Politics

U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin (D) and state Environment Secretary Serena McIlwain are the top Maryland officials headed to the annual international climate conference now underway in the United Arab Emirates. The two-week confab, known as COP 28 (officially the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change), brings together policymakers, business leaders and environmental activists to set international goals for fighting climate change, discuss ways to finance clean energy development, and look at technology demonstrations — along with good, old-fashioned political advocacy and protest.

Maryland’s leading Democratic Senate candidates met in a public forum for the first time Sunday afternoon, broadly agreeing on a range of topics, including immigration policy, LGBTQ+ rights, education spending and economic priorities. But the 90-minute discussion generated some surprising heat, as Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks took issue with U.S. Rep. David Trone’s frequent and not-so-subtle digs at “career politicians” and also pointed out that Trone, a wealthy businessman, has made campaign contributions to “dangerous Republicans” in the past.

Members of the Western Maryland legislative delegation voiced opposition Friday to the idea of switching to a miles-driven basis to raise money for roads instead of the current gas tax method. Discussion on the proposed mileage-based tax took place at the annual Pre-Legislative Breakfast hosted by the Allegany County Chamber of Commerce. The event was held at the Rocky Gap Casino Resort which, along with Verizon, sponsored the breakfast.

The time for public input on County Executive Marc Elrich’s proposed Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS) closed this week, and environmentalists and developers have been vocal about their support of or opposition to the new rules. “Efficient building electrification will be one of the most effective ways to reduce energy demand and carbon pollution from the built environment as the County tackles its ambitious climate change goals,” Elrich wrote in a press release announcing the standards earlier this month.

“We don’t accomplish anything in this world alone… and whatever happens is the result of the whole tapestry of one’s life and all the weavings of individual threads from one to another that creates something.” Noelle Newman said she distinctly remembers first hearing that quote from Sandra Day O’Connor, reminding her to embrace the help of others. O’Connor died Friday at 93 of complications related to advanced dementia and a respiratory illness, according to the U.S. Supreme Court in a news release.

As the opioid crisis continues, efforts to combat the problem are likely to be a point of interest in the upcoming 2024 Maryland General Assembly session. “The opioid epidemic persists, though the primary substances involved in overdose fatalities are evolving. State efforts are in place to address continued behavioral health needs,” Department of Legislative Services analysts wrote in a report previewing likely topics of legislation.

Two of Baltimore’s most recognizable buildings and brands are its two pro stadiums, Oriole Park at Camden Yards and M&T Bank Stadium, and the teams that inhabit them. The Orioles and Ravens bring attention, pride and joy to Maryland — and Maryland gives a lot of taxpayer dollars back to the teams. A large public investment The state of Maryland built and financed both of the Baltimore stadiums and, last year, agreed to earmark at least $1.2 billion to improve the stadiums — $600 million for each. The principal and interest on the bonds sold to cover those costs ultimately would be paid off with lottery revenue.

State Sen. Clarence Lam of Howard County on Thursday became the fifth Democratic state lawmaker to declare their candidacy for the congressional seat being vacated by the retirement of Democrat John Sarbanes. Lam, 43, a physician, joins Democratic delegates Vanessa Atterbeary and Terri Hill, both from Howard County, and state Sen. Sarah Elfreth and Del. Mike Rogers, who are from Anne Arundel County.