A contract dispute between Maryland’s world-renowned and award-winning hospital system, Johns Hopkins, and insurer CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, concerns everyone, but it shouldn’t come as a surprise. Structural problems with the health insurance system are at the root of this dispute, and it’s time we had a conversation about health insurance concentration in Maryland. MedChi, The Maryland State Medical Society, has raised concerns about the Maryland health insurance market for years. Several years ago, we proposed legislation simply requesting a study of the insurance concentration in the state, which did not even receive a vote due to CareFirst’s opposition.

I requested an interview with Dan Cox, but, alas, I have been denied access to the Republican candidate for governor of Maryland. His campaign helpers told me they would make time for a talk like the one I had a few weeks ago with Democratic candidate Wes Moore. But, after raising my hopes, there was nothing but silence from the Cox camp. “I’ll take that as No,” I wrote in a Monday email to Sallie Taylor, the candidate’s scheduler. “Yes, you are correct, that is a No,” she replied. I was not surprised. Across the country, Republican candidates are generally avoiding or ignoring mainstream media this campaign season, opting for guaranteed friendly interviews.

The Small Business Administration and the U.S. Department of Transportation have formalized several new agreements to help underserved businesses win federal contracts and access potential funding. The new memorandums of understanding were announced Tuesday at a business forum at DOT headquarters in Washington, D.C., as part of a push to include more small-business owners in the contracts coming from the $1.2 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed by President Biden in 2021, as well as opportunities from the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act and the CHIPS Act.

With plans to add two schools and replace six others over the next five years, Anne Arundel County Public Schools will consider redistricting nearly half the county to balance attendance as capacity is added. The system is also replacing several aging school buildings. Replacements for Quarterfield and Rippling Woods elementary schools will open in 2023. A renovated Meade High School will open in September 2024, as will a replacement for Old Mill Middle School South. A replacement for the Center for Applied Technology North will open in September of 2026, as will a replacement of Old Mill Middle North.

A push for a citywide report on tax increment financing (TIF) and the potential to use such bond sales to help renew underserved communities and wipe out vacant buildings was defeated by a Baltimore City Council committee Tuesday. Councilwoman Odette Ramos in April sought the report through an ordinance that would require several city agencies, including the Finance Department and Department of Housing and Community Development, to work with advocates to study TIFs and their impact on the city’s economic development. The quest was nixed, though, after an hour-long hearing by the council’s Ways and Means Committee chaired by Councilman Eric Costello, who voted against the ordinance.

The reasons for Americans’ growing angst and discontent about their circumstances and prospects are many, but this seemingly new normal is easier to understand when we recognize just how significantly U.S. economic performance has faltered over the past few decades. Since the start of the 21st century, per capita growth dropped to less than half its previous 1950-2000 tempo. With the rate creaking along now at just over 1 percent per annum, incomes would take more than 60 years to double; from 1980-1999, the doubling pace was 31 years. A significant factor in modern America’s slower growth — and the lower expectations it unforgivingly imposes — is the drop-off in work.

The U.S. Golf Association has tapped Baltimore Country Club to host two tournaments — the 2026 U.S. Senior Amateur and the 2031 U.S. Women’s Amateur. The club last snagged a USGA tournament in 1988 when it hosted the U.S. Women’s Open, the fourth time it has attracted one of the golf organization’s championships. Tuesday’s announcement by the private Baltimore County club comes a year after Caves Valley Golf Club’s successful BMW Championship, part of the PGA Tour, and has local golf officials touting the region’s golf-friendly reputation.

Matt Gallagher of Goldseker Foundation joins Nestor at Union Brewing to talk Baltimore beer and cheer. Pearl Jam, great local eats and just a wee bit of politics and how Wes Moore could make our city better from the Governor’s chair.

When the economic future seems stormy for small businesses, pivoting your business model to sell services or products to the Maryland State Government or the Federal Government and all of the related agencies can be a viable and profitable alternative marketplace for Maryland business owners. You will want to consider this strategic move if you are ready to adjust your focus, evolve your services or products, continue to educate yourself and energize your business growth.