Showing posts with label Md Gen Assembly 2012 430. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Md Gen Assembly 2012 430. Show all posts

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Getty family turns a new page in General Assembly

Getty family turns a new page in General Assembly



Madison Getty is just like any other page in Annapolis. She makes coffee, delivers papers to be signed, runs errands for legislators and helps get things ready in the morning for members of Maryland's House of Delegates.
She does have one tiny advantage, however.
Her dad is state Sen. Joe Getty, who serves Carroll and Baltimore counties in the District 5, and so Madison knows her way around the State House buildings, from the tunnels up.
"It's been helpful that I've been here," Madison, 17, said. "I know how to get places." ... http://www.baltimoresun.com/explore/carroll/news/ph-ce-page-getty-0212-20120212,0,2445417.story

+++++++++++++++
I’m a newspaper reporter. I’m pushy, inconsiderate and I do not respect boundaries.
Kevin Dayhoff is an artist - and a columnist for:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoffTwitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff
Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ = www.newbedfordherald.net

Tumblr: Kevin Dayhoff Banana Stems www.kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/
Smurfs: http://babylonfluckjudd.blogspot.com/
Google profile: https://profiles.google.com/kevindayhoff/

E-mail: kevindayhoff(at)gmail.com
My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/
+++++++++++++++

Sunday, January 29, 2012

This week in The Tentacle: Gas Tax, schools, local politics and commentary on the 2012 presidential campaign and more


This week in The Tentacle: www.thetentacle.com Gas Tax, schools, local politics and commentary on the 2012 presidential campaign and more

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Kevin E. Dayhoff
Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley’s fiscal year 2013 state budget, released a week ago, is a full menu of difficult choices. However, one of the most troubling is the lack of funding for police protection and highway user revenue for municipalities.
Norman M. Covert
The locker room echoed with praise for former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, and it was almost with disdain that my friend and former colleague spat out the name of former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich. How quickly the room emptied and the showers came on.
Tom McLaughlin
Kuching, Malaysian Borneo – I am really not that concerned about these reptilian serpents or any of the other 12 animals that glide by every Chinese New Year. However, living here, one cannot help but join in the festivities.


Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Roy Meachum
Democratic candidate Tom Hattery’s mean attitude had much to do with pushing him away, from me and the electorate; that was 20 years ago when the thought of Beverly Byron losing was almost unthinkable. Mr. Hattery’s primary win was at least shocking to many.
Earl 'Rocky' Mackintosh
I guess one can call it "Straight Jacket Approval" in that – once approved – public charter school start ups have to enter the cold cruel world of real estate.


Monday, January 23, 2012

Richard B. Weldon Jr.
The truly memorable moment of the South Carolina primary debate last Thursday night occurred within the first 10 minutes.
Cindy A. Rose
Before we get all warm and fuzzy over Education Week reporting Maryland is ranked the #1 school in the nation, take a closer look at the list of criteria to get that #1 ranking.
Michael Kurtianyk
In comic book lure and during the Golden Age of radio, Lamont Cranston was a wealthy young man in New York City who was known as “The Shadow.” The radio broadcasts began with that famous question: "Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows!"


Friday, January 20, 2012

Roy Meachum
Reporter Katherine Heerbrandt earned my professional admiration over the long years in Frederick; we were colleagues on the local newspaper. Her most recent journalistic coup must not pass unremarked upon.
Joe Charlebois
How does President Barack Obama expect to get re-elected? He has consistently stated throughout his three years in office that "My administration will not rest until every American who is able and ready and willing to work can find a job.” Is he serious?


Thursday, January 19, 2012

Patricia A. Kelly
George W. Wireman died last week. He was known as the train man, and so much more. He was a polio survivor, rejected by the Army because of his deformed feet and legs, who walked and hiked everywhere, and visited all 50 states, including Hawaii four times – and he never had a driver’s license.
Chris Cavey
It has been an interesting week for the Republican Party since the Mitt Romney rout in the Granite State. So, for those of you who have been living in a hole, or perhaps just returned from another dimension within the past seven days, here are some random observations to ponder.
Blaine R. Young
I thought it must have been a dream – actually, a nightmare – because I certainly never believed that in the current economic times someone would propose to raise yet another tax for the purpose of raising money to build something that the market has said repeatedly is not needed and likely will not be successful.


Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Kevin E. Dayhoff
The consensus continues to gather steam that the GOP nomination to challenge President Barack Obama for president this fall will be former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. Perhaps all the drama now moves to who will be his choice for vice president.
Norman M. Covert
I am tho’ confuthed! I find myself burned up that the gaggle of Republican presidential candidates never misses an opportunity at self-immolation. I’m slipping over the edge now with the dual dilemma of new Sixth Congressional District boundaries and sibling rivalry among our GOP inhabitants.
Tom McLaughlin
I am not exactly the poster child for vasectomy. Two years ago, I went to see a doctor who must have sterilized most of the men, who wanted the procedure, in Frederick County.


Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Roy Meachum
Never in my over 28 years writing about Frederick politics can I remember when an elected freshman official has been so unrelenting and noisy – some say obnoxious – as Kathy Afzali.
Farrell Keough
In our current environment, we are seeing new taxes under all sorts of rubrics. For instance, we have paid dearly over the years for our roads and highway systems – yet, today, we are facing newly designated tax schemes like Toll Roads.
Shawn Burns
It is no secret that Gov. Martin O’Malley wants to run for president in 2016. He has an ambitious list of proposals he would like to see enacted in the next four years in order to bolster his resumé in order to appeal to progressives and Democrats on the national level.


Monday, January 16, 2012

Richard B. Weldon Jr.
Why is it that partisan politicians constantly place their own aspirations ahead of their party's best interests?

Michael Kurtianyk
More than any other, the most discussed topic in my circles recently has been about the candidates for the Sixth Congressional District seat. There were quite a few surprises, but before looking at some specific candidates, here is the list:

This week in The Tentacle www.thetentacle.com

*****

+++++++++++++++
I’m a newspaper reporter. I’m pushy, inconsiderate and I do not respect boundaries.
Kevin Dayhoff is an artist - and a columnist for:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoffTwitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff
Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ = www.newbedfordherald.net

Tumblr: Kevin Dayhoff Banana Stems www.kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/
Smurfs: http://babylonfluckjudd.blogspot.com/
Google profile: https://profiles.google.com/kevindayhoff/

E-mail: kevindayhoff(at)gmail.com
My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/
+++++++++++++++

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Miller: O'Malley plans to shift some teacher pension costs to counties

Miller: O'Malley plans to shift some teacher pension costs to counties


January 17, 2012

ANNAPOLIS — Gov. Martin O’Malley has decided to shift some teacher pension costs to Maryland counties, the president of the Maryland Senate said Tuesday… http://www.herald-mail.com/news/hm-miller-omalley-plans-to-shift-some-teacher-pension-costs-to-counties-20120117,0,5030197.story


*****

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Redistricting in Carroll County a hot topic from one end of the county to the other and more from Katie V. Jones at ExploreCarroll.com


ExploreCarroll.com writer Katie V. Jones is on a roll these days.

In yesterday’s ExploreCarroll.com article, “In letter to Gov. O'Malley, Sykesville officials denounce state redistricting plan,” she writes “The Sykesville Town Council adopted a resolution this week stating its disapproval of the proposed state legislative redistricting plan, one that would place the town in a legislative delegate district split between Carroll and Howard counties.

“And in a Jan. 10 letter to Gov. Martin O'Malley, Mayor Michael Miller suggested the redistricting plan runs, ‘contrary to the state's Constitution’ because it ‘does not give due regard to jurisdictional boundaries.’”

This follows her excellent coverage of “state Sen. Joe Getty(’s) … Jan. 4 ‘town meeting,’ held at J&P Pizza, in Hampstead;” – at the other end of the county – (“Shift in Carroll's district lines a hot topic for 2012”)in which

“In his 90-minute presentation, Getty discussed a topic that will be front and center this week as the Maryland General Assembly convenes its 2012 session in Annapolis. When the gavel falls on Jan. 11, state legislators will be faced with reviewing a sweeping change in state Senate and House of Delegates districts…”

Reading both articles will help you get your arms around the consequences and challenges of congressional and Maryland state redistricting in Carroll County:

