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Settling police lawsuit forces ‘meaningful and lasting change,’ Pr. George’s executive says
July 23, 2021 -

Prince George’s County Executive Angela D. Alsobrooks (D) said at a news conference Thursday that nobody in her administration was “happy” the county had spent about $26 million to fight and eventually settle a workplace discrimination suit brought by Black and Latino officers against the police department. “Are we happy at having spent taxpayer dollars this way? Absolutely not,” Alsobrooks said. “But we were determined to do this right.”

Read More: Washington Post
Steele Creates Exploratory Committee for Possible Gubernatorial Bid
July 23, 2021 -

Michael S. Steele, the former lieutenant governor and one-time chairman of the Republican National Committee, has created an exploratory committee ahead of a possible run for governor in 2022. Jim Dornan, a veteran national Republican strategist who was campaign manager for Ellen R. Sauerbrey during her 1998 run for governor in Maryland, is leading Steele’s exploratory effort. He said Steele expects to decide whether to run sometime between Labor Day and Thanksgiving.

Read More: Maryland Matters
‘Neighbors Against Predatory Dumping Act’ Aims To Cut Down Illegal Dumping In Baltimore
July 23, 2021 -
A new law out of city hall is trying to double down on illegal dumping in Baltimore. There are signs warning against it, but that hasn’t stopped this persistent problem. “The victims are our communities,” Councilman Zeke Cohen said. It’s what prompted councilman Cohen, together with community members like Ashley Esposito, to create and legislate what’s now called ‘The Neighbors Against Predatory Dumping Act. ‘
Read More: WJZ
Md., Other States Still Lag Getting Assistance to Struggling Renters, Federal Data Shows
July 23, 2021 -

State and local officials disbursed $1.5 billion in rental assistance during June — more than during the entire previous five months — to help households falling behind on rent and utilities, according to U.S. Treasury data released Wednesday. That progress in getting slow-moving federal dollars to struggling renters comes as the Biden administration and housing advocates have been scrambling to avoid an eviction crisis when the national moratorium expires at the end of this month.

Read More: Maryland Matters
‘It is worth risking arrest to free the vote’: Former Anne Arundel County councilman arrested during protest in D.C.
July 23, 2021 -

Daryl Jones, a former Anne Arundel County councilman, was arrested Thursday during a protest in Washington, D.C., supporting election overhaul legislation. Jones, a Democrat who lives in Severn, said over 50 people gathered at the Supreme Court and marched to the Senate building to protest the stalling of HR 1, also known as “The For the People Act.” Ten people, including Rep. Hank Johnson, a Democrat from Georgia, were arrested at the entrance of the Senate, according to Jones.

Read More: Baltimore Sun
Unemployed Maryland workers push lawsuit over backlogged benefits claims trapped in ‘purgatory’ awaiting decisions
July 22, 2021 -

A group of unemployed Maryland workers whose lawsuit helped derail Gov. Larry Hogan’s attempt to end expanded federal unemployment benefits early are asking a judge now to address tens of thousands of claims that have languished in “purgatory” after being halted over paperwork issues. The Unemployed Workers’ Union, a group affiliated with the Baltimore activist group Peoples Power Assembly, filed an amended lawsuit Wednesday against the state and Maryland Labor Secretary Tiffany Robinson reiterating its contention that scores of out-of-work Marylanders are being denied the benefits they’re entitled to after being falsely flagged for fraud or other issues.

Read More: Baltimore Sun
‘Some Measure of Justice’ Baltimore City Pays $525K To Victim Who Says Corrupt GTTF Cops Wrongly Sent Him To Prison, Part of $14 Million In Settlements
July 22, 2021 -
A. Dwight Pettit has brought misconduct lawsuits against Baltimore police for more than four decades, but the scope of corruption on the Gun Trace Task Force was larger than he had ever seen. Now, one of his clients, Robert Johnson, has settled with the city for $525,000 after he says he was wrongly imprisoned for four years. Baltimore City’s spending board unanimously approved the settlement, which comes two years after Johnson sued the city and several former police commissioners. He alleged top brass knew about the corruption but turned a blind eye to it.
Read More: WJZ
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball announces emergency legislation to extend outdoor dining into November
July 22, 2021 -

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball on Wednesday announced the introduction of emergency legislation to extend outdoor dining at bars and restaurants that expanded service during the coronavirus pandemic until Nov. 15. “I visited dozens of our restaurants over these last few months, and they assure me they’re coming back,” Ball said during a news conference at the Manor Hill Tavern Beer Garden in Ellicott City. “By extending our outdoor seating program until mid-November, I hope that we can get them that finish even sooner and help them thrive.”

Read More: Baltimore Sun
Infrastructure bill fails first vote; Senate to try again
July 22, 2021 -

Senate Republicans rejected an effort Wednesday to begin debate on the big infrastructure deal that a bipartisan group of senators brokered with President Joe Biden. But supporters in both parties remained hopeful of a better chance soon. Democratic Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York had scheduled the procedural vote that he described as a step to ”get the ball rolling” as talks progress. But Republicans mounted a filibuster, saying the bipartisan group needed more time to wrap up the deal and review the details. They sought a delay until Monday.

Read More: Frederick News-Post
Activist DeRay Mckesson’s nonprofit takes up defense of Keith Davis Jr., unveils website faulting state’s case
July 22, 2021 -

Mobile billboards roll through the streets of Baltimore, demanding the state’s attorney drop the murder case. Volunteers canvass city neighborhoods, distributing flyers with “Marilyn Mosby is lying to you.” They unveiled a website to fight the prosecution of Keith Davis Jr. It’s all a campaign to build national support for the Baltimore man now facing his fifth trial for the murder of Pimlico security guard Kevin Jones in 2015. Activists, attorneys and the Davis family gathered Wednesday to announce their new effort to clear the name of the 29-year-old defendant. They had a firm message for Baltimore’s state’s attorney Mosby: “Drop the charges.”

Read More: Baltimore Sun

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