4th Circuit upholds dismissal of lawsuit claiming MDOT leaders retaliated against union
A federal appeals court has affirmed the dismissal of a First Amendment retaliation case filed by the head of a local transit union against Maryland Department of Transportation leaders. David McClure, head of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1300 representing bus drivers and operations workers, alleged officials unconstitutionally limited his privileges in retaliation for his vocal criticis[...]
Baltimore County balks at state transportation demands
Baltimore County officials are balking at a demand from the state Department of Transportation to provide studies for requested projects saying it does not have the ability to do the work and that a new law does not bar that county's projects from being considered for funding.
Eye Opener: Former Ehrlich aide turned author
A few government and politics headlines for Monday.
Mass benefit, not just mass transit from gas tax hike, MDOT says
New highway lanes could be built and MARC train service could be expanded using money derived from Maryland’s gas tax hike, a top state transportation official said Tuesday.
Audit hits MDOT procurement procedures
ANNAPOLIS — The Maryland Department of Transportation violated procurement procedures by allowing some contractors to perform work outside the scope of their original contracts without rebidding the jobs and without the approval of the state Board of Public Works, auditors found. In a report released last week, the legislative auditors discovered that a rail safety […]
Bombardier wins deal to run Camden, Brunswick MARC lines
A rail company with ties to the Holocaust was not selected by the Maryland Department of Transportation to run MARC Commuter Rail Service in the state, ending a government furor that began more than two years ago.
Police unveil angry message in parcel to O’Malley
PIKESVILLE — Two packages sent to Maryland’s governor and transportation secretary that ignited when they were opened contained the same note railing against highway signs urging motorists to report suspicious activity, investigators revealed Friday. The message read: “Report suspicious activity! Total Bull—-! You have created a self fulfilling prophecy.” Numerous pieces [...]
2 fiery packages put Md. mailrooms on alert
HANOVER — Someone a congressman described as a disgruntled lone wolf, who was griping about highway signs, mailed a small package to Maryland’s Democratic governor and the parcel ignited when someone in the state mailroom unzipped it, shooting out a tiny flame that singed the worker’s fingers. About 15 minutes later Thursday, a second worker was […]
Md. needs more sustainable transit funding
ANNAPOLIS — When — and if — dozens of proposed transportation projects are completed, Maryland will be connected by 44 additional miles of light rail, another Baltimore train station, and more development around Metro stations. But without some change — like a hike in the fuel tax — to the structure of the Transportation Trust […]