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Biden administration asks for emergency funds for Key Bridge replacement
The White House on Friday reiterated its support for full federal funding to replace the Francis Scott Key Bridge in a request to Congress for $4 billion in emergency disaster relief funding. The post Biden administration asks for emergency funds for Key Bridge replacement appeared first on Maryland Matters.
Baltimore’s Red Line to be light rail – again
Gov. Wes Moore's charge to resurrect an east-west transportation line in Baltimore took another step Friday with the announcement that the state will seek to build a second light rail line. The post Baltimore’s Red Line to be light rail – again appeared first on Maryland Matters.
States increasingly shift toward kin-first foster care
More states are encouraging social workers to look first toward kinship caregivers when placing children. Many pay small stipends or let those caregivers become licensed foster parents. The post States increasingly shift toward kin-first foster care appeared first on Maryland Matters.
Empowering citizens to tackle policy, like aid to Ukraine, strengthens democracy
If juries can be trusted to decide complex legal cases, shouldn’t Americans be able to make public policy recommendations? Earlier this month, citizens at their local library proved the people can. The post Empowering citizens to tackle policy, like aid to Ukraine, strengthens democracy appeared first on Maryland Matters.
Moore, fellow governors seek more say over grid planning process
As states scramble to find reliable sources of electric power amid ever-growing demand for energy, Gov. Wes Moore and three fellow Democratic governors are seeking more say in the regional electric grid operator's future planning. The post Moore, fellow governors seek more say over grid planning process appeared first on Maryland Matters.
The librarian who spoke out: Irene Padilla steps down after 22 years as state librarian
Librarians are supposed to keep quiet. Irene Padilla made her career as a librarian by speaking out. The post The librarian who spoke out: Irene Padilla steps down after 22 years as state librarian appeared first on Maryland Matters.
Some states rethink data centers, as ‘electricity hogs’ strain the grid
Maryland appears to be bucking the national trend by going all in on data centers, despite the evidence of major energy and climate implications. The post Some states rethink data centers, as ‘electricity hogs’ strain the grid appeared first on Maryland Matters.
Cannabis tax collections grew slightly, while some regions saw large variances
Maryland collected nearly $14.7 million in taxes on sales of recreational cannabis, an increase of less than .7% compared to the fourth quarter of 2023, according to the Office of the Comptroller. The post Cannabis tax collections grew slightly, while some regions saw large variances appeared first on Maryland Matters.
Personnel news: Democratic strategist carousel, Maryland PIRG seeks new leader
The carousel for smart, sought-after Democratic strategists in Maryland continues turning. The post Personnel news: Democratic strategist carousel, Maryland PIRG seeks new leader appeared first on Maryland Matters.
Nine years after Obergefell, number of same-sex marriages has jumped in Maryland
Same-sex couples could already get married in Maryland before the U.S. Supreme Court extended the right nationwide nine years ago, but the numbers have risen sharply since the ruling was handed down in Obergefell v. Hodges. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that there were about 4,400 same-sex married couples in Maryland in 2012, the year […] The post Nine years after Obergefell, number of same-sex marriages has jumped in Maryland appeared first on Maryland Matters.
Hogan lays out five-point economic agenda for Senate race that echoes positions as governor
Hogan promoted a five-point platform — some of which mimics his ideology as governor — including lower taxes on retirees, increased access to affordable housing, reduced health care costs and opposition to policies that would increase costs of food, energy and basic necessities. The post Hogan lays out five-point economic agenda for Senate race that echoes positions as governor appeared first on Maryland Matters.
Red Line announcement imminent; advocates say there’s no time to waste
A year after state officials announced they would revive Baltimore's shelved Red Line light rail project, no announcement has been made -- but MDOT said it plans "a major announcement" Friday on the project. The post Red Line announcement imminent; advocates say there’s no time to waste appeared first on Maryland Matters.
The time is now to complete the Red Line
This isn’t 2014. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill opened numerous paths to federal funding that, if leveraged together, could substantially reduce the state's share of the cost for the Red Line. The post The time is now to complete the Red Line appeared first on Maryland Matters.
Prince George’s County Council sets dates for special election to replace Mel Franklin
Prince George’s County officials approved an expedited schedule for the special elections to replace former Council Member Jamel "Mel" Franklin, who was charged with multiple counts in what authorities said was a campaign theft scheme. The post Prince George’s County Council sets dates for special election to replace Mel Franklin appeared first on Maryland Matters.
Biden to pardon vets discharged for same-sex relationships
President Joe Biden will pardon U.S. veterans who were discharged or convicted under military law for consensual same-sex relations, the administration announced Wednesday. The post Biden to pardon vets discharged for same-sex relationships appeared first on Maryland Matters.
Report blames utility infrastructure costs for spike in consumers’ monthly gas, electric bills
Consumers may not understand the jargon like price per therm, standard tariffs and rate that are packed into a 92-page report from the Office of People’s Counsel, but they surely understand the report’s bottom line. “Customers of most of Maryland’s largest utilities are facing staggering levels of cost increases for the delivery of their electricity […] The post Report blames utility infrastructure costs for spike in consumers’ monthly gas, electric bills appeared first on Maryland Matters.
Boards approve ‘ambitious’ goals for student test scores, absenteeism, teacher diversity
Maryland State Board of Education and Accountability and Implementation Board also reviewed updates on Blueprint plans. The post Boards approve ‘ambitious’ goals for student test scores, absenteeism, teacher diversity appeared first on Maryland Matters.
Maryland teacher’s union president to step down Aug. 1 after six years in job
Cheryl Bost, an elementary school educator for 35 years who has served since August 2018 as president of the Maryland State Education Association, will retire after July 31. The post Maryland teacher’s union president to step down Aug. 1 after six years in job appeared first on Maryland Matters.
For both sides, abortion policy two years after Dobbs decision hinges on November
Two years after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to an abortion, the battles rage among both advocates and lawmakers over the future of reproductive rights at the state and federal levels. The post For both sides, abortion policy two years after Dobbs decision hinges on November appeared first on Maryland Matters.
Latest poll shows Alsobrooks with 11-point edge over Hogan in Senate race
A new poll on Maryland's Senate race found Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks (D) with an 11-point lead over former Gov. Larry Hogan (R) in a matchup with third-party and independent candidates, and an 8-point margin over Hogan in a head-to-head race. The post Latest poll shows Alsobrooks with 11-point edge over Hogan in Senate race appeared first on Maryland Matters.
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