Maryland Politics: February 13, 2011 - February 19, 2011

Md. GOP urges 'no' vote on same-sex marriage

The Maryland Republican Party has stepped up its lobbying efforts on the biggest social issue of the legislative session -- same-sex marriage -- as the full Senate prepares to begin debate next week.

By John Wagner  | February 19, 2011; 3:49 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (29)
Categories:  General Assembly, John Wagner, Republican Party, Same-Sex Marriage  
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O'Malley takes aim at Florida's Gov. Scott

Add Florida Gov. Rick Scott to the list of Republicans that Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley has targeted since taking the helm of the Democratic Governors Association.

By Aaron C. Davis  | February 18, 2011; 2:03 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (4)
Categories:  Aaron C. Davis  
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House to vote on measure blocking EPA's Chesapeake Bay cleanup plan

The House is expected to vote as early as Friday on a measure that would delay the Environmental Protection Agency's Chesapeake Bay cleanup plan, sparking debate between agricultural and environmental groups and splitting the Virginia congressional delegation in the process.

By Washington Post Editors  | February 18, 2011; 1:59 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (3)
 
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Senate leader: Md. will raise alcohol tax

The powerful head of the Maryland state Senate said Friday that although he still personally opposes an alcohol tax increase, he expects that the state's General Assembly will vote for a "modest raise" on alcohol and perhaps increases to other so-called "sin taxes" this year to help address the state's $1.6 billion budget shortfall.

By Aaron C. Davis  | February 18, 2011; 1:43 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (7)
Categories:  Aaron C. Davis  
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Familiar themes, more partisan tone planned for O'Malley speech to Va. Dems

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) will employ some familiar themes with a partisan edge Saturday as he heads south to deliver the keynote address at the Virginia Democratic Party's Jefferson-Jackson dinner.

By John Wagner  | February 18, 2011; 8:59 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (1)
Categories:  Governor, John Wagner  
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Same-sex marriage approved by Maryland Senate committee; full passage expected

Legislation that would legalize same-sex marriages in Maryland was approved Thursday afternoon by a Senate committee, easily clearing the first hurdle needed for passage this year by the General Assembly. The 7-to-4 vote by the Judicial Proceedings Committee sends the...

By John Wagner  | February 17, 2011; 5:21 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (51)
Categories:  General Assembly, John Wagner, Same-Sex Marriage  
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Md. senators told to expect long week of same-sex marriage debate

Maryland senators should expect a long week ahead of debate on same-sex marriage, the chamber's president said on Thursday.

By John Wagner  | February 17, 2011; 11:39 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (5)
Categories:  General Assembly, John Wagner, Same-Sex Marriage  
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Prince George's ethics review commission sees challenges in cleaning up county

A commission created by Prince George's County Executive Rushern L. Baker III (D) ran headlong into some big challenges Tuesday night as they try to help Baker figure out ways to clean up county government and rid the county of its "pay to play" reputation

By MIranda S. Spivack  | February 16, 2011; 5:20 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (3)
Categories:  Prince George's County  | Tags:  prince george's county; rushern l. baker III; kurt schmoke; william missouri; david van dyke; anne magner;  
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Md. House sets hearing on same-sex marriage, anticipating Senate passage

Just about everyone expects a close vote next week on a same-sex marriage bill in the Maryland Senate. But one key constituency apparently likes its chances: leaders of the Maryland House.

By John Wagner  | February 16, 2011; 4:14 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (1)
Categories:  General Assembly, John Wagner, Same-Sex Marriage  
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Currie says he will vote against Md. same-sex marriage bill

Sen. Ulysses Currie (D-Prince George's), one of a handful of Maryland senators who had not declared a position on same-sex marriage, said Wednesday that he intends to vote against the bill.

By John Wagner  | February 16, 2011; 12:58 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (50)
Categories:  General Assembly, John Wagner, Same-Sex Marriage  
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O'Malley moves against 'LLC loophole' that benefited his campaigns

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) for the first time on Tuesday backed legislation to close a campaign finance loophole that boosted fundraising totals for his campaigns during more than two decades of successful elections in the state. O'Malley, who is...

By Aaron C. Davis  | February 15, 2011; 7:40 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (5)
Categories:  Aaron C. Davis, Governor  
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Immigrant witnesses briefly barred from entering House office building

There was much confusion about what type of photo identification state policy requires to enter public buildings.

By Ann Marimow  | February 15, 2011; 1:28 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (9)
Categories:  Ann Marimow, General Assembly  
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Md. senator 'still praying' on same-sex marriage

Underscoring the uncertainty of next week's expected Senate vote on same-sex marriage, a key Maryland lawmaker has been quoted saying somewhat different things about her position to two different newspapers.

By John Wagner  | February 15, 2011; 8:00 AM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (8)
Categories:  General Assembly, John Wagner, Same-Sex Marriage  
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O'Malley pushes bill banning most new septics

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley on Monday cast his controversial bid to outlaw construction of most new septic systems across the state as the next logical step in decades of work to rejuvenate the Chesapeake Bay. The bill would prohibit construction...

By Aaron C. Davis  | February 14, 2011; 7:10 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (1)
Categories:  Aaron C. Davis  
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Kasemeyer, Klausmeier declare support for same-sex marriage

A prominent Maryland state senator said Monday that he will support legalizing same-sex marriage, bringing the bill to within one vote of the number needed for passage.

By John Wagner  | February 14, 2011; 3:57 PM ET  |  Permalink  |  Comments (14)
Categories:  General Assembly, John Wagner, Same-Sex Marriage  
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