By David Jahng
Capital News Service
Students in Maryland public schools who fail required vision screenings and do not receive recommended services would be provided free eye examinations and eyeglasses by a new Maryland Department of Health program, under legislation expected to be heard by a Senate committee on Wednesday.
In her third “State of the City” speech today, Mayor Catherine Pugh seized the chance to tout accomplishments on fighting crime, finding new leadership for the city’s trouble police department and investing in neighborhoods. She also acknowledged Baltimore is staring down formidable challenges.
“Baltimore, Baltimoreans, friends, neighbors, residents, business owners and stakeholders: Together we can grow Baltimore, we can be prosperous and we will be safe as we improve the quality of life for us all,” the mayor said in a speech threaded with a focus on that phrase, quality of life.
To little surprise, the Baltimore City Council’s Executive Appointments Committee last night unanimously approved Michael Harrison’s nomination to be Baltimore’s next permanent police commissioner.
Speaking before a crowd of city officials, police brass, reporters and residents for about two and a half hours, Harrison convinced the committee he’s is in it for the long haul–he does have a lucrative five-year contract, we’ll note–and that he has the leadership skills needed to reform a police department mired in deep-rooted inefficiencies and corruption.
But while the 5-0 vote in favor of Harrison seemed inevitable, the public hearing was informative. Here are a few key takeaways from inside the Du Burns Council Chamber on Wednesday night.
By Natalie Jones
Capital News Service
ANNAPOLIS — Maryland legislators have high hopes for passing a bill to increase the state’s renewable energy standards to 50 percent by 2030 and setting a plan in action to raise the standard to 100 percent by 2040, along with seeking to increase jobs in the renewable energy sector.
By Charlie Youngmann
Capital News Service
ANNAPOLIS — Maryland Democratic legislators announced Tuesday “The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future,” a bill that would provide funding for increased teacher salaries, improved teacher training and free, full-day prekindergarten for 3- and 4-year-old children in poverty.
Larry Hogan remains popular across party lines in Maryland, the president is still well loathed by most and a majority voters across the state supporting setting a $15 minimum wage by the mid-2020s.
In a 138-0 vote Thursday morning, Maryland’s House of Delegates passed legislation sponsored by Del. Nick Mosby to end Baltimore’s use of the tax sale process to seize homes and places of worship due to water bill-related debts. Advocates and lawmakers quickly celebrated it as a new protection for Baltimoreans who’ve dealt with erroneous water bills and constantly rising water and sewer bills.
But a surprise came for advocates and sponsors shortly after the vote: Amendments had been added by the House Ways and Means Committee on Tuesday, which apparently went unnoticed, that don’t actually protect all homes and religious sanctuaries from tax sale for water bill debt.
By David Jahng
Capital News Service
ANNAPOLIS — Two bills that would shift regulatory power of alcohol, tobacco and motor fuel from Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot’s office to a new commission—and limit those industries from donating money to Franchot—were discussed at competing press conferences and a heated committee meeting last week.
By Daniel Oyefusi
Capital News Service
ANNAPOLIS — Amid settlement talks between Republican Gov. Larry Hogan and advocates for Maryland’s four historically black colleges and universities, the House of Delegates is scheduled to hold a hearing Friday on legislation that would force the governor to appropriate more than $16 million in the state budget for each university, starting in 2021.
By Carolina Velloso
Capital News Service
WASHINGTON – Maryland’s congressional delegation has voiced strong support for a sweeping plan to reform the state’s educational system.
