Governors Hogan, Carney and Others Urge Federal Lawmakers to Restore Chesapeake Bay Funding

In a letter addressed to the U.S. Senate and U.S. House Appropriations Committees, a number of leaders with interest in the Chesapeake Bay requested further funding, and millions were slashed by the Trump administration. Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, Chair of the Chesapeake Bay Commission Tawanna Gaines, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf,…

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Maryland Lawmakers Raise Tobacco Purchase Age to 21, Await Governor’s Signature

Maryland lawmakers in both chambers of the General Assembly have passed a bill that would raise the state’s minimum age to purchase tobacco products from 18 to 21 years old. The legislation, co-sponsored by House Speaker Michael Busch, a Democrat was introduced in the House in February. Following the addition of amendments, including allowing active…

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Maryland Lawmakers Consider Background Checks for Private Gun Sales

MD Senate Chamber

The Maryland State Senate is set to take up a bill that would require background checks on private sales of riles and shotguns. The Senate will take up a different version of the bill than the one passed by the House of Delegates. If approved, a conference committee will have to iron out the differences…

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Maryland Seafood Industry Will Recieve H2-B Workers This Season

crabs

—————————————————————-The Trump administration is set to allocate an additional 30,000 H-2B visas this year, positive news for Maryland’s seafood industry. Waterman and seafood companies depend on seasonal migrant workers who legally, temporarily visit the United States to pick crab meat, and then return home to Central and South American countries. Maryland U.S. Senator Chris Van…

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Governor Hogan Vetoes $15 Minimum Wage Bill

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, a Republican has vetoed two notable pieces of legislation advanced by the Democratic controlled state legislature in both the House and Senate. The Governor previously criticized the $15 minimum wage legislation, saying it would hurt “mom and pop businesses” and lead to the “elimination of 9,000 jobs for the very people…

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Maryland No Longer Recognizes Green, Libertarian Parties

Voters registered in the Green and Libertarian Parties in the State of Maryland find themselves without a recognized party affiliation. As of 2018, there were 21,713 registered Libertarians in the state and 9,164 registered Green Party members. The State has said neither party meets the requirements to appear on the ballot so members have been…

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Maryland Senate Passes “Fight for 15” Minimum Wage Bill

MD Senate Chamber

On Wednesday, the Maryland State Senate passed legislation that would raise the state’s minimum wage to $15 dollars an hour by 2025, in a 32-13 vote along party lines. The bill, which has already passed in the House of Delegates calls for a gradual, incremental increase in the State’s minimum wage over the next six…

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Maryland Teachers “March for our Schools” in Annapolis

Public school teachers from across the state of Maryland, including the Eastern Shore rallied at the State Capitol in Annapolis on Monday evening, pushing for changes in the way public schools are funded. The Maryland State Educators Association says it’s goal is to “end the $2.9 billion funding gap impacting Maryland’s schools — an average…

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Maryland Governor Larry Hogan Unveils FY 2020 Supplemental Budget

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan has submitted his supplemental budget for the Fiscal Year 2020, which the Governor’s office boasts as saving 27 million dollars in general funds, providing increased funding for state and local initiatives and making “necessary technical corrections.” The Governor’s Office says it includes 2.8 million dollars for the University of Maryland, 1.5…

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Senator Marybeth Carozza’s Corner in Annapolis

SB 336:  Maryland Senator Mary Beth Carozza’s first bill passed the State Senate at the end of February. Senate Bill 336 pertains to residency requirements for those running for Somerset County Commissioner.  The measure, which restores the residency requirement, received a unanimous vote.  The bill requires that candidates who run for Somerset County Commissioner live…

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Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Denies Rehearing on Artificial Island Costs

A rehearing request on the cost allocation of the $278-million Artificial Island transmission line project has been denied by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.  A fair allocation has been established for the FERC that will greatly reduce future costs for businesses and residential electric ratepayers on Delmarva.  Initial calculations would have had Delaware and Maryland…

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Maryland Senate Advances Measure Banning Styrofoam Products

