Politics

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore marked the first anniversary of Roe v. Wade being overturned by visiting a Planned Parenthood clinic and pledging to keep the state a safe haven for abortion care. “The forces that are actively working to roll back rights, they are busy now. … The thing we are really standing in unison and saying is: Not in Maryland,” the Democratic governor told The Baltimore Banner after touring the Annapolis clinic on Friday.

Democratic governors and state lawmakers across the country are mobilizing against a surge of Republican restrictions on transgender health care by establishing their states as sanctuaries for gender-affirming care. Earlier this month, Democratic Gov. Wes Moore signed an executive order making Maryland the 11th state, plus the District of Columbia, to declare itself a sanctuary. A bill in New York has cleared the legislature and is awaiting the signature of Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul.

Baltimore City will become the final jurisdiction in Maryland to implement electronic filing of court records on May 6, 2024, the Maryland Judiciary announced. The date will arrive almost a decade after electronic filing was first piloted in Anne Arundel County in October 2014. “We’re very excited about going live in the city,” said District Court of Maryland Chief Judge John P. Morrissey, who has led the statewide transition to Maryland Electronic Courts, or MDEC.

The Maryland Cannabis Administration (MCA) has selected communications agency GKV to develop a multiyear public education and communications campaign about the legalization of cannabis for adult use, which goes into effect July 1. With the new law allowing adults 21 and older to legally purchase and possess specific amounts of cannabis, the campaign will inform adults who choose to consume about issues including safe and responsible use, the dangers of driving under the influence and preventing youth access. GKV is also working with MCA on crucial social equity outreach efforts.

For the first time in more than two decades, Maryland is poised to welcome a new elections administrator with the selection of Jared DeMarinis to replace longtime administrator Linda Lamone. DeMarinis, 49, of Annapolis, is a familiar face inside election circles — he previously headed the Maryland State Board of Elections’ Division of Candidacy and Campaign Finance — but he’s largely unknown to the general public.

Hundreds of Maryland Democrats braved evening rush hour traffic in two metropolitan areas Thursday to salute one of their own, celebrate recent political victories, and look ahead to the campaigns of 2024. Officially, the Maryland Democratic Party’s annual dinner at Martin’s West catering hall in Woodlawn was a tribute to 84-year-old U.S. Rep. Steny H. Hoyer (D-5th), whose political career began in 1966.

Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan ruled out a run for president earlier this year — or did he? In an interview with CBS this week, the Republican hinted that a third-party bid for the presidency might still be on the table. Interviewer Major Garrett asked Hogan about whether he might be a candidate for the No Labels coalition that he’s a part of. “It’s not something I’m pursuing, but it’s — you’ve got to leave the door open. In case of emergency, break glass,” Hogan said, wearing sunglasses and sitting along the waterfront.