First Click -- Maryland

Your daily download of Maryland's top political news and analysis

Thursday, December 03, 2009:

Md., Va., D.C. want $835 million if U.S. primes pump again
As Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) on Wednesday said he believes the federal government should do more to preserve and create jobs, transportation officials in Virginia, Maryland and the District asked Congress for some $835 million more for "highway projects that could be underway by spring if the federal government decides to fully fund another job-creation effort," writes The Post's Ashley Halsey. "The 165 projects were part of an appeal for $47 billion in new funds that the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials submitted Wednesday on Capitol Hill."

PG state's attorney exploring primary challenge to Rep. Edwards
"Prince George's County State's Attorney Glenn F. Ivey said Wednesday that he will not run for county executive, and is to look at challenging U.S. Rep. Donna Edwards (D-Md.) in the Democratic primary," writes The Post's Jonathan Mummolo.

Dixon back to work; Rawlings-Blake waits in wings
Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon (D) went straight back to work at City Hall on Wednesday, a day after misdemeanor conviction was handed down that could lead to her removal from office, reports WBAL, and was keeping a low profile, The Sun says. Meanwhile, Baltimore City Council president Stephanie C. Rawlings-Blake (D) can do little more than wait - at least publicly - before learning whether or when she becomes mayor, reports The Sun.

Del. Levy to call it quits in Charles County
"Del. Murray D. Levy, a fixture of public life in Charles County for nearly four decades, will not seek re-election next year, choosing to retire even though his political stock remains high," writes Alan Brody. "The bombshell decision, which Levy (D-Charles) said he came to after months of reflection, stands to shake up the county's political landscape about nine months before the 2010 primary election. 'I'm just ready to lay down the torch or hand it off to the next generation,' said Levy, whose name will not appear on the ballot for the first time since 1986, when he was elected county commissioner."

Former bus driver tapped to head MTA
"Maryland Transportation Secretary Beverly Swaim-Staley announced the appointment Wednesday of former bus driver Ralign T. Wells to head the Maryland Transit Administration." Writes Michael Dresser in The Sun. "Wells, an MTA veteran who is now deputy administrator for operations, will replace Paul J. Wiedefeld, who is leaving the MTA after almost three years as administrator to return to his old job as chief executive of Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport."

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