Marylanders Split On Resolving Budget Shortfall, Pessimistic About Key Bridge Rebuild

A majority want budget cuts, some want taxes too; most think bridge replacement could take as long as a decade.

The New House Speaker: Forged By Poverty, Fueled By Empathy

The Peña family’s home was “tiny,” she recalls, a one-bedroom wooden structure with holes in the roof and a latrine in the yard.

Maryland Senator Drops Prince George's Schools Job Amid Ethics Concerns

Watson says he considered a legal challenge to keep his job, but ‘juice wasn't worth the squeeze.'

Attorneys Seek To Have Some Of Extortion Charges Against Sen. Dalya Attar Dismissed

The Baltimore senator was the victim of harassment who “simply wanted to be left alone,” the new filing reads.

Marylanders Say Congressional Maps Unfair, But They Have Higher Priorities Than Redistricting

UMBC poll finds ‘nuanced opinions,' desire to move away from elected leaders drawing maps.

‘Special' Doesn't Mean Unlimited, GOP Leaders Picked, Monteiro To UMBC, In Political Notes

The Senate chamber is empty now, but it will be full on Tuesday when lawmakers come in for a special session.

In Reversal, Moore Funds Climate Change Study He Previously Vetoed

But Moore’s about-face may help him to make amends, as Annapolis gears up for its next full legislative session on Jan. 14.

County Officials Decry 50-50 Split With State Of Payouts For Erroneous Convictions

For years, the state picked up the tab for compensating those who were imprisoned for crimes they did not commit.

House Shakeup Continues, As Atterbeary Resigns To Focus On Run For Howard County Executive

Democrats appear to have quickly coalesced around Del. Joseline Peña-Melnyk (D-Prince George’s and Anne Arundel) as the next speaker.

Moore Calls Lawmakers Back For Long-Anticipated Special Session Next Week

Election of speaker and ‘other business' on agenda; no indication if redistricting will be on the table,

Feldmark Out Of Howard Executive Race, Harris Out Of Hospital, Nagel Leaving MABE, In Notes

Del. Jessica Feldmark (D- Howard) pulled out of the Howard County executive race Monday, citing a breast cancer diagnosis.

Education Advocates Will Push For Lawmakers To Fund Teacher Training Program

Del. Jared Solomon: Let legislators know ‘coaching is a non-negotiable'

Field Of Hopefuls In Speaker's Race Clears For Peña-Melnyk

The Health and Government Operations chair appears on her way to succeed Jones.

Musical Chairs Continue In District 27, A Schiraldi Sighting And New Champions, In Political Notes

Education is also a priority, with a personal connection: Rachel Jones's husband is a middle school teacher in Anne Arundel County.

Jones Steps Down, Ending Historic Era As House Speaker

Her departure sets off a scramble to succeed Jones, the first woman and first Black legislator to lead a Maryland General Assembly chamber.

State, Federal Lawmakers Vow To Fight Antisemitism At Rockville Legislative Event

Institutions like B’nai Israel, where Wednesday’s event was held, have had to add security measures and police for safety.

Maryland Public Defender's Office Seeks More Help

Staffing issues are part of the office's legislative priorities for the upcoming 2026 General Assembly session.

Baltimore County Lawmakers File Bill To Give Inspector General Oversight Of School System

“We have a great school system,” said Mike Ertel, before noting that it accounts for about half the county’s budget in a given year.

Prince George's County Council Passes Bill Ending Pit Bull Ban, Wraps Up Session

The bill, sponsored by Council Chair Ed Burroughs, was the first to be heard on what is traditionally a marathon final session of the year.

Lawmakers Look To Make Old Laws On Recording Relevant In A World Of Ring Cameras, Cellphones

Several measures to amend the state's two-party wiretap law are likely to be reintroduced for the 2026 legislative session.

Smith To Push Again For Bill To Ban Automatically Charging Youth As Adults For Some Crimes

Sen. William C. Smith Jr. (D-Montgomery) said that automatically charging youth as adults affects them both physically and mentally.

Veterans Praise Court Program That Helps Them Get Back On Their Feet After Misdemeanor Charges

"Now I get to be the person I truly am, who I was raised to be," said one vet at a graduation ceremony during the center's 10th anniversary.

House Votes To End Shutdown: See How MD Delegation Voted

The House narrowly passed the spending package to reopen the government in a 222-209 vote Wednesday. Here's how MD representatives voted.

‘Bittersweet' Moment For Jackson As He Leaves Legislature To Lead Maryland State Police

The process to choose someone to take Jackson’s now-vacant seat in the Senate will involve Democratic Party officials in the district.

New Trump Administration Rule Would Override State Medical Debt Protections

Maryland is one of 14 states with laws that prohibit medical debt from being reported to credit reporting agencies.

Task Force Endorses Move Toward Natural Psychedelics For Clinical, Recreational Use

A report suggests that states take steps toward introducing psilocybin into medical settings before expanding to the commercial market.

Trump Proposes $2K Tariff Dividend: Who Would Qualify In MD?

It's unclear if all Marylanders would qualify if President Trump's proposed $2K tariff dividend materializes. Here's what we know.

States Told By Trump Administration To ‘Undo' Full SNAP Benefits For November

Gov. Wes Moore (D) last week authorized the transfer of $62 million to cover up to half of SNAP benefits for Maryland recipients.

Lawmakers Move To End Shutdown: How MD Senators Voted

If the budget deal is to be approved, it must pass the House, and President Donald Trump then must sign it. See where MD lawmakers stand.

Energized Dems Trumpet Wins In State Elections, Buckle Up For Midterms

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson said Wednesday there were “no surprises” in the previous day’s elections.

Progressive Maryland Takes A Bow, LGBTQIA+ Panel Wants Input, BGE Gets New VP, In Notes

“We’re celebrating 25 years of Progressive Maryland, the progress we have been able to make as a state,” Director Stafford said Friday.

Moore Pushes Congressional Redistricting Effort, Names Advisory Commission

The move to redraw Maryland's 8 congressional districts could set up a showdown with the Senate president, who opposes redistricting.

Trump Administration To Partially Pay SNAP Benefits: What It Means For MD

The administration had a Monday deadline to tell a federal judge whether it would resume SNAP funding to recipients in MD and nationwide.

Comptroller, Lawmakers Urge Moore To Cover Potential Lost SNAP Dollars With State Funds

With funds expected to run out on Saturday, the governor has not yet announced if or how he plans to address the loss in food benefits.

Lopez Says Agency Working To Address Foster Care Issues After Scathing Audit

Secretary Rafael Lopez told lawmakers that many of the problems in the agency were inherited.

Revised Chesapeake Bay Agreement Nearing Final Passage

It comes after Maryland's failed attempt to make the document more ambitious; final approval of the updated plan is expected in December.

Looming Pause In Federal Food Assistance Intensifies Shutdown Fight

As the government shutdown nears the four-week mark, AFGE urges Democratic senators to give in and pass a clean budget extension.

Moore Announces New Deputy Chiefs Of Staff, As Staff Changes Continue

Changes continue in senior leadership under Gov. Wes Moore (D), with the announcement Tuesday of two new deputy chiefs of staff.

Lawmakers Say Consistency, Efficiency Needed In Boards Licensing Health Professionals

An audit uncovered duplicated efforts, a patchwork of criminal background check policies and a lack of accountability.

Trump Administration Denies Appeal For Western Maryland Flood Aid

There is no legal recourse for the state to obtain additional funding, Gov. Wes Moore said.