Meg Tully

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

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

Maryland charges big fines for skipping small tolls

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.

Sidebar: Massachusetts takes lighter approach to video toll fines

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.

Sidebar: Out-of-state drivers owe Md. $102 million in video tolls, fines

Sidebar: Out-of-state drivers owe Md. $102 million in video tolls, fines

The Maryland Transportation Authority is also in the process of contracting for a collections agency to go after out-of-state drivers, which is expected to be implemented sometime after the 3G transition. Earlier this year, the state said out-of-state drivers have racked up $102 million in unpaid video tolls and fines.

State Roundup November 22, 2019

Former Mayor Catherine Pugh pleads guilty; Kirwan Commission passes education reform plan; Howard County approves major school redistricting; Del. Parrott announces Congressional run; Angelos attorneys ask state to act in asbestos cases; flavored vaping ban proposed; bridge replacement approved without bike lane; PG passes small cell regs; school safety talk with lawmakers; courts office will appeal order to disclose info hiding District Court judges; input on I-270 planning sought; highest court closes case on Taneytown open meeting violation

Maryland roads score high on quality and spending

Maryland roads score high on quality and spending

Maryland nearly made the Top 10 of Best Roads in the country in rankings for a consumer website. Maryland came in at 38, in reverse scoring chart where number 1 was worst and number 50 was best. Maryland scored better than any of its neighbors, while also outspending them per mile of road, according to ConsumerAffairs.com, a web-based consumer news and resource center.

State Roundup, November 15, 2019

Baltimore reaches staggering 300 homicides for fifth year in a row; Gov. Larry Hogan is frustrated with rising violence in the city; Kirwan talk of the town around Maryland; Sykesville fire that caused two deaths didn’t have smoke detectors; vaping victim speaks out; Maryland making it more convenient to get REAL ID compliant; Howard County schools redistricting sparks big conversations about diversity, achievement, need-based programs; Franchot meets with Montgomery Dems; UMD father not satisfied with investigation into daughter’s death; Rawlings-Blake won’t seek Cummings seat; special election planning difficult for schools; new Democratic chair to be elected; Purple Line will be key for PG housing plans; court rules against MTA police show of force; Air BnB legislation difficult to enforce; nonprofit group supports police in Blue Line Flag debate; Del. Jalisi shares top priorities; more than a dozen teachers want to join state Board of Education; courthouse to be named in memory of Cummings

State Roundup November 8, 2019

The state and its largest employee union may be returning to the table; educators protest Hogan fundraiser; Perman named chancellor to head public university system; Hogan returns to old tax playbook; Annapolis wants to reimagine city dock; UMMS disclosures filed; Howard schools open after labor day; audit finds issues at Md. Correctional Services; Police flag controversy in Montgomery; Metro board weighs cost of wish list; Miller remains a leader; Balt. Mayor hopes for business support to solve youth problems; Metro rules in ethics case; Franchot wants his regulatory powers back; Carroll schools at bargaining impasse; state lawmakers tackle gang policy; BMore committee to protect against cyber attacks; impeachment proceedings; state prosecutes St. Mary’s gun crimes; Allegany seeks state help for school demolition; Airbnb regulations in Garrett; faces of cannabis industry.

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