Trump administration proposes step back from ‘housing first’ homeless policy

A new federal plan to end homelessness released this week by the Trump Administration calls for a reversal of Obama-era “housing first” policies.

Hogan’s political future tied to Maryland’s economic recovery

Grappling with the greatest test of his term, Gov. Larry Hogan has been lauded for his leadership by experts who say his focus on facts and the future have saved lives during the coronavirus pandemic.

CDC says no to clearing encampments during coronavirus outbreak

People living in outdoor homeless encampments should not be evicted during the outbreak of the novel coronavirus unless they can be moved to individual housing units, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended.

Maryland might feel economic strain of novel coronavirus in mid-March or April

Marylanders might notice fewer goods in stores by mid-March or April due to the effects of the novel coronavirus on the global supply chain, the acting director of the Port of Baltimore told lawmakers Friday.

An expected shipment to the Port of Baltimore has been cancelled for the first time because of the virus — due to a lack of goods.

Meanwhile, state leaders in Annapolis are urging Marylanders not to panic.

Ex-Baltimore mayor gets three years for ‘Healthy Holly’ fraud

Former Baltimore mayor and “Healthy Holly” author Catherine Pugh, who wrote her own downfall by fraudulently selling children’s books to organizations with which she was politically connected, was sentenced to three years in federal prison.

Bill would expand Maryland in vitro insurance to cover unwed women

A Maryland law that health insurance plans pay for in vitro fertilization doesn’t cover unwed women.
But a bill filed in the General Assembly and supported by the Women’s Law Center of Maryland aims to end the state’s distinction of a woman’s marital status, expanding coverage under certain insurance plans that is already offered to heterosexual and homosexual couples.

Legislation would carve exemptions for teen ‘sexting’ in Maryland

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Teens could be exempted from Maryland’s child pornography laws in certain cases if the General Assembly passes any one of four differing bills filed this session.

Lawmakers want to decriminalize teen “sexting,” a practice that arose with the mass adoption of smartphones and that experts say is fairly common among teenagers.

Maryland lawmakers override several bills Hogan vetoed last year

Maryland lawmakers overrode Gov. Larry Hogan’s vetoes five times on Thursday, but had to give up on three other bills, including a bill designed to make freight rail safer.

A major economic development project played a role in that bill’s doom.

The concurrent votes in the two chambers of the Maryland General Assembly were the first time this session Democrats have exercised their veto-proof majorities after postponing these votes several times this session.

Among bills for Maryland small business, big lemonade stands out

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — State legislators always want to support small business. But one bill introduced this session aims to help the smallest of businesses.
A bill introduced in the Maryland House would protect lemonade stands from local authorities who might want to enforce local permit laws that could shut them down.
The legislation coincides with a national movement led by Country Time Lemonade that has sought to introduce similar bills all over the country.

Proposed rule could limit the number of bills Maryland senators can file

Senate bills may become a hot commodity if a rule proposed this week is enacted.
The Senate Rules Committee is planning to meet Friday to consider limiting the number of bills any one senator can propose in the yearly 90-day session of the state’s General Assembly.