In a letter to Comptroller Peter Franchot on Monday, Gov. Larry Hogan called for the state’s CFO to “halt or minimalize” the impact of a forthcoming increase in the state’s gas tax, saying the price bump is “unconscionable” amid record prices and steep inflation. “Given shaky oil markets, record inflation, and a skyrocketing cost of living, the continued surges in gas prices are inflicting more pain at the pump than Marylanders can bear,” Hogan wrote. “I am calling on you to take immediate action to provide much-needed relief, particularly as citizens of our state begin to plan their summer travels.”

The union representing Baltimore County police officers issued a vote of no confidence in police Chief Melissa Hyatt on Monday evening in a rare move signaling displeasure in the department’s top leadership. The meeting of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 4 was closed to the media, but FOP President Dave Folderauer wrote in a letter to County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. made public following the vote that the membership had “lost all faith and confidence in Melissa Hyatt.”

Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby’s trial on charges that include perjury is still on track for Sept. 19, according to an amended scheduling order filed in U.S. District Court on Monday. Under the current timeline, federal prosecutors will have to file motions by July 15, and the defense will have two weeks to respond. A final pre-trial status conference and hearing on motions is scheduled for Sept. 14.

Sgt. Clyde Boatwright called out Councilman Zeke Cohen on the C4 and Bryan Nehman show over his response to a video involving Baltimore City school police and a bicyclist on school grounds. On May 22, Cohen retweeted a video of the incident with the following caption: “I asked BCPSS leadership for a status update on our commitment to becoming a Restorative District. In 2020 OSI published a report on 18 schools that implemented Restorative Practices. They found a 44% reduction in suspensions + vastly improved climate.”

U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen is home again after suffering a minor stroke, tweeting Sunday that it was great to be home “after a long week.” The Maryland Democrat said in a statement May 15 that he experienced lightheadedness and acute neck pain while delivering a speech in western Maryland. On the advice of a physician, he sought medical attention upon his return home and he was treated at George Washington University Hospital. An angiogram indicated a minor stroke in the form of a small venous tear at the back of his head, Van Hollen said.

Crime is beginning to dominate the conversation among city officials in Baltimore and Democrats seeking to become governor. Baltimore’s murder count for 2022 continues to rise and, at a Thursday news conference, city councilmembers called for Mayor Brandon Scott (D) to act. As the Baltimore City Council prepares to hold budget hearings at the end of the month, Rev. Alvin Gwynn Sr. of Leadenhall Baptist Church joined council members Eric T. Costello (D), Sharon Green Middleton (D), Mark Conway (D), Antonio Glover (D), Isaac Yitzy Schleiffer (D) and Robert R. Stokes Sr. (D) in requesting that Scott ask Gov. Lawrence J. Hogan Jr. (R) for assistance in driving down the city’s homicide rate.

Millions of state dollars have been dedicated for a project that appears to be in a legally protected wild river corridor, however specific plans haven’t been discussed publicly. Senate Bill 291, signed this week by Gov. Larry Hogan, includes a $700,000 grant to the Garrett County Board of Commissioners “for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of capital improvements at Sang Run State Park at Youghiogheny River Trail Section 2 from Swallow Falls to Sang Run, including maintenance and repair projects.”

First District congressional candidate Heather Mizeur (D) rebuked incumbent Rep. Andy Harris (R) on Friday for speaking to a conservative conference taking place in Hungary. In a statement, she accused him of being an embarrassment and a “failed” representative who clings to “radical” views. CPAC Hungary, a three-day event in Budapest, features Hungarian leader Viktor Orbán and Fox talk show host Tucker Carlson, both of whom have embraced race-conscious immigration and abortion policies that are gaining traction on the right.