Thursday, May 17, 2012
Baltimore County Republican calls for State Police patrols and to declare tourist area "a no travel zone."
The Inner Harbor area of Baltimore City is being terrorized by "black youth mobs" and city and state officials are "covering it up," according to one Baltimore County Republican. "This has been going on for years," said Del. Pat McDonough, a Middle River Republican who also represents part of Harford County. "I have a responsibility as an elected official to bring this to the public's attention," the delegate said, adding that "roving mobs of black youth are responsible for the attacks." A spokesman for Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake declined to comment directly to McDonough's remarks. "Del. McDonough's sad and racially-charged publicity stunt is not deserving of a response and Mayor Rawlings-Blake is proud of the men and women of the …
Friday, May 4, 2012
Work will focus on balancing budget and eliminating $500 million in "doomsday" cuts.
Gov. Martin O'Malley Friday announced he will call state legislators back into session May 14 to deal with lingering state budget issues. “There is too much at stake not to move forward,” O’Malley said in a statement Friday afternoon. “I’m confident that we can come together with the Senate President and House Speaker to complete this most important work for the people of our State.” The session will focus on balancing the state budget and eliminating more than $500 million in cuts that were part of a so-called "doomsday budget" what passed at the end of this year's 90-day legislative session. As part of that session, some legislators expect the General Assembly will be asked to approve an income tax increase for some Maryland residents. …
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Gov. Martin O'Malley appeared optimistic at 8:30 p.m., but when the clock struck midnight his attitude shifted to anger.
Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley is known for putting on a good face even in hard times, but when the General Assembly, as he said Monday night, “failed to protect the priorities that allow our state to move forward,” his smile disappeared. O’Malley appeared optimistic when speaking with reporters at about 8:30 p.m. on the last night of the 90-day legislative session, despite a looming midnight deadline for the legislature to pass key components of the state’s capital budget. The same could not be said at 12:40 a.m. (See video for a comparison) “This is not the sort of operating budget that this administration proposed after eight months of careful consideration, after $800 million in cuts and I think the people of our state have the right to…
After General Assembly's failure to vote on key budget measures after a 90-day session, Gov. Martin O'Malley could call a special session to avert deep cuts.
The Maryland General Assembly ended its session Monday at midnight without taking action on proposed revenue measures and passing a budget that will require $512 million in cuts beginning July 1. The rancorous end to the session left Gov. Martin O'Malley and House Speaker Mike Busch fuming with their fellow Democrat, Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. The Washington Post called the end of the Democratically-controlled General Assembly's 90-day session at midnight on Monday a “stunning collapse.” The Baltimore Sun said the session ended in “disarray.” Maryland Reporter's Len Lazarick wrote: “O’Malley and House Speaker Michael Busch both blamed Senate President Mike Miller’s insistence on a gaming measure for Prince George’s …
Monday, April 9, 2012
The Governor offers his take on the 2012 General Assembly with a specific focus on the budget, with just over an hour to the close.
As the clock ticks down to midnight in Annapolis, Maryland lawmakers are frantically working to pass the state's budget. With just over an hour to go, Gov. Martin O'Malley met with State House reporters to give his take on the 2012 legislative session, speaking specifically about the budget. (See video) Be sure to check back with Patch for a full recap of the 2012 General Assembly. What issues were most important to you? How would you grade lawmakers' decisions? Start the conversation in the comments section below.
Budget bill must be passed by midnight or General Assembly will extend its session.
Gov. Martin O'Malley and House Speaker Michael Busch called on the Senate to compromise on a state budget in time for the General Assembly to end its session at midnight. "The one constitutional obligation we have is to pass a balanced budget," said Busch, adding that House members assigned to the conference committee were prepared to complete negotiations. "Because one chamber has an obsession with a certain issue, that they do not want to concur on the budget until that issue is resolved does not initiate any responsible stand for us not to deal with the budget that is in front of us," said Busch, speaking of a Senate effort to expand gambling to include table games and a sixth casino location in Prince George's County. "They have 11 …
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Petition effort continues despite uncertain future of the proposal in the Maryland General Assembly.
Opponents of a proposed tax on gas continue their efforts to defeat the bill in the court of public opinion. Protesters gathered along Route 40 and Winters Lane to wave signs at passing motorists and collect signatures on petitions at three gas stations along the intersection. The gathering Saturday morning in Catonsville was the latest in a number of such rallies this year organized by the Baltimore County chapter of Americans for Prosperity. The group advocates for smaller government. Hafiz Habib, owner of the BP and Gulf stations at the intersection, said he supports Gov. Martin O'Malley but opposes the gas tax. "He does a good job for Maryland but this bill is not good for Maryland," Habib said. O'Malley has proposed a 6 percent sales …
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Law goes to governor for signature and a likely referendum challenge.
The Maryland State Senate passed same-sex marriage by a 25-22 vote Thursday night. The passage of the bill comes less than a week after the House of Delegates passed the identical bill. The bill now goes to Gov. Martin O'Malley for his signature. The law, which goes into effect January 1, 2013 is expected to face a referendum challenge and could end up on the November ballot along with the bill that grants in-state tuition rates to some children of illegal immigrants. How they Voted: Baltimore City William Ferguson How They Voted: Baltimore County
Friday, February 17, 2012
Advocates secured one more vote than the minimum of 71 to pass the legislation voted to approve the bill.
It was close, but the Maryland House of Delegates voted to approve a same-sex marriage bill Friday night that was a priority for Democratic Gov. Martin O’Malley. Legislators passed the Civil Marriage Protection Act with 72 votes in favor and 67 delegates voting against the legislation. The bill needed a minimum of 71 votes to pass. The total was originally reported as 71 votes in favor because a technical glitch locked out Del. John Bohanon’s vote in favor of the bill. Just two Republicans—Dels. Wade Kach and Robert Costa of Baltimore and Anne Arundel counties, respectively—voted in favor of the bill. A similar bill died last year in the House when proponents failed to secure the needed votes and were forced to return the bill to committee…
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Ellen Sauerbrey: "If his was the one vote the governor needed then he will be held accountable by a lot of people."
Del. Wade Kach's decision to vote in favor of same-sex marriage legislation in the House of Delegates has drawn the ire of some Republicans who say it threatens the nine-term delegate's political future. "If his was the one vote the governor needed, then he will be held accountable by a lot of people," said Ellen Sauerbrey, a friend and political ally of Kach. Sauerbrey said she spoke to Kach on Wednesday night but was unclear about the reasons why the delegate changed his mind that day after opposing the bill in a committee vote 24 hours earlier. "I look at this and say it makes no sense unless there is something else we don't know," Sauerbrey said. "I am totally bewildered by this," Sauerbrey said. "His decision made no sense. All he …
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2:04 pm on Thursday, May 17, 2012
Dysfunctional adults and corrupt life choices yield these and other serious problems in the ghetto. Where are the City leaders? more ›