In letter to Gov. O'Malley, Sykesville officials denounce state redistricting plan Proposal places Sykesville and part of Eldersburg in split delegate district with Howard County By Katie V. Jones January 15, 2012 http://www.baltimoresun.com/explore/carroll/news/ph-ce-sykesville-council-0115-20120115,0,1562350.story

Shift in Carroll's district lines a hot topic for 2012 Getty hosts town hall session on state, congressional plans By Katie V. Jones January 7, 2012


+++++++++++++

+++++++++++++++ 
The Carroll Eagle: www.explorecarroll.com: http://www.explorecarroll.com/search/?s=Dayhoff&action=GO

My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/ +++++++++++++++

Iowa caucuses, New Hampshire, the Republican Party and The King of Hearts


A repristic shibboleth of sorts. I’m just saying…

January 11, 2012

The King of Hearts

Kevin E. Dayhoff

It is fairly well accepted among keen observers of national politics that the Iowa caucuses of Tuesday a week ago are much more about political and media-theater than a prognosticator of who will vie for the Oval Office this fall.

As one political pundit put it, you pick corn in Iowa; you pick the next president in New Hampshire. Maybe so – maybe not. I’d rather look at Iowa as a political combine – a soulless machine that separates the wheat from the chaff.

Above and beyond the not-too-small matter that the January 3rd caucus is a win-win moneymaking machine for Iowa, the political opera is otherwise literally, repristically, heuristically, and metaphorically a brutal threshing and winnowing process.

First the candidates are milled and pounded and then thrown in the air. The chaff – the lightweights and the also-rans – are then ground into dust and blown off to the side to be plowed back into the earth.

Yet Iowa in 2008 was an anomaly of sorts. In the January 3, 2008, Democratic Party caucuses… http://www.thetentacle.com/ShowArticle.cfm?mydocid=4852


Monday, January 9, 2012

The dog whistle shibboleth that increased taxes are really an “investment.”


The dog whistle shibboleth that increased taxes are really an “investment.”

In the upcoming 430th session of the Maryland General Assembly, we can only be sure to hear the dog whistle shibboleth that increased taxes are an “investment” in our children’s future, job creation, or the for purposes of building bridges. I’m just saying.





+++++++++++++++ 
Kevin Dayhoff I’m a newspaper reporter. I’m pushy, inconsiderate and I do not respect boundaries.

Kevin Dayhoff is an artist - and a columnist for Patuxent Publishing Co., The Carroll Eagle: www.explorecarroll.com: http://www.explorecarroll.com/search/?s=Dayhoff&action=GO

Soundtrack: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/ or http://kevindayhoffart.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/ or http://www.westgov.net/ = www.kevindayhoff.org

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ = www.newbedfordherald.net 

The Tentacle: www.thetentacle.com http://www.thetentacle.com/author.cfm?MyAuthor=41 Tumblr: Kevin Dayhoff Banana Stems www.kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/ Smurfs: http://babylonfluckjudd.blogspot.com/ Google profile: https://profiles.google.com/kevindayhoff/ Westminster Patch: http://westminster.patch.com/search?keywords=Dayhoff E-mail: kevindayhoff(at)gmail.com BEST VIEWED IN Chrome My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/

+++++++++++++++

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Shift in Carroll's district lines a hot topic for 2012

Shift in Carroll's district lines a hot topic for 2012

Getty hosts town hall session on state, congressional plans



There was pizza, salad, mozzarella sticks and, to the delight of state Sen. Joe Getty, a full house at his Jan. 4 "town meeting," held at J&P Pizza, in Hampstead.
"At the last town meeting in Manchester, we had 25 people," Getty said to the residents who gathered. "We've doubled that crowd. There is more here than I expected."
In his 90-minute presentation, Getty discussed a topic that will be front and center this week as theMaryland General Assembly convenes its 2012 session in Annapolis. When the gavel falls on Jan. 11, state legislators will be faced with reviewing a sweeping change in state Senate and House of Delegates districts... http://www.baltimoresun.com/explore/carroll/news/ph-ce-redistricting-0108-20120107,0,244855.story
+++++++++++++++
Kevin DayhoffI’m a newspaper reporter. I’m pushy, inconsiderate and I do not respect boundaries. Kevin Dayhoff is an artist - and a columnist for Patuxent Publishing Co., The Carroll Eagle: www.explorecarroll.com: http://www.explorecarroll.com/search/?s=Dayhoff&action=GO Soundtrack: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.net/Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/ or http://kevindayhoffart.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.com/Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/ or http://www.westgov.net/ = www.kevindayhoff.orgTwitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoffTwitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoffKevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ = www.newbedfordherald.net The Tentacle: www.thetentacle.com http://www.thetentacle.com/author.cfm?MyAuthor=41Tumblr: Kevin Dayhoff Banana Stems www.kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/Smurfs: http://babylonfluckjudd.blogspot.com/ Google profile: https://profiles.google.com/kevindayhoff/

