Governor Larry Hogan today announced that all employees across state government will receive a 4.5% cost of living adjustment (COLA) increase—effective November 1, 2022—as part of a series of measures to enhance statewide workforce recruitment and retention efforts. The governor’s action follows official budget projections from the Board of Revenue Estimates showing that, for the second consecutive year, the state is reporting a multi-billion dollar surplus. Overall, after inheriting a $5.1 billiion structural budget deficit, the governor will leave office with a record $5.5 billion in reserves—a more than $10 billion swing in the state’s fiscal fortunes under the Hogan administration.“…

With a worrying eye towards the future, the Maryland Board of Revenue Estimates voted today to boost state revenue projections for Fiscal Year 2023 to $23.7 billion, an increase of $1.2 billion. The adjustment reflects continued economic growth stemming from federal stimulus aid, which has led to larger individual and corporate income tax receipts, as well as higher-than-expected sales tax collections. Additionally, the Board, which consists of Comptroller Peter Franchot, Treasurer Dereck Davis and Budget Secretary David Brinkley, set the first official revenue forecast for Fiscal Year 2024 at $25.3 billion. "The fact that Maryland's economy is still growing despite unforeseen…

Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh today announced the indictments of six defendants for multiple charges including Participation in a Criminal Organization, Conspiracy to Distribute CDS, Possession with Intent to Distribute, and firearm-related counts. He also announced the seizure of a large quantity of fentanyl and handguns.  The defendants are 28-year-old Jawan Fulton, of Pikesville; 36-year-old Darvin McCoy of Odenton; 27-year-old Maleik Moody; 23-year-old Trayvon Guest; 34-year-old Rymek Milligan; and 23-year-old Trezjure Fielding, of Baltimore.   An investigation led by the Organized Crime Unit of the Attorney General’s Office, Howard County Police Department, and the Strike Force 7 Group led…

On Friday,  from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm Edgevale Avenue will be closed to traffic from Kent Avenue to Oldtown Road.  Water service to that area will also be interrupted so that the city may tie in the new 6" water main on Brentwood Street.

U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Anthony G. Brown, Jamie B. Raskin, and David Trone (all D-Md.) announced $692,918 to support environmental education programs that provide students the opportunity to learn about the importance of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed in both outdoor and classroom settings. This federal funding is through the NOAA Chesapeake Bay-Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) grant program.   “Young Americans hold the keys to a better future for our planet. That’s why providing hands-on experiences for students to learn about our environment and its stewardship is so important. Through these environmental education programs, students will also have the opportunity to explore one of Maryland’s greatest…

The West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH) announced the award of seven new paving contracts worth more than $6 million on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022, as a statewide paving campaign continues.   The contracts were among 16 construction contracts awarded from a bid letting conducted Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022.   Paving contracts awarded included: West Virginia Paving Inc. was low bidder on a paving project on 29th Street Road in Huntington, with a bid of $413,508.98. West Virginia Paving Inc. was low bidder on a paving project from Daniels to Grandview Road in Raleigh County, with a bid of $606,871.60….

Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin has abandoned, for now, his push to speed up the permitting process for energy projects, easing the Senate’s path toward passing a stopgap spending bill that would keep the federal government running when the fiscal year ends at midnight Friday. A procedural vote Tuesday advancing the funding bill succeeded easily, 72-23, after Democrats announced that the West Virginia senator’s proposal would be stripped from the final legislation. It was clear that, with Manchin’s plan included, Democrats were falling far short of the 60 votes needed to proceed, as most Republicans objected to it.

On September 28th, 2022 officers of the Cumberland Police Department served an Arrest Warrant on Brandon Scott Clark. The Arrest Warrant was issued by the Circuit Court when Clark violated the conditions of his probation. Clark was taken before a District Court Commissioner where he was held without bond. Arrest: Brandon Scott Clark, age 26, Cumberland Maryland. Charge: Violation of Probation. Arrest Warrant, Assault on Police On September 28th, 2022 officers of the Cumberland Police Department served an Arrest Warrant on Michael Shawn Fear. The Arrest Warrant was issued by the District Court stemming from a robbery incident on August…

Republican candidate for Maryland governor Dan Cox answered some tough questions during a forum this week held at Morgan State University.  The forum was sparsely attended, but this was a very frank discussion between Cox and the Morgan students about some controversial issues- with one student asking him about the oft mentioned criticism that  he organized buses to the riot on January 6th… Tough questions were asked of the Republican gubernatorial candidate during the forum hosted by the student newspaper "The Spokesman." Democratic candidate Wes Moore did not attend. Cox fielded questions on various hot-button issues, including critical race theory…

Constitutional Amendment 2, which would allow the West Virginia Legislature to drop personal property taxes on machinery, inventory and vehicles, is turning into a red-on-red political food fight over its fate on the November ballot.  Republican Gov. Jim Justice is now actively campaigning against the measure while the GOP Senate leadership is pushing the proposal that the Senate said would cut taxes $515 million. Justice was on the road campaigning against the amendment with stops across the state- as he prefers reducing the state income tax about $200 million…