What should we make of the recent survey finding by the Maryland State Education Association (MSEA) that 41% of the state’s teacher’s work a second job to make ends meet?
Budget
House advances $46.7 billion budget
State support for public schools will exceed $7 billion for the first time in a budget plan given preliminary approval Wednesday by the Maryland House of Delegates. The $46.7 billion state budget bill for fiscal 2020 also includes a 3% general salary increase for state workers (5% for law enforcement officers) effective July 1.
Homepage Featured
R.I.P. Harry Hughes, a laid-back governor from a simpler time
MarylandReporter.com’s Len Lazarick remembers the first time he met Harry Hughes, the unlikely candidate for governor, and his unlikely victory in 1978.
General Assembly
Before deploying to Afghanistan, Sen. Smith races to finish ambitious agenda
Sen. Will Smith Jr. is adopting his late father’s optimistic attitude as he works to finish his ambitious legislative agenda before his March 29 deployment to Afghanistan, 10 days before Maryland’s legislative session ends April 8.
Commentary
Opinion: Baseless attacks on the restaurant industry
The Restaurant Association of Maryland responds to Progressive Maryland’s commentary attacking its polling and credibility. When Larry Stafford of Progressive Maryland implies that the Restaurant Association of Maryland (RAM) is deceptive with regard to the arguments we make to policymakers, writes Melvin Thompson, I have to draw the line. His attack is baseless, unwarranted and shows he has little understanding of business economics.
News
MVA adds hours, appointments and staff to handle REAL ID volume
The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration has added hours, staff and appointments at its offices to cope with the increased volume of drivers who must present four or more different documents to obtain a Real ID drivers license that complies with federal law.
General Assembly
Opinion: Responding to the restaurant poll — the truth about raising Maryland’s minimum wage
Progressive Maryland responds to polling about increasing Maryland’s minimum wage to $15 by the Restaurant Association of Maryland. When you ask a fake question, you get a fake answer, Larry Stafford says.. The poll is presented as if it were unbiased and scientific, rather than informed by misleading questions designed by lobbyists to deliver the results they want.
General Assembly
Bill Clinton celebrates Mike Miller
When the secretary of the Senate told me in January that ex-senator P.J. Hogan was trying to get former President Bill Clinton to be the speaker for the annual dinner of Senates Past, we both agreed that was highly unlikely. But lo and behold, the surprise guest keynote speaker for the annual reunion of former senators Thursday night was none other than the 42nd president of the United States.
General Assembly
Somber House narrowly passes suicide option for terminally ill
On Thursday, a somber silence descended on the chamber as delegates listened to one after another of their colleagues stand and share personal stories in a debate about how the terminally ill should end their lives.
General Assembly
Out-of-state drivers owe Maryland $102 million in tolls and state wants to collect
Out-of-state drivers have racked up $102 million in unpaid video tolls and fines in Maryland, and lawmakers pushing a bill through the General Assembly want them to pay up.
General Assembly
Poll finds support for $15 minimum declines if voters told of higher prices, lost jobs
The same poll last week that found 60% of Maryland voters support making the minimum wage $15 — with 43% strongly supporting — also found that support for the move passed by the House of Delegates Friday dropped sharply when voters were told it would raise prices and cost jobs.