Westminster Patch: http://westminster.patch.com/search?keywords=Dayhoff
E-mail: kevindayhoff(at)gmail.com BEST VIEWED IN Chrome My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/

+++++++++++++++

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Lutherville-Timonium Patch: VIDEO: O'Malley Addresses Proposed Gas Tax Increase - Lutherville-Timonium, MD Patch

VIDEO: O'Malley Addresses Proposed Gas Tax Increase - Lutherville-Timonium, MD Patch:

"VIDEO: O'Malley Addresses Proposed Gas Tax Increase

Lutherville-Timonium Patch readers have been vocal about the proposed tax hike. Where do you stand?

By Nick DiMarco Email the author December 30, 2011

Lutherville-Timonium Patch: VIDEO: O'Malley Addresses Proposed Gas Tax Increase - Lutherville-Timonium, MD Patch
+++++++++++++++
Kevin DayhoffI’m a newspaper reporter. I’m pushy, inconsiderate and I do not respect boundaries. Kevin Dayhoff is an artist - and a columnist for Patuxent Publishing Co., The Carroll Eagle: www.explorecarroll.com: http://www.explorecarroll.com/search/?s=Dayhoff&action=GO Soundtrack: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.net/Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/ or http://kevindayhoffart.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.com/Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/ or http://www.westgov.net/ = www.kevindayhoff.orgTwitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoffTwitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoffKevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ = www.newbedfordherald.net The Tentacle: www.thetentacle.com http://www.thetentacle.com/author.cfm?MyAuthor=41Tumblr: Kevin Dayhoff Banana Stems www.kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/Smurfs: http://babylonfluckjudd.blogspot.com/ Google profile: https://profiles.google.com/kevindayhoff/Westminster Patch: http://westminster.patch.com/search?keywords=DayhoffE-mail: kevindayhoff(at)gmail.comBEST VIEWED IN ChromeMy http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/+++++++++++++++

The latest from the Baltimore Sun blog, Maryland Politics

The latest from the Baltimore Sun blog, Maryland Politics


http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/politics/blog/


Mikulski endorses Edwards


The dean of Maryland's congressional delegation, Sen. Barbara Mikulski, endorsed Rep. Donna Edwards for reelection on Thursday, the first high-profile endorsement in a primary race that, so far, has mostly taken place behind the scenes.
Read more ...

Miller's reading hints at New Deal-ish session


Republicans, beware. Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller may be channeling his inner FDR this year.
Read more ...
Brinkley is in for 6th District

Brinkley is in for 6th District


State Sen. David R. Brinkley on Wednesday became the latest candidate to formally enter the race for Maryland’s 6th Congressional District, arguing in a speech in Frederick that it is time for incumbent Rep. Roscoe G. Bartlett – a fellow Republican – to “pass the congressional baton.”
Read more ...

Ex-judge Murphy to represent Currie in ethics proceedings


Judge Joseph F. Murphy Jr., who retired from Maryland's highest court last fall, has agreed to represent Sen. Ulysses Currie in an ethics inquiry expected to get under way in the General Assembly later this month.
Read more ...
John Delaney files for 6th District race

John Delaney files for 6th District race


John Delaney, a multi-millionaire financier from Potomac, said Wednesday that he will seek the Democratic nomination for Maryland’s newly drawn 6th Congressional District, setting up a potentially competitive April primary with State Sen. Rob Garagiola. 
Read more ...

