Len Lazarick, Author at MarylandReporter.com

Senate Budget & Tax Committee discusses new ways to assess property taxes, PG hospital funding

Instead of conducting a physical property inspection, the state would use satellite imagery and other technologies to assess home values, under a bill presented to the Maryland Senate’s Budget and Tax committee on Wednesday. Senate President Mike Miller also testified in favor of a bill that would allocate state and county funding for a new local hospital in Prince George’s County.

State Roundup, February 3, 2016

Lawmakers push bill for mandatory paid sick leave, closing the gap for more than 700,000 Marylanders; delegate introduce bill to stop religious organizations “with known ties to terrorism” from claiming tax breaks; 2nd Amendment advocates rally in Annapolis; raw milk sales could be OK’d for those who own stake in the cow; Gov. Hogan to deliver State of the State address today; Frederick, Baltimore county lawmakers push for projects’ funding; candidate Trone fires three who attempted to infiltrate Matthews, Raskin campaigns; U.S. Rep. Cummings declares he’ll seek re-election; Del. Davis drops congressional bid; and what’s in store for O’Malley.

Big chicken companies would pay to remove manure, not farmers

Maryland legislators and contract farmers hired by companies to grow chickens are proposing the Poultry Litter Management Act that would require major animal agriculture companies to pay the cost of properly disposing excess manure on their contract farms. It’s a fairness issue, it has an adverse impact on our environment and we need to clean it up,” said Sen. Joan Carter Conway, D-Baltimore, “and those individuals who are making the mess need to clean up the mess.”

State Roundup, February 2, 2016

With Clinton and Sanders splitting Iowa caucus, O’Malley finally suspends presidential campaign; back in Maryland, Senate Pres Miller, Speaker Busch put forth proposals to close gender pay gap, help student college debt; grandmother lobbies Annapolis for better mental health care after baby grandson’s horrific death; Del. Moon seeks reforms in Montgomery School Board elections; U.S. Rep. Cummings hasn’t filed — for any office; Van Hollen continues to lead in Senate money race; Ivey leads fundraising in 4th Congressional District race; and Montgomery County Exec Leggett now willing to consider liquor system privatization.

Montgomery delegate seeks voting in school board elections for immigrants, students

The Montgomery County House Delegation Education committee approved a proposal that could allow legal aliens and 16 and 17 year old students to vote in local school board elections. Del. David Moon, a Takoma Park Democrat and sponsor of MC 25-16, said that with Montgomery County’s rise of legal immigrants, non-citizen parents should have the right to vote in county school board elections.

The perils of rhetorical excess

We are in an era of political figures engaging in speech that is extreme and inflammatory. Hoping for attention in that noisy environment, many give into the temptation to employ outlandish analogies and historical references that are wildly inappropriate.

State Roundup, February 1, 2016

Legislators begin to tackle Bay Bridge expansion project; bill would allow cameras in some courtrooms; pesticide law could help decimated bee populations; new paper ballot system is ready, but will Maryland voters be?; Chris Shank named deputy chief of staff; Gov. Hogan to deliver 2nd State of State on Wednesday; Senate President Miller continues to urge Hogan to appoint Del. Zucker to Senate; Baltimore City lawmakers back plan to offer property tax credits to first responders; Del. McDonough files to run for U.S. Rep. Ruppersberger’s seat; Matthews brings in the money in 8th Congressional District race while another candidate tells a very personal story; after Hogan expresses lack of support, Spong resigns as Washington County Commissioner; and President Obama to visit Baltimore County mosque.

Rascovar: Iowa, N.H. don’t pick a president

Here’s the good news for former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley: Iowa is not America in miniature. Neither is New Hampshire. Each state has an abysmal record for picking the next president.

New paper ballot system ready, but officials question whether voters are

Maryland’s new paper ballot system will be available statewide for April’s elections, but officials said Friday they are worried that voters won’t know how to use them in time, adding to election day-wait times.

State Roundup, January 29, 2016

University projects would be delayed as Gov. Hogan pushes ahead with plans to tear down, replace Baltimore City jail; Hogan’s fiscal plans won’t impact state K-12 funding formulas; conservative, liberal team up to push for live streaming of committee votes; legislation would curb judicial discretion over sentencing reductions; DJ Casey Kasem’s daughter testifies for bill to ensure family visitation rights to ill relatives; new Dem 8th District Congressional candidate Trone donated lots to out-of-state Republicans; and Kathleen Matthews big on fund-raising.

Len Lazarick

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