Politics

The Maryland Meals for Achievement In-Classroom Breakfast Program secured $4.5 million in additional funding on May 16 as Gov. Wes Moore (D) signed SB559, bringing the annual program funding to $12 million. MMA provides breakfast to students after the bell in schools where 40% or more of students qualify for free and reduced price meals.

Frederick’s mayor and aldermen will consider changes to how they do their jobs, as they reevaluate the city’s legislative process. The changes could include the process for how legislation is introduced and creating a timeline for how it would move toward passage. Mayor Michael O’Connor said at a workshop meeting Wednesday that he thinks it would be good to have the city’s process better defined.

As jurisdictions across the country grapple with how to address accountability in policing, a new proposed bill in the Montgomery County Council would restructure how the county oversees police reform and public safety. Expedited Bill 27-23, co-sponsored by councilmembers Dawn Luedtke (D-Dist. 7) and Sidney Katz (D-Dist. 3), seeks to repeal the county’s existing Policing Advisory Commission (PAC) to clarify the work of police accountability in the county.

Baltimore officials doubled down Wednesday on their commitment to restart the city’s weekly recycling collection in early 2024, but warned that the move will be possible only if the city receives 30 new garbage trucks that are currently in production. The promise, first outlined by Mayor Brandon Scott in his State of the City address in April, was reiterated by Department of Public Works employees Wednesday during a budget hearing held by the Baltimore City Council.

Maryland’s newest legislator was sworn in Monday, capping a two-decade journey that started as a legislative page and included a job in the State House mailroom. Del. Kent Roberson (D-Prince George’s) took the oath of office on the House dais that overlooks the chamber where in 2002 he was one of a number of high school students selected to work on the floor, making coffee and filling binders with bills and amendments.

Former Montgomery County delegate Kumar Barve was sworn in Wednesday as the newest member of the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC). Barve, a Rockville resident, was appointed by Gov. Wes Moore to succeed Commissioner Patrice M. Bubar, who has served since May 18, 2022. Barve is expected to take his seat on the bench in the next week.

Maryland 7th District Congress Kweisi Mfume says he’s reserving judgment on the debt ceiling deal reached over the weekend between President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Mfume told WBAL-TV that it will be interesting to see how many rank-and-file Democrats and Republicans will support this measure.

Sea turtles, rejoice! Less plastic will be floating in our area waterways, thanks to a new bill that goes into effect next month. Beginning June 1, eateries in Prince George’s County can only provide single-use utensils upon request. Take-out and delivery orders will also only have disposable utensils upon request.