Another labor group to back same-sex marriage


Maryland's AFL-CIO, a 300,000-member strong labor union, will back the same-sex marriage legislation, marking a key endorsement from a powerful political force in the state.
Read more | 29 comments
Citing illness, Trachtenberg withdraws from 6th District race

Citing illness, Trachtenberg withdraws from 6th District race


Duchy Trachtenberg, a former Montgomery County Council member who was the first to enter the race for the Democratic nomination in Maryland’s 6th Congressional District, said Wednesday she is withdrawing. 
Read more ...
Jacobs to challenge Ruppersberger in Maryland's 2nd District

Jacobs to challenge Ruppersberger in Maryland's 2nd District


State Sen. Nancy Jacobs said Tuesday she will announce her candidacy for the 2nd Congressional District this week, making her the latest state lawmaker to jump into a House race for the 2012 election.
Read more | 1 comments

O'Malley donates tainted campaign funds to hunger relief group


The $7,000 in campaign funds given to Gov. Martin O'Malley by a tax evader and former political appointee was sent today to Farmers and Hunters Helping the Hungry, said Rick Abbruzzese, a spokesman for the governor.
Read more ...

Nearly 700 apply for Balto. Co. early retirement


Baltimore County officials have received 670 applications for an early-retirement incentive package – more than three times the number they had sought.
Read more ...
Harris faces report of underage drinking by intern

Harris faces report of underage drinking by intern


Rep. Andy Harris came under fire Tuesday for an incident last summer in which an underage intern was allowed to drink alcohol at a farewell party on a veranda of the U.S. Capitol.
Read more | 4 comments

DGA hauls in $20 million in 2011


Gov. Martin O'Malley's time on the road last year paid dividends: The Democratic Governors Association, which he chairs, raised a "record breaking" $20 million last year, according to a news release from the group.
Read more | 2 comments

Who paid the most to influence the General Assembly last session?


Maryland's powerful teachers union topped the list of special interests paying to influence the General Assembly last session, spending $1,034,000 on lobbying lawmakers.
Read more ...

O'Malley to give away tax evader's donations


Gov. Martin O'Malley said Thursday that he will follow the lead of U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings and Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown in returning donations from Richard Stewart, a political mover and shaker who pleaded guilty this month to tax evasion.
Read more ...

O'Malley vows to seek curb on septics


Gov. Martin O'Malley promised a vigorous push during the coming legislative session  to curb the proliferation of large housing developments on septic systems, saying that increased pollution from such sources is undermining the progress Maryland is other making on protecting the Chesapeake Bay.
Read more | 1 comments

Franchot schedules two fundraisers


Comptroller Peter Franchot,  believed to be casting an eye on the governor's race in 2014, has scheduled two high-ticket fundraisers in early January during the countdown to the legislative session that begins Jan. 11.
Read more ...

O'Malley names Kratovil to Queen Anne's bench


Former U.S. Rep. Frank M. Kratovil Jr. may not have gotten a more Democrat-friendly district in which to attempt a return to Congress, but he's received a consolation prize in the form of a judgeship.
Read more | 1 comments

Brown returns donations from tax evader


Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown has returned $5,750 in campaign funds donated by Richard Stewart, a politically connected businessman who pleaded guilty this month to tax evasion.
Read more ...

MD GOP says Obama, O'Malley, Cummings should return campaign donations


Maryland's Republican party Monday said that a slew of Democratic elected officials, including President Barack Obama, Gov. Martin O'Malley and U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings, return thousands of dollars in campaign funds donated by Richard Stewart, a politically connected businessman who pleaded guilty last week to failing to pay $4 million in taxes. 
Read more | 2 comments
Bartlett aide raises concerns over GOP's payroll stance

Bartlett aide raises concerns over GOP's payroll stance


A spokeswoman for Republican Rep. Roscoe G. Bartlett sent an e-mail to House leadership aides arguing that the GOP is "not playing this right," in regard to the protracted debate over extending the payroll tax cut.
Read more ...
Sarah Palin calls Obama's Christmas card with Bo 'odd'

Sarah Palin calls Obama's Christmas card with Bo 'odd'


Sarah Palin, it seems, finds the Obama family Christmas card featuring First Dog Bo something less than appropriate.
Read more | 49 comments
Md. delegation battles over payroll tax extension

Md. delegation battles over payroll tax extension


(Dec. 21) Maryland Democrats continued to ramp up pressure on House GOP leaders Wednesday over a stalled effort to extend a payroll tax cut that benefits as many as 2.6 million wage earners in the state.
Read more ...

