AS HOYER EMBARKS ON LIFE CHANGES, WILL HE REMAIN IN HOUSE? As U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer prepares to be the guest of honor at Thursday evening’s annual dinner for the Maryland Democratic Party, as he prepares for his wedding Saturday to Elaine Kamarck, a political thought leader in her own right, there’s rampant speculation about whether he will seek a 21st full term in 2024, or if he’s finally ready to turn the keys to the 5th congressional district, which includes Southern Maryland, parts of Prince George’s County and a small piece of Anne Arundel County, over to someone else. Josh Kurtz and William Ford/Maryland Matters.
EX-PORT CHIEF ACCEPTS TRADE GROUP POST: William P. Doyle, who abruptly resigned as the top official at the Maryland Port Administration last week, has landed a new job with an industry trade group. Dredging Contractors of America announced Doyle as the group’s new CEO and executive director on Tuesday. That’s the same day that it became public that Doyle resigned as director of the port administration days after authorities alleged he crashed his state-owned Jeep on the Jones Falls Expressway and left the scene. Pamela Wood/The Baltimore Banner.
STUDIES HIGHLIGHT TRANSPORTATION POLLUTION IN MARYLAND: As Maryland moves closer to adopting rules designed to reduce carbon emissions in the transportation sector, environmental groups on Wednesday released reports emphasizing the hazards of transportation pollution and outlining steps needed to improve air quality and public health and address the climate crisis in the state. The studies were released as the Maryland Department of the Environment held a hearing Wednesday on a proposed rule that would align the state with California’s aggressive goals for electric vehicle sales. Josh Kurtz/Maryland Matters.
MARYLAND PUSHES FOR STRONGER HIPAA REGS FOR ABORTION SEEKERS: Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown is joining with 24 other states in urging the Biden administration to move forward with new rules that would strengthen HIPAA protections for people receiving abortions. HIPAA stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. Scott Maucione/WYPR-FM.
NAACP HEAD CRITICIZES MARYLAND’s EDUCATION OF BLACK STUDENTS: Ryan Coleman, president of the Randallstown NAACP, is speaking out Wednesday after the civil rights group’s conference on education. The organization calls the education system critical in some districts with African American students at risk. At issue is what the civil rights group calls the “dreadful” condition of the education of black students statewide. Keith Daniels/WBFF-TV.
EX-DEL. IMPALLARIA GETS PROBATION BEFORE JUDGMENT: Former state Del. Rick Impallaria, accused of improperly using state taxpayer money to pay for a residence he passed off as an office, emerged from court Wednesday with no conviction on his record. Pamela Wood/The Baltimore Banner.
- An Anne Arundel County Circuit Court Judge on Wednesday sentenced Impallaria to probation before judgment after he pleaded guilty earlier this year to misconduct in office. “It’s resolved, no conviction,” said Steven D. Silverman, Impallaria’s attorney. Bryan Sears and William Ford/Maryland Matters.
FEDERALSBURG BLACK RESIDENTS HAVE SHOT AT COUNCIL REPRESENTATION: A monumental change happened this week in Federalsburg, a 2,800-person Caroline County town near the Delaware state line. After nearly a year of negotiations and a federal lawsuit filed on behalf of Black residents, the Federalsburg Town Council quickly introduced and adopted a change Monday that could mean the election of the first person of color to the town’s governing body in its 200-year history. The creation of a new majority-Black district for half the council seats — in a town where not quite half the residents are Black — was an overdue victory. Sam Janesch/The Baltimore Sun.
STATE TREASURER DAVIS TO HOLD ‘AUTOMATIC’ FUND-RAISER: State Treasurer Dereck Davis (D) is keeping his options open. Davis, who has been in the position since December 2021, is holding a fundraiser in August. Just in case. That’s unusual for a state treasurer. Davis, in an interview Wednesday called the fundraising “automatic,” the result of being in public office for three decades. Bryan Sears/Maryland Matters.
CARDIN, MFUME INTRODUCE McNAIR BILL IN CONGRESS: It’s been more than five-years since former University of Maryland football player Jordan McNair died of heatstroke after collapsing during practice. An independent investigation found inadequate tools were used to cool McNair down. On Wednesday Maryland’s congressional delegation introduced the Jordan McNair Student Athlete Heat Fatality Prevention Act. Staff/WMAR-TV.
- U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) has filed the bill for the Senate to consider, while U.S. Rep. Kweisi Mfume (D-7th) will carry it in the House. “Awareness of the warning signs, coupled with strong and consistent emergency procedures are important for keeping our student-athletes healthy, especially in extreme temperatures,” Cardin said in a written statement. Danielle Brown/Maryland Matters.
WHY IS EX-COMMISH STILL ON B’MORE PAYROLL? Two weeks after former Baltimore Police Commissioner Michael Harrison announced his abrupt resignation, he remains on the city payroll. And City Hall won’t say why. Mayor Brandon Scott’s administration won’t disclose the terms of Harrison’s separation. The mayor’s director of communications, Bryan Doherty, has repeatedly declined to provide any resignation letter from the commissioner or even the date of any such letter. Tim Prudente/The Baltimore Banner.
