Politics

The House passed a wide-ranging gun control bill Wednesday in response to recent mass shootings in Buffalo, New York, and Uvalde, Texas, that would raise the age limit for purchasing a semi-automatic rifle and prohibit the sale of ammunition magazines with a capacity of more than 15 rounds. The legislation passed by a mostly party-line vote of 223-204. It has almost no chance of becoming law as the Senate pursues negotiations focused on improving mental health programs, bolstering school security and enhancing background checks.

Rushern L. Baker III is determined that his current gubernatorial campaign not be a replica of his 2018 run. Not just the losing part — but the way he lost. The former Prince George’s county executive looks back at his unsuccessful run four years ago and sees a campaign that was too scripted, too focused on “not offending anybody.” “I made a mistake,” he said in an interview. “I made a mistake by not being authentic in 2018, and worrying about whether I’d offend the Senate president or the speaker of the House, or anyone else — rather than just telling the truth.”

Frustrated Baltimore County Council blocks routine school district budget item to signal displeasure and get answers on parental concerns over late buses and other issues. “Parents can’t go to work every day and not know if their children are going to be picked up,” said Councilwoman Cathy Bevins. In a show of frustration, the council voted 5-2 to turn down the county schools’ request for a funding transfer. Such shifts within the budget are usually a routine matter, but council members used the opportunity to express disappointment in how school system leaders have responded to problems.

As part of County Executive Steuart Pittman’s budget proposal for fiscal 2023, he announced in April he’d request the county council raise the rainy-day cap to 7% of the estimated General Fund, which will result in savings of about $133 million, he said. Six council members voted in favor of the increase. Allison Pickard, a Glen Burnie Democrat, was absent. Nathan Volke, a Pasadena Republican, said he was pleased to see the cap on an upward trajectory following a hike to 6% last year but said he’d like to see it increase even higher to 10%.

Two Baltimore city agencies tasked with helping keep streets safe have hearings Monday at the annual city council budget meeting as violent crime rises. Officials are questioning what the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office and the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement — otherwise known as MONSE — are doing to stop rising crime in the city. There have been growing concerns over staffing issues in the State’s Attorney’s Office, while MONSE, which works to prevent violence, is being questioned on whether its unique work is making a difference.

A plan by Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr.’s office dealing with waiving fees for development projects has raised concerns among some residents that the measure could lead to favoritism for certain developers at taxpayer expense. In response to criticism of the legislation, the County Council on Monday postponed a scheduled vote on the bill until July.