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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Governor Larry Hogan sworn in for second term
For the first time since 1955 Maryland Larry Hogan on Wednesday became the first Republican to be sworn in for back-to-back terms as governor.