Maryland Politics blog - baltimoresun.com

AG's office advises Assembly it can expand gambling

By Michael Dresser, The Baltimore Sun — Thu, 31 May 2012 23:41:00 GMT

The General Assembly has an unfettered right to expand gambling in Maryland over the objections of existing license holders, according to the Attorney General's Office.

Cardin pushes Senate version of anti-domestic violence bill

By John Fritze, The Baltimore Sun — Thu, 31 May 2012 19:03:00 GMT

Sen. Ben Cardin used a roundtable discussion in Prince George's County on Thursday to call on House Republicans to pass the Senate version of a bill that would reauthorize hundreds of millions of dollars of spending on domestic abuse shelters and violence prevention programs.

O'Malley recognizes entrepreneurs, networks with them

by Annie Linskey — Thu, 31 May 2012 16:19:00 GMT

"I'm going to be looking for employment in about 2 1/2 half years," term-limited Gov. Martin O'Malley told a roomful of young entrepreneurs in the state house this morning. "Take my phone call if I call you."

Task force formed to study pit bull legislation

by Annie Linskey — Wed, 30 May 2012 21:01:00 GMT

Maryland's legislative leaders today appointed a bipartisan panel to study the impact of recent court ruling that labeled pit bulls as 'inherently dangerous' for liability purposes and to make recommendations about possible legislative fixes.

Ehrlich headlines Bartlett fundraiser

By John Fritze, The Baltimore Sun — Wed, 30 May 2012 20:07:00 GMT

Former Gov. Bob Ehrlich, who has shifted his focus away from Maryland politics in recent months, will jump into the state's most high profile race of 2012 by headlining a fundraiser for Rep. Roscoe G. Bartlett next week.

Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown marries over the weekend

by Annie Linskey — Wed, 30 May 2012 19:17:00 GMT

Maryland gained a new 'second lady' over the weekend.

O'Malley to stump in Wisconsin for Walker foe

By Michael Dresser, The Baltimore Sun — Wed, 30 May 2012 16:36:00 GMT

Gov. Martin O'Malley, continuing to build on his high national profile as head of the Democratic Governors Association, will travel to Wisconsin Thursday to campaign for the challenger in the effort to recall Republican Gov. Scott Walker.

Frederick board chief to explore run for governor

By Michael Dresser, The Baltimore Sun — Tue, 29 May 2012 18:43:00 GMT

Blaine Young, the Republican president of the Frederick County Board of Commissioners, has taken a step toward a possible run for governor in 2014 by launching a fund-raising committee.

O'Malley talks 2012 presidential race, gets advice for 2016

by Annie Linskey, The Baltimore Sun — Sun, 27 May 2012 14:31:00 GMT

For close observers of MD Gov. Martin O'Malley, the most interesting part of his 17 minute segment this morning on Meet the Press came at the end.

O'Malley to appear at tea party? Can this be true?

By Michael Dresser, The Baltimore Sun — Fri, 25 May 2012 15:17:00 GMT

At first glance, the event listed on Gov. Martin O'Malley's schedule for Saturday seems utterly implausible.

O'Malley to spar with Gingrich on Meet the Press

by Annie Linskey — Thu, 24 May 2012 20:03:00 GMT

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley will spend part of his Memorial Day holiday at the NBC studio in Northwest Washington for an appearance on Meet the Press.

New poll by same-sex marriage advocates shows gains

by Annie Linskey — Thu, 24 May 2012 14:12:00 GMT

//UPDATE: This post has been changed to add more information about the methodology of the poll.

Long meeting, long words

by Annie Linskey — Wed, 23 May 2012 16:57:00 GMT

Today's Board of Public Works meeting was about more than just big government contracts, it also became a lesson in big words.

Bill to ban children from making purchases at liquor stores to be heard tonight

By Julie Scharper — Wed, 23 May 2012 12:25:00 GMT

Baltimore's City Council will hear testimony this evening on a bill crafted by Councilman Nick Mosby that would prevent minors from making purchases in liquor stores.

O'Malley to sign tax hike, arsenic ban, ethics bill

By Michael Dresser, Baltimore Sun — Tue, 22 May 2012 13:56:00 GMT

Gov.Martin O'Malley will sign bills doing everything from raising income taxes to banning arsenic from chicken feed Tuesday as he closes out the business of the 90-day General Assembly session and the special session that followed it.

O'Malley names panel to study gambling expansion

By Michael Dresser, The Baltimore Sun — Mon, 21 May 2012 23:20:00 GMT

Gov. Martin O'Malley named an 11-member work group Monday night to study a possible expansion of gambling in Maryland and announced that if the group can reach consensus he would call a special session July 9 to vote on casino legislation.

Grade level of congressional speech falls

By John Fritze, The Baltimore Sun — Mon, 21 May 2012 18:56:00 GMT

A study suggesting that the sophistication of congressional floor speeches has declined by a full grade level since 2005 ranks Reps. Chris Van Hollen and John Sarbanes as the most eloquent -- or verbose, depending on perspective -- members of Maryland’s delegation to Washington.

House approves tax increase, sends bill to O'Malley

by Annie Linskey — Wed, 16 May 2012 16:52:00 GMT

The House of Delegates voted 77 to 60 this afternoon to increase income taxes on the top 14 percent of Marylanders, finishing up business left undone when lawmakers gridlocked at the end of the regular session in April. It still needs to be signed by Gov. Martin O'Malley, who introduced the legislation.

Pit bull pals may get chance in a second special session

By Michael Dresser, The Baltimore Sun — Tue, 15 May 2012 19:10:00 GMT

Pit bull owners and other animal advocates won't get a chance to overturn a recent Court of Appeals decision labeling the breed as dangerous during the special General Assembly session now under way, but they might get their chance if the legislature reconvenes this summer to consider gambling issues.

Senate passes tax increase, pension shift

Tue, 15 May 2012 16:30:00 GMT

The Maryland Senate passed an income tax increase and a shift of some of the cost of teacher pensions to the counties Tuesday, averting more than $500 million in so-called Doomsday budget cuts that otherwise would have taken effect July 1.

Miller miffed by "best available technology" regs

by Annie Linskey — Mon, 14 May 2012 23:02:00 GMT

Maryland's Democrat-majority state senate beat back a GOP amendment that would have gutted the O'Malley Administration's new septics regulations, but Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller wants to revisit the regs next year.

Pit bull legislation caged in rules committee

by Annie Linskey — Mon, 14 May 2012 17:16:00 GMT

Dog lovers shouldn't look to the General Assembly to give them a bone, as legislation overturning court ruling that designated pit bulls as dangerous animals was locked in the House rules committee this morning.

GOP opens session with roar of protest

Mon, 14 May 2012 14:00:00 GMT

Republican lawmakers opened Monday's special session with a roar of protest, denouncing Gov. Martin O'Malley as a liar and vowing to fight the majority Democrats' plans to raise income taxes and shift part of the cost of teacher pensions to the counties.

Obama plans two Baltimore fundraisers June 12

Fri, 11 May 2012 16:18:00 GMT

He may not be campaigning in deep-blue Maryland but President Barack Obama will be in Baltimore next month for a pair of fundraisers.

Hoyer to support gay marriage effort in Md.

By John Fritze, The Baltimore Sun — Fri, 11 May 2012 15:35:00 GMT

Rep. Steny Hoyer's decision to support same-sex marriage could bring a powerful ally to efforts in Maryland to retain the gay marriage law in the state. A source close to Hoyer said Friday that the Democratic House leader will "oppose efforts to repeal the new Maryland law."