Latest news with #Marylander
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Gov. Moore should convene the legal ads forum he promised
A worker poses by the presses of the Daily Republic in Fairfield, California, in this 2018 file photo. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Amber Carter/U.S. Air Force) Maryland law mandates that estate beneficiaries pay hundreds of dollars, plus transaction costs, to place legal ads in a local newspaper announcing an estate's opening. In 2024 and 2025, Maryland's legislature introduced bills to revoke that mandate and instead allow such notices to be posted for free on a more publicly accessible government website. Experts knowledgeable about estate legal ads know that virtually no potential beneficiaries and creditors learn about a deceased person via such ads. But the mandate is politically impregnable because it benefits one of Maryland's most politically powerful industries at the expense of the politically weak; that is, monopoly local newspapers receive millions of dollars per year while the average Marylander only pays hundreds of dollars per lifetime. This incentive structure of concentrated industry benefits and diffuse public costs constitutes the classic incentive structure of special interest politics. The problem is compounded by the local newspaper lobby's unique power, as reflected in the politicians' motto: 'Never pick a fight with anyone who buys ink by the barrel.' Maryland Matters welcomes guest commentary submissions at editor@ We suggest a 750-word limit and reserve the right to edit or reject submissions. We do not accept columns that are endorsements of candidates, and no longer accept submissions from elected officials or political candidates. Opinion pieces must be signed by at least one individual using their real name. We do not accept columns signed by an organization. Commentary writers must include a short bio and a photo for their bylines. Views of writers are their own. Today, Maryland mandates some 190 separate statutory legal ad subsidies for the local newspaper industry, of which the estate subsidy is only one. But the industry worries that revoking even one of these subsidies will cause a domino effect, so fights accordingly. The case against the obsolete estate legal ad mandate was so compelling that the 2024 legislation revoking it passed both the Maryland House and Senate unanimously (175-0). (Assisting such support, when the bill was introduced, Maryland's leading newspaper chain was owned by an unpopular, out-of-state hedge fund.) But Gov. Wes Moore then vetoed the legislation, justifying his veto on the basis that the issue needed more study: 'This veto should not be seen as the end of the conversation, and in fact the administration believes we need a broader conversation about public notices rather than a conversation focused solely on estate notices. Our administration looks forward to engaging with … all of the advocates on that topic during the interim,' he wrote. This year the same bill was introduced in the legislature and again passed unanimously (132-0) in the House. But it wasn't allowed even a vote in the Senate's Judiciary Committee, whose chair, as is said in Annapolis, 'placed the bill in his desk.' The chair didn't respond to my written query asking him to explain his opposition. I first got a sense of how dirty newspaper legal ad politics was when decades ago I tried to gather data to study them. I had worked at a D.C. think tank studying media public policy and knew that legal ads were the newspaper industry's largest government subsidy. No scholarly data existed on this subject because other scholars who had tried to study such subsidies had run up against the same brick wall I had; that is, I could find no industry data because national and state newspaper organizations, while aggressively lobbying for such subsidies, had refused to provide authoritative data on them, and politicians were too terrified of the industry's political power to ask how much their subsidies cost the public. So most Maryland legislative sessions some legislation passes that expands legal ad newspaper subsidies without accountability provisions. I was curious: Did the governor fulfill his veto statement's promises? The answer is no. In the year between the end of the 2024 and 2025 legislative sessions, neither the Governor nor his staff participated in, let alone orchestrated, such a public discussion. My sense is that the best hope to eliminate Maryland's obsolete estate legal ad laws would be to shame the governor into acting consistent with his own stated values, as he has promised to support the poor and politically weak, and that's whom estate legal ads most hurt. On the other hand, since the media have negligible incentive to expose this hypocrisy, such hope appears quixotic. Moreover, the governor's politically astute aides have undoubtedly counseled him not to risk the newspaper industry's wrath, given its power to shape his and his opponents' public image. Conversely, recall that the governor won a Bronze Star for bravery. Accordingly, the governor should convene his promised public forum to discuss the merits of newspaper legal ads. Until then, he should instruct his staff to stop lobbying to kill legislation that only reduces but not expands legal ad subsidies. (The largest new newspaper subsidy last session reduced newspapers' legal ad costs). If the governor's policy is only to call for public discussion when reducing but not increasing newspaper industry subsidies, that double standard should be called out.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
