The projected deficit in Maryland’s budget is causing ripples throughout the state.  The Capital Debt Affordability Committee is recommending additional loans of over $8 billion in the next five years.  Facing a structural deficit of over $418 million in FY 2025, questions have arisen over what programs the Moore Administration will prioritize or dial back.  State Budget Secretary Helene Grady said the focus would be on deferred maintenance and upgrades to aging state facilities, schools, and economic competitiveness. The budget deficit will exceed $1.8 billion in 2027, mostly due to costs for implementation of the Blueprint for Education.

Firefighters in Western Maryland are on the receiving end of some federal funding from the Senators Cardin and Van Hollen. Allegany, Garrett, and Washington Counties have each received funding for equipment that will enhance emergency response capabilities.  Shaft Volunteer Fire Department received $16,500 to acquire a turn-out gear extractor and dryer. Deep Creek VFD received monies to replace self-contained breathing apparatus.  Fire Departments in Williamsport and Sharpsburg also received funding for equipment.  The funding is from the Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant program.  

***Adult Arrest*** On Monday, October 16th, 2023, The Cumberland City Police responded to a Queen City Drive business for the report of a theft. Upon arrival, Officers were advised that a male subject had left the store after stealing a sweatshirt. Officers were able to locate the subject a short distance from the store wearing the sweatshirt with the tags still attached. As a result, Damian Moshe Seltzer, 45, of Cumberland MD, was issued a criminal citation for theft and released, pending trial in District Court. Arrested: Damian Moshe Seltzer          Age: 45                 …

West Virginia’s Department of Health and Human Services is highlighting the programs available to women during their observance of Breast Cancer Awareness month. The breast and cervical screening program provides resources to decrease incidence of cancer, morbidity, and mortality by focusing on populations who are underserved. Through the program, uninsured or underinsured West Virginians have access to screening and information on risks and preventive measures. Individuals interested in these resources can visit www.dhhr.wv.gov/bccsp.

Maryland’s Horse Month will showcase the many ways the State is enriched by horses and the horse industry.  The state’s horse industry has an annual economic impact of $2.1 billion dollars and has more horses per square mile than any other state. The Maryland 5-Star At Fair Hill is a major equestrian event with dressage, cross-country, and show jumping starting October 19th in Elkton.  Horse enthusiasts can also visit the new Maryland Horse Library and Education Center in Reisterstown which includes a collection of sporting books, meeting space, and interactive kiosks.

Former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan is still playing the keep-away game from saying he will run for President. Hogan spoke with Bloomberg TV in Washington DC and said his primary focus right now is getting the Republican Party back on track amid all the chaos in the Senate, calling it a “train wreck.”  Hogan is honorary co-chairman of “No Labels,” a group that has been laying groundwork for a third-party bid in the event that the Presidential race comes down to Biden versus Trump…  

Maryland’s Department of Labor has determined the initial contribution rate for the new Family and Medical Leave Insurance State Plan.  The rate will be nine-tenths of one percent of covered wages, divided between employees and employers with 15 or more workers.  The rate applies to employers and self-employed individuals choosing coverage under the State Plan. Contributions begin October 1st of 2024 but claims on the plan will not be able to be submitted until 2026. Russell Berger of Offitt-Kerman Accountants says the plan works in a way similar to other state programs…  

Every year in Maryland, more than 13,000 young drivers are involved in motor vehicle crashes. Nearly 6,000 are injured and 14 are killed each year.  Teen Driver Safety Week runs through Sunday, October 15th and the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration is urging teens and parents to remember important rules behind the wheel involving impaired driving, seat belt use, distracted driving, speeding, and large numbers of passengers. Christy Nizer with MVA says teens need to be reminded about these things since they are still new to the road…  

West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey has filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit designed to keep Donald Trump off of the state’s ballot for the Presidential Primary and General Election. Longshot candidate John Castro has filed similar suits in other states, contending that Trump should not be allowed to be candidate on grounds that he allegedly “engaged in or provided aid or comfort to an insurrection.”  Morrisey’s motion to dismiss says that Castro is trying to apply a Civil War-era, anti-Confederate provision to Trump’s actions…  

Dr. Carey Wright doesn’t officially start her job as Maryland’s interim State School Superintendent until October 23, but she is already hoping to make her temporary gig a permanent one.  She just retired in June from a similar position in Mississippi where her main achievement was to boost the state’s reading scores – called the “Mississippi Miracle.” She is getting up to speed on the state’s Blueprint for Education initiative and looking at the all-important data from school testing.  She has referred to the state’s math testing scores as “abysmal.”