Friday, March 29, 2024 | Baltimore, MD
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Politics

Sugarloaf Mountain zoning debate pits local landowners against recreational users

At the Frederick County Council, local landowners, conservation groups and recreational users Tuesday pleaded their case for and against proposed zoning changes to Sugarloaf Mountain ahead of a scheduled vote next week. For a year, the mountain, known for its scenic views and sprawling trails, has been the subject of an intense zoning battle between Frederick County and Stronghold Inc., the nonprofit owners of the 3,400-acre mountain and the surrounding 20,000-acre land.

Aldermen’s budget priorities include sidewalks, training, records

Frederick’s aldermen want the city to allocate money in its upcoming budget to add and repair sidewalks, support programs for vocational training, and digitize city records, among other requests. Aldermen Derek Shackelford and Kelly Russell said they would like to see the city help fund apprenticeships and training in the trades to help provide job opportunities for young people who don’t plan on going to college.

Poll: Md voters fairly content, seek a bold agenda in upcoming legislative session (if it’s not too expensive)

On the eve of a new year — and a new General Assembly session — Maryland voters are generally optimistic about the future, though many have jitters about inflation and crime in Baltimore. They are also looking to their government leaders for bold solutions — though it isn’t clear whether there’s the political will or the desire by taxpayers to pay for the initiatives that may be needed to move the state’s economy forward.

2 years after infrastructure law passed, still no new EV chargers built in Maryland

No new electric vehicle chargers have been built in Maryland or nationwide more than two years after the bipartisan infrastructure law was passed to devote billions to build a network of chargers across the country, 11 News Investigates has learned. This raises questions about Gov. Wes Moore’s plan requiring manufacturers to sell only electric vehicles by 2035.

 

Read More: WBALTV
Bill to reduce suicide deaths by firearm passes Montgomery County Council

Firearms retailers in Montgomery County will be required to distribute suicide prevention literature to customers under new legislation passed by the Montgomery County Council on Tuesday. “I introduced [the bill] to raise awareness about suicide prevention and to urge Montgomery County to do more than simply express our thoughts and prayers every time we see a tragedy occur,” said councilmember Evan Glass (D-At-large), lead sponsor of the Suicide Awareness and Firearm Education (SAFE) Act, before the vote.

Read More: MOCO360
Jones plays defense on proposal for IG oversight board, weakening subpoena power

In fiery exchanges with Baltimore City and County’s inspectors general and a fellow councilman Tuesday evening, council Chair Julian Jones defended his proposal for an inspector general oversight board and weakened subpoena power. A slew of speakers, including a member of the county’s inspector general reform commission, a former county employee and several residents, turned out to the Baltimore County Council work session to oppose amendments requested by Jones, which would require the Office of the Inspector General to disclose investigations of county fraud, waste and abuse to an advisory board.

County Increases Reserve Threshold To 15% After Fund Balance Jump

Worcester County will boost its reserves following an increase in fund balance. The Worcester County Commissioners last week voted unanimously to move forward with adjusting the county’s reserve fund from 12% of budgeted general fund expenditures to 15%. The jump was made possible with a $9.6 million increase in fund balance in FY 2023.

Mayor and developer answer questions about new Harborplace

Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott and the lead developer answered public questions about the planned Harborplace revitalization. Scott and MCB Real Estate developer David Bramble said public input was taken into account right off the bat. “We told our designers and planners that we really wanted them to be listening, to have their ears and eyes open and incorporate things that made sense,” Bramble said.

Read More: WBALTV
Pick of suburban Maryland for new FBI HQ ‘surprised’ agency, official tells Congress

An FBI official testifying before a U.S. House panel on Tuesday questioned the process that led to the Biden administration choosing a Maryland location for a new bureau headquarters instead of a competing site in Virginia. The General Service Administration rejected an advisory panel’s recommendation for a site in Springfield, Virginia, when it chose to plan a new FBI facility in Greenbelt, said Nicholas Dimos, the assistant director of the FBI’s Finance and Facilities Division.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore previews next year’s legislative session at winter conference

Democratic Gov. Wes Moore previewed his legislative initiatives during the Maryland Association of Counties winter conference in Cambridge on Thursday night, indicating his intent to introduce around a dozen bills during legislative session that begins in January. “Together,” said Moore, referring to members of the Maryland General Assembly, many of whom were in the crowd alongside county officials at the conference center, “we’re going to build a more competitive economy, we will protect and elevate our communities, and we will position our state to win this decade.”

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