Wednesday, October 30, 2024 | Baltimore, MD
FOLLOW US:

Politics

Maryland lawmakers eye statewide paid leave program, but uncertainty over details clouds outlook

The long campaign to create a Maryland paid family and medical leave program for nearly all workers has won considerable support in the Democrat-controlled General Assembly, bringing closer the goal of creating a new social insurance benefit. Top leadership in both chambers support it and legislation creating it recently passed both the Senate and the House of Delegates with wide majorities.

Read More: Baltimore Sun
Scott Vows To Work With Regulators After Maryland Takes Over Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant
Mayor Brandon Scott on Monday vowed that Baltimore City would help get things under control at the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant after the state took over operations at the city-owned and operated facility. The mayor’s commitment comes a day after Maryland Environment Secretary Ben Grumbles directed the Maryland Environmental Service to take over operations of the facility in response to pollution and other compliance issues at the wastewater treatment plant, the largest of its kind in the state.
Read More: WJZ-TV
Szeliga says now-deleted tweet was a ‘poorly executed text message’

A Republican lawmaker is apologizing for a Tweet that included an obscenity directed at the House speaker and Senate president. Baltimore County Republican Kathy Szeliga said the tweet was a “poorly executed text message” and was meant to be a private message to a close friend. The now-deleted tweet referred to House Speaker Adrienne Jones and Senate President Bill Ferguson as vulgarity in their response to the court decision that said the state’s congressional maps were unconstitutional.

Read More: WBAL NewsRadio
EMS funding bill, approved by Senate, moves to House

A Maryland Association of Counties-led bill to increase the amount of Medicaid reimbursement emergency medical services providers receive when they perform their duties is making its way through the General Assembly, having successfully passed the Senate last week. The bill, SB295, looks to increase the rate EMS providers are reimbursed for the transportation and medical costs of taking a patient to a hospital, in hopes of bringing that rate up to meet the impact of inflation.

Hogan Marks 250th Anniversary of Maryland State House Cornerstone Laying

Gov. Larry Hogan on Monday issued a proclamation marking the 250th anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone of the Maryland State House. The state house is the oldest in continuous legislative use and the only state capitol building ever to ever serve as the seat of the country’s government. “It is an incredible honor every day to serve in the oldest continuously operating State House in America, and to reflect on all the historic events that have occurred in this incredible building,” said Hogan.

Read More: WJZ-TV
Maryland lawmakers poised to pass environmental bills to increase inspections, ban chemicals, invest in conservation

After receiving criticism in recent years for a lack of environmental action, Maryland lawmakers are poised to pass bills to promote private investment in conservation projects, ban use of a dangerous class of chemicals and hire more inspectors to enforce state environmental laws. Legislators and advocacy groups attributed the action to a handful of factors. For starters: With primary elections scheduled for July, the Democratic majorities in each chamber of the General Assembly are eager to improve scathing marks on the Maryland League of Conservation Voters’ scorecards from the past two years.

Read More: Baltimore Sun
Republican lawmaker draws criticism after tweeting profanity in response to Maryland General Assembly leaders

A Republican lawmaker apologized Saturday for tweeting profanity in response to a tweet from Maryland General Assembly’s top leadership, stating she meant to privately send the message to a close friend. The social media exchange centers on a lawsuit filed last month that challenges a General Assembly-approved map of the state’s congressional districts. Senate President Bill Ferguson and House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones, both Democrats, released a joint statement Friday expressing disappointment in a Maryland judge’s decision to reject the map as “a product of extreme partisan gerrymandering.”

Read More: Baltimore Sun
Mosby Doubles Down On Defense In Support Of Her Motion To Dismiss

Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby’s defense has doubled down on claims the prosecution in her federal indictment is vindictive, and that the case should be thrown out. In an omnibus reply filed Friday, Mosby’s defense said if the federal government does not dismiss the case, one prosecutor, in particular, should be disqualified from the prosecution. Mosby has maintained her innocence and insists she is the target of Assistant U.S. Attorney Leo Wise — who made donations to Mosby’s top challengers in the 2018 election cycle — and former acting U.S. Attorney Stephen Schenning.

Read More: WJZ-TV
Gov. Hogan Submits $292M Supplemental Budget
Gov. Larry Hogan submitted a supplemental budget of nearly $292 million to the General Assembly on Friday. The budget includes $210 million to provide 4% rate increases for health care and disability service providers. The governor’s office says the money is in addition to rate increases provided in Hogan’s original budget for the next fiscal year. Most providers will see overall rate increases between 7.5% and 8%. The supplemental budget also includes $31 million for child care providers and facilities.
Read More: WJZ-TV
The Big Enchilada in the Democratic Primary for Governor Is…

In a 10-candidate primary, every inch matters. And every candidate is consequential: Even if they get only 1%, a last-place finisher’s vote total is significant, because it’s coming out of other candidates’ hides. Polls have suggested that there are four leading Democratic candidates for governor – Comptroller Peter V.R. Franchot, former Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker III, former U.S. Labor Secretary Tom Perez, and author and former foundation CEO Wes Moore. With 3 1/2 months left until early voting (unless there’s another primary delay), there could still be a breakout candidate or two.

The Morning Rundown

We’re staying up to the minute on the issues shaping the future. Join us on the newsletter of choice for Maryland politicos and business leaders. It’s always free to join and never a hassle to leave. See you on the inside.