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Sword swap: Dekalb statue on State House grounds briefly disarmed for repair
The State House statue of Baron Johann Dekalb still looks like he's leading Continental troops into battle -- but that he forgot his sword. Fear not: The sword has not been stolen or vandalized, as in past years, but has just been removed for repair.
Lawmakers say consistency, efficiency needed in boards licensing health professionals
A legislative panel signaled an interest in making changes to dozens of professional oversight boards housed within the Maryland Department of Health, after complaining of a lack of accountability and repeat findings on the boards by auditors.
Battle over lucrative state lottery contract heads to court
The battle over Maryland's lucrative lottery contract is headed to court. Scientific Games wants a judge to intervene in a bidding process that saw it lose the contract to Intralot, get the contract back, only to have it stripped away again by the state.
Audit questions millions in spending by now-defunct racing authority
A now-extinct state board that was to oversee redevelopment of Pimlico and thoroughbred racing in the state failed to formalize an agreement for $10 million it gave its successor among other problems, state auditors found.
Judge strikes down provision of digital ad tax as First Amendment violation
Maryland will not be able to enforce part of a 2021 law that allowed it to obscure the costs of a digital ad tax from consumers who were paying it, after a federal judge said that violated the free speech rights of the companies forced to collect the taxes.
Panel recommends issuing up to $1.75 billion in bonds for coming fiscal year
A key fiscal panel is recommending the state continue with a plan to borrow up to $1.75 billion for capital projects in the coming fiscal year, despite the potential for financial headwinds from the federal shutdown and reductions in force.
It’s on: Challengers announce in Howard County, 7th District races, more moves in political notes
Del. Vanessa Atterbeary throws her hat in the Howard County Executive ring, Mark Conway throws his hat in the 7th Congressional District ring, and KO Public Relations co-founder Damian O'Doherty hangs his hat up on another hatrack -- are those enough hat references? -- in political notes.
Two top staffers out at attorney general’s police oversight unit
The Attorney General’s Office is looking for a new leader for its police oversight unit, after its top two staffers resigned in the wake of a circuit court judge dismissing the first case the office brought against two officers in connection with a fatal chase.
Justice delayed: Work on Thurgood Marshall memorial started, quickly paused
Work began last month to restore the memorial to Thurgood Marshall, the first Black justice on the U.S. Supreme Court, but stopped almost as quickly as scaffolding was erected behind the bronze status of the history-making Maryland native.
Former top Senate aide Weissmann to take over as next budget secretary
A former top aide to two state Senate leaders is returning to Annapolis as budget secretary. Yaakov "Jake" Weissmann, currently a vice president at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, succeeds Helene Grady, who is stepping down
Nicole named acting budget secretary as search continues for Grady’s replacement
Deputy Budget Secretary Marc Nicole, a veteran of the Department of Budget and Management, will take over next week as acting secretary in place of departing Secretary Helen Grady. The search for a permanent replacement continues.
Unaffiliated voters ask judge to let their challenge to partisan primaries proceed
A lawyer representing five unaffiliated voters is asking an Anne Arundel County Circuit Court judge to deny a motion to dismiss their suit challenging a state law that limits the participation of unaffiliated voters in Maryland primary elections.