State Roundup: Lawmakers reviewing Hogan budget with eye toward boosting schools, covid relief; contentious debate over spousal exemption
MD LAWMAKERS BEGIN REVIEW OF HOGAN BUDGET: Gov. Larry Hogan (R) predicted this week that leaders of the Democratic-controlled General Assembly would not have much to complain about when he released his $49.35 billion budget for fiscal 2022. And, he was right at least, to a degree, reports Ovetta Wiggins in the Post.
While they praised the spending plan in general, lawmakers said they’ll have work to find more ways to help public schools and people affected by the coronavirus pandemic, Pamela Wood and Bryn Stole of the Sun report.
State Roundup: Hogan budget prioritizes tax relief, education; Ferguson forms vaccine rollout oversight panel
HOGAN BUDGET EMPHASIZES TAX RELIEF, EDUCATION: Gov. Larry Hogan Tuesday previewed his administration’s FY 2022 budget proposal that, he said, will prioritize tax relief for individuals and small businesses and include record investments in education, the environment and public safety, Bryan Renbaum of Maryland Reporter writes.
Hogan (R) says his budget offers more money for education including record investments in school construction and a coronavirus relief package that would provide a $750 economic stimulus payment to the state’s poorest residents, Ovetta Wiggins of the Post reports.
State Roundup: Hogan urges quick passage of relief bill as unusual, difficult legislative session opens
On Wednesday, socially distanced members of the Maryland House of Delegates applaud the reelection of Speaker Adrienne Jones. MarylandReporter.com photo
UNUSUAL, DIFFICULT SESSION OPENS: Senate President Bill Ferguson kicked off the start of the 442nd session of Maryland General Assembly on Wednesday afternoon with a sobering observation that came as his 46 fellow lawmakers listened on from their glass booths, installed to maintain social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, writes Bryan Renbaum for Maryland Reporter. “This session will not be easy. In fact, it may be one of the most operationally difficult sessions that we have seen in the last 120 years,” Ferguson said in a floor speech shortly after he was unanimously re-elected to this current position.
State Roundup: As General Assembly opens, Hogan announces non-partisan redistricting panel
The Montgomery County senators, all Democrats: From left, Will Smith, chair, Judicial Proceedings Committee; Craig Zucker, vice chair, Rules; Cheryl Kagan, vice chair, Education, Health and Environmental Affairs; Susan Lee, Majority Whip; Ben Kramer; Nancy King, majority leader; Brian Feldman, vice chair, Finance; Jeff Waldstreicher, vice chair, Judicial Proceedings. From Sen. Kagan’s Facebook page
HOGAN ANNOUNCES NON-PARTISAN REDISTRICTING PANEL: Gov. Larry Hogan issued an order Tuesday to establish a redistricting commission that will be composed of ordinary citizens and is tasked with making the state’s congressional and legislative districts more competitive. Maryland has some of the most gerrymandered congressional districts in the nation, Bryan Renbaum reports for Maryland Reporter.
State Roundup: Annapolis, like other state capitals, bracing for armed pro-Trump protests; Hogan $1B in COVID aid
On Thursday at the D.C. Armory, Gov. Larry Hogan addressed members of the Maryland National Guard to help protect the Capitol after the riot there on Wednesday. Governor s Office photo by Joe Andrucyk
ANNAPOLIS BRACES FOR ARMED PRO-TRUMP PROTESTS: If armed protesters march on Maryland’s state capitol this Sunday the state’s law enforcement agencies will be ready to address the threat, according to Greg Shipley, spokesman for the Maryland State Police. And Gov. Larry Hogan said at a news conference on Monday morning that he is aware of the threat and that “additional security measures” will be implemented around state buildings in Annapolis, reports Bryan Renbaum of Maryland Reporter.