogan at the dinner installing new MACo officers at the Cambridge Hyatt Regency was particularly loud and boisterous, with standing ovations at the beginning and end of a short 12-minute speech that delivered standard talking points from the governor.

Len Lazarick

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