Maryland Politics - baltimoresun.com

Navy moving hospital ship Comfort to Virginia

By Matthew Hay Brown and Steve Kilar, The Baltimore Sun — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 22:19:00 EST

Fixture of Baltimore waterfront to set sail in 2013

The USNS Comfort, the white-hulled hospital ship that has been a fixture of the Baltimore waterfront for a quarter-century, is moving next year to Norfolk, Va., the Navy announced Tuesday.

Counties oppose O'Malley's teacher pension plan

By Michael Dresser , The Baltimore Sun — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 19:22:00 EST

Local officials say they can't absorb the retirement costs

Local officials say they can't absorb the retirement costs

O'Malley explains evolution of stance on same-sex marriage at Sun forum

By Steve Kilar, The Baltimore Sun — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 23:59:58 EST

A rehash of his state-of-the-state address, one audience member said

Gov. Martin O'Malley gave his most detailed explanation to date for the evolution of his stance on gay marriage, at the inaugural Baltimore Sun Newsmaker Forum Wednesday evening.

Port workers, drinking buddies lament departure of USNS Comfort

By Jonathan Pitts , The Baltimore Sun — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 21:47:00 EST

Ship will now berth in Norfolk after more than 25 years in Baltimore

It was Happy Hour at the Poncabird Pub on Wednesday, and the South Baltimore tavern was as busy and bustling as usual, but as late-afternoon sunlight streaked through a side window, the expressions it caught on the faces at one table were decidedly grim.

House committees send same-sex marriage bill to floor

By Annie Linskey , The Baltimore Sun — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 00:10:00 EST

Supporters are cautiously optimistic

Supporters are cautiously optimistic

Maryland Politics: Del. Hogan a 'no' on same-sex marriage

by Annie Linskey — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 16:11:00 EST

Western Maryland Del. Patrick Hogan, who was the target of an intense lobbying campaign over the past few days, announced this afternoon that he will not support Gov. Martin O'Malley's same-sex marriage bill.

Md. Politics: Federal workers take $15B hit in payroll tax deal

By John Fritze, The Baltimore Sun — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 14:37:00 EST

Federal employees will be required to contribute $15 billion toward the cost of extending federal unemployment insurance under a tentative agreement struck in Congress that would also maintain the 2010 payroll tax break, federal worker union officials said Wednesday.

Mayor says another Grand Prix is in city's 'best interest'

By Luke Broadwater and Julie Scharper , The Baltimore Sun — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 19:56:39 EST

Vendor says city should have negotiated harder

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said Wednesday that drafting a new contract to continue the Baltimore Grand Prix was the city's smartest move, even as others questioned why the deal didn't do more to recover losses to vendors and taxpayers from the 2011 race.

O'Malley offers locals a gas tax sweetener

By Michael Dresser and Annie Linskey , The Baltimore Sun — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 18:31:07 EST

Revenues would be used to restore part of highway aid

Gov. Martin O'Malley is offering local governments a significant sweetener — more money for local road projects — as part of an effort to secure their support for his proposal to apply the state's 6 percent sales tax to gasoline.

O'Malley grilled on green agenda

By Michael Dresser , Annie Linskey and Tim Wheeler , The Baltimore Sun — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:55:42 EST

Governor defends proposals on wind, septics, flush tax

Gov. Martin O'Malley fielded skeptical questions from lawmakers about three of his top environmental initiatives Tuesday as he appealed to them to approve bills aimed at promoting offshore wind energy, limiting development and improving water and sewer systems.