Politics

Mckayla Wilkes announced Thursday that she will run again for the Democratic nomination to represent the 5th Congressional District. Veteran lawmaker U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-5th), who turned 84 on Wednesday, has overseen the district that includes all three Southern Maryland counties of Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s and a sliver of Prince George’s for almost 42 years.

After a few last-minute changes, town officials approved an $11.5 million budget for the coming fiscal year. The Berlin Town Council on Monday voted unanimously to approve an $11.5 million general fund budget for fiscal year 2024. The budget represents a 33% increase in revenues. “I thank all of our staff for your help compiling this year’s budget,” Mayor Zack Tyndall said as the budget came up during Monday’s meeting. “I know the budgeting process is not fun for any of us but our staff have been very helpful in us getting to a balanced budget for introduction.

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.