Politics

Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski took it on the chin twice at Monday night’s County Council meeting, in the ongoing political tug of war over zoning. Council members overrode an Olszewski veto involving a proposed development in Hunt Valley. The 5-1 override vote came moments after legislation Olszewski had proposed to create mixed use zoning was withdrawn because council members overwhelmingly opposed it.

The Maryland House approved a measure on Friday designed to improve accountability and rehabilitation in the juvenile justice system in response to an increase in some crimes like auto theft and handgun violations in parts of the state. The House, which is controlled by Democrats, voted 126-6 for the measure, with six Democrats opposing it. The Senate is moving forward with a largely similar bill, with some differences that the two chambers will need to work out.

After a string of scandals and amid rising bills, lawmakers in statehouses across the country, including in Maryland, have been pushing legislation to curb utilities spending ratepayer money on lobbying, expert testimony in rate cases, goodwill advertising, charitable giving, trade association membership and other costs. At least a dozen states have considered bills to limit how gas, water and electric utilities can spend customers’ money, according to a tracker maintained by the Energy and Policy Institute, a watchdog group funded by environmental and climate-focused foundations that concentrates on utilities and fossil fuel interests.

Mayor Brandon Scott, former Mayor Sheila Dixon, and other Democrats hoping to win over city voters this May made their case to North Baltimoreans at a Monday night forum, marking the first time that all the top contenders gathered for a public debate. Neighborhood associations in North Baltimore hosted Scott, Dixon, attorney Thiru Vignarajah and businessman Bob Wallace for a forum moderated by Kaye Wise Whitehead, a Loyola University professor and WEAA radio host. The standing-room-only event featured audience questions.

The Israel-Hamas conflict, campaign finance reform, gun law reform, and expanding access to health care dominated a Monday evening debate between Democratic candidates running for the 2nd Congressional District to succeeding U.S. Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger. The Baltimore County Progressive Democrats Club sponsored a candidate forum at the Towson branch of the Baltimore County Public Library.

Gov. Wes Moore proclaimed March 2024 as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. The governor’s office published the proclamation Friday. “We believe in a Maryland which recognizes the unlimited potential for all our citizens, including those with developmental disabilities…” the proclamation says. March is recognized as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month by the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities – which leads the annual campaign.

A previous version of this article mischaracterized how GOP U.S. Senate hopeful Larry Hogan handled questions about his views on abortion upon entering the contest. The article has been updated. At a Maryland Democratic forum for U.S. Senate hopefuls Saturday afternoon, the prospect of Republican Larry Hogan on the ballot loomed large. The former governor — and his recruitment for the seat by top GOP leaders — was mentioned three times in the first 10 minutes and in closing arguments.