Baltimore rabbis call for end to death penalty


The Baltimore Board of Rabbis has renewed its call for the abolition of the death penalty in Maryland, arguing that the only safeguard against the exection of innocent people is to have no executions at all.
Read more ...
Romney names new Md. endorsements

Romney names new Md. endorsements


(Dec. 20) GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney released 37 new Maryland endorsements on Tuesday, including Anne Arundel County state Sen. Bryan W. Simonaire and Baltimore County Del. William J. Frank.
Read more ...
Edwards offers resolution on Fla. congressman's Nazi comment

Edwards offers resolution on Fla. congressman's Nazi comment


(Dec. 20) Rep. Donna F. Edwards offered a resolution on the House floor Tuesday that would disapprove of Florida GOP Rep. Allen West for telling reporters recently that Nazi propagandists would be proud of the Democrats’ “propaganda machine.”
Read more ...

Bevins: County pension deal 'sounds like double dipping'


Baltimore County Council members are privately discussing the lucrative pension deals of County Executive Kevin Kamenetz and former councilmen Sam Moxley and Vince Gardina.
Read more | 9 comments

Capital debt limit raised over Franchot's objections


The Capital Debt Affordability Committee, dominated by appointees of Gov. Martin O’Malley, raised the state's debt limit by $150 million Monday over the dissent of Comptroller Peter Franchot.
Read more ...

Hughes, Glendening join O'Malley to hail growth framework


Two former governors joined Gov. Martin O'Malley Monday morning at a State House news conference marking the formal adoption of Plan Maryland, a growth management framework that has aroused opposition in parts of rural Maryland.
Read more ...

Baltimore Co. Council plans to scale back ethics bill


Baltimore County Council members plan to introduce a set of amendments tonight that would weaken parts of County Executive Kevin Kamenetz’s ethics reform proposal.
Read more ...

Occupy Baltimore considering new sites, including youth jail, endangered post office


Since Baltimore police ousted the members of Occupy Baltimore from their encampment at the Inner Harbor's McKeldin Square last week, the activists have been deliberating about where -- and whether -- to continue a physical encampment.
Read more | 42 comments

Defense bill includes Md. projects


A massive, $662 billion defense measure that authorizes hundreds of millions of dollars in spending on Maryland's military facilities cleared a final vote in the Senate Thursday and now heads to President Barack Obama, who is expected to sign it into law. The bill, which divided Democrats and Republicans in Maryland's congressional delegation, includes more than $108 million for projects at Fort Meade and an additional $101 million for Aberdeen Proving Ground, according to Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, who represents both facilities. Broadly, the annual legislation authorizes spending on troops and weapons systems used by the military, but the proposal had been caught up in a debate over how the U.S. should handle the arrest of terrorism suspects. The White House threatened to veto the measure because it will require the military, instead of civilian law enforcement agencies, to arrest terrorism suspects on U.S. soil.The administration dropped its opposition when lawmakers agreed to allow the president to waive the requirement if the nation's security is at risk, but several Democrats continue to oppose the measure. "We have a solemn obligation to support the health and welfare of our troops...however, the role our civilian-led military plays within the borders of the U.S. has always been balanced with the protections of civil liberties and civil rights," said Sen. Ben Cardin, one of 13 senators who voted against the measure Thursday. "Unfortunately, the defense authorization bill that was approved by the House, and now the Senate, does not keep that balance."The legislation nevertheless includes several provisions that could affect Maryland. For instance, Ruppersberger included language in the bill that would set aside additional federal transportation dollars to pay for road projects near military bases to alleviate BRAC-related traffic."This bill pays for some of the most pressing needs at Maryland military facilities while acknowledging our...
Read more ...

Panel to set legislature's budget goal to cut gap


The General Assembly's Joint Committee on Spending Affordability is expected to set a goal Thursday night of trimming the state's long-term budget shortfall -- known in as the structural deficit -- in half during the legislative session that begins in January.
Read more ...