Wednesday, October 30, 2024 | Baltimore, MD
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Politics

Prince George’s Co. council member abruptly steps down

Prince George’s County Council member Derrick Leon Davis is resigning from the 6th District council seat, effective April 15. Davis, who has served on the council since 2011, issued a statement Friday saying the time had come to “rest, restore and prepare for the next leg of this journey,” but did not say why he is resigning or what the next step in that journey would entail. In the fall, Davis was at the center of a controversy over a redistricting plan for the county council.

Read More: WTOP
Sparks fly as Marilyn Mosby takes her (unofficial) reelection campaign to Roland Park

State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby – who has not formally declared her candidacy but has been raising money, rallying supporters and stockpiling lawn signs – brought her message to Roland Park last night. Before the monthly meeting, some members, tried to talk Claudia Diamond, president of the Roland Park Civic League, out of letting the city’s indicted top prosecutor come.

Read More: Baltimore Brew
Senate Debates Bills to Add Qualifications to High-Level Executive Positions

Qualifications for top government officials were at the center of debate on the Senate floor Thursday evening — and in an unusual move, a bill to require additional expertise from future Maryland secretaries of Aging was sent back to committee after lawmakers objected, saying the changes could interfere with Senate’s role in confirming or rejecting nominees.

Maryland House of Delegates reject bill to extend gas tax holiday

The Maryland House of Delegates on Thursday rejected a bill that would extend the gas tax holiday. Washington County Republican Delegate Brenda Thiam proposed the amendment which would have extended the holiday into Memorial Day Weekend. Comptroller Peter Franchot on Wednesday also called on lawmakers to extended the gas tax holiday another 60 days. Franchot noted that prices are still high and the holiday has attracted drivers from other states.

Read More: WBAL
As a Supreme Court justice with Maryland ties is confirmed, area residents look on with pride

Chamyra Upshur said that as a child she didn’t have role models to look up to. Upshur, a second-year law student at the University of Baltimore School of Law, said Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation as the first Black woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court will motivate her to work harder. “Everyone deserves representation. And for African Americans, it’s very rare that we see attorneys who look like us, who understand the things that we value and will ask the questions to protect our interests,” said Upshur, who grew up in Milton, Delaware.

Read More: Baltimore Sun
Montgomery County teachers endorse Marc Elrich for county executive

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich (D) has received the coveted backing of the county’s teachers union in his bid for reelection. The Montgomery County Education Association, which represents about 14,000 educators and specialists in the Maryland county, announced Thursday that it is endorsing Elrich, who is set to face four challengers in the Democratic primary in July.

Former Baltimore County NAACP head Tony Fugett to challenge Izzy Patoka for County Council

The former head of the Baltimore County NAACP is running for County Council in a district that was at the center of the county’s redistricting conflict. Tony Fugett of Owings Mills filed paperwork Thursday to seek election in District 2, now represented by Councilman Izzy Patoka. Both are Democrats. Fugett is a plaintiff in a redistricting lawsuit in which civil rights groups and county voters backed by the ACLU of Maryland say County Council district maps initially drawn last year would unlawfully dilute Black residents’ votes.

Read More: Baltimore Sun
Hogan Breaks Ground On First Comprehensive Cancer Center In Prince George’s County
Gov. Larry Hogan on Thursday broke ground on Prince George’s County’s first-ever comprehensive cancer center. It’s a part of the Maryland Cancer Moonshot initiative. The cancer center will bring high-quality comprehensive cancer care service and provide greater access to cancer screenings, and expand life-saving clinical trials into the county for the first time, the governor’s office said.
Read More: WJZ
Katie Curran O'Malley
Mikulski endorses Katie Curran O’Malley in Md. attorney general race

Barbara A. Mikulski, a legend in Maryland Democratic politics and the state’s first female senator, endorsed former judge Katie Curran O’Malley in the competitive primary race to be attorney general. Mikulski said in a statement that she has known O’Malley for decades and believes “she is uniquely qualified” to become the state’s first female attorney general.

30. Friendly Neighborhood Pharmacist with Scott Pace and Bretta Grinsteinner

In episode 30 of The Lobby, Damian speaks with Bretta Grinsteinner, a vice-president at EPIC pharmacy, and Scott Pace, an independent pharmacy owner and go-to voice on the relationship between Pharmaceutical Services Administrative Organizations (PSAOs) and pharmacies for the Maryland legislature. Legislation to differentiate between PSAOs and Pharmacy Benefit Managers is moving on for the Governor’s signature. Listen as they discuss the bills’ paths to victory, independent pharmacies during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the importance of Pharmaceutical Services Administrative Organizations.

The 2022 legislative session is almost over! Be on the lookout for our Center Maryland 2022 Session Winners.

We hope to see you soon in The Lobby.

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