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Politics

Personnel news: State Dem chair stepping down, Patrick Hogan leaving state service to join Patrick Hogan at lobbying firm

If you had trouble keeping your Patrick Hogans straight, this probably won’t help. Patrick N. Hogan, the former state delegate from Frederick County, is heading off to the land of contract lobbying at an Annapolis firm headed by another former state lawmaker with an all too familiar name. Hogan announced Tuesday that he will leave his position as vice chancellor of government relations for the University System of Maryland at the end of October.

 

 

Purple Line construction creating major damage to MoCo roads, officials say

While the Purple Line light rail is expected to be completed around 2027, Montgomery County officials say they don’t want to wait that long for repairs to the roads damaged by the project. Montgomery County Council President Evan Glass (D-At-large) urged action to help drivers and pedestrians safely commute past and around construction of the 16.2-mile light-rail transit line that stretches from Bethesda to New Carrollton.

Read More: MOCO360
Pr. George’s County Council inches toward virtual voting, after outcry

A controversial vote against loosening virtual meeting participation rules for Prince George’s County Council members made in the weeks before council member Krystal Oriadha (D-District 7) goes on maternity leave will get another look, after public outcry. In a committee-of-the-whole meeting Tuesday, at-large council members Mel Franklin (D) and Calvin S. Hawkins II (D) flipped their votes to support the resolution they previously opposed, providing the eight votes needed for it to be presented before the council.

Baltimore City Council advances BOPA funding restoration following Artscape; concerns linger about proposed trademark, lack of artists on BOPA board

With the return of Baltimore’s marquee Artscape festival now in the books, a Baltimore City Council committee voted in favor of restoring $581,334 Tuesday to the beleaguered Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts. The funding represents one-quarter of BOPA’s operating budget that is not dedicated to grants for arts organizations. The money will cover the group’s operations from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31. The restoration, already approved by the city’s Board of Estimates, still faces a final vote of the full council on Oct. 2.

Read More: Baltimore Sun
Food Aisle on Supermarket
Food benefits for low income families at risk in a government shutdown

As Congress barrels toward a partial government shutdown, the White House Monday warned that a program that helps millions of low income families afford healthy food could see substantial cuts. The White House released a state-by-state breakdown, estimating that nearly 7 million people who rely on the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, also known as WIC, could be at risk of losing funds to purchase select food and receive vouchers for vegetables and fruit.

With a government shutdown just days away, Congress is moving into crisis mode

With a government shutdown five days away, Congress is moving into crisis mode as Speaker Kevin McCarthy faces an insurgency from hard-right Republicans eager to slash spending even if it means curtailing federal services for millions of Americans. There’s no clear path ahead as lawmakers return with tensions high and options limited. The House is expected to vote Tuesday evening on a package of bills to fund parts of the government, but it’s not at all clear that McCarthy has the support needed to move ahead.

Read More: AP News
Here’s what Rockville and Gaithersburg candidates have to say about housing and transportation

Gaithersburg and Rockville are the third- and fourth-largest cities in Maryland, with nearly 70,000 residents each. These two Montgomery County municipalities regularly top lists of the nation’s most diverse places and are the backbone of the region’s biotech industry. It’s in Rockville where scientists mapped the human genome and found a potential HIV cure, and in Gaithersburg where they discovered a COVID-19 vaccine. What happens here has echoes that go way beyond the borders.

Baltimore to collect unwanted clothes and textiles at drop-off centers

Baltimore residents can now deposit clothing, shoes, sheets, and other textiles into the large blue collection bins at any of the city’s five residential drop-off centers. “This new recycling opportunity will help reduce textile waste, which is one of our fastest growing waste streams. In addition, this effort increases recycling options for residents and diverts material from the City’s landfill,” said Richard J. Luna, interim director of Baltimore City’s Department of Public Works.

Free Covid-19 tests are now available for order from the US government

Covid-19 tests are now available to be ordered for free from the US government. Starting Monday, people can order four tests per US household through Covidtests.gov. People without an internet connection can call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489) to request tests. Covid-19 rapid tests can be taken at home and can be used regardless of whether someone has symptoms. The tests should be good through the end of the year. Some of the dates on the tests may show that they are expired, but the US Food and Drug Administration has extended those dates.

Read More: CNN
Close up view of Maryland state flag in front of the capitol state house in Annapolis, MD.
What new Maryland laws go into effect Oct. 1? Repeal of spousal defense, updates on drug policy, firearms changes and more.

Beginning Oct. 1, people with concealed-carry permits will be banned from bringing their firearms into numerous public places. They include public and private elementary, middle or high schools, health care facilities, buildings owned or leased by the state or local government, public or private university buildings, active polling places, electrical plants or electrical storage facilities, gas plants, nuclear power facilities, stadiums, museums, racetracks, video lottery facilities, venues that serve alcohol or cannabis for on-site consumption, and private property unless the owner has given express permission to do so.

Read More: Baltimore Sun

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