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Del. Shank wants prison solar lease price upped
HAGERSTOWN — A state delegate from western Maryland is pushing for a higher lease rate on state prison land near Hagerstown where the governor’s administration envisions a large-scale, solar-energy project. Washington County Republican Christopher Shank says the proposed lease rate of $128 an acre isn’t enough. The deal is up for approval by the state Board […]
Maryland retains AAA bond rating
Maryland has retained its coveted AAA bond rating as it gears up to sell approximately $718 million worth of general obligation bonds at the next meeting of the Board of Public Works on Wednesday. Maryland Treasurer Nancy K. Kopp announced that all three bond-rating agencies — Fitch Ratings, Moody’s Investors and Standard & Poor — […]
Study: State Center project to cost taxpayers at least $127M
The first part of the public-private partnership State Center project in Baltimore represents a $127 million giveaway of taxpayer dollars with more on the way, according to a new report from the Maryland Public Policy Institute and the Maryland Tax Education Foundation. The $1.5 billion project, which will occupy more than eight city blocks, is […]
Veolia protests $27M energy contract awarded to Pepco
Over protests from attorneys for Veolia Energy and Comptroller Peter Franchot, the Board of Public Works has approved a $27 million contract for energy savings measures in several facilities at the Port of Baltimore. The contract, which went to Pepco with the votes of Gov. Martin O’Malley and Treasurer Nancy Kopp, will put several energy-saving […]
O’Malley reacts to critical highway audit
ANNAPOLIS — Gov. Martin O’Malley said Wednesday his administration will move quickly to discipline personnel who commit serious ethical lapses in the state procurement process in the aftermath of a highly critical audit of the Maryland State Highway Administration. O’Malley, who spoke to reporters about the audit after a Board of Public Works meeting, said […]
Maryland highway contractor questions SHA audit
An engineering executive said Wednesday his firm saw no problem with a State Highway Administration bidding process that yielded his firm a $16 million contract in 2008, and has since come under the scrutiny of state auditors. “I think some of these things are unfair and create a pretty poor perception of some public officials who are doing a pretty good job for the public," said Steve Zentz,[...]
NFL lockout may tackle Ravens scratch-off lottery game
Having already claimed most of the NFL offseason, the labor dispute between professional football players and team owners could notch another victim this summer — one of Maryland’s most popular scratch-off lottery games. The State Lottery Agency will seek approval to change its agreement with the Baltimore Ravens that allows Maryland to sell Ravens Cash […]
O’Malley attending safety network event
Gov. Martin O’Malley is attending an event with Vice President Joe Biden and other federal officials on deploying a national public safety broadband network to improve communications for emergency responders. The event is scheduled for Thursday afternoon in Washington. Attorney General Eric Holder, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Assistant to the President for Homeland [&hel[...]
Maryland works to keep pace with repairs on 400 dams
While unusually heavy rains are causing minor flooding in Maryland and overwhelming dams and levees along the Mississippi River basin, Maryland Department of the Environment officials have assured the Board of Public Works that they are working to ensure that the more-than-400 dams across the state stay solid. Many Marylanders are surprised at the number […]
DJS secretary Sam Abed focuses on timely juvenile services contracts
ANNAPOLIS — Maryland Department of Juvenile Services Secretary Sam Abed says the department will bring large contracts needed to run the agency to state officials to review in a more timely manner. Abed told the Board of Public Works on Wednesday that he investigated why contracts often were delayed in reaching the board. Abed, who […]
Board of Public Works approves $265M in school construction
ANNAPOLIS — The Board of Public Works has approved $265 million for school construction, but cash-strapped local officials are feeling the strain of finding money to operate them once they are built. The board on Wednesday decided to give Charles County 120 days to work out a plan in finding operating costs for a new […]
State panel clears way for sale of housing agency HQ
The Crownsville headquarters of the state Department of Housing and Community Development was formally declared surplus Wednesday, meaning the state is free to sell it and move forward with plans to relocate the agency to Prince George’s County. The action, approved unanimously by the Board of Public Works, is the next step in the long […]
