Politics

In the competitive race for Maryland’s opening U.S. Senate seat, most political observers see the Democratic primary as a two-candidate race, so far. U.S. Rep. David Trone, D-District 6, has dramatically outspent Democratic Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, according to Federal Election Commission records. But that’s primarily because he loaned his campaign $10 million.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore spoke on Tuesday about making internet access more affordable to residents of the state. Under the program, backed by federal dollars, Marylanders who qualify would get $30 off of home web access. Moore said that means free access with basic plans. “This type of investment and this type of partnership that we have both on the private side and on the federal side becomes so incredibly important because you can not have the infrastructure if people can not afford to benefit from it,” Moore said.

Mayor Brandon Scott made it official on Monday when he nominated Acting Police Commissioner Richard Worley to the position permanently in a motion before the Baltimore City Council. Worley, who entered the role in a temporary capacity after former Commissioner Michael Harrison surprised the city by announcing he would step down, appears to face a smooth path to confirmation.

Two bills aimed at tightening regulations on addiction treatment centers in Anne Arundel failed to pass the County Council on Monday night. The first bill, sponsored by council member Nathan Volke, a Republican from Pasadena, would have required certain treatment facilities to comply with fire safety standards. The bill also would have inserted definitions into the county code for group homes and recovery residences that would restrict providers who offer the entire continuum of drug treatment care from running recovery residences.

Baltimore County announced Tuesday new leaders for the Department of Environmental Protection and Sustainability and the Department of Economic and Workforce Development Tuesday. Horacio Tablada will head up the environmental protection department, while Marcus Wang will lead the economic development agency.

Most government agencies want to use such technologies as artificial intelligence, machine learning and chatbots to improve efficiency and decision making, but the cost of implementation and concerns about breaking legacy technology are holding them back, according to a report released Tuesday by General Dynamics Information Technology.

The Baltimore City Council held an informational hearing Monday to address widespread challenges with getting a permit in the city. Just over two weeks ago, an unpermitted block party in Brooklyn ended in tragedy. Councilmembers said although a permit was technically not needed at that event, improving the permitting process would keep more people safe.

City officials are considering an increase in hourly and monthly lease parking rates. Cumberland Administrator Jeff Silka on Tuesday provided the mayor and City Council recommendations on the issue. “The (Municipal Parking Administration) expenses exceed revenue,” he said and discussed use of the app ParkMobile. The technology is used in cities including Frostburg, Annapolis and Pittsburgh, Silka said and added the city would not incur upfront costs to implement the app.