The high cost of high speed: Why SCMaglev is not the answer
A 2019 images of a maglev train similar to one that might connect Baltimore and Washington, D.C., (Photo courtesy Baltimore-Washington Rapid Rail) We all want faster, more efficient transportation. But the desire for speed shouldn't come at the expense of equity, accountability, or common sense. The proposed Superconducting Maglev (SCMaglev) train between Washington, D.C., and Baltimore is being pitched as a revolutionary leap forward—a 15-minute ride connecting two cities. But when you look closely, it becomes clear that this project is a costly distraction from the real transportation needs of Marylanders. I've followed the SCMaglev project for nearly a decade, through meetings, hearings, and glossy presentations. One moment sticks with me to this day: During a presentation to the Maryland General Assembly, a representative claimed the Maglev would reduce regional traffic by 30%. When I asked for the methodology or data behind that estimate, no one could provide an answer. That kind of vague, unverified projection isn't just irresponsible — it's dangerous when we're discussing a multibillion-dollar project with lasting impacts on our communities, environment and transportation landscape. Maryland Matters welcomes guest commentary submissions at editor@ We suggest a 750-word limit and reserve the right to edit or reject submissions. We do not accept columns that are endorsements of candidates, and no longer accept submissions from elected officials or political candidates. Opinion pieces must be signed by at least one individual using their real name. We do not accept columns signed by an organization. Commentary writers must include a short bio and a photo for their bylines. Views of writers are their own. Let's talk dollars. A one-way Maglev ticket from D.C. to Baltimore is projected to cost between $60 and $80. That's not a commuter fare — it's a luxury option targeted at business elites and tourists. The average Marylander isn't budgeting $120 a day for transit. We already have underfunded, overburdened systems like MARC, Metro and local buses that residents rely on every day. Why not invest in expanding those services — adding more stops, increasing frequency, reducing costs, and improving reliability? As a resident of Laurel, I'm particularly alarmed by the impact the route would have on the Patuxent Research Refuge. My twin boys and I spend time there often, enjoying trails and spotting wildlife. It's one of the last intact green spaces in our region — and SCMaglev would cut right through it. That's not innovation. That's ecological devastation in the name of elite convenience. Our green spaces are not expendable. Even if you set aside the environmental costs, the communities most affected by the Maglev — like those in Prince George's County — see none of the benefits. There are no planned stops here, yet our neighborhoods would bear the brunt of construction, land disruption and noise. No reliable jobs. No meaningful investment in our mobility. We've been promised a few short-term construction jobs, but no long-term transit improvements or economic uplift. That's not equity — it's extraction. Let's also examine the travel time savings that Maglev promoters like to tout. A 15-minute ride between D.C. and Baltimore sounds great in theory, but it does not include the time it takes to get to the Maglev stations — both of which would be deep in the urban cores of each city. Real commutes aren't point-to-point miracles. They involve walking, transfers, delays and often multiple systems. Without meaningful integration with existing transit, the Maglev could actually complicate travel, not streamline it. Supporters often point to Japan as a shining example of high-speed rail success. And it's true — Japan's Shinkansen and Maglev lines are marvels of engineering. But Japan also has the infrastructure, culture and density to support that kind of system. Tokyo, for example, has over 39,000 people per square mile in some areas — vastly higher than any corridor between D.C. and Baltimore. Japan also has a deeply ingrained public transit culture that makes high-speed rail practical. Maryland simply does not have the same conditions to justify this scale of investment. We need bold transportation investments — but bold does not have to mean flashy. It means practical, people-centered solutions: Expanding bus routes, extending service hours, modernizing fleets, integrating systems, improving accessibility and making transit affordable. It means investing where people already are — and where they've been asking for improvements for years. A truly visionary transportation system does not just move people quickly — it moves people equitably. It respects the communities it runs through. It protects the ecosystems it touches. It closes gaps in mobility and opens doors to opportunity. SCMaglev may be fast, but it's not right for Maryland — not now, and not at this cost.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
House Republicans call on Moore to veto fee bills
