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.

Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh, county executives, call for the end to partial federal government shutdown

Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh and four county executives urged President Trump, and Congress, to work together to end the longest shutdown in U.S. history that is affecting their constituents.

Commission asks lawmakers for upgrades in antiquated emergency system

A statewide commission is urging state lawmakers to approve a package of bills upgrading the state’s 9-1-1 system which is now over 50 years old.

Retired state workers push to retain current prescription drug plan

Retired state workers are fighting a possible change in their prescription drug coverage. They say the change would lower drug coverage and raise prices.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan releases FY 2020 budget

ANNAPOLIS, Maryland — Gov. Larry Hogan, R, this week released a $44.6 billion state budget for the upcoming 2020 fiscal year, fortifying his objectives for the 2019 General Assembly session — education, economic growth, health, state employees, transportation and the…