HOGAN'S SPEECH FOCUSES ON CRIME, BIPARTISANSHIP: Rachel Baye of WYPR-FM reports that Hogan told the General Assembly that in the 29 days since the legislative session began, 60 people have been shot, 23 killed. "The time has come for Baltimore City to finally take back its streets and communities once and for all," he said. "And they simply cannot do it without decisive action from this General Assembly."
OPINION: A CONGENIAL ADDRESS: The editorial board for the Sun opines that unlike the State of the Union address, during Gov. Hogan's State of the State, there was actual handshaking between the executive and lawmakers (a lot of it). No one tore up anyone else's speech, and no one stormed out in a huff. In fact, there was a lot of applause on the floor and several standing ovations. Not bad for a Republican governor appearing before a legislature that's overwhelmingly made up of Democrats. Both sides deserve a clap on the back for the efforts they've made to work together over the past five years and for the signals they're sending that this year will be no different.
WHEN MARYLAND MATTERED IN PRESIDENTIAL RACES: Len Lazarick of MarylandReporter recalls a time when Maryland mattered in presidential races and a reporter from a free weekly newspaper in that relatively new town of Columbia could meet many of could meet many of the candidates.
BILL WOULD BAR STATE SPENDING ON MAGLEV: Bruce DePuyt of Maryland Matters reports that the state would be barred from spending public funds to build or operate a proposed high-speed rail line linking Washington, D.C., and New York if a measure advanced by a Senate committee chairman becomes law. Sen. Paul G. Pinsky (D-Prince George's) told the Budget and Taxation Committee on Wednesday that the proposed Magnetic Levitation train would benefit "mostly lobbyists and bankers," and not the general public.
BILL ON HEALTH EXCHANGE SUBSIDIES: Tim Curtis of the Daily Record writes that supporters of a bill said Wednesday that providing state subsidies to some people who get their health insurance through Maryland's individual market would make plans for most people more affordable and bring more uninsured people into the market.
VOTER DATA SYSTEM SHUT DOWN DURING SPECIAL PRIMARY: A network designed to transmit Maryland voter data to state officials during elections had to be shut down during the 7th Congressional District primary because it was causing significant delays at polling sites, the Maryland State Board of Elections said Wednesday. Kevin Rector of the Sun reports that state officials were using the network for the first time on an election day during a special primary in the district, which includes parts of Baltimore City, Baltimore County and Howard County.
- Hogan, a Republican, made a direct appeal to the Democratic-majority General Assembly to embrace his agenda. He pressed his approach to reducing violent crime, securing a sweeping tax break for all retirees and overhauling political redistricting - proposals he has floated for years but lacked the political muscle to pass, Erin Cox and Ovetta Wiggins report for the Post.
- Hogan touched on all the usual topics: education, transportation, improving the state of the Chesapeake Bay and strengthening Maryland's economy. But all of those priorities pale in comparison, he said, to the need to address public safety in Baltimore, Amanda Yeager reports in the Baltimore Business Journal.
- Hogan called on legislators to focus on violent crime in Baltimore and lower taxes while revisiting themes of bipartisanship that he has touched on in his previous five annual addresses, reports Bryan Sears in the Daily Record. Hogan's speech, which lasted nearly 26 minutes, broke little new ground but instead focused on priorities that he has previously announced, including a call for a reduction of violent crime in Baltimore City.
- Tamela Baker of the Hagerstown Herald Mail reports that as in past years, local legislators liked what they heard in Hogan's State of the State address. But this year, the governor's emphasis on dealing with violent crime resonated most.
OPINION: A CONGENIAL ADDRESS: The editorial board for the Sun opines that unlike the State of the Union address, during Gov. Hogan's State of the State, there was actual handshaking between the executive and lawmakers (a lot of it). No one tore up anyone else's speech, and no one stormed out in a huff. In fact, there was a lot of applause on the floor and several standing ovations. Not bad for a Republican governor appearing before a legislature that's overwhelmingly made up of Democrats. Both sides deserve a clap on the back for the efforts they've made to work together over the past five years and for the signals they're sending that this year will be no different.
WHEN MARYLAND MATTERED IN PRESIDENTIAL RACES: Len Lazarick of MarylandReporter recalls a time when Maryland mattered in presidential races and a reporter from a free weekly newspaper in that relatively new town of Columbia could meet many of could meet many of the candidates.
BILL WOULD BAR STATE SPENDING ON MAGLEV: Bruce DePuyt of Maryland Matters reports that the state would be barred from spending public funds to build or operate a proposed high-speed rail line linking Washington, D.C., and New York if a measure advanced by a Senate committee chairman becomes law. Sen. Paul G. Pinsky (D-Prince George's) told the Budget and Taxation Committee on Wednesday that the proposed Magnetic Levitation train would benefit "mostly lobbyists and bankers," and not the general public.
BILL ON HEALTH EXCHANGE SUBSIDIES: Tim Curtis of the Daily Record writes that supporters of a bill said Wednesday that providing state subsidies to some people who get their health insurance through Maryland's individual market would make plans for most people more affordable and bring more uninsured people into the market.
VOTER DATA SYSTEM SHUT DOWN DURING SPECIAL PRIMARY: A network designed to transmit Maryland voter data to state officials during elections had to be shut down during the 7th Congressional District primary because it was causing significant delays at polling sites, the Maryland State Board of Elections said Wednesday. Kevin Rector of the Sun reports that state officials were using the network for the first time on an election day during a special primary in the district, which includes parts of Baltimore City, Baltimore County and Howard County.
- Danielle Gaines of Maryland Matters reports that while a similar network has been used previously at the limited number of early voting centers in Maryland's counties, the special election on Tuesday marked the first widespread election day use of the network. State elections board members and Montgomery County officials in recent months have questioned the necessity and security of the network.