MD Gov Wes Moore Holds First Bill Signing Ceremony

Hermann-Financial

The Maryland General Assembly session ended last night and today Governor Wes Moore held a bill signing ceremony. Included in the bills that were signed were three key measures. The Fair Wage Act of 2023, which raises the minimum wage in Maryland effective January 1, 2024. The acceleration brings the minimum wage up to $15…

Read More

Maryland HB 119 Would Mandate the Development of a Comprehensive Health Education Framework for Schools in All Counties

MD House Chamber
Hermann-Financial

A measure in the Maryland State House (HB 119) would require the State Department of Education along with the Department of Health to develop a comprehensive health education framework; requiring each county board of education to create an age-appropriate curriculum that is consistent with the comprehensive health education framework; requiring each county board to establish…

Read More

Legislation Announced Creating Maryland’s New Legal, Adult-Use Cannabis Industry

Medical Marijuana Plant - Photo - © Copyright EpicStockMedia/Shutterstock
Hermann-Financial

Legislation that establishes Maryland’s new legal, adult-use cannabis industry has been announced by Senate President Bill Ferguson and House Speaker Adrienne Jones. This program is aimed at curbing illicit sales, addressing equity in licensing, taxation and regulation – and meets the July 1, 2023 program implementation goal. Adult-use cannabis will be regulated in the same…

Read More

Video | Gov. Larry Hogan Addresses Law Enforcement Training Session In Ocean City

Governor Larry Hogan addressed Maryland law enforcement officers in Ocean City Tuesday (photo courtesy of the office of Governor Larry Hogan)
Hermann-Financial

Governor Larry Hogan (R.-Md.) appeared in Ocean City Tuesday to address the Maryland Municipal League Police Executive Association Annual Training Conference. “Every single day that I have served as governor, I have been immensely proud of all our law enforcement officers, including all who serve in Maryland’s municipal police agencies,” Hogan said. “Our state and…

Read More

Update / Video: Sine Die Day For Md. General Assembly

MD State Capitol
Hermann-Financial

(Story Update) The curtain has come down on the 2022 Maryland General Assembly session.Speaking hours before the late-night gavel, Governor Larry Hogan said late Monday that the session produced agreement on a tax cut package and leaves Maryland with a healthy budget surplus.Not all of the Governor’s proposals were enacted – including tougher sentences for…

Read More

Legal Case Against Redrawn Md. Congressional Districts Moves Forward

Screen shot of Md. Legislative Redistricting Commission congressional map proposal
Hermann-Financial

Fair Maps Maryland will be able to move forward with its claims of partisan gerrymandering in the state’s congressional redistricting process. The group, which has ties to Governor Larry Hogan, has objected to both congressional and legislative maps produced by the Maryland General Assembly’s commission on redistricting. Anne Arundel County Circuit Court Judge Lynne A.…

Read More

Md. Board of Ed. Votes To End School Mask Mandate

Hermann-Financial

The Maryland State Board of Education voted Tuesday to rescind the statewide school mask mandate effective next Tuesday, March 1st. The decision is subject to approval of the Maryland General Assembly’s Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review. “I want to thank the State Board of Education for heeding our call to rescind its…

Read More

Parents’ Rights Surrounding Education Are Part Of Md. House GOP Caucus Agenda

MD House Chamber
Hermann-Financial

Maryland House Republicans are putting forth legislation in 2022 focused on tax relief, limited government, and parental rights surrounding their children’s education. Delegate Jeff Ghrist, R-Caroline County is lead sponsor of the “Right to Learn Act of 2022.” According to the legislation: families of children in schools with two consecutive years of rating two stars…

Read More

Controversy Swirls Around Md. Legislative Redistricting Votes

Hermann-Financial

The Maryland House of Delegates has approved new maps for legislative districts that were produced by the General Assembly’s Legislative Redistricting Advisory Commission. Republican lawmakers made a final attempt Thursday to get support for maps produced by the Maryland Citizens Redistricting Commission, a panel that was appointed by Governor Larry Hogan in early 2021. Fair…

Read More

VIDEO | Md. Gov. Hogan Presents FY ’23 Budget

Budget
Hermann-Financial

As he begins his final year in office, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan Wednesday presented his Fiscal Year 2023 budget plan – a plan he said would provide major tax relief for retirees and working families, makes record investments into education and school construction, and boosts the state’s Rainy Day fund. Hogan also said the budget…

Read More

Maryland Lawmakers Head Into 2022 Session

MD State Capitol
Hermann-Financial

The Maryland General Assembly begins its 2022 90-day session Wednesday in Annapolis. “There is a lot of work to do getting our bills ready, starting to build consensus and getting signatures for cosponsors and so forth,” Delegate Wayne Hartman, R-Dist. 38C said to WGMD’s Mike Bradley on the day before the start of the session.…

Read More

VIDEO: Gov Larry Hogan Announces Expansion of Re-Fund the Police Initiative

Hermann-Financial

Governor Larry Hogan today announced the expansion of his Re-Fund The Police Initiative to a three-year, $500 million investment in increased support for law enforcement, and for increased crime control and victim protection services across the state. The governor also announced that he will reintroduce legislation to address violent crime during the upcoming session of the Maryland…

Read More

Lawsuit Promised To Challenge Md. General Assembly-Approved Congressional Maps

Hermann-Financial

“Aggressive legal action” is being planned against a Congressional redistricting map passed by the Maryland General Assembly. Fair Maps Maryland describes itself as a nonpartisan grass roots organization. Spokesman Doug Mayer said the General Assembly ignored the will of the overwhelming majority of Marylanders and is violating state and federal law. The maps have also…

Read More

Questions Arise About Public Comment Ahead Of Md. Special Session On Redistricting

Screen shot of Md. Legislative Redistricting Commission congressional map proposal
Hermann-Financial

Marylanders have the opportunity to testify during a General Assembly special session next week, but one group says the process of submitting comment is not very inviting. Governor Larry Hogan Thursday encouraged support for the fair maps he has transmitted to the Maryland General Assembly on behalf of the Maryland Citizens Redistricting Commission. “Gerrymandering has rightly been…

Read More

Md. Citizens Redistricting Commission Opens 3rd Round Of Hearings

Hermann-Financial

The Maryland Citizens Redistricting Commission begins a third round of virtual meetings. The panel was appointed by Governor Larry Hogan to draw up ‘fair and representative’ legislative and Congressional district maps for the 2022 elections. The Commission has drawn up proposed maps, while considering dozens that have already been submitted by the public. Marylanders may…

Read More

Md. GOP Lawmakers Seek Repeal Of “Netflix Tax”

MD State Capitol
Hermann-Financial

Maryland Senate Republicans are seeking to repeal what’s known as the Netflix Tax, a tax on streaming services, audiobooks, e-books and other digital content. Members of the GOP Caucus released a video message Thursday as they began a grassroots petition drive in their attempt to repeal the tax in January, 2022. According to Senate Minority…

Read More

Eastern Shore Lawmaker Gets GOP Leadership Role

MD State Capitol
Hermann-Financial

Members of the Maryland House of Delegates Republican Caucus have elected new leadership. Delegate Jason Buckel of Allegany County will serve as House Minority Leader. Delegate Christopher Adams of the Eastern Shore’s District 37-B becomes Minority Whip. Former Minority Leader Nic Kipke and Minority Whip Kathy Szeliga had previously announced their intention to step down…

Read More