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Politics

Maryland looks to harness AI for government use with executive order
January 9, 2024 -

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) signed an executive order calling for the state to develop guide rails to protect residents from the risk of bias and discrimination as artificial intelligence becomes increasingly useful and common, though the order did not specify how the government intends to use AI in the future. The order acknowledged the potential for AI to be a “tremendous force for good” if developed and deployed responsibly.

Read More: Washington Post
Our Nation’s Capital
Congress reaches a deal on how much to spend for 2024 as shutdown deadline nears
January 8, 2024 -

House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced a deal Sunday on how much the U.S. government will spend in the new year, a significant step toward avoiding a shutdown. But while the agreement on a “topline” spending level breaks a logjam that had stalled the process, it doesn’t necessarily extinguish the shutdown threat as the first of two deadlines nears on Jan. 19, when some parts of the government will run out of money.

Read More: NBC News
Preakness owner, Md. authority push to revamp Pimlico, shift horse racing from Laurel
January 8, 2024 -

Maryland would fundamentally change its thoroughbred horse racing operating model and Pimlico Race Course, home of the annual Preakness Stakes, would receive much-needed upgrades under plans that state thoroughbred racetrack officials devised to keep the $2 billion-per-year industry alive and running in Maryland.

Read More: The Daily Record
Task force calls for streamlining state hiring process
January 8, 2024 -

A panel of government officials is recommending that the state do more to streamline its hiring process as part of an effort to fill thousands of state jobs. The Task Force on the Modernization of the State Personnel Management System made nearly a dozen recommendations it said could make it easier to attract candidates and fill vacancies.

Read More: Maryland Matters
Fewer Election Day polling places, more ballot drop boxes in Frederick County for 2024
January 8, 2024 -

The Maryland Board of Elections has approved Frederick County’s polling place plan, which includes fewer Election Day polling places and more ballot drop-box locations compared to the 2022 gubernatorial election. The board’s approved plan includes 54 individual facilities designated as polling places for 66 precincts, down from 59 in 2022 for 83 precincts.

Read More: Frederick News-Post
Comptroller highlights changes during tour of Queen Anne’s County
January 8, 2024 -

Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman visited four establishments in Queen Anne’s County on Dec. 20: the newly opened YMCA in Centreville, Everside Health Center also in Centreville, and two local businesses on Kent Island, both located in the Chesapeake Bay Business Park — Italberco, a growing sweet-tooth business working with the food industry providing dessert ingredients and Queen Anne’s County’s largest employer, Paul Reed Smith Guitars.

Read More: The Star Democrat
Taneytown Mayor Christopher Miller says his focus on transparency will continue in new year
January 8, 2024 -

The City of Taneytown faced many changes in 2023, including electing a new mayor, Christopher Miller, in May. Miller said he would focus on promoting more transparency in city government and has faced criticism from other elected officials in the process. During the last several months, Miller has sparred with members of the City Council over some of his proposals and actions, including his firing of the city’s longtime attorney, Jack A. “Jay” Gullo Jr., in November.

Read More: Carroll County Times
Maryland implements Medicaid expansions for gender-affirming care
January 8, 2024 -

Effective Jan. 1, through its Trans Health Equity Act, Maryland Medicaid coverage has expanded gender-affirming services and procedures. It has expanded from mental health services, hormone replacement therapy and gender reassignment surgery to include body contouring, vocal surgery and therapy, hair removal, puberty blockers, fertility preservation and various other cosmetic surgeries. It also covers the revision or reversal of prior gender-affirming procedures.

Read More: Washington Examiner
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore’s 2024 legislative priorities expected to include military families, housing, public safety
January 8, 2024 -

With a mere two days until the next session of the Maryland General Assembly, Democratic Gov. Wes Moore has largely left his upcoming legislative priorities a mystery — keeping the specifics under wraps while teasing a few bills and hinting toward the themes of others. Still, those hints have offered insight into where the second-year governor appears to be headed in 2024.

Read More: Baltimore Sun
Women’s Law Center picks retired judge Katie Curran O’Malley as new leader
January 5, 2024 -

The Women’s Law Center of Maryland is turning to retired judge Katie Curran O’Malley to lead the nonprofit’s work in representing women in court and advocating for laws that protect and support women. O’Malley, who retired after 20 years as a judge in Baltimore City District Court for an unsuccessful run for attorney general in 2022, said the position will give her an opportunity to have more of an influence in women’s issues in the state.

Read More: The Baltimore Banner

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