Politics

A top Maryland elections official resigned Thursday after his arrest this week on multiple charges that he participated in the U.S. Capitol attack, encouraging officers trying to disperse rioters to “join us.” Federal investigators allege that Carlos Ayala, 52, scaled a police barricade on Jan. 6, 2021, while carrying a black flag that said, “We the People,” before pacing a line of police gathered to quell the riot.

A right-of-way use agreement will allow a nonprofit cooperative to move forward with a fiberoptic installation at 85th Street. On Tuesday, the Ocean City Council voted 4-1, with Council Secretary Tony DeLuca opposed and Councilmembers Will Savage and Carol Proctor absent, to approve a right-of-way use agreement with Maryland Broadband, a nonprofit cooperative that provides middle-mile internet services to rural and underserved areas. City Manager Terry McGean said the agreement is required before any work can begin.

Congress on Wednesday appeared to be on track to pass a third deadline extension for at least some of the government funding bills that were supposed to become law more than three months ago — putting off a potential government shutdown. The move, while not final, would give the Republican House, Democratic Senate and Biden administration a few more weeks to reach a bipartisan compromise on the dozen annual appropriations bills.

The marble hallways of the Maryland State House echoed with laughter and backslapping Wednesday as the 188 members of the General Assembly — one in a top hat, another in a Maryland flag dress — settled in for an annual marathon of policymaking that will focus on cutting spending or raising taxes to pay for big ambitions. The festive start, a political ritual attended by dignitaries from across the state, launches a 90-day session controlled by Democrats, who have held supermajorities in both chambers for decades.

It’s easy to get lost in the pomp and grandeur of the Maryland State House. The splendid marble floors and staircases, the historic artwork and sweeping glass-paned ceilings of the chambers can transport one to another place and time. But as lawmakers mixed and mingled among lobbyists and local officials on the first day of the legislative session, what kept them anchored to the reasons they ran for office in the first place?

After a rush of schmoozing and ceremony, a hush rolled over the Maryland State House mid-afternoon Wednesday as public officials trickled back to their offices and temporary apartments surrounding State Circle. One day down, 89 to go. We distilled the day’s events from offices deep in the State House basement.

Montgomery County leaders were the center of attention at opening day of the Maryland General Assembly’s 446th legislative session at the Maryland State House in Annapolis on Wednesday afternoon. “There’s going to be a lot of challenges this session, but I’m really excited to get back to work for our Maryland families,” Del. Joe Vogel (D-Dist. 17) told MoCo360 in the General Assembly lobby as legislators milled around after the House of Delegates adjourned.

The Maryland House of Delegates will focus on a “decency agenda” in 2024, House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones (D-Baltimore County) said. During an interview last week at her office in Annapolis, Jones said the package of bills will focus on combating hate and prejudice, including against Jewish and Muslim people.