Maryland congressional district map hearings continue, veto maneuvers in place

The issue of Maryland’s congressional district maps is back in court. The latest hearing on Friday was strictly on the new map lawmakers approved this week. Judge Lynne Battaglia heard two hours of evidence on the map, but then said she will not rule on the merits. That’s because Battaglia’s ruling from last week throwing out an old map is being appealed.  The judge did hear from experts who say this new map is more compact and addresses her concerns in last week’s decision, though some of the plaintiff’s attorneys questioned why a part of Baltimore City went from the heavily Democratic 7th District into the Republican 2nd District.