MD State Capitol

Maryland’s State Senate has voted in favor of a measure that would ban the use of styrofoam products in the food service industry. The bill, which would take effect on July 1, 2020 would fine violators unto 250 dollars per violation after receiving a written warning. A similar measure is currently pending in the state…

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Maryland Lawmakers Consider 15 Dollar Minimum Wage

MD State Capitol

In the midst of the 2019 legislative session, lawmakers at Maryland’s State House in Annapolis are considering raising the minimum wage to 15 dollars an hour. A bill introduced into the House would incrementally raise the minimum wage starting this summer where it would increase to 11 dollars in July, from the current 10.10 dollars…

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State Fire Marshal Investigates House Fire in Crisfield

The Maryland State Fire Marshal’s office says it is investigating following a structure fire at a home in Crisfield on Thursday afternoon. Officials say the blaze broke out shortly after 4 p.m. at a home at 3188 William Maddox Road. The structure, a two story, wood frame, single family home sustained serious damage in the…

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Maryland Board of Education Sets February Meeting

The Maryland State Board of Education has announced it’s regular meeting set for Tuesday, February 26 at the Maryland State Department of Education in Baltimore. The meeting’s itinerary includes honoring the Milken Award Recipient, fourth grade teacher Brian Quinn of East Silver Spring Elementary School, a review of the state’s progress in complying with federal…

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Maryland Measure Allowing Unspecified Gender Advances in Senate

The Maryland State Senate has advanced a measure that would allow for residents to select an unspecified gender on the driver’s licenses. Senators gave the measure preliminary approval on Wednesday. The bill would allow applicants to identify as male, female or unspecified. If the applicant identifies as an unspecified sex, the Motor Vehicle Administration would…

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UPDATED: DSP Make Arrest in Harrington Shooting Death

UPDATED  2/16/19 – A Maryland man has turned himself in to Delaware State Police after a shooting in Harrington that left a New Jersey man dead.  Harrington Police found 24 year old Donte Demunguia of New Jersey with a gunshot wound at the base of a staircase in a Park Brown Road apartment.  He was…

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Maryland Governor Hogan Championing Clean Cars Act

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, a Republican, gave presentation at the State House in Annapolis on Thursday regarding the “Clean Cars Act”, legislation that highlights the importance of converting to more environmentally-sound technology. With his wife, First Lady Yumi Hogan alongside him, the Governor test drove several fuel-cell technology cars. He did so to highlight the…

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Maryland Lawmakers Consider Changes to School After Labor Day Law

MD State Capitol

Several Maryland State House committees have approved a bill that would give local school districts the option of returning to starting the school year before Labor Day. The 2017-2018 school year was the first in Maryland to start after Labor Day, after an executive order, championed by Comptroller Peter Franchot was signed by Governor Larry…

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Maryland to Sample Air Quality on Lower Eastern Shore

farmmachinery-sprayer

Maryland officials are set to sample the air quality on the lower Eastern Shore, specifically the effects from large poultry houses. The Maryland Department of the Environment announced Tuesday that monitoring stations will collect preliminary data on ammonia and particulate matter levels near poultry houses for comparison with air quality elsewhere in the state. The…

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Annual Teacher’s Fair in Ocean View Set for February

An annual teacher’s fair is set for late February in Ocean View, Delaware. The fair will be comprised of all 18 school districts in the state of Delaware, and all seven on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The goal of the fair is to recruit new educators, and serve as a networking opportunity. The event will be…

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House Fire Displaces Maryland Family

A Caroline County family was displaced after their home caught on fire Wednesday. The blaze happened in the afternoon hours at a one-story home located at 25722 Old Mill Lane in Greensboro. The Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office tells WGMD the fire occurred around 1 p.m. Damages are estimated at around 100,000 dollars to the…

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Berlin DUI Suspect Sentenced to 10 Years Prison

Maryland Authorities have sentenced a man who killed a bicyclist in Berlin to ten years in prison. 59-year-old Jonathan Kidder was sentenced Tuesday for a hit and run crash that killed 38-year-old Jose Pineda in May of 2018. Kidder was found guilty of negligent homicide by a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.…

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