Tuesday, March 18, 2025 | Baltimore, MD
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Politics

Senate panel doesn’t advance Gov. Wes Moore’s pick for spot on Maryland Stadium Authority board

A businesswoman appointed by Gov. Wes Moore to serve on the powerful Maryland Stadium Authority board made a passionate plea to state lawmakers who are considering whether to confirm her but are concerned about her past legal and financial issues. Yolanda Maria Martinez said she had moved on from those issues — which include a personal bankruptcy and lawsuits against her for unpaid debts — and would bring a “fiscally responsible” background to the role that, among other duties, makes decisions about leases and renovations for Baltimore’s sports stadiums.

Read More: Baltimore Sun
Controversial gun control bill advances in Md. Senate

The Maryland Senate passed the controversial Gun Safety Act of 2023, which limits the circumstances where someone can carry a weapon even with a concealed carry permit, on Monday evening following a spirited debate. Initially sponsored by Sen. Jeff Waldstreicher, D-Montgomery, and then-Sen. Susan Lee, D-Montgomery, now Secretary of State, the bill, SB 1, would tighten state gun laws in an effort to combat gun violence and in the wake of a U.S. Supreme Court decision that rendered some Maryland gun laws unconstitutional. Following friendly amendments on the Senate floor, the bill now has 24 sponsors.

General Assembly moves high-priority bills on guns, abuse lawsuits, reproductive rights and cannabis

With days remaining before a key deadline, lawmakers are pushing weighty bills through the General Assembly faster than most Marylanders can pick a crab. Next Monday marks a crucial date, the day by which bills must be passed in one house in order to be directly considered by the other chamber. Both chambers are picking up the pace and moving into multiple floor sessions each day, as time waits for no legislator during a 90-day session.

A Maryland bill could change who controls what’s taught in schools

After conservative Carroll County parents called a school health curriculum “sexual indoctrination” last year, Maryland lawmakers proposed a financial penalty for not teaching it. But in the span of a few weeks, the bill evolved into a measure that would give the state superintendent unprecedented power to take funds away from school systems if they do not comply with Maryland’s curriculum guidance.

Baltimore City Council committee reverses vote, recommends Faith Leach as city administrator

Just days after striking down her nomination, members of a Baltimore City Council committee reversed course Monday, unanimously recommending Faith Leach as Baltimore’s next city administrator. The change of heart came after intense pressure from Mayor Brandon Scott’s office, as well as Leach’s supporters outside city government who spent the weekend lobbying council members.

Read More: Baltimore Sun
MoCo delegate’s bill would require social media sites to do more to safeguard kids

A bill making its way through the Maryland General Assembly could have major implications for how social media companies handle children’s consumer privacy nationwide, and a Montgomery County delegate is behind it. “This bill is really creating a framework that requires social media companies to be able to design their products while thinking through the lens of harm that could potentially be done to children,” said bill sponsor Del. Jared Solomon (D), who represents District 18 which includes parts of Silver Spring, Bethesda and Wheaton.

Read More: MOCO360
Former Maryland Gov. Hogan not ready to support 2024 GOP presidential candidates

Former Maryland GOP Gov. Larry Hogan said he's not running for president in 2024, but he's not ready to throw his support behind any of the other republican candidates. During an interview with CNN, Hogan was asked about specific candidates including Mike Pence, Nikki Haley, and Ron Desantis. Hogan said he can't pick any one of them at this point.

Read More: WBAL

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