State Roundup January 24, 2020

School construction was the hot topic in Annapolis Thursday as lawmakers heard from local leaders on a massive funding bill; Franchot has funds in gubernatorial race; bill to help community college students; Hettleman recommended for Senate seat; 7th District race examined; Hogan returns $63K in contributions; chief judge calls to abolish judicial elections; Carroll Catholic church members marching for life; Baltimore bill would help it charge rideshare tax; Bay bridge cashless tolling stopping for winter

State Roundup January 17, 2020

Hogan proposes tax cuts for retirees; GOP lawmakers introduce violent crime package; Mosby receives racist voicemail; Harford County exec warns of Kirwan costs; The Sentinel Newspapers will stop publishing; Juvenile justice reforms suggested; governor’s greenhouse gas plan questioned; Hogan moves to block BSO subsidy; possessing ransomware proposed as crime; MD officials push back on Trump rules; residents object to delegate nomination vote; Mfume candidacy examined; Pugh’s campaign finance report shows $1 million balance; MD GOP finances recovered from Pence visit costs; MD Dem executive director resigns; too many Senate bills; Silver Line opening may be delayed; Harchenhorn remembered

State Roundup January 16, 2020

Lawmakers see much they like in the governor’s budget plan; Baltimore’s top prosecutor condemns backlash against black, female prosecutors; progressive lawmakers propose taxes to pay for education plan; background checks for long guns draws strong feelings; AG says drivers licenses should not be suspended for unpaid fines; standardized approach to exoneree settlements proposed; recession for 2021 predicted; candidate might challenge central committee nomination; wind farm objections continue in Dan’s Mountain; Hogan proposal would benefit military families; audit of Frederick immigration program coming; funding for SDAT; hospital payment system considered; future of BSO funding; Senate President Emeritus shares perspective; tolls moving on Bay Bridge in shift to electronic tolling

State Roundup January 10, 2020

Former Senate President Mike Miller calls for addressing Baltimore’s crime problem in lengthy floor speech; Comptroller Peter Franchot confirms run for governor; Iran resolution passes house with all but one Maryland vote; online ad tax proposed; hospital op-ed praises state’s system; Hogan suggests retirement tax break for emergency responders; Morgan State University announces consideration of partnership for medical school; Baltimore youth fund under scrutiny; lawmakers from around the state discuss 2020 session and start meeting as delegations; judge rules against tenants in presidential son-in-law’s case; Brown picks a presidential candidate; Mia Mason will challenge Rep. Andy Harris; MVA working on REAL ID; tourism official calls for more CEOs to visit Garrett

State Roundup, January 3, 2020

State employees agree to 2% raise deal; Cardin slams strike on Iranian general; family members won’t serve as campaign treasurer in proposed corruption reforms; former Del. Gaines sentencing today; Baltimore city starts 2020 with violence; Baltimore County’s homicide rate nearly doubled last year; Hogan issues welcome letter for refugees; legalized sports betting on the table; private school voucher case closely followed; former medical marijuana regulator joins cannabis company; Howard educators file grievance; viewpoints on impeached president in election year; speak out held on lifting of Baltimore gag order; profile of former Teach for America teacher turned Senate president; yard waste could be considered litter; opioid deaths by county; Garrett business leaders ask for health plan changes, Deep Creek Lake funds; Rep. Andy Harris holds a town hall; local governments meet on Bay cleanup; Hogan appoints MDTA board member; grant for bike path connector; flags fly at half staff for Cecil firefighter.

Homepage Featured

State Roundup December 20, 2019

Del. Cheryl Glenn offered no comment as her resignation was officially announced Thursday other than it was for personal reasons; proposals to expand 270 and 495 sparking protests in MoCo; fundraising begins in the congressional seat left by the late U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings; a charity run by his widow and candidate for the office is scrutinized for tax filing inconsistencies; victim’s family calls for hate crime statute changes; immigration detention sparks debate; Maryland leaders in House continue to play roles in impeachment; library to be named after Speaker Busch, but not without debate; explanations given for Nice bridge pedestrian lane cut; Sarah Foxwell’s Christmas death sparked sentencing law changes; vaping ban in MoCo; Baltimore DPW worker indicted on federal charges; Purple Line opening in 2022; city, state on lookout for homeowner tax credit errors; city stops gag orders in police settlement cases; Bel Air’s Mike Griffith recommended for delegate appointment; oyster shell recycling efforts recognized

State Roundup, December 13, 2019

Senate leadership team crafted with younger, liberal lawmakers; Mosby concerned about state funding for city prosecutors; Purple line report calls for affordable housing funding; Appeals court spars over AG’s Frosh’s Trump lawsuit; Maryland imprisons African Americans at high rate; Howard schools redistricting injunction sought; deputy state prosecutor will lead Baltimore County ethics office; Baltimore politicians return money from company tied to Healthy Holly scandal; Medical marijuana rights bills proposed; hemp farmers consider trade association; education will be big General Assembly priority; Buttigieg visits Baltimore; Cummings health bill passes House; Lyft helping with groceries for food deserts; speed camera spending report released; Moco debates using cameras to catch cell phone driver use; Franchot vaping task force meets; Dan’s Mountain Wind Farm gets county nod; new MACO board of directors sworn in.

State Roundup December 6, 2019

Gov. Larry Hogan unveils his education plan as the General Assembly is expected to take up the ambitious Kirwan plan next session; Howard Street tunnel fully funded; calls for more investigation into Catherine Pugh’s dealings; new financial disclosure rules approved; “Catherine is my friend;”O’Malley laughing too; transportation details sought; cannabis marketed using social media, deals; hemp law creates challenges for prosecutors; PIRG scores lawmakers; Moco may use cameras to catch distracted drivers; Baltimore County parents filing open meetings complaint; Howard County redistricting exemption begins; casino revenues up; University of MD Under Armour relationship examined; Maryland hospital price policies allow price comparison

E-ZPass

Maryland charges big fines for skipping small tolls

As Maryland moves toward all-electronic toll billing and constituents complain about high fines that total thousands of dollars in some cases, two lawmakers are working to reduce the penalties for late video toll payments. Drivers who go through toll facilities without paying are sent a video toll invoice. If the video toll is not paid within 30 days, the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) issues a citation with a $50 civil penalty.

News

Sidebar: Massachusetts takes lighter approach to video toll fines

In Massachusetts, ff the first invoice isn’t paid within 30 days, a $1 fee is assessed for each violation. After another 30 days, another $1 fee applies. Invoices more than 90 days overdue incur $1 per violation and a $20 RMV/DMV fee, and the vehicle registration is flagged for non-renewal.