At Democrats’ Annual Luncheon, Relief To See Federal Lawmakers Safe — And Resolve

Several officials offered their views during the annual luncheon and rally the Maryland Democratic Party hosts each January.

House GOP To Get New Leadership — After Session

House Republicans unanimously re-elected their top leaders on Wednesday — with a caveat.

Kalman Hettleman: Emergency Action Needed To Confront State Mismanagement Of School Funding

Part two of two centers on possible reform to the Maryland State Department of Education.

Meet The Freshmen: New Faces For The 442nd General Assembly Session

(Editor’s Note: This story was updated to include appointments made Wednesday morning; freshmen from the House and Senate are listed.)

Confused About The Rules Of The 2021 Legislative Session? We’re Here To Help

Questions, answers relevant to public attendance, COVID-19 precautions, how the sessions will be conducted, other factors, herein.

Hogan Opens Session With Controversial Appointments

Hours before the General Assembly gaveled in for its 442nd session, Gov. Lawrence J. Hogan Jr. (R) announced a round of appointments.

Promises To Work Together — But Also Glaring Differences — As Unprecedented Session Begins

The first day of the Maryland General Assembly brought an initial promise that Hogan and Democrats would work collaboratively on priorities.

MD Governor To Have Surgery For Skin Cancer

Gov. Larry Hogan will be treated for skin cancer with an outpatient surgery, his spokesman said. He also had skin cancer in 2015.

David Plymyer: Del. Daniel Cox Must Be Removed From Office

Getting elected by the voters alone is not sufficient to qualify a person to serve as a member of the Maryland General Assembly.

Maryland ACLU Hires A Public Policy Director

The American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland announced this week that it has hired Caylin A. Young as its new public policy director.

Preparing To Override Blueprint Bill Veto, Lawmakers Say State Has Enough Money To Fund It Through ’26

Democrats intend to override Republican Gov. Lawrence J. Hogan Jr.’s veto of a 10-year multibillion-dollar education reform effort.

Speaker Hands Out Gavels, Shuffles Committee Assignments

On the eve of the new General Assembly session, House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones (D-Baltimore County) announced some leadership appointments.

Senate’s New GOP Leaders Pledge Cooperation But Vow To ‘Fight Back’ When Necessary

The Maryland Senate’s new Republican leaders, more conservative than predecessors, say they plan to collaborate with Democratic colleagues.

State Board Of Elections Chairman Will Leave Term Early

Maryland State Board of Elections Chairman Michael R. Cogan (R) announced he will be stepping down after the board's February meeting.

State House Security Beefed Up In Maryland, Inauguration Travel Discouraged Amid Nationwide Threats

Security will be heightened around the State House and capital complex in Maryland, as the FBI warned Monday of plans for armed protests.

Feds Tell States To Give COVID-19 Vaccine To Anyone 65 And Older; Hogan Pondering Maryland Response

Hogan Jr., said he would wait to confer with fellow governors and officials from the incoming Biden administration, before deciding.

Chesapeake Bay Foundation Hires New Maryland Director

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation announced Tuesday that it has selected Josh Kurtz as its new Maryland Director.

Hogan’s Latest Redistricting Gambit: A 9-Member Commission

Hogan Jr. (R) has launched his latest attempt to bring nonpartisan redistricting to Maryland.

Lawmakers Unveil An Ambitious Climate Action Plan For Maryland

Maryland would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60 percent and plant 5 million trees by 2030, under a revamped climate change bill.

Gov. Hogan Denounces Delegate’s ‘Traitor’ Tweet, Says He Wants To Help ‘Fix’ GOP

Hogan Jr. (R) condemned comments from a “conspiracy theorist” in the House of Delegates, adding Harris's words were "in really bad taste."

Two New Partners For Rifkin Lobbying Firm

Rifkin Weiner Livingston LLC is the well-connected legal and government relations firm based in Annapolis, Baltimore and Bethesda.

Ex-Union Operative McLaurin Joins Consulting Firm

Mark McLaurin, the former political director of SEIU Local 500 and veteran campaign strategist, has joined Indigo Strategies.

Advocacy Group Taking Shape, Pittman Seeks ‘Common Ground’ On Development Issues

While running day-to-day operations of Anne Arundel County government, Pittman continues plans for his statewide political advocacy group.

Sen. Washington & Del. Jazz Lewis: Time To End The Sale Of Flavored Tobacco In Maryland

As the Maryland General Assembly, our job is to put forth and ultimately pass laws that protect our constituents’ health and well-being.

Olszewski: State’s Investment In Students And Teachers Is Long Overdue

For nearly a year, our public school classrooms have sat empty, as the COVID-19 pandemic abruptly forced students and educators online.

Central Maryland Leaders Seeking Huge Infusion Of Cash For Struggling Transit Systems

Elected leaders are urging the General Assembly to dramatically boost spending on the state's existing bus and rail system.

Frank DeFilippo: Good Riddance

Tyranny and anarchy are the twin threats to democracy. Last week, America had tumultuous demonstrations of both — from a manic president.

Hogan Proposes $1 Billion Relief Package, Pressures Legislature For Swift Passage

Gov. Hogan Jr. (R) unveiled a proposed billion-dollar stimulus package which would give low-income Maryland families $750, if they qualify.

Legislative Leaders, Frosh Lay Out Racial Justice Priorities For Legislative Session

Racial equity is slated to be a big-ticket item during the 2021 legislative session for Maryland.

Don't Come To Biden Inauguration: Maryland, VA, DC Leaders

The inauguration prompted an "extraordinary" request from the leaders of Maryland, D.C. and Virginia.

Opinion: Regional Higher Ed Will Play Pivotal Role In ‘New Norm’

The far-reaching impacts of the global pandemic over the past year have profoundly transformed our lives in innumerable ways.

Juanita Miller Succeeds Alvin Thornton As Chair Of Prince George’s Board Of Education

Prince George’s County Executive Angela D. Alsobrooks (D) named Juanita Miller, a former state delegate, to succeed Alvin Thornton.

Maryland’s Top Republicans Are Clearly Not Brothers In Arms

Maryland’s most high-profile Republican leaders — Gov. Lawrence J. Hogan Jr. and Rep. Andrew P. Harris — have never had much in common.

Lawmakers Eye One-Cent Increase In Alcohol Tax To Address Health Disparities

Johns Hopkins University and the JHU health system on Friday joined a legislative push to boost healthcare in under-served communities.

Three ‘Very Competitive’ Bids Submitted For D.C.-Area Highway Expansion; One Firm Withdraws

A private-sector group that expressed interest in the Hogan administration’s plan to widen two Washington, D.C.-area higways has withdrawn.

After ‘Traitor’ Tweet, Cox Denounces ‘Mob Violence’ At U.S. Capitol

Following calls for his expulsion from the General Assembly, Del. Daniel L. Cox (R-Frederick) issued a statement Friday.

Debate Over State Song Reignites; Several Potential Replacements Emerge

U.S. Rep. Jamie B. Raskin (D-Md.) spent last summer’s congressional recess focused on notes rather than votes — musical notes, that is.

Rep. Trone, In Interview, Describes Chaos Of U.S. Capitol Siege

Maryland Rep. Trone states Wednesday's violence "makes America look really, really bad. And it’s a stain that will continue."

Senate Shuffles Committee Assignments As Session Approaches

Less than a week before the start of the General Assembly, Ferguson (D-Baltimore City) announced assignments for four standing committees.

Opinion: Democracy During A Pandemic Depends On New Ways For Public To Be Heard

The Maryland General Assembly will convene in Annapolis for its annual 90-day session. Business will not be as usual due to the pandemic.