Politics

David Trone has helped fund the campaigns of more than 50 elected officials who have since endorsed him in his Democratic U.S. Senate primary contest against Angela Alsobrooks, according to federal and state campaign records. Among those receiving contributions from the wealthy congressman in recent years are 31 current or former U.S. House members and dozens of state officials such as Attorney General Anthony Brown and Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy.

New Maryland laws aimed at limiting book bans, expanding affordable housing opportunities and preventing burdensome local rules on where cannabis dispensaries can open became official Thursday with Gov. Wes Moore’s signature. Going into effect immediately was the Freedom to Read Act — a response to a rise in challenges to books in schools and public libraries, including dozens in Carroll County schools, that primarily tell the stories of LGBTQ+ youth or that deal with race.

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott’s guests to the city’s private suites at M&T Bank Stadium and Camden Yards last year included members of his family, local labor leaders, numerous elected officials and a few donors to his campaign, records released by the city show. As part of lease agreements with the Maryland Stadium Authority, the Baltimore mayor, as well as the governor, are provided with skyboxes — valued at thousands of dollars per game — at the Ravens and Orioles stadiums.

For Del. Jennifer White Holland (D-10) addressing maternal and child health has been a passion for “quite some time.” The public health professional said that her lived experience led her to sponsor a key piece of legislation that looks to improve outcomes for expectant mothers. “I’ve witnessed my line sisters, my close friends and family members, who have had challenging pregnancies, some even experienced loss,” said White Holland.

The Maryland General Assembly adjourned in a celebratory flurry of balloons and confetti earlier this month after passing hundreds of bills in 90 days. But not everyone is popping champagne for the legislation that made it to Gov. Wes Moore’s desk. Some are calling on Maryland’s Democratic governor to issue vetoes on policies that would produce seismic changes in the state’s juvenile justice system, allow the attorney general to sue gun manufacturers, revise plans to create offshore wind projects, end the publishing of public notices in local newspapers, and anything that would generally increase fees or taxes for state residents.

Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan says he is “fed up” with the partisan gridlock in Washington, as he tries to align himself with middle-of-the-road voters in his U.S. Senate bid. The Hogan campaign released a new statewide television ad Wednesday that touches on the frustration of voters who do not understand why things have to be so polarized in the halls of Congress.