Yeas and Nays, Today in the Md. General Assembly

An afternoon roundup of noteworthy legislation
moving toward passage or defeat

Child support: The Senate voted 43 to 2 for a measure updating the state's child support guidelines for the first time in two decades. SB252 now moves to the House, where its prospects are uncertain in the House Judiciary Committee.

Unemployment insurance: The Senate voted 46 to 0 for a measure overhauling the state's unemployment insurance system. SB107 allows the state to tap about $127 million in federal stimulus money but makes some concessions to the business lobby, which objected to earlier plan put forward by Gov. Martin O'Malley (D). Prospects in the House look good.

Montgomery Education fine: The House held one vote and is on pace to give final approval on Thursday to HB223, a bill that would waive a $23 million penalty levied against Montgomery County public schools. The fine has been hanging over the state's largest school system for months. The district was penalized for failing to meet state requirements for minimum levels of education spending during the 2009-10 fiscal year. The Senate approved a similar bill last month.