Politics

The Baltimore City Council approved Mayor Brandon Scott’s proposed $4.4 billion budget Wednesday with $12 million in amendments that would buy new firetrucks, purchase new city surveillance cameras and fund a vocational training program. Money to cover the council’s proposed expenditures would come from the elimination of positions that Scott’s budget proposed creating in the Department of General Services, the Law Department and the Mayor’s Office of Infrastructure Development among others.

The mayor’s pick for Baltimore Police commissioner is “actively looking” to move into Baltimore City, as is required for the city’s top cop, the mayor’s office said Wednesday. Richard Worley, who is serving as acting commissioner, was a resident and registered voter in Anne Arundel County, as of November, according to a report to the mayor and Baltimore City Council on police department command staff’s residencies. Public records indicate he lives in Edgewater.

Gov. Wes Moore announced the appointment of three new members of the Maryland State Board of Education on Wednesday — at a time when the superintendent role hangs in the balance. The trio — outgoing Prince George’s County Public Schools CEO Monica Goldson, former Montgomery County high school teacher-turned-lawyer Samir Paul and Howard County High School student Abisola Ayoola — now hold critical votes over the future of State Superintendent of Schools Mohammed Choudhury.

Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller (D) is unlikely to run for the Maryland 6th Congressional District, based on a statement from her team. “Miller plans on continuing to serve the people of Maryland and serving as a partner to Governor Moore. She has stated there is nothing she’d rather be doing than serving as Lieutenant Governor,” a spokesperson told MoCo360 in an email Monday morning.

Gaithersburg City Councilmember Ryan Spiegel got his ticket punched to Annapolis on Tuesday evening, winning a recommendation from the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee that he be chosen to replace former Del. Kumar P. Barve (D) in the House of Delegates. The central committee’s nomination of Spiegel will be forwarded to Gov. Wes Moore (D), who officially makes the appointment.

City Council members voted unanimously Monday night to hike the annual salary for Baltimore’s top attorney by 30% — a move that would elevate the position to one of the most well-paid in city government. The bill, which members expedited Monday evening from a preliminary to a final vote, raises the salary for the city solicitor position to $245,000 from $188,000.to Scott.

From July 1st, 2023, cannabis will be legal for adults in Maryland. This landmark day came about thanks to voters’ approval of adult use legalization, which was on the 2022 ballot.   Maryland General Assembly passed House Bill 556 and Senate Bill 516 to develop a framework for beginning adult-use sales. As of July 1st, this legislation will become effective, making Maryland the 21st state to legalize recreational marijuana.