Maryland

House Approves Homeland Security Department Over Strong Union Objections

WASHINGTON – The House voted Wednesday to transfer 170,000 employees from 22 agencies into a new Department of Homeland Security, brushing aside charges that the shift would make a “farce” of federal workers’ union rights

Federal Judge Allows Worker’s Eavesdropping Case Against Company to Proceed

WASHINGTON – A federal judge has refused to dismiss an invasion of privacy suit by a Landover woman who said her supervisors and co-workers eavesdropped on phone calls to her at home

Proposed EPA Change Could Lead to More Pollution Controls in Washington Area

WASHINGTON – The Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday proposed classifying the Washington area’s ozone problem as “severe,” a change that could mean stricter pollution controls for the region

Maryland at Head of Federal Movement to Report Quality of Nursing Home Care

WASHINGTON – Federal health officials began posting reports Tuesday on the quality of care in nursing homes nationwide, after what they called a successful six-month test run in Maryland and five other states

Wilson Bridge Contract Cost Eases State Transportation Worries

ANNAPOLIS – Wilson Bridge construction costs are not as likely to break the state’s transportation budget after the winning bid for the most difficult section of the bridge in the second round of bidding was only $18 million over estimates, according to the state transportation secretary

New Federal Education Law Poses Problems for Maryland Schools

ANNAPOLIS – New federal legislation has left Maryland school officials scrambling to find teachers, amid a national teacher shortage, to meet more stringent qualifications, the state schools chief told lawmakers Tuesday

State Merchants Expect Low Prices, Promotions to Bring 2% Sales Increase

ANNAPOLIS – Maryland merchants, responding to cautious consumers and a shortened shopping season, are expecting holiday sales to rise a scant 2 percent over 2001, according to a Maryland Retailers Association survey released Tuesday

Committee Sets State Spending Level

ANNAPOLIS – Maryland legislative staff presented a key budget committee with a bleak financial picture Tuesday night, but they’d already expected the worst