As the Maryland Senate now takes up the budget for fiscal year 2026, Allegany County will be watching closely.  Republicans have come forth with budget amendments that would split the difference between the House and the Governor’s wishes on the Blueprint for Education.  County Administrator Jason Bennett believes almost all of the issues smaller counties are facing hang off Blueprint funding…     “They’re quick to cut us counties. They’re quick to cut some other things. They’re slow to cut their expenditure for education, they’ve really made no changes to Blueprint, and that’s really the main cause for the state’s…

The Trump Administration’s decisions regarding cuts to the Department of Education are having ripple effects across the country, including Maryland.  On Monday State Board of Education President Dr. Joshua Michael and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Carey Wright issued a statement regarding the federal decision to rescind reimbursements for previously approved pandemic recovery funds.  The joint statement noted now 400 million dollars in funding for Maryland has been jeopardized.  The state is already in fiscal crisis and Monday’s news presents even more headaches for state policy makers.

The West Virginia legislature is putting the state’s athletic commission under increasing scrutiny.  Although unlikely to pass, Senate Bill 804 would restructure the Secondary Schools Activities Commission and provide for more transparency and public accountability.  Currently the commission is a private, non-profit organization.  The commission has been criticized for its seemingly arbitrary restructuring of the state’s athletic classes, spurring lawsuits which delayed the state football playoffs last November.

On Sunday, March 30, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department served two bench warrants on Devone Baskin Jr.  A District Court bench warrant was issued as the result of Baskin violating probation on an original charge of Malicious Destruction of Property $1000+.  A Circuit Court bench warrant was issued as the result of Baskin violating probation on an original charge of Assault-2nd Degree.  Baskin was arrested and transported to Central Booking.  He was later seen by a District Court Commissioner for a bond hearing regarding the District Court warrant.  At the conclusion, he was remanded to the Allegany County Detention Center…

Maryland’s Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Jake Day has announced a $25,000 Business Boost micro grant to an Allegany County business for economic development. Mountain City Center for the Arts in Frostburg will receive the money to help with operating costs to increase enrollment, provide more opportunities for arts education and job opportunities for local professional artists and educators. Overall, $908,000 in grants were made to 22 businesses across eight counties and Baltimore City.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore is heading out of the state in mid-April for a trade and investment mission to Japan and South Korea. He intends to concentrate on strategic partnerships in quantum, aerospace and life sciences – areas he has singled out as specific opportunities for economic growth and workforce development within the state. Representatives from the Departments of Commerce and Transportation as well as the private sector will also be on the trip which begins April 11.

On Sunday, March 30, 2025, the Cumberland Police Department served an arrest warrant on Dion Alves.  The warrant was issued as the result of an incident that was reported on March 16, 2025 when police responded to a residence in the first block of South Street for a theft of a motor vehicle.  Officers contacted the alleged victim who reported that Dion Alves took his vehicle last year without his permission.  After further investigation, police filed for charges against Alves at the District Court of Allegany County.   Alves was arrested and transported to Central Booking.  He was later seen by…

As the Maryland General Assembly winds down for the year, those hardest hit by the fiscal year 2026 budget are dealing with hard realities.  Smaller counties in the state have taken the brunt of mandated spending and are now in a budget emergency. County Administrator for Allegany County Jason Bennett said any pay increases for employees are on hold…     “The only groups that are getting raises are the union groups who had raises promised in their union contract. I get the same raise that any county employee does. I don’t get dealt any differently, nor should I. As…

Maryland U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen spoke in front of Capitol Hill with other Democrats to decry the Department of Government Efficiency’s move to downsize the Social Security system. Van Hollen says the cuts being made are designed to undermine confidence in the agency…     “The Social Security Administration and those employees have never missed a payment and they are also operating today at a 50-year low in terms of personnel. So this has nothing to do with government efficiency. This has everything to do with the most corrupt bargain in American history.”

What did not happen with Maryland’s new budget is something that Governor Moore had suggested – pauses on certain parts of the multi-billion dollar Blueprint for Education. Moore had proposed delaying or cutting back portions of the plan, but House Democrats kept all spending in place.  House Minority Leader Jason Buckel argued in Annapolis that the plan is too costly for its investment return…     “We spend more money per pupil than most places in the United States and where are our test scores? Where are our test scores – anybody know? They ain’t that good. They ain’t that…