On Sunday, Michael Busch passed away. He was 72. Busch spent over three decades in the Maryland House of Delegates, and 16 years as the Speaker. He was a mentor to both sides of the aisle, a staple of Maryland politics, and a friend to many. As the general assembly wrapped up, everyone’s hearts were with the late Speaker.
Acting Baltimore mayor draws lawmakers’ optimism, support
Members of the General Assembly from Baltimore said they have confidence in ex-officio Mayor Bernard “Jack” Young, the city council’s president, after meeting with him early Tuesday morning. Young is taking over the city’s helm after Mayor Catherine Pugh — who is under scrutiny for undeclared sales of children’s books to and through organizations doing business with the city — stepped aside for health reasons.
Supreme Court hears arguments in Maryland gerrymandering case
Maryland’s gerrymandering case, involving the state’s Sixth Congressional District, that’s been making its way through the courts for several years landed before the U-S Supreme Court on Tuesday.
Maryland House votes to reprimand Delegate Jay Jalisi
Two days after the Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics released a damaging 16-page report on what it called an “ongoing pattern of bullying and abusive workplace behavior” the Maryland House of Delegates voted to reprimand Baltimore County Delegate Jay Jalisi.
Senate committee hears testimony on regulations for shotguns and rifles
A survivor and widow of last summer’s deadly attack on the Annapolis Capital-Gazette were among those testifying before the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee on Wednesday in favor of a bill that would place new regulations on the sale of shotguns and rifles. NRA and 2A Maryland representatives argued against the proposed change saying long guns have not been a significant source of crime weapons in the state.
Former Trump attorney Michael Cohen testifies before House Oversight Committee
Former Trump attorney Michael Cohen testified under oath on Wednesday before a public hearing held by the House Oversight Committee on Capitol Hill. Cohen talked about President Donald Trump’s role in a number of alleged improper activities both before and after his election. Cohen was scheduled to testify behind closed doors on Thursday before the House Intelligence Committee.
White House protest calls on Trump administration to issue report, apply sanctions for the murder of Washington Post journalist
February 8th is the deadline for President Trump’s administration to provide a report on what happened to slain journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and how the U.S. will respond. On Thursday the Committee to Protect Journalists and other organizations gathered in front of the White House to demand that President Trump hold Saudi Arabia accountable for the murder of Khashoggi.
Senate committee hears testimony on governor’s Judicial Transparency Act
Members of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee heard heated testimony for and against Governor Hogan’s proposed Judicial Transparency Act of 2019. The bill would require a state Sentencing Commission to publish an annual report that includes detailed, judge-by-judge information about the sentences handed down to convicted violent offenders.