Politics

Washington’s newest status symbol isn’t a seat at a coveted dinner party or an invitation to ride on Air Force One. Lawmakers from Maryland and other states were hoping Tuesday to spot their names on a different sort of list that similarly exudes political cachet. The Russian Foreign Ministry’s “reciprocal sanctions” list includes the names of 963 people, some deceased.

Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. reaffirmed his support for Police Chief Melissa Hyatt on Wednesday following a vote of “no confidence” by the county’s police union. Olszewski said he’s “100% behind” Hyatt, whom he appointed to lead the department three years ago. “She has been leading incredible efforts here in Baltimore County to make our department more community-oriented, data-driven, and thinking about issues of equity across Baltimore County,” he said. “We brought her in to drive important changes. Sometimes there are people who don’t buy into those changes, but we are fully behind her.”

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer swiftly set in motion a pair of firearms background-check bills Wednesday in response to the school massacre in Texas. But the Democrat acknowledged Congress’ unyielding rejection of previous legislation to curb the national epidemic of gun violence. Schumer implored his Republican colleagues to cast aside the powerful gun lobby and reach across the aisle for even a modest compromise bill. But no votes are being scheduled.

Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot called on Governor Larry Hogan and state legislative leaders to convene a special session to halt a forthcoming increase in the state’s gas tax amid soaring prices. Maryland’s gas tax is scheduled to increase by 18% on July 1, with increases in the state’s tax on fuel indexed to inflation. The tax would go from 36 cents per gallon to 43 cents, which, according to Franchot, would be a “$200 million tax on Maryland families and small businesses.” The governor on Monday called on Franchot to “halt or minimalize” the tax increase, but the comptroller said he does not have the legal authority to lower or raise taxes.

At the time Baltimore County’s charter was established in the 1950s, seven council members represented the roughly 350,000 citizens. Decades later, the county’s population has more than doubled to the current 854,000, but the number of council members elected to represent local residents remains the same. That should not be the case, insists the recently formed 4 More! 4 Baltimore County. The organization is on a mission to more proportionately expand the council, to 11 members.

Al fresco dining will expand in Annapolis this weekend thanks to a fast-tracked ordinance that allows restaurants to lease city-owned parking spaces. City Council approved the leasing procedures at a meeting Monday night after a lengthy and at times heated discussion. The new ordinance, O-16-22, restores privileges that many restaurants enjoyed during the pandemic for free. Businesses now will be required to reimburse the city for lost parking revenue, pay a facility surcharge and comply with various other approval measures.

The Howard County Council is scheduled to vote this week on the final version of a proposed $2 billion fiscal 2023 county operating budget. The proposed budget includes more than $1 billion for the Howard County Public Schools System and an $11 million increase for public safety, the largest increase in more than a decade, according to Howard County Executive Calvin Ball. “This proposed budget provides historic support of our shared priorities while continuing a fiscally responsible management approach,” said Ball, who cited strong revenue performances during the pandemic, especially in the real estate market, to support critical services in the 2023 budget.