DOZENS OF LICENSING, PERMIT FEES HAVE RISEN OVER TWO YEARS: Driver learners’ permits and specialty license plates. Permissions to work as a barber, nail technician, plumber or engineer. Vehicle registration, handgun permits and cigarettes. The cost for those and dozens of other types of licenses or activities regulated by the state of Maryland are ticking up, according to a review of Maryland regulations and laws passed in the last two years. Sam Janesch/The Baltimore Sun.
HOGAN BLASTS MOORE ON NEW TAXES AND FEES: Now running for U.S. Senate at a time when voters are concerned about rising costs, Larry Hogan hasn’t only evoked his history of cutting tolls and stifling new fees as governor. He’s railed against what he’s said are “338 new Maryland taxes and fees” enacted since he passed the torch to Democratic Gov. Wes Moore. Sam Janesch/The Baltimore Sun.
MARYLAND COULD BE BLUEPRINT FOR RAISING BLACK POLITICAL LEADERS: Maryland has a chance to become the first state to elect a Black governor, attorney general and U.S. senator concurrently, transforming the state into the nation’s center of Black political power in just two election cycles. Having three sitting Black politicians at the same time in the state’s top elected offices would make Maryland a blueprint worthy of studying by political strategists, said Michael K. Fauntroy, director of the Race, Politics, and Policy Center in the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University. John John Williams/The Baltimore Banner.
MOORE PAC AIRS AD TARGETING SENATE CANDIDATE HOGAN ON ABORTION: A political action committee connected to Gov. Wes Moore (D) has begun airing its first ad targeting former Gov. Larry Hogan’s bid for U.S. Senate. Like most attacks on Hogan (R) since he entered the Senate race, the 30-second digital ad from the Unity First PAC, which is now live, focuses on abortion. Hogan, who has scrambled to ease fears that he will be an anti-abortion vote on Capitol Hill, began airing two ads of his own on abortion and women’s rights on Thursday. Josh Kurtz/Maryland Matters.
- Moore’s involvement with the PAC underscores the significant extent to which he has tied himself to the campaign of Alsobrooks, 53, the Prince George’s County executive. Analysts believe the Nov. 5 election to succeed the retiring Sen. Ben Cardin presents Moore’s biggest political test since his own 2022 election victory. Jeff Barker/The Baltimore Sun.
FEDERAL FREE COVID VACCINE PROGRAM ENDS: For the 6% of Marylanders who do not have health care coverage, getting a COVID-19 vaccine could be more expensive than in previous years — costing upwards of $200 for one shot. That’s because a federal program that provided free vaccinations for those uninsured and underinsured ended in late August, even as federal health officials are urging people to get the newest version of the COVID-19 vaccine. Danielle Brown/Maryland Matters.
FACIAL RECOGNITION RULES ARE DUE BUT ACLU SEEKS MORE PROTECTIONS: A fast-approaching deadline has the ACLU of Maryland calling for more protections as state police outline how local enforcement agencies will be able to use facial recognition technology. After years of debate on the use of the technology, which is often deployed as a surveillance tool in police investigations, legislation that put restrictions on facial recognition systems passed this year and was signed by Gov. Wes Moore in April. Penelope Blackwell/The Baltimore Banner.
***BREWSTER BOOK EVENT: U.S. Sen. Daniel Brewster lived a life full of inspiring highs and debilitating lows. On Sept. 26, 5:30 p.m., join John Frece, author of Self-Destruction: The Rise, Fall, and Redemption of U.S. Senator Daniel B. Brewster, in conversation with Gerry Brewster, former delegate and son of the late senator, moderated by historian Charles Mitchell at the Maryland Center for History and Culture in Baltimore. Explore the senator’s life and career like his run in the 1964 presidential primary election and his fight for civil rights. A book signing and light reception will follow. You must register here. Read the book review in Maryland Reporter.***
MOORE SAYS HE HAS BEEN ATTACKED OVER BRONZE STAR CLAIM: Gov. Wes Moore said he has been attacked over his military service record, including recent revelations that he claimed a military honor for which he had been recommended but never received. Moore’s comments came during an hour-long interview Friday at the Texas Tribune Festival with NPR host Michele Martin. Moore said he was “recently attacked because, 20 years ago, on an application” he claimed he was awarded a Bronze Star — a medal he ultimately did not receive. Bryan Sears/Maryland Matters.