A Maryland state flag flies outside the State House in Annapolis. (File photo by Danielle E. Gaines/Maryland Matters) House Republicans on Monday called on Gov. Wes Moore (D) to veto four bills that would increase state fees on various licenses, permits and other filings. The letter from the 39-member House Republican Caucus was released a day before Moore was scheduled to hold his third post-legislative bill signing of the 2025 session. 'On numerous occasions, you have indicated your concerns about the impact federal actions can have on Maryland families and businesses,' the caucus wrote in its letter to Moore. 'We would respectfully submit that the hundreds of new or increased taxes and fees Maryland's families and businesses have had to absorb over the last several years have had a more significant and immediate impact on every Marylander.' None of the bills objected to in the letter are among the 193 set to be signed during a noon ceremony Tuesday. Moore has until May 27 to decide to sign, veto or allow bills to become law without his signature. 'As Gov. Moore reviews the hundreds of bills put forward this session, he will continue to work with the state legislature, local leaders, and all partners involved to ensure that we are signing legislation that will make Maryland safer, more affordable, more competitive, and the state that serves,' a Moore spokesperson said in an email. Included on the Republican list are four bills: Senate Bills 250 and 425, which increase Maryland Department of Environment fees, and allow the state to collect fees on coal combustion byproducts from former coal plant operators, respectively; and House Bills 719 and 796, which raise boat title, license and other fees, and increase the cost to file a foreclosure action, respectively. Some fees of the Department of the Environment fees in SB 250 have not been increased since the 1990s. Combined, all four bills are projected to bring in tens of millions in additional revenues. Much of that money is earmarked for specific programs such as the clean air and private dam restoration funds. The caucus, in its letter, noted a budget containing 'numerous taxes and fees, representing the largest tax increase in ' state history in addition to the fees contained in the four bills. The budget passed this year by the General Assembly includes roughly $1.6 billion in tax and fee increases. That package includes a new 3% sales tax on data and IT services. 'Our citizens need a break from the state government's relentless attack on their wallets,' the caucus wrote in its letter.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Early GOP candidate for governor taps former delegate as running mate
Brenda Thiam, a Republican former delegate from Washington County, speaks to supporters after filing with the Maryland State Board of Elections as John Myrick's running mate in the 2026 race for governor. Myrick, a Prince George's County Republican who filed his candidacy in February, is currently the only candidate to officially enter the race. (Photo by Bryan P. Sears/Maryland Matters) Maryland's only filed candidate for governor has tapped a former state delegate as his running mate. John Myrick, a Republican candidate for governor, tapped former Del. Brenda Thiam to round out his ticket as lieutenant governor. Myrick, who ran a brief and unsuccessful campaign for U.S. Senate in the 2024 Maryland Republican primary, was the first — and so far, only — candidate to officially file for office in February. Following that, Myrick said he established a panel of advisers to seek a running mate. 'Quite frankly, one name was at the top of that list from the very beginning,' said Myrick, who announced Thiam had filed the required paperwork at the Maryland State Board of Elections just prior to their public announcement. Myrick has spent the first part of the year speaking to Republican groups. It is not clear how much money he has raised. His first report will not be filed with the state until next year. Democratic Gov. Wes Moore and Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller are expected to seek re-election in 2026 backed by a well-funded campaign machine. Other Republicans, including Gov. Larry Hogan, have been mentioned as potential contenders in the Republican primary. Hogan, the first two-term Republican governor in Maryland since Theodore McKeldin, is a seasoned campaigner and adept fundraiser. His entry into the race could present challenges for other Republican primary candidates. Myrick, a Prince George's County resident, is a staunch critic of Moore especially on budget, tax and economic policies. 'Every Marylander wants lower taxes. Every Marylander wants safer streets,' Myrick told a crowd of about a dozen supporters gathered Wednesday on the grounds below the south side of the Maryland State House. 'And we're going to give that to them. In order to do that, it takes a bit of common sense, and more importantly, integrity and accountability.' Myrick, in an interview after the announcement, said the cuts to federal jobs in Maryland and other adverse decisions by President Donald Trump are a direct reflection of Moore's refusal to 'work with' Trump. 'Pennsylvania hasn't suffered like this. They have a Democrat governor,' Myrick said. 'You know why they haven't suffered on this? Because Gov. [Josh] Shapiro up there will work with this administration. He will maintain a cordial relationship with this administration, and he has. 'Our governor has publicly said he can't. So what incentive does the federal government have to not savage Maryland? You know, I use that because I honestly feel that way,' Myrick said. 