Energy Dept. welcomes fracking chemical disclosure
The U.S. Department of Energy said Friday that it welcomes the decision by oil and gas industry supplier Baker Hughes to disclose all chemicals in hydraulic fracturing fluid. But Halliburton, a major competitor in the field, isn't committing to such disclosure.
Delay urged on fracking panel’s report
A looming deadline for a state report on Marcellus Shale drilling should be pushed back, according to environmental activists and members of a state commission tasked with studying the issue.
Marylanders to feel impact of legislative session
After 90 days of drafting bills, splicing in amendments, holding hearings and navigating the political waters, the art of legislating gives way to the real test: how those new laws affect Marylanders.
Assembly’s big issues: still a puzzle
With roughly three weeks left in the session, legislators spent Monday scurrying to move bills from the House to the Senate and vice versa in an attempt to beat the deadline known as crossover day.
Md. session begins with talk of Pre-K expansion
Gov. Martin O'Malley said Wednesday his administration will take some first steps in expanding universal, full-day, prekindergarten this year in Maryland, as lawmakers convened for the 90-day legislative session.
O’Malley says he will focus on minimum wage hike
ANNAPOLIS — Gov. Martin O’Malley said Tuesday he will focus on raising the state’s minimum wage during his last full legislative session as Maryland’s governor. O’Malley underscored the wage issue as a top priority while speaking at a luncheon of the Maryland Democratic Party, a day before the state’s 90-day session is scheduled to begin. […]
MedChi ready for another chock-full session
This week, the Maryland State Medical Society released an agenda packed with sure-to-sizzle (though largely familiar) issues it intends to bring up during the General Assembly’s 2014 session, which begins next week.
Md. lawmakers outline session priorities
CAMBRIDGE — A Maryland court ruling requiring poor defendants to have an attorney at initial bail hearings is expected to be a significant issue in the upcoming legislative session, along with a challenging budget situation, debate about raising the minimum wage and revisiting contentious stormwater management fees, leading lawmakers said Friday. Senate President Thomas V. […]
George thought about resigning from House of Delegates
Del. Ronald A. George, an Anne Arundel County Republican seeking the party's nomination for governor, thought about resigning from the House of Delegates so he could spend the 90-day General Assembly session raising money for his campaign.
Senate committee considers minimum wage increase
ANNAPOLIS — The Maryland Senate Finance Committee is considering a bill that would increase Maryland’s minimum wage to $10 an hour by 2015. The state’s current minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, the same as the federal rate. Supporters of the measure say that Maryland workers are in desperate need of a raise and insist […]
Senate votes 27-20 to abolish death penalty (with roll call)
ANNAPOLIS — The Maryland Senate on Wednesday passed legislation to repeal the state’s death penalty. With the 27-20 vote, attention shifts to the House of Delegates, where the legislation, backed by Gov. Martin O’Malley, awaits a vote by the Judiciary Committee. Sen. Jamin B. “Jamie” Raskin, a death penalty opponent who managed the repeal bill […]
Senate set to vote on death penalty repeal
The Senate could vote as early as Wednesday on legislation to repeal the death penalty in Maryland.