Len Lazarick, Author at MarylandReporter.com

GOP senators try to hem in “wow” package for Baltimore

Republican senators tried to put the brakes on a series of Democrat-sponsored mandated spending bills, dubbed the “Wow” bills by Senate President Mike Miller, designed to improve educational and quality of life prospects for Baltimore City residents on Tuesday. The four bills passed for a final vote despite several failed Republican amendments that would have given Gov. Larry Hogan greater control over how those projects would be funded as opposed to establishing annual spending mandates.

Hoyer says Trump or Cruz as GOP nominee gives Dems chance for House majority

U.S. House of Representatives Minority Whip Steny Hoyer of Maryland said Monday that either Donald Trump or Ted Cruz at the head of the GOP ticket could produce a Democratic majority in the House. Unreal, scoffs Maryland GOP official.

State Roundup, March 29, 2016

After conference committee hammers out details of budget, including more aid for Baltimore City schools and no new taxes, House and Senate could both pass the legislation today; Senate overwhelmingly passes new interlock law; Gov. Hogan’s PSC nominee grilled over independence; Prince George’ s exec Baker pressures Hogan to sign off on new hospital funding; former Del. Mizeur backs Van Hollen, slams Edwards in Sun editorial on Senate race as Edwards and Van Hollen debate; and U.S. congress-folk living in 8th District line up to support in that congressional race.

State Roundup, March 28, 2016

Expansion of state equal pay law passes state Senate as Post report finds gender pay gap wider in Gov. Hogan’s office; Hogan’s PSC nominee to face tough questions over emails; Prince George’s Democratic delegates “caucus” to meet in private; bill to help strip rapists of parental rights has faced a tough road in Maryland; tuition hikes expected at Maryland’s public colleges; Senate honors retiring reading clerk; and Senate candidates Edwards and Van Hollen spar over effectiveness.

Rascovar: Preventing O’Malley’s folly from becoming Hogan’s

The State Center boondoggle is back on the table. This controversial deal, involving state buildings on 28 acres of land in midtown Baltimore, was tailored for developer-allies of former Gov. Martin O’Malley. It ended up on the back burner in December 2014 when the extent of the giveaway persuaded Comptroller Peter Franchot and Treasurer Nancy Kopp to put a hold on the last approval necessary. Since then, Gov. Larry Hogan, Jr. has kept the project on the shelf – where it belongs.

State Roundup, March 25, 2016

Plan to give tax breaks to lure manufacturers to state dies; conference committee makes progress on budget, which could go to vote early next week; lack of movement on redistricting proposal leaves Gov. Hogan frustrated; Senate passes House bill for aid to Baltimore City; Senate passes justice reform bill; legislation addressing sustainable oyster harvest met with Shore opposition; Hogan finally says Trump may not be his guy; Emily’s List reiterates commitment to Donna Edwards for Senate; and Montgomery’s Leggett seeks review of Taser use.

Happy Maryland Day!

Today celebrates the landing of the first English settlers to Maryland on this date in 1634. Here are two interactive graphics from Capital News Service, one a quiz about Maryland state symbols, the other an interpretative analysis of the Confederate references in the current version of the state song, “Maryland, My Maryland.”

Tax breaks to promote manufacturing dead for session

Tax breaks to encourage new manufacturing operations in Maryland are dead for this session, after the Senate Budget and Taxation struggled to come up with compromises that would please all sides, especially current manufacturers.

Senate passes landmark criminal justice reform bill

The Maryland Senate unanimously passed one of the most sweeping criminal justice reform bills in decades on Thursday after contentious debate over several amendments. The bill, more commonly known as the Justice Reinvestment Act, would offer non-violent offenders, such as drug users, treatment and the possibility of post-conviction expungement (cleaning the record), while incarceration would still be emphasized for violent offenders.

State Roundup, March 24, 2016

Amid bipartisan joy, House passes Gov. Hogan’s $42 billion budget, which will now go to conference committee to work out House-Senate kinks; Senate poised to vote on justice reform package today; bill to give Morgan State funds to move tech projects to marketplace moves forward; advocates of charge-expungement bill say it was watered down; Delaney sends out a billboard to press Hogan on Trump endorsement; delegate’s missing brother found safe; Van Hollen, Edwards to meet in 2nd Senate race matchup; and former Frederick County Commissioner Blaine Young charged in prostitution sting.

Len Lazarick

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