ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — The Maryland Senate has debated a big shift of funds in the state budget from transportation to future education costs for K-12. The Senate gave initial approval to the state's $62.5 billion budget Wednesday. The legislature is working on moving money Gov. Wes Moore had set aside for future transportation projects to pay for rising costs in the phased-in implementation of the Blueprint for Maryland's Future. […]
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — The Maryland General Assembly headed into the last three weeks of its annual legislative session on Monday, advancing legislation on its deadline known as "crossover day." That's when bills need to be approved by one chamber and sent over to the next, or else face a greater challenge to passage. Gov. Wes Moore appeared upbeat and smiled often at an early afternoon news conference. The Democratic […]
BALTIMORE (AP) — FBI agents raided Roy McGrath's Florida home Wednesday morning, two days after the one-time top aide to former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan failed to appear in Baltimore federal court to stand trial on corruption charges. His attorney, Joseph Murtha, said McGrath's wife, Laura Bruner, who was home during the FBI raid, has been cooperating with authorities. The U.S. Marshals Service declared McGrath a wanted fugitive. McGrath stole […]
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — A federal judge has issued an arrest warrant for Roy McGrath, the one-time aide to former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, after McGrath failed to appear in court as his trial on federal fraud charges was set to begin. U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman issued the arrest warrant in U.S. District Court in Baltimore on Monday morning. McGrath faces an eight-count federal indictment. Charges include wire fraud, […]
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — A key panel of Maryland lawmakers on Friday advanced a measure that would end the state's statute of limitations for when civil lawsuits can be filed against public and private institutions related to child sexual abuse. The Maryland Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee voted 10-1 to send the bill to the Maryland Senate. The vote is significant because the measure has passed the state's House of Delegates […]
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — The Maryland House voted Friday for a measure that would create a legal framework and tax structure to enable recreational marijuana to be sold in stores as soon as July 1. The House voted 103-32 for the bill, sending it to the Senate, which is moving forward with a separate measure. Although Maryland voters approved a constitutional amendment in November to legalize recreational marijuana, lawmakers left […]
Environmentalists, unions, civil rights and consumer groups are expressing support for a measure to expand Maryland's commitment to offshore wind. The bill aims to modernize the electricity grid to transmit offshore wind energy. Groups including environmental organizations such as the Maryland League of Conservation Voters joined NAACP-Maryland and labor unions, including United Steelworkers and IBEW Local 24 to express support for the legislation. The measure would set a goal for […]
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Top leaders in the Maryland General Assembly are expressing support for changing the state's 2024 primary date, which is now scheduled to take place during a Jewish holiday. House Speaker Adrienne Jones and Senate President Bill Ferguson noted Monday in a joint statement that the date unintentionally coincides with Passover, which would prevent thousands of residents from voting. Maryland's primary, which is set by law, is […]
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Gov. Wes Moore's nominee to the Maryland Public Service Commission withdrew from consideration on Tuesday, after environmentalists criticized the appointment of someone who was an official in the fossil fuel industry. Juan Alvarado, senior director of energy analysis at the American Gas Association, announced his withdrawal in a statement released by the governor's office. Before working at the association, Alvarado had served as a staff member […]
