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Maryland Matters
Going where they get a bang for their bucks: Marylanders cross border for holiday fireworks
Such is the reality ahead of Independence Day: Marylanders crossing the border to purchase fireworks that are illegal in their home state. The post Going where they get a bang for their bucks: Marylanders cross border for holiday fireworks appeared first on Maryland Matters.
Hundreds apply in first phase of Baltimore’s vacant housing program, but only 11 qualify
The first phase of a Baltimore program that aims to resurrect vacant homes by selling them to prospective homeowners for $1 drew applications from 459 city residents - only 11 of whom ended up qualifying. The post Hundreds apply in first phase of Baltimore’s vacant housing program, but only 11 qualify appeared first on Maryland Matters.
Board approves EBT contract despite protest
A pending challenge of a contract to provide electronic benefits services to nearly 1 million state residents drew a stinging rebuke from Maryland Department of Human Services Secretary Rafael J. Lopez during a Wednesday meeting of the Board of Public Works. The post Board approves EBT contract despite protest appeared first on Maryland Matters.
Applicants for District 16 House vacancy offer different skill sets
Nine Democrats who have applied for the chance to replace newly appointed state Sen. Sara Love (D-Montgomery) in the House of Delegates made their cases Tuesday at a public forum sponsored by a local political club. The post Applicants for District 16 House vacancy offer different skill sets appeared first on Maryland Matters.
The road AHEAD: Maryland to be a test-subject state in new federal hospital model
Maryland will be one of two test-subject states for a new federal program that officials hope will improve patient outcomes and bridge inequities while constraining hospital and medical costs. The post The road AHEAD: Maryland to be a test-subject state in new federal hospital model appeared first on Maryland Matters.
29-year veteran takes helm at Office of Legislative Audits
Gregory Hook, a 49-year veteran of the office who served as legislative auditor since 2018, retired Monday. Replacing him is Brian Tanen. The post 29-year veteran takes helm at Office of Legislative Audits appeared first on Maryland Matters.
Auditor: State Prosecutor ran afoul of procurement laws
The Office of State Prosecutor failed to use a competitive bid process to purchase the system. State auditors said the agency also failed to provide a written justification for using a sole source contract when it spent more than $131,000 on the system between 2020 and 2023. The post Auditor: State Prosecutor ran afoul of procurement laws appeared first on Maryland Matters.
Comptroller updates cannabis tax report after finding clerical error
The Office of the Comptroller has updated a quarterly report on cannabis taxes after identifying a clerical error. The post Comptroller updates cannabis tax report after finding clerical error appeared first on Maryland Matters.
Baltimore County Council advances bill to add two more members
With no votes to spare, the Baltimore County Council approved a charter amendment Monday that will let voters decide whether to increase the size of the council from seven to nine members. The post Baltimore County Council advances bill to add two more members appeared first on Maryland Matters.
Could Biden’s weak debate performance hurt down-ballot Democrats?
As Democrats reel from President Joe Biden's befuddled debate performance last week, strategists are trying to weigh the impact the new narrative in the presidential election could have on competitive down-ballot races. The post Could Biden’s weak debate performance hurt down-ballot Democrats? appeared first on Maryland Matters.
Sun Bucks aims to combat ‘summer hunger’ kids can face when school’s out
Maryland officials predict that a new grocery benefit will bring in $60 million in federal funding and help about 543,000 kids across the state coping with the loss of school lunches. The post Sun Bucks aims to combat ‘summer hunger’ kids can face when school’s out appeared first on Maryland Matters.
Collapse of Key Bridge reduces tolls by $141 million, hastens likely toll increase
The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge will cost the state an estimated $141 million in lost toll revenue over six years and may bring toll increases a year sooner than expected. The post Collapse of Key Bridge reduces tolls by $141 million, hastens likely toll increase appeared first on Maryland Matters.
Speaker makes changes after Love moves to Senate
The appointment of a Montgomery County lawmaker to fill a vacancy in the Senate has reshuffled some committee assignments in the House of Delegates. The post Speaker makes changes after Love moves to Senate appeared first on Maryland Matters.
Presidential immunity covers some official acts, Supreme Court rules in Trump case
U.S. presidents enjoy full immunity from criminal charges for their official “core constitutional” acts, but not for unofficial acts, the Supreme Court ruled Monday in former President Donald Trump’s election interference case. The post Presidential immunity covers some official acts, Supreme Court rules in Trump case appeared first on Maryland Matters.
Competing plans to expand Baltimore County Council get first test Monday
The first of two competing proposals to expand the size of the Baltimore County Council gets its first test Monday, when the council votes on a plan to add two members to the seven-member body. The post Competing plans to expand Baltimore County Council get first test Monday appeared first on Maryland Matters.
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.
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