- Their conversation encompassed a broad range of topics, including the tenuous national political climate, the recent Baltimore Sun purchase and Maryland’s juvenile justice reforms. Brenda Wintrode/The Baltimore Banner.
- You can watch the video interview here. The Texas Tribune.
VETERANS DIVIDED OVER IMPORTANCE OF MOORE CLAIM: A week after Gov. Wes Moore admitted that he inaccurately claimed to be the recipient of a prestigious military award years ago, veterans in the state he runs remain divided on the gravity of the situation. Jonathan Pitts/The Baltimore Sun.
CHILD VICTIMS ACT GOES BEFORE STATE SUPREMES TUESDAY: On Oct. 1, the Maryland’s Child Victims Act took effect, erasing time limits for those sexually abused as children to sue their abusers and the institutions that enabled their torment. But now that law hangs in the balance because of legal challenges from the Washington diocese and others sued under the act. The Supreme Court of Maryland is slated to hear arguments Tuesday about the constitutionality of the nascent child victims law and, within roughly a year, determine whether it’s legal. Alex Mann/The Baltimore Sun.
HARFORD TEEN CHARGED WITH MURDER; SOME SCHOOLS CLOSE PART OF THIS WEEK: A 16-year-old has been charged with murder in the shooting of a student at a Harford County high school. The teen is being held at the Harford County Detention Center. He’s also charged with first- and second-degree assault and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony/crime of violence. Brett Barrouquere/The Baltimore Banner.
- As of Friday night a gun had not been recovered, but there was “overwhelming evidence” in the investigation, the Sheriff said. Clara Longo de Freitas, Kristen Griffith and Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner.
- Following the shooting at Joppatowne High School that killed a 15-year-old student Friday, five Harford County Public Schools will be closed for part of this week. Joppatowne High will be closed Monday to Wednesday, with the school district saying Saturday, “It is our intention to have students return on Thursday…” Matt Hubbard and Dylan Mullan/The Aegis.
- Gov. Wes Moore said he and first lady Dawn Moore are heartbroken about the tragedy and thanked local authorities for their swift response as “we grieve the loss of a life cut short. Maryland prays for the young victim of this senseless act, Warren Curtis Grant – as well as his family, friends, teachers, mentors, and loved ones. We are thankful to local authorities, the Maryland State Police, first responders, school staff, and many other leaders for their swift response. … our administration stands ready to lend full support to authorities as they conduct a thorough investigation into this matter.” Robert Sobus/WBAL-AM News.
MO CO SCHOOLS EXPLORE USING WEAPONS DETECTORS: Montgomery County Public Schools leadership is in the “early stages” of reviewing whether the district should add weapons detectors, security and compliance chief Marcus Jones said. “I think that it is something that we may be venturing into in the near future,” Jones said. Nicole Asbury/The Washington Post.
FORMER HARFORD EXEC RECOVERING – NOT DEAD — AFTER HORRIFIC ACCIDENT: Jim Harkins wants you to know: He’s alive and doing quite well, thank you. The former Harford County executive was in a terrible accident this summer that put him in Maryland’s shock-trauma unit and in rehab for almost a month. He is at home recovering, and he will require some surgeries on his legs this fall. But he’s doing a lot better than some people think. Josh Kurtz/Maryland Matters.
OPINION: ABOLISH BIG TIME COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND BASKETBALL: It’s good news that in May, the National College Athletic Association and its power conferences agreed to pay college athletes over the next decade an estimated $2.8 billion from the megabucks that football and basketball teams generate. Athletes can give it the old college try while making a helluva lot of money. But here’s a much better idea: Abolish big-time college football and basketball altogether. Kalman Hettleman/Maryland Matters.
