Politics

Starting as soon as next month, Marylanders may not have to bring their new cars in for state emissions testing until they are six model years old — instead of three. The matter will come before the state Board of Public Works next Wednesday, as it votes on a contract modification for the company that conducts the emissions checks for Maryland. If the Board of Public Works approves the change, the company likely will need a few weeks to make the adjustments.

Carroll County commissioners held a public hearing Thursday to discuss a proposed county law that would fine homeowners and businesses who make too many “nuisance” calls to police. Only two members of the public came to the meeting to give their opinions, but commissioners said they had been reading a lot of comments on social media about the proposed law. There was no vote on the ordinance Thursday.

Gov. Wes Moore has continued to push for Marylanders to take advantage of a federal broadband internet assistance program in which fewer than one in three of those eligible have enrolled. Tens of millions of low-income households across the country qualify for a $30-per-month internet discount through the Affordable Connectivity Program.

The new leader of the Maryland Public Service Commission said Tuesday that he plans to convene meetings with interested parties over the next few months to discuss the increasingly controversial issue of where to place renewable energy installations in the state. Testifying before a virtual hearing of the state Senate Committee on Education, Energy and the Environment, Fred Hoover, who took over as PSC chair in July, said he wanted to “get all the parties together to lower the temperature in some of these siting topics.”

Gov. Wes Moore said Wednesday that negotiations with the Orioles can produce not only a new stadium lease binding the team to Baltimore for years, but a redevelopment road map benefiting the city and state. The governor also predicted the club he adores will host World Series games this fall. “For longtime Orioles fans, this is such a gratifying year, because I really do believe — and it’s not just because I’m the governor — I really do believe we’re going to have World Series baseball in Baltimore,” the Democrat said after attending a Mass in Montgomery County tied to the upcoming observance of Labor Day.

Starting in September, those taking the Maryland learner’s permit test will have several new language options for both the test and the study materials. The Motor Vehicle Administration said that nine new languages will be added to the seven languages currently offered. “Improving accessibility for the driver’s knowledge test and study materials is critical to serve Maryland’s linguistically diverse population,” said Motor Vehicle Administrator Chrissy Nizer. “The Driver’s Manual is a critical tool to educate new drivers and improve road safety for all travelers.”

State officials expressed optimism for a long-term deal to keep the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards. A spokesperson for Gov. Wes Moore (D) said Tuesday that negotiations, criticized by some as lethargic, continue but would not be done in public. Comments made Tuesday, however, offered no new look into the state of negotiations or when a new deal could be inked.

Frederick will move ahead with programs to create jobs for young people, build affordable housing in the city, and help people who have been incarcerated, Mayor Michael O’Connor said Tuesday. O’Connor, D, announced the plans during his annual State of the City address Tuesday at the Delaplaine Arts Center in downtown Frederick.