Politics

The federal government unfairly penalizes state-legal marijuana businesses whose owners have been convicted of marijuana-related crimes, restricting them from loans and other banking tools, a group of U.S. Senate and House Democrats wrote to the Treasury Department asking for a change in policy. The group of 20 lawmakers, who mostly represent states where recreational marijuana is legal, said in a Tuesday letter that 2014 guidance from the department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network to put “red flags” on marijuana businesses hurts the businesses’ chances of securing banking services or loans.

A federal grant will help grow wind farms in Maryland. Sparrows Point Steel in Baltimore County won a $47 million grant from the U.S. Maritime Administration for its offshore wind manufacturing facility. “We are working hard to bring offshore wind energy to Maryland and this award gives a much-needed boost to our efforts to establish an offshore wind supply chain right here in Baltimore,” Sparrows Point Steel CEO Jeff Grybowski said in a news release.

Maryland Del. Joe Vogel, D-Montgomery, has raised and spent the most money out of all candidates vying to represent the state’s 6th District in the House. Vogel has raised $252,813, putting him above his fellow Democrats — and also above all Republicans running for the seat. Currently representing District 17 in the Maryland House of Delegates, Vogel has not officially filed for candidacy, according to the Maryland State Board of Elections website, but announced his congressional campaign in May.

Budget advisers are warning that Baltimore could face a $100 million shortfall or worse next year — a financial position one official this week called among the most “precarious” he’s seen over his time with the city. The projection comes as escalated state dues for schools have put a squeeze on Baltimore’s budget sooner than city leaders anticipated, forcing the city to dip into $30 million of one-time funding just to pass a balanced budget in June.

City Councilman Robert Stokes is developing two rowhomes in his longtime neighborhood of Oliver through an investment fund for women and people of color run by a prominent local developer, but the properties aren’t listed in his City Council financial disclosure. Stokes purchased 1830 and 1832 North Broadway from the city in August 2022 through a program meant to rehabilitate vacant properties.

The overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022 abolished federal protections of a right to an abortion, leaving abortion policy up to state lawmakers. As a response, states such as Maryland have expanded protections for people seeking an abortion. Back in May, Gov. Wes Moore (D) declared Maryland as a “safe haven” for people in more-restrictive states. Other states have restricted access to abortion following the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore announced two new positions Wednesday aimed at addressing the causes and effects of climate change and other environmental threats. Moore, a Democrat, appointed Meghan Conklin as the state’s first chief sustainability officer, who will focus on meeting the state’s environmental goals, including reducing emissions.

The Baltimore City Council moved forward a pair of bills Tuesday evening slated to provide inclusionary housing to low-income residents. If the bills were ultimately passed, “it would show to the state of Maryland and to the U.S. that Baltimore is committed, is strategic, it is intentional about making sure that” there is affordable housing for everyone, Councilwoman Odette Ramos, District 14 representative and the main sponsor the legislative package, said.

The Hagerstown City Council plans to appoint someone with political experience to replace a long-time city politician who resigned his council seat last month. The council is set to vote on Peter E. Perini Sr. to fill the remaining term of Bob Bruchey at its meeting next week, according to a news release from the city staff. Mayor Tekesha Martinez announced the remaining four council members’ plans during Tuesday’s city council work session.