Politics

A third Anne Arundel County Council bill aimed at addressing potentially fraudulent care practices and fire safety issues at facilities for people in addiction recovery was withdrawn at Monday night’s meeting. Council member Nathan Volke, a Pasadena Republican, withdrew the bill after a lengthy discussion during which it became apparent the four Democrats comprising the council majority would oppose it.

Poll results for the Goucher-Baltimore Banner poll. (Original photos by Baltimore Banner staff; Photo illustration by Yifan Luo for The Baltimore Banner)
With Baltimore voters set to decide the leadership of their City Council next year, Councilman Zeke Cohen holds a healthy 13 point lead over incumbent Council President Nick Mosby, according to a new survey of Democratic Baltimore voters from Goucher College Poll in partnership with The Baltimore Banner.

The Prince George’s County Council passed a resolution Tuesday that will permit council members to vote virtually under certain circumstances, reversing course after pushback against a previous vote and a week before the first pregnant council member is set to give birth. The update allows council members to virtually vote if they are experiencing illness, parental leave or “a significant or unexpected factor or event” outside their control.

Baltimore is rehiring its embattled former director of the Department of Public Works on a contract basis for up to $72,000, according to an agenda for the city’s spending board. Jason Mitchell, who led the department for less than two years before departing in July, is being hired for a one-year agreement as a contract services specialist. He’ll be responsible for advising the department on modernization efforts, streamlining processes and automating and improving work with the use of technology, according to the Board of Estimates agenda for Wednesday.

Baltimore City Council has voted to confirm Richard Worley as commissioner of the Baltimore Police Department. During the meeting small group of community members held up signs that read, “Vote no on Worley.” After the confirmation, the group was escorted out as they shouted displeasure with the decision. The decision was not unanimous, with Councilwoman Phylicia Porter the lone “No” vote.

The Annapolis City Council unanimously approved a resolution Tuesday night that reinforces a court decision granting the public access to the water at Wells Cove in Eastport. The resolution, introduced by Alderman Rob Savidge of Ward 7 and cosponsored by Alderman Ross Arnett of Ward 8 — both of whom are Democrats ― is consistent with Anne Arundel County Circuit Court Judge Elizabeth S. Morris’ March ruling that granted the public access to the cove off Boucher Avenue in Eastport.

Maryland Democrats in Washington voted on legislation to avoid a government shutdown over the weekend, but said the clock is ticking on a new deadline because Congress has not completed its funding responsibilities. “The 45-day clock is now ticking and Congress must come together to finalize the FY24 appropriations and a supplemental funding package for Ukraine,” U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin, the Maryland Democrat, said after the Senate and House approved stopgap measures to avoid a government shutdown that would have begun after midnight on Saturday.

As the deadline for Congress to enact a new farm bill passed this weekend, staff members of the House and Senate Agriculture committees say it will be months — if not longer — until they reach agreement on a new bill. By averting a federal shutdown, at least until mid-November, Congress kept some critical government agricultural programs alive. But others will effectively be in limbo until lawmakers pass a new farm bill.

The Baltimore City Council delayed a vote on a proposed redistricting map Monday, despite receiving no firm assurances from Mayor Brandon Scott about how he may exercise a veto on the plan. A special meeting set for Monday was canceled over the weekend by Council President Nick Mosby’s office following the receipt of a letter from Scott.