States, cities and counties can begin to tap their share of the $350 billion in federal funds intended to spur a national recovery from the economic toll of the COVID-19 pandemic, White House officials announced Monday. The Biden administration said the much-anticipated money, which was included in the massive relief law enacted earlier this year, can aid governments of all sizes in paying for a wide range of costs related to the pandemic response. The funds will boost the budgets of not just states but thousands of U.S. cities and counties—unlike the first pandemic relief bill passed in 2020, which gave money to only states and larger local governments.
The back-to-back announcements last week by Baltimore County Executive John A. Olszewski Jr. and U.S. Rep. David J. Trone that they’ll seek re-election in 2022 rather than run for governor helps clarify the Democratic primary picture to a degree but also leaves several questions unanswered. In their own races, Trone and Olszewski will be favorites for re-election — even though Trone’s 6th District could look significantly different after redistricting. With his unlimited ability to self-fund, however, he may be able to withstand any political storm.
Taking the pulse and poll of Maryland political scene as election candidates emerge and align. Goucher pollster Mileah Kromer and Damian O’Doherty of K.O. Public Affairs join Don and Nestor for a debate about the future of Annapolis.
As Angela Alsobrooks navigates through the orange cones and caution tape guiding her county’s residents toward a COVID-19 vaccine, her shoulders visibly relax. The masked Prince George’s County Executive stops to chat with vaccination volunteers and shot recipients alike, offering elbow bumps as a token of her thanks. After 13 months of sickness, death and charting unknown territory, she’s seeing a path out of the dark.
Maryland and Virginia senators have joined together to urge President Joe Biden to resume plans to build a new Federal Bureau of Investigation headquarters, which could be built in either state. The bureau’s current headquarters on Pennsylvania Avenue in D.C. – the J. Edgar Hoover Building – “has crumbling facades, aging infrastructure, and security limitations that are severely impeding the FBI’s ability to meet its critical law enforcement and national security missions,” wrote Maryland’s U.S. Sens. Benjamin L. Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Virginia’s Sens.
Back by popular demand, we’re continuing to highlight the winners of the 2021 Maryland legislative session. Delegate Joseline Pena-Melnyk (Maryland District 21) spent her 2021 session driving healthcare solutions to improve outcomes for Marylanders. Following a virtual session filled with historic wins, Pena-Melnyk’s dedication has proven critical to driving Maryland forward.
After the state legislature passed major police reforms, police unions say the legislation creates practical uncertainties that will need revision next session. State police representatives were heavily involved in drafting landmark police reform bills this session about how, and what kind of laws, can make police departments safer for the communities they serve and hold officers accountable in new ways. But police representatives said their concerns about amorphous policies were swept aside in the final marathon days of the legislative session.
Back by popular demand, we’re continuing to highlight the winners of the 2021 Maryland legislative session.
Delegate Jessica Feldmark, representing Maryland District 12 in Howard and Baltimore Counties, took on the challenge of a virtual session with the same dedication she’s known for in her district. This session, Feldmark is claiming victory on several fronts. From securing the Job Creation Tax Credit (HB 278) and community college funding (HB 173), to achieving the Building Out Broadband Act (HB 1328) and ensuring HBCU representation on the TEDCO Board (HB 6), Feldmark delivered for her constituents in a big way.
After the state legislature passed major police reforms, police unions say the legislation creates practical uncertainties that will need revision next session. State police representatives were heavily involved in drafting landmark police reform bills this session about how, and what kind of laws, can make police departments safer for the communities they serve and hold officers accountable in new ways. But police representatives said their concerns about amorphous policies were swept aside in the final marathon days of the legislative session.
On episode 11 of The Conference Call, Damian is joined by a long-time friend and ally, Colm O’Comartun, Principal at 50-State and former Executive Director of the Democratic Governors Association. Join us for a conversation about Colm’s Irish roots, the road to American politics, and the Maryland Gubernatorial roadmap. Afterward, the guys discuss the goals of state politics, where they intersect with national interests, and the value of localizing national conversations.
The Maryland State of Reform conference is coming up on May 13th. Details and registration can be found here: https://stateofreform.com/all-conferences/
Music by Dillion O’Brian
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