'They've savaged Maryland over our top political personalities who refuse to work with them.' It's a punishment on Maryland he said would have also happened had Moore's predecessor, Larry Hogan, been in office. 'I say that because of Larry Hogan's animosity with Donald Trump, the animosity that they have between each other,' Myrick said. Myrick, who will be 61 later this year, lives in Lanham with his wife Nancy Nevarez-Myrick. He is a federal consultant who previously served as a Harford County deputy sheriff and is a 23-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force Reserve, as well as a civilian intelligence officer, according to his campaign biography. Jake Day eyes challenge on Eastern Shore to GOP Rep. Andy Harris Myrick, in promoting his lieutenant governor, offered his stark contrasting comparison to Miller. 'I cannot govern the state by myself,' he said. 'Unlike the current governor, I knew we needed a lieutenant governor who was the most qualified, best person for the job — not just somebody who can stand there and look cute. That's what he's got. That's unacceptable.' Miller, 60, served two terms in the House of Delegates representing Montgomery County. She holds a bachelors degree in civil engineering and has experience as an engineer, planner and transportation official in Montgomery County and Los Angeles County, California. While in the House, Miller served four years on the Ways and Means Committee and four years on the Appropriations Committee. She worked on paid family leave, transportation, domestic violence and STEM education, among other issues. A Maryland Democratic Party spokesperson blasted the 'blatant sexism' of Myrick's remarks about Miller. 'It's why John Myrick is a failed Republican politician that finished fifth in the Senate primary last year,' the spokesperson said. 'Lt. Gov. Miller is a transportation engineer, former legislator, and proven statewide leader with years of service to the people of Maryland and continues to fight for us as the state's lieutenant governor. The remarks today show he doesn't understand what governing actually means, or what kind of leadership Marylanders look for.' Speaking to the gathered supporters Wednesday, Thiam (pronounced 'cham') said she planned to help 'right this ship, to champion the values that are important to all of us.' Included in those, she said, were reducing taxes and 'burdensome regulations' and a focus on the creation of nongovernment jobs. 'We're going to make Maryland great again,' Thiam said. 'I can guarantee you that.' Thiam, a Washington County Republican, was the first Black woman Republican to serve in the House when she was appointed in October 2021 to fill Paul Corderman's seat, when he was appointed to replace retiring Sen. Andrew Serafini. She lost her bid for election to the seat in 2022. Thiam holds a master's degree in education, focusing on special education, from the University of Maryland, College Park, a doctoral degree in special education leadership from Capella University and a post-graduate certificate in applied behavior analysis from Penn State University. She has worked in special education for more than 20 years in both public and private Maryland schools as a teacher and, later, as an administrator managing teaching staff and budgets, as well as students with special needs. 'My favorite thing is fixing education and returning it to teaching the students, giving them the tools they need to be successful in their life and forgoing all the indoctrination that our current administration seems to think is important to us,' Thiam said. 'All those strains of ideologies that we will not tolerate for our children.' In an interview after the announcement, Thiam was asked to elaborate on the 'strains of ideologies' that concern her in public education. 'Well, when you think about the conversations that are occurring, particularly in Frederick County, with what they're going through, and having bathrooms for young people who may consider themselves of a different identity, but they can use the (different) bathroom,' Thiam said. When asked if she was referring to students who identify as transgendered, she said 'absolutely.' Thiam also expressed concerns about 'books that are questionable on our bookshelves for students to check out and read.' She said she did not believe those books were in libraries in Washington County 'but in Frederick County, that does exist.' In addition to her time in Annapolis, Thiam also ran an unsuccessful campaign last year for the 6th Congressional District seat. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Thiam stumbled out of the gate at Wednesday's announcement, saying the 'lieutenant governor is the president of the Senate. So, the fact that I have served in the House of Delegates, I've served in this fine institution. I know that I am prepared to get the work done.' In Maryland, the lieutenant governor does not serve as Senate president, who is elected by senators from their own ranks. Sen. Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City) has held the position for the last six years, and before him the position was held for more than three decades by Sen. Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. The Maryland Constitution defines the role of lieutenant governor, who is the second-highest officer in state government, but whose duties are limited. Primarily, the lieutenant governor succeeds the governor in the event of a vacancy or fills in as acting governor if the governor is temporarily unable to fulfill the duties of the office. Other than that, the role is limited to duties delegated by the governor. The lieutenant governor also chairs a half-dozen state panels, including the State House Trust, and serves as a member on four other panels. Thiam later acknowledged the error when asked by a reporter, saying it was the result of late night research and a historical reference to the duties of the position. Christopher Christian Cox was the only lieutenant governor to serve as Senate president. He was elected in 1864, at a time when governor and lieutenant governor were elected independently, and served one term before the position was abolished under the 1867 version of the Maryland Constitution, according to the Maryland State Archives. The position was reestablished by voters in a 1970 constitutional amendment. The recreation of the office fulfilled a promise by Gov. Marvin Mandel, who was House Speaker in 1969 when the legislature elected him to fill the vacancy created when Gov. Spiro Agnew became vice president under Richard Nixon. At the time, there was no clear line of succession for the state's chief executive officer.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Caregivers could use some caring, too: Care must flow both ways
A physical therapy aid helps a veteran through exercises during a physical therapy session at the Quincy (Illinois) Veterans Home in February on Feb. 17. (Photo by) Health care is built on trust — between patients and providers, families and caregivers, communities and the systems that serve them. Every day in Maryland, nurses, doctors and health care staff show up with skill, compassion and commitment to keep us well. But there's a growing concern within the walls of our hospitals, clinics, emergency departments and urgent care centers, nursing homes and assisted living facilities: an increase in workplace violence directed at those providing care. These incidents don't define our health care system, which remains a safe and healing space for patients, but they do represent a critical challenge we must address to protect the workforce behind it. At the Maryland Patient Safety Center, we've launched our 'Care Flows Both Ways' campaign to show the need for more respectful interactions in health care facilities. Our organization and the health care workers we seek to assist are grateful to the Maryland General Assembly for their support of and commitment to this effort. Maryland Matters welcomes guest commentary submissions at editor@ We suggest a 750-word limit and reserve the right to edit or reject submissions. We do not accept columns that are endorsements of candidates, and no longer accept submissions from elected officials or political candidates. Opinion pieces must be signed by at least one individual using their real name. We do not accept columns signed by an organization. Commentary writers must include a short bio and a photo for their bylines. Views of writers are their own. At the heart of our campaign is a simple but powerful truth: Care must flow both ways. Our health care professionals dedicate their lives to caring for others; they deserve care, compassion and protection in return. When we support the well-being of our health care workforce, we reinforce the entire system of care that touches every Marylander's life. Respecting and safeguarding those who care for us ensures they can continue to do what they do best — deliver exceptional care to patients and families across the state. Most people will never witness the kinds of stressors and confrontations that health care workers may face during high-pressure moments, but their impact is real. Addressing this issue is not about sounding an alarm; It's about strengthening the foundation of our health care system. There are benefits to every patient at the hospital when violence against health care workers is prevented. Our campaign website, provides tools and resources for patients and families, plus hospitals, physician offices, urgent care and other settings of care. Through the website, as well as on billboards and buses, TV and digital ads, Marylanders can hear and see directly from health care workers who have been impacted by workplace violence in medical settings. Their stories are real, raw and emotional. It's not easy to talk, or hear, about any workplace violence, but what Marylanders will also hear is their love for their work and their gratitude for the opportunity to help others. To the health care professionals who show up every day with courage and compassion: We see you, we thank you and we are working to ensure your safety is a priority. To the public and our elected leaders: This is an opportunity to stand with the people who care for us — to build a stronger, safer health care system that supports the well-being of both patients and providers. Together, we can ensure that Maryland leads the way in protecting our health care workforce while maintaining the trust and care our communities count on. Since the Maryland Patient Safety Center was created by the Maryland General Assembly in 2002, we have worked for a future where health care is safe and equitable for every patient, family member and health care worker, across the care continuum. The Care Flows Both Ways campaign continues and expands that commitment to our state's health care family. Our aim is to keep healing the central part of the workplace for our health care heroes. We invite everyone to join us as we learn how to make 'Care Flow Both Ways.'
