Politics

As each Maryland senator with the Judicial Proceedings Committee cast their yes vote, David Lorenz cried and embraced his wife, Judy. That’s because the committee voted 10-1 on Friday to advance a bill that would retroactively, as well as prospectively, repeal statutes of limitation on lawsuits by plaintiffs who claim they suffered child sexual abuse. Lorenz, who pushed to get this legislation passed for 15 years, suffered abuse as a teenager when he attended a private school in Kentucky.

With a new governor in office and new commissioners coming to the Maryland Public Service Commission, the powerful utility regulator is about to get a significant makeover. But that’s not enough for one lawmaker and some environmentalists. They are pushing for an independent study of the PSC’s staffing and operations, arguing that doing so will help the commission fulfill its growing responsibilities — including implementing the ambitious climate law that the General Assembly passed last year.

For most of the 21^st century – 12 out of 22 years – Maryland has been governed at the top by two Republican governors. Howard County voters helped elect both of them in three elections, including a Black Republican lieutenant governor from their own county. Along the way, they also elected a Republican county executive. No more. What may have for a time been a purple swing county in the middle of the state has turned decidedly blue.

Gov. Wes Moore (D) is standing behind his nominee to lead the Maryland State Police, even as some lawmakers are pushing back on his nomination, in what is so far the biggest fight over a Cabinet-level appointment for the new administration. Two weeks ago, Moore nominated Lt. Col. Roland L. Butler Jr. to serve as Maryland State Police superintendent. If confirmed he would be the first Black man to lead the agency.

In a news conference, Scott appeared outside of city hall to lash out at the city council committee that rejected his nomination of Faith Leach, who has already been serving as the acting city administrator. Four members voted against her during a Thursday hearing. The committee said they have “concerns” about the structure of the office.

A group of Democratic federal lawmakers from Maryland, including U.S. Sens. Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, has urged the Federal Communications Commission to improve broadband mapping data accuracy for the state. “Guaranteeing all Americans access to affordable, reliable, high-speed internet is a shared goal, and we appreciate the FCC’s commitment to this endeavor,” the lawmakers said in a letter Tuesday to the FCC. “To that end, we urge your agency to update and improve its broadband mapping data based on the feedback from our state’s broadband office.”