Eye Opener: Day two of special session begins

The Senate did not pass the budget package in one day as it had hoped, but gave preliminary approval Monday to a pair of bills that would undo $500 million in cuts from Gov. Martin O’Malley’s fiscal 2013 budget.

The Senate should pass the bills Tuesday morning, and then it’s up to the House of Delegates to work on the bills.

Here’s a few other headlines around the state:

• The Associated Press reports that senators feel they were disrespected by the Maryland Department of the Environment.
• MarylandReporter.com writes that among the tax hikes proposed in the budget package, $36 million would be raised from companies that back mortgages on development projects.
• The Herald-Mail reports that a new multipurpose stadium — which would be paid for using some state money — could open in spring 2015.
• The Washington Post reports that bills introduced by lawmakers that don’t pertain to the budget have been shot down.