A bill supported by the Maryland Black Caucus has passed the House and Senate in Annapolis creating a reparations committee for Marylanders whose family ancestors were enslaved. The committee would look at cash payments, housing and business assistance to those with family who were victims of inequitable government policies.  Delegate Justin Ready said the bill’s timing is wrong, considering the state’s financial issues…     “I question whether using taxpayer money would ever be appropriate in this context. Even going back to when reparations were paid to survivors of the Holocaust, they went after companies that were involved, not after…

A Maryland man who government officials now say was wrongly deported to El Salvador is suing the Department of Homeland Security. Prince Georges County resident Kilmar Garcia was picked up by ICE officials and deported in March with no legal proceedings. Governor Wes Moore has spoken out on the situation and U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen says Garcia belongs with his family…     “And now they say there’s nothing they can do about it to get him back. This shows the complete disregard of the Trump Administration to any kind of due process. The administration should immediately bring him…

Efforts to prop up Maryland’s Transportation Fund have met with opposition previously because of gas-powered vehicles being hit with more taxes than electric cars.  Now, a new tax will help level the playing field. A tax of $5 per tire purchased in the state will go to the fund for Maryland’s roads and bridges. It’s similar to the gas tax, according to Senate President Bill Ferguson…    “It is a user fee – this is something that both electric vehicles and combustion engines also, all need tires.”

Maryland’s House and Senate have had emergency legislation introduced to clarify campaign fundraising during the General Assembly session.  Governor Wes Moore has received criticism for an appearance Wednesday evening at a Unity First PAC fundraiser, a political action committee organized when he campaigned for office. Under state law, Maryland legislators, including the Governor and Lieutenant Governor are barred from fundraising activities during the 90-day legislative session.

Local businessman Chris Myers and Let's Beautify Cumberland are pushing for the return of the Memorial Day Parade in downtown Cumberland.  Myers spoke at Tuesday night's Mayor and City Council meeting advocating a return to the decades long tradition in Cumberland.  Council members Eugene Frazier and Rock Cioni were supportive of the parade idea while Mayor Ray Morriss was more lukewarm in his comments.

Beginning May 1, 2025, the Allegany County Tax and Utility Office will implement a change in how credit and debit card processing fees are handled.  The county will no longer absorb these fees. Instead, a processing fee will be applied to all transactions made with a credit or debit card.

The city of Cumberland will be holding a groundbreaking ceremony Friday for the new skate park.  The groundbreaking will take place at 1 p.m. at the Eugene C. Mason complex in South End. 

On Tuesday, April 1st, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department arrested Jessica Domini Durham, 39, of Cumberland MD. Durham was arrested on three active Bench Warrants, all issued by the Allegany County District Court. Each warrant alleges that Durham failed to appear in District Court for three separate court cases that were set for dates in February and March of 2025. The previous charges against Durham include disorderly conduct, failure to obey a lawful order, and driving without a license. She was taken before a District Court Commissioner for an Initial Appearance where she was released on a total of $5,000…

The budget has moved on from the House of Delegates to the Senate in Annapolis, but some lawmakers are still trying to make the point on the excessive costs of the Blueprint for Education.  Delegate April Rose who represents Carroll and Frederick Counties, spoke out about the increasing price and its effects on the state…     “I really love some parts of the Blueprint – workforce development, training children to be successful in career choices. But if you can’t afford it, you can’t afford it. So keep on taxing – tax, tax, tax, tax, tax – and the last…

President Donald Trump this week issued an Executive Order reaffirming some aspects of states’ election administration.  West Virginia Secretary of State Kris Warner was pleased that the administration’s focus is on protecting voter rights. Warner said his office is working on continuing legislation at the state level to preserve election integrity as well…     “The implantation of photo ID for voters to insure that every eligible citizen will have the right and opportunity to vote. Plans to provide counties with more resources, poll worker education, and support for ensuring the protections of their critical elections infrastructure.”