Saying the state will not give up its duty to register voters in a non-partisan manner to the federal government, West Virginia Secretary of State Mac Warner is pushing back against the Biden Administration’s ruling claiming the federal government has responsibility to expand voter registration.  Warner cites the US Constitution that states it will be the state legislatures that decide times, places, and manner for holding elections and says the state will not accept voter registrations collected by federal agents.  

Maryland Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen have officially introduced Senate Bill 4114 – the Baltimore Bridge Relief Act. It will amend the federal cost-share requirement for Federal Highway Administration to allow for full 100% funding for the bridge rebuild. The Act reiterates current law that requires any funds recovered from insurance or liable parties will reimburse the taxpayers for the cost of replacing the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

Allegany County Public Schools is reporting this Monday morning that Cash Valley Elementary School will be closed today due to no water service at the facility.

US Senator Joe Manchin cosponsored a resolution to overturn a Federal Highway Administration rule imposing greenhouse gas emissions performance measures on state departments of transportation.  Manchin said it’s another example of the Biden Administration trying to implement the law they wanted instead of the one they got…

Senator Mike McKay is back home after the 2024 General Assembly in Annapolis.  Talking with WCBC, McKay agreed with Governor Wes Moore’s remarks that this session accomplished much in a bipartisan fashion… The Senator also said that the Governor is willing to listen to what Senators and Delegates have to say to him…

The Department of Veterans Affairs is launching a new program that will help vets stay in their homes. VASP – Veterans Affairs Servicing Purchase – is a last resort tool where the VA will purchase defaulted VA loans, modify them and then place them in the VA-owned portfolio.  Veterans will have a fixed 2.5% interest rate for the remainder of their loan. More information is on the VA home loans website at benefits.va.gov/homeloans.

Today is the filing deadline for the 2023 tax season. Internal Revenue System data shows that almost 30% of Americans wait till the last minute to file tax returns.  The IRS began accepting tax returns for the 2023 season at the end of January. If someone knows they won’t make the deadline, there are steps to take.  Tiana Jefferson of the IRS explains that a form and some kind of payment is still needed…

A new institute dedicated to developing the next generation of artificial intelligence or AI, education, technology and leaders has opened at the University of Maryland.  The Artificial Intelligence Interdisciplinary Institute at Maryland will be a hub for AI, faculty research, learning opportunities, and responsible and ethical AI technology to advance the public good across society. The institute will be funded through the university, research grants, philanthropic gifts and industry partnerships.

House Minority Leader Jason Buckel’s Allegany Regional Recreational Development Authority was approved this year in Annapolis.  The Authority sets up a structure for an organized expansion of more modern recreational facilities in the area.  Buckel says the authority will unite the efforts of many individual groups for more focused development… Buckel says travel sports, especially soccer, offer an outside-the-box angle for creating recreational tourism…

Maryland Governor Wes Moore delivered the Keynote Address for the 20th Annual Western Maryland Democratic Summit on Saturday at Rocky Gap Resort. The speech ran just under 30 minutes and Moore took the time to reiterate the bipartisanship shown during the General Assembly that saw all 16 of his bills passed.  He said that the Democratic Party needs to invest in everyone and it should not be splintered… Lt. Governor Aruna Miller was also at the Summit and Governor Moore remembered the hard battle they fought in the primary, and cautioned those candidates who are running now…