Annapolis

Located blocks from the Statehouse, the CNS Annapolis bureau has more reporters dedicated to covering Maryland politics and policy than any other news organization in Maryland.

Schools may start before Labor Day as Senate bill advances

After several days of debate, a Senate bill to effectively rescind Republican Gov. Larry Hogan’s executive order starting Maryland public schools after Labor Day passed 31-13 on Tuesday, with Democrats voting yes and Republicans voting no.

Maryland Senate votes to return school start dates to local school boards

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan signed an Executive Order in 2016, requiring Maryland’s public schools to begin classes after Labor Day. Now, Maryland senators are pushing back, approving legislation giving local public school boards throughout the state the authority, again, to determine the start and end date of the schools in their county. The measure now moves on to the House.

Sen. Will Smith to be deployed to Afghanistan in March

Sen. Will Smith, an officer in the United States Naval Reserve, is scheduled to be deployed to Afghanistan on March 29 in support of Operation Resolute Support.

Local officials team up to push for hike in state’s minimum wage

Several county executives and the mayor of Baltimore joined together on Thursday to urge the legislature and Governor to support an effort to increase the statewide minimum wage to $15. Governor Larry Hogan says he’s open to the conversation but isn’t convinced it’s needed because of concerns of the impact it would have on some businesses. 

Bills would allow live-stream of Assembly, agency meetings

Greater transparency, public participation and ease of access are major reasons for bipartisan, video live-streaming bills reintroduced in the Maryland House and Senate this week, legislators said.  Maryland General Assembly, State Board of Elections and Maryland Transportation Authority meetings would all be live-streamed if legislation passes this session.  

Legislation would update Justice Reinvestment Act

After a comprehensive law overhauled the state’s criminal justice system, Maryland has seen a decline in the state’s prison and jail populations and more streamlined treatment for addicts who are charged with crimes, but advocates want to add to the law to keep inmates from returning behind bars.

Maryland could be banned from dredging Man O’ War Shoal

Legislation could ban the Department of Natural Resources from dredging oyster shells from the Man O’ War Shoal. This would directly counteract the Department of Natural Resources’ proposed Man O’ War Shoal Dredging Project, which would use the old shells recovered from the reef to establish new oyster habitats in the Chesapeake Bay’s tributaries.

Police forces take icy dip to support Special Olympics

Maryland police officers jumped into the frigid waters of Sandy Point State Park Friday afternoon to raise money for the Special Olympics. Governor Larry Hogan also delivered remarks as part of the three-day Polar Bear Plunge event.

Mothers take on State House to push for additional gun control

They call themselves “Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America” and members of the Maryland chapter came to Annapolis on Thursday to push for new gun control provisions. The moms and their supporters say they want the legislature to ban “ghost guns” and 3D printed guns as well as require background checks for anyone wanting to buy a shotgun or long guns.

Moms group rallies to push gun-control laws

Led by chants of “moms demand action” and “gun sense is common sense,” dozens of red-shirted volunteers from the Maryland chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America lobbied in Annapolis to support stricter gun laws Thursday.