baltimoresun.com - Local Politics

Worst not over, governor warns

Tue, 13 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Record rain across Maryland brings power outages, closes schools, floods roads, opens a huge sinkhole

High winds and torrential rains that topped 6 inches in parts of Southern Maryland stranded motorists, toppled trees and cut electric service to tens of thousands of customers yesterday, while a widening sinkhole threatened to swallow a cluster of homes in Prince George's County.

Legislator, lobbyist: a delicate dance

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400

State lawmakers' work in Washington raises question of where to draw line

Maryland lawmaker Heather R. Mizeur shepherded a bill through the General Assembly this year to establish a new fund supporting the emerging field of nanobiotechnology. In the process, she also succeeded in securing a potential funding source for companies she had registered to represent on Capitol Hill.

Budget debate, tax rate hearing re-ignite political wars in county

Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400

The political wars over Howard County tax policy pop up each spring, as evidenced by a County Council budget debate and the four people who came to the annual constant-yield tax rate hearing before the council's May legislative meeting.

O'Malley meets with correctional officials

Fri, 9 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Governor indicates he may extend time before disciplinary action is taken on officers

Gov. Martin O'Malley met yesterday with prison officials in Western Maryland, where more than 20 correctional officers were fired recently after allegations of inmate abuse, and said he would consider extending the time before disciplinary action is taken in such cases.

Teachers group won't back slots

Fri, 9 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Breaking with the state teachers union, the Montgomery County Education Association voted Wednesday night not to endorse Maryland's slot machine gambling referendum, according to a news release from Marylanders United to Stop Slots.

Delay in pollutant ban likely

Thu, 8 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Governor supports bill allowing phosphorous

Gov. Martin O'Malley said yesterday that he is inclined to sign legislation delaying a statewide ban on dishwasher detergent containing polluting phosphorus and that he still is weighing whether to veto a bill ensuring that fruity alcoholic drinks known as "alcopops" continue to be taxed and distributed the same way as beer.

State pushes housing lifeline

Wed, 7 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Ad campaign says 'Mortgage Late? Don't Wait!'

With many homeowners facing foreclosure but not seeking help, state officials are launching an advertising campaign on buses and billboards and through print and radio spots to get their attention with the slogan: "Mortgage Late? Don't Wait!"

O'Malley talks about importance of slots referendum

Tue, 6 May 2008 14:47:00 -0400

Revenue would make up about 25% of money needed to balance Md. budget

Gov. Martin O'Malley said today that if a referendum on slot machine gambling fails in November, "it'll be back to the drawing board with a lot of unpopular choices, and I don't think any of us wants to go there."

2 Md. leaders endorse Obama

Tue, 6 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Move on eve of Indiana, N.C. primaries nearly wipes out Clinton's superdelegate lead

On the eve of primaries in North Carolina and Indiana, Barack Obama angled for an advantage on a second front yesterday, picking up pledges from two party leaders in Maryland to pull nearly even with Hillary Clinton in the race for superdelegates.

Outside groups swayed Md. vote

Mon, 5 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Loophole helped oust Wynn, Gilchrest; tactic may be put in wide use

Political interest groups working outside the traditional confines of campaign finance laws spent more than $4.3 million in two Maryland congressional races during this year's primary, according to newly released campaign finance reports, and their success in defeating two incumbents here could portend an expensive and aggressive effort nationwide to target other swing districts in the coming months.