Md. Considers Hand-Held Cell Phone Restriction for Motorists

ANNAPOLIS – Maryland legislators are once again considering a bill that would prohibit the use of hand-held cell phones while driving, a proposal modeled after a Washington, D

Bush’s Call to Break Energy Dependence Draws Bipartisan Warmth

WASHINGTON – President Bush’s call Tuesday night to break America’s dependence on foreign energy sources won bipartisan praise in Maryland’s congressional delegation, but the state’s Democrats were less pleased with the things he omitted — workers, the poor and recent lobbying scandals

UMBC Report Urges Saftey Steps for Teen Drivers

ANNAPOLIS – The best way for legislators to tackle problems with teenaged drivers is to double the number of DWI checkpoints and step up enforcement of seatbelt and speeding laws, according to a report by a group of graduate students at the University of Maryland Baltimore County

Maryland Help Wanes, But Seniors Still Befuddled by Fed’s Prescription Plan

WASHINGTON – Maryland’s stop-gap early refill program, devised to help senior citizens transition into Medicare’s new prescription plan, has wound down, leaving some elderly citizens scrambling to get their medicine

O’Malley Scolds Feds for Homeland Security Grant Process

WASHINGTON – Baltimore Mayor Martin O’Malley Friday criticized Department of Homeland Security officials for inefficiently allocating grant money and failing to establish tangible priorities

State Lawmakers Criticize New Juvenile Facility Plan

ANNAPOLIS- State legislators attacked the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services’ new “master plan” for the reorganization of its facilities Friday, saying that the new plan is too vague and underestimates costs

Maryland DHR Plans to Re-Tool Ailing Child Welfare System

ANNAPOLIS- The Maryland Department of Human Resources says it plans to re-work the state’s child welfare program over the next several months to correct system flaws pointed out in recent state and federal reports

State’s Judges Follow Sentencing Guidelines in 75% of Cases

ANNAPOLIS- Maryland’s judges followed the state’s voluntary sentencing guidelines in over three-quarters of criminal cases over the last fiscal year, according to a report by the State Commission of Criminal Sentencing Policy