ADVOCATES SAY NEW STATE RULES BURDEN DISABLED PEOPLE, CAREGIVERS: Disability advocates who receive “self-directed” care rallied Tuesday in Annapolis to protest new state documentation requirements that they say were rushed through and will burden thousands of disabled people and their caretakers with unnecessary paperwork. Danielle Brown/Maryland Matters.
STATE COMMISSION DELAYS MONEY-MAKING EFFORTS TO FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE: A state commission is moving closer to suggesting that Maryland adopt aggressive revenue-generating measures to fund programs that confront climate change — but put off a decision Tuesday until next month, so members can evaluate the impact of the presidential election on state policymaking. Josh Kurtz/Maryland Matters.
ENVIRONMENTALISTS TO SEEK BOTTLE BILL TO INCREASE RECYCLING: It’s time to put Mr. Trash Wheel on a diet. Environmentalists say the iconic Baltimore waterfront hero has gobbled up too many plastic bottles — 1.8 million to be exact — over the last decade. They are pushing the Maryland General Assembly to pass a ‘bottle bill’ in the upcoming session in hopes of increasing recycling. Wambui Kamau/WYPR-FM.
STATE CENTER SETTLEMENT COULD MEAN REVIVAL OF CITY AREA: A decades-old effort to redevelop a decrepit state office complex could end today with a $58.5 million state settlement payment to a developer once charged with the revitalization project, if the Board of Public Works approves the payment. Bryan Sears/Maryland Matters.
- Its approval would mark the end of a two-decade saga in which plans to reimagine the 28-acre, 1950s-era campus into a mix of residences, shops and office space were created — and then fell apart — through a series of lawsuits and changing administrations. Gov. Wes Moore says the lawsuit dating back to his predecessor’s cancellation of the project prevented the formation of new plans and “much-needed investment” in the city. Sam Janesch/The Baltimore Sun.
SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS BULLISH ON GOV. MOORE, STATE ECONOMY: Attendees to a large conference of small businesses in Maryland seemed bullish on the economy, which largely hadn’t affected their businesses negatively, as well as the leadership of Gov. Wes Moore. “It’s my impression that the state of Maryland is a great place for small businesses, and it seems that the governor, really and his entire administration, is focused on helping to grow small businesses,” said one Montgomery County businessowner. Racquel Bazos/The Baltimore Sun.
***Maryland Reporter is happy to join with the Community Foundation of Howard County in honoring our long-time colleague and friend Jean Moon, our friends at HoCoPoLitSo (the Howard County Poetry & Literature Society that Jean co-founded 50 years ago), and major local philanthropists Greg and Roberta Kahlert and their Kahlert Foundation at the Community Foundation’s Annual Dinner and Celebration of Philanthropy on Dec. 10 at Turf Valley. Individual tickets are sold out, but sponsorships are still available. Contact Dan Flynn via dflynn@cfhoco.org.***
BAY AREA CLOSER TO BECOMING PART OF NATIONAL PARKS SYSTEM: The Chesapeake Bay area is one step closer to becoming part of the national parks system. The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on Tuesday passed the Chesapeake Bay National Recreation Area Act, moving it onto the Senate floor. The measure, sponsored by Maryland Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen, would create the Chesapeake National Recreation Area in Maryland and Virginia and make it part of a network of sites overseen by the National Park Service. Andrea Duran of Capital News Service/MarylandReporter.com.
DELEGATE URGES MOORE TO OPPOSE POWER LINE PROJECT: Del. Nino Mangione is urging Gov. Wes Moore to “get off the fence” and oppose the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project. Moore has said he will wait to take a stance on the project until it goes before the state Public Service Commission which will ultimately decide on the project. Maxine Streicher/WBFF-TV News.
CARROLL RESIDENTS CAN KEEP POWERLINE CREWS OFF PROPERTY: Carroll County residents have the right to stop crews with the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project from coming onto their property, according to a news release Monday from Carroll County State’s Attorney Haven Shoemaker. Sherry Greenfield/The Carroll County Times.
MO CO COUNCIL CONSIDER BILL TO PROTECT SOME UNDOCUMENTED: The Montgomery County Council is considering making a change to local law in order to expand protections for certain undocumented immigrants in Maryland. A bill announced Tuesday would impact special visas, called U-visas, that give legal status to undocumented immigrants who are victims of certain violent crimes. Nick Iannelli/WTOP-FM.
CHARLES COUNTY PARENT THREATENS SUIT AFTER SCHOOL INCIDENT: The mother of a Charles County second-grader injured after he allegedly was “hung” by another student said Tuesday that the family intends to pursue legal action and that the boy won’t return to the elementary school. Martin Weil, Emma Uber and Nicole Asbury/The Washington Post.
- School officials and the Charles County Sheriff’s Office are investigating an incident at an elementary school in the county that has sparked concern after a young student’s mother posted about it on social media. Abby Zimmardi/The Baltimore Banner.
ST. JOHN’S COLLEGE SEEKS PUBLIC INPUT ON WHAT TO DO ABOUT SLAVERY TIES: Seven buildings at St. John’s College, a small liberal arts school in Annapolis founded before slavery was abolish, are named after prominent early alumni and board members who enslaved African Americans, according to a new report released by the college. Other Maryland colleges have commissioned reports, added plaques and, in some cases, renamed buildings associated with slavery. But what St. John’s does next will depend on what its community wants. Ellie Wolfe/The Baltimore Banner.
SENATE BILL WOULD MOVE COMMANDERS STADIUM BACK TO D.C.: A bill that would transfer control of the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium land from the federal government to the District of Columbia passed a hurdle in the U.S. Senate on Tuesday. The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee voted 17-2 to advance the bill, which still needs approval from the full Senate. The legislation could help bring the NFL’s Washington Commanders back to the nation’s capital, but some Maryland lawmakers are opposed to the bill. The team currently plays in Northwest Stadium in Landover. Marijke Friedman of Capital News Service/MarylandReporter.com.
