One of the first new officials appointed in the Wes Moore Administration was a Chief Performance Officer tasked with ways to save taxpayer dollars by streamlining government services. Announced this week, initial steps will save Marylanders hundreds of millions of dollars in the next two decades.  The savings will come across procurement, fleet management, and real estate through efficiency and best practices. Governor Moore told WTOP that more savings will come…     “We can have a government that works, have a government that is accountable to people. That we can identify are there places in our state government where…

The Trump Administration overturned the EPA’s rejection of West Virginia’s plan to lift limits on the amount of sulfur dioxide in the air. The Sierra Club shows that loosening those environmental rules on greenhouse gas and other chemicals may increase exposure to air and water pollution in the Mountain State, according to Chapter Director Honey May…    “We’re talking about asthma, we’re talking about emergency room visits, especially among the youngest and oldest. As the administration rolls these protections back, that’s what it’s going to amount to, is sick West Virginians. We don’t need rollbacks and deregulation. We need investment.”

As Allegany County continues to work through the damage caused by May’s flood waters, County Administrator Jason Bennett says they have submitted to FEMA damage assessments totaling nearly $78 million dollars for Westernport and Lonaconing.  He says damage continues to be uncovered…     “We’re still finding problems especially with our sewer system up in George’s Creek.  Lots of problems, no basic needs aren’t being met.  We still have donation sites propped up.  So, you know, I think it is going as well as can be expected right now.”

Governor Wes Moore today announced that the State of Maryland will award Allegany County Government $459,375 in financial assistance through the Maryland State Disaster Recovery Fund. The first-ever, state-led recovery and relief funding will support disaster survivors, following extensive flooding on May 13.  “In Maryland, we live mission-first, people always. These funds will help Marylanders get back on their feet in the wake of historic flooding,” said Gov. Moore. “Our administration has taken a comprehensive approach to our recovery efforts – and we will continue to support our people, uplift our communities, and help Western Maryland bounce back. I encourage…

The first in the summer Friday After Five music series begins this week at a new location in downtown Cumberland. The event will be held in front of the waterfall at the Liberty Street parklet. Main Street manager Melinda Kelleher said a large crowd is expected for “Replay” that starts at 6pm, followed by area favorites “Queen City Funk and Soul”…     “Usually there’s hundreds of people that come out to hear them. That happened last year and the previous years, so we expect that.  Hopefully the weather – I think the weather is supposed to hold and be…

A former trooper with the Maryland State Police has been sentenced to six years in federal prison, followed by three years of probation. Justin Riggs, 35, of Smithsburg, was found guilty on several charges relating to bribery and drug crimes. Riggs was part of a state police unit investigating drug and gun trafficking in Western Maryland when he started providing information to a drug distributor about the investigation, including selling the identity of an informant.

Sixteen states including Maryland have filed suit against the Trump administration over plans to redistribute thousands of machinegun conversion devices as the result of a private settlement. Forced Reset Triggers, or FRTs allow almost any gun to fire until empty with one pull of the trigger.  Attorney General Anthony Brown says the impacts are devastating…     “These devices enable firearms to fire up to 900 bullets per minute. The increased rate of fire allows carnage and chaos to reign on the streets. Everyone nearby becomes vulnerable to serious injury or death. These are battlefield weapons that have no place…

West Virginia Congressman Riley Moore is heading up the Republican Rescissions Work Group – centered around the President’s Rescission package to claw back federal spending of over $9 billion dollars. The package, if it passes, would claw back funding from the likes of USAID, NPR, and PBS.  Riley will chair the work group and its efforts to get the package through the House of Representatives and on to the Senate. Rescissions need simple majorities in both houses to pass.

Maryland Sixth-District Congresswoman April McClain-Delaney who sits on the House Agriculture Committee recently shared her thoughts on how the current budget Reconciliation Bill threatens bipartisan efforts for farmers –  including access to capital and cuts to the SNAP program. She said now it is more important than ever to support sustainable agriculture and conservation…    “I represent many farmers and farm country in Maryland and I am the daughter of an Idaho potato farmer. I understand the importance of responsible land stewardship. Our farmers and ranchers are not just producers; they’re the best stewards of our land and resources.”

The removal of Vincent Schiraldi as Secretary of the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services is long overdue. From day one, Senate Republicans voted against Vincent Schiraldi’s nomination—first in the Senate Executive Nominations Committee and again on the Senate floor—warning that his radical, decarceration-above-all philosophy was a dangerous mismatch for an agency already in distress. Sadly, our concerns were proven right. Under Schiraldi’s leadership, a broken system became a public safety liability. “He presided over widespread failures: violent juveniles released with no real supervision, repeated contract mismanagement, dangerous missteps in ankle monitoring, and frontline staff left to fend for themselves,” said…