Politics

After news of major cuts in the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) budget were announced last month, Montgomery County’s elected officials are rallying to figure out ways to fill the gaps. “This is a massive blow, a massive hit,” Council President Andrew Friedson (D-Dist. 1) said at a Dec. 11 press briefing. MDOT announced Dec. 6 that it will cut $3 billion from its budget under a draft proposal, including a $400 million reduction in contributions to local government transportation funding.

A package of housing bills that would have eased the mounting cost burden on Howard County residents failed to advance through the County Council, effectively ending the county executive’s campaign for more affordable options in one of Maryland’s most expensive areas. Nicknamed the HOME Package, the policy bundle included local legislation meant to curb rent gouging in the county and expanded a Right to Purchase law that would have given nonprofit organizations and private companies the power to purchase and preserve existing rental units as affordable units.

Baltimore County Councilman Izzy Patoka was elected to lead the council this year, becoming the first new chairman since 2021. The second-term Democrat was the 6-0 choice at a Tuesday evening legislative session to lead meetings and set the agenda of the seven-member council; Councilman Todd Crandell was absent. Patoka is “a veteran of this body,” Republican 5th District Councilman David Marks, the longest-serving council member, said shortly after nominating Patoka. First-term 1st District Councilman Patrick “Pat” Young quickly seconded Marks’ nomination.

Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater is reworking her proposed admissions and amusements tax in response to public feedback, officials said. Last month, the County Council held a public hearing on the resolution, which would impose a 5% tax on ticket sales, equipment and facility rentals and other revenue streams for businesses in the entertainment and recreation spheres. The resolution was originally scheduled to come back before the council for a vote on Tuesday, but Fitzwater’s administration decided to pull it from the meeting agenda.

Following a year when youth crime was top of mind for Marylanders, key state lawmakers are aligning around adjustments to recent juvenile justice reform laws rather than the far-reaching reversals that opponents are seeking. “In terms of wholesale repeal? Not at all interested in that,” said Sen. William C. Smith Jr., who chairs the powerful Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee.

New Year’s Day will mean no plastic bags for shoppers in and around Prince George’s County, Maryland, as a new law takes effect. Beginning Jan. 1, 2024, Prince George’s County’s ban on plastic bags will replace plastic bag use in retailers with paper and reusable bags in an effort to “protect local waterways and marine life, reduce plastic pollution and litter, and promote reusable bags,” a release said.

The Harford County Democratic Central Committee has announced its newest members and officers: Rico Albacarys and Stacy Stone. They were selected from applications and interviews held on Dec. 20. Logan Danker, Anthony Lyon and Bill Temmink also interviewed to fill the male vacancy opening. The Committee thought the three candidates each were impressive and welcomed all of them as associate members, according to a news release.

The first step of investigating an illegal dump in Baltimore City is to deliver a soft kick with the toe of your shoe to any item worth inspecting up close. David McGinnis says this gives any rats taking shelter underneath a chance to scurry out. On a mild November Wednesday, at the tip of a secluded, hilly crest tucked away in a residential neighborhood on the city’s west side, McGinnis spends a few minutes softly kicking his way around the dumping ground.