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.
Legislation would mandate activity for all elementary public school students in Maryland
A House committee heard testimony on Thursday for a bill that would require more than two hours of physical activity every week for students in public elementary schools around the state.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Lawmakers React to Governor Hogan’s State of the State
State House Democrats and Republicans may have their differences but Montgomery County Senator Susan Lee (D) says Governor Hogan’s State of the State showed his willingness to work with both parties. But the Democrats say they are concerned about the Governor’s proposed half-billion dollars in additional tax relief and his failure to support an increase in the minimum wage.
Governor Hogan again urges bipartisanship, sets priorities in State of the State
Republican Governor Larry Hogan, inaugurated for a second term just two weeks ago, told a joint session of the Maryland General Assembly that the state of the state has “never been stronger.”
State House Democrats present 2019 General Assembly priorities
Maryland Senate and House Democrats on Tuesday unveiled their legislative agenda for the 2019 General Assembly. Among their top priorities: increasing the minimum wage to $15 an hour and raising the age to 21 in order to buy tobacco products.
Kirwan Commission chair gives recommendations to lawmakers
The Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education, or Kirwan Commission, finalized in December its recommendations and costs to fix large achievement gaps, boost school funding for poorer students, and improve teacher retention for Maryland public schools from 2020 to 2030.