Politics

In the week since Gov. Wes Moore enacted emergency legislation to prop up the Port of Baltimore economy, Maryland has approved more than $1 million in grant funding to help roughly 300 people remain in their jobs as crews race to clear the port’s main channel following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in March.

The top candidates for Baltimore mayor broke little new ground during the season’s first televised debate Wednesday. Mayor Brandon Scott and former Mayor Sheila Dixon — the front-runners — were joined by attorney Thiru Vignarajah and businessman Bob Wallace. The Democrats took the stage at Morgan State University’s Murphy Fine Arts Center for a panel hosted by WBAL-TV, WBAL Radio and Maryland Public Television.

The Brew has learned that Mayor Brandon Scott will tap a cabinet officer and veteran attorney to head the city’s response to the collapse and reconstruction of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. Dana P. Moore, currently the director of the Office of Equity and Civil Rights, will start Monday as Senior Advisor for Key Bridge Response and Recovery, aiding port workers, business owners and others, and coordinating with the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Unified Command and private groups engaged in the recovery effort.

As 18 Democratic candidates in the 3rd congressional district prepare for their first forum in Annapolis Wednesday evening, a poll conducted recently for former U.S. Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn shows him with a slight lead over state Sen. Sarah K. Elfreth (D-Anne Arundel). The poll comes just ahead of candidate forum scheduled for Wednesday at a church in the Eastport neighborhood of Annapolis — and while political professionals are still absorbing the candidates’ latest campaign finance statements, which were filed with the Federal Election Commission on Monday.

U.S. Rep. David Trone (D-Potomac)—who has repeatedly vowed to spend “what it takes” to win Maryland’s open Senate seat—continues to put his money where his mouth is, according to reports filed late Monday with the Federal Election Commission (FEC). Trone—co-owner of Total Wine & More, a nationwide chain of alcohol beverage retail outlets—pumped another $18.5 million in personal funds into his campaign during the first three months of this year, bringing the total amount of money for which he has reached into his own pocket to underwrite his Senate bid to more than $41.7 million.

Ghost guns — untraceable firearms usually put together by someone using unassembled or homemade components — are already illegal in Maryland. Nonetheless, they’ve been used in some high profile crimes in Prince George’s County in recent years, including several that involve juveniles. Now, the Prince George’s County Council wants to give prosecutors a new tool that will go after those who help juveniles get their hands on one.

Pro-democracy organization leaders on Tuesday said the Maryland House of Delegates failed voters by again declining to vote for special elections to fill legislative vacancies. The state Senate voted overwhelmingly for Maryland to hold special elections concurrently with statewide primary and general elections during presidential election years — which are off-years for Maryland state races — and the bill’s sponsor said she thought a compromise had been reached with House leaders.