Two recent court events involving public school systems help shed light on the nature of the relationship between parents and the institutions and people to which they trust their children.

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In what many observers consider one of the more productive sessions of Maryland’s legislature, there are some clear winners. Gov. Martin O’Malley batted 1.000 on his legislation. Gun-control supporters and anti-death penalty activists were among the other victors. Here is The Daily Record’s take on some of the landmark legislation passed this year:

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After the sheer horror of the December shootings in Newtown, Conn., there was little doubt that a progressive state like Maryland would pursue some form of gun control. Indeed, that debate has been among the more dominant during this session of the General Assembly.

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With the two General Assembly chambers in a position to arrive at a deal to increase the state gas tax to pay for much-needed transportation upgrades, Maryland has the opportunity to stabilize, and then improve, its dreadfully subpar network of roads, bus service and rail lines.

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The Senate’s version of a bill governing dog bites may, as Del. Luiz R.S. Simmons says, place a great burden on owners, but it also serves a far more important role in attempting to influence behavior so that all Marylanders are safer.

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This week’s decision by a Baltimore City Circuit Court judge to halt construction of a major casino project, due in part to environmental concerns raised by residents of the nearby Westport neighborhood, offers some insight into the challenge developers face in balancing the interests of myriad stakeholders.

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Maryland legislators took an important step forward this week in ensuring that no innocent people will be put to death at the hands of the state. With Wednesday’s approval of a death penalty repeal by the Senate, Maryland is poised to become the 18th state to ban the practice. The District of Columbia also does not allow executions.

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There are two bills in Annapolis this year that are getting little, if any attention, but a recent state review panel decision ought to make some legislators take a closer look at ongoing efforts to strengthen Maryland’s open meetings laws.

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Dominick E. Murray, sworn in this week as the state’s economic development secretary, has inherited some major challenges as he strives to make Maryland more friendly to the types of businesses that will sustain long-term financial growth.

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The top jurist of Maryland’s Court of Special Appeals is rightly asking for help in doing his job.

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