Tag: Pat McDonough
Police conduct, drug crime sentencing focus of General Assembly’s proposed reforms
The Maryland General Assembly responded in this year’s legislative session to public concern about police misconduct, drug crime, domestic violence and more.
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Why Eastern Baltimore County went Republican
Blaine Taylor writes: The long-entrenched Democratic machine that I first encountered in 1974 as press secretary for the late Sen. Patrick T. Welsh has now been knocked to the ground, mainly because in its arrogance and overweening pride, it refused to acknowledge any dissent and desire for change within its own ranks. When you do that, the door is opened to change.
The dinosaurs have thus gone the way of the dodos, having brought it on themselves: a restored two-party system as exemplified by the District 6’s new slate and Councilman David Marks.
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Swiping candidates yard signs gets police attention in Baltimore County
Baltimore County Police blasted a department-wide email last week refreshing officers on the importance of election laws and their enforcement, a reminder that was apparently well-timed.
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Dueling bills aim to help illegal immigrants or to punish them
State lawmakers are considering bills that would decide whether local police should help the federal government detain suspected illegal immigrants for deportation. Two delegates from opposite parties are advocating two completely different approaches to address how extensively local law enforcement agencies should cooperate with a federal program that identifies people for deportation as soon as they are arrested.
Read MoreDecision about petition drive on gun control up in the air
Following the controversial passage of the Firearms Safety Act of 2013, many Marylanders in opposition to the law may be wondering: what next?
Republican delegates have not yet come together with a unified response. However, rumors of a referendum petition are moving fast.
Read MoreTax credit for Maryland film production rises to $25 million
An emergency bill expanding existing tax credits for film and TV production from $7.5 million to $25 million passed in the House of Delegates Tuesday, 108 votes to 31. The bill, SB183, which passed passed the Senate unanimously and now heads to the governor’s desk, sparked debate on the House floor as several Republican delegates expressed staunch opposition to the initiative.
Read MoreHouse approves offshore wind bill 88-47, administration accused of coercion
The House passed the administration’s offshore wind power bill Friday amid accusations Gov. Martin O’Malley secured votes on the House Economic Matters Committee by coercing lawmakers with the state’s disparity grant program.
Read MoreO’Malley wind-power bill sails toward passage
The House cleared the O’Malley administration’s offshore wind power bill for final passage Thursday — enduring heavy gusts from Republican lawmakers who questioned the cost and viability of putting 40 wind turbines off the coast of Ocean City.
Read MoreHouse approves public-private partnership bill, threatening pending State Center lawsuit
The House of Delegates approved a controversial bill backed by Gov. Martin O’Malley that would better define the state’s policy on public-private partnerships for major construction projects after a spirited debate on Monday.
Read MoreBill would close loopholes in referendum law
With the state’s referendum laws in the spotlight for the first time in two decades, some legislators hope to close weaknesses in the referendum process that can open the door to fraud.
The House Ways and Means Committee heard testimony on a bill Wednesday that would adopt several measures implemented in other states to help ensure the validity of referendum petitions. We’ve got a story and a podcast.
Read MorePodcast: Supporters of gay marriage celebrate, opponents predict voters will reject law
In this podcast by reporter Duane Keenan, we hear reactions to the passage of the same-sex marriage bill in the House of Delegates from legislators Luke Clippinger, Heather Mizeur, Pat McDonough, Justin Ready, Michael Smigiel and Speaker Michael Busch.
Read MoreWargotz will decide on Senate race against Cardin by November
Potential Republican U.S. Senate candidate Eric Wargotz said he will make his decision whether to run against first-term Democratic Sen. Benjamin Cardin by early November. Wargotz got 36% of the vote last year as the Republican challenger to U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski, the best any Republican had done against the state’s most popular Democrat in four elections.
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