Education / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
DLS On Education Aid: MOE Fix Needed, Kirwan Follow-up Coming

Multiple issues arise in the Department of Legislative Services' Analysis of the Aid to Education budget. They recommend a "fix" to the troubling Maintenance of Effort effects from this year's proposed hold harmless grant/mandate combination. And, they suggest that a follow-up bill (as yet undrafted as the Kirwan bill has yet to be codified) will be introduced and considered this session. Each year, the nonpartisan staff agency to the General Assembly develops its professional analysis…

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February 28, 2021
County Government and Structure / Government Liability and Courts / Public Information and Ethics
Washington County Commissioners Vote to Remove Meinelschmidt Over Ethics Stir, Suit to Follow

The Washington County Commissioners voted to dismiss fellow Commissioner Cort Meinelschmidt from his seat, after a recent ethics matter. The action may end up in court, with authority for the move not fully clear. Cort Meinelschmidt, elected as County Commissioner in 2018, was removed from his seat by a vote of the other sitting Commissioners this week. Their action came in the wake of ethics concerns arising from a fledgling business connected to Meinelschmidt receiving…

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February 26, 2021
Coronavirus / Health and Human Services
Governor: Southern MD Mass Vax Site Coming, J&J Vax May Come Soon

Governor Hogan's February 23 COVID Press Conference Highlighted a Coming Mass Vaccination Site in Southern Maryland, and An Updated Executive Order on Masks and Testing Governor Hogan today announced the opening of a FEMA-supported mass vaccination site in Southern Maryland, in addition to expanded surveillance of COVID-19 variants, an executive order requiring face coverings in schools, and a warning regarding vaccine fraud in Maryland. It was also announced that the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine…

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February 23, 2021
Finance and Procurement / Government Liability and Courts
Davis Bill To Help OPEB Investment Trust Sails Through House

A bill introduced to assist MACo's OPEB Investment Trust has passed the House of Delegates. House Bill 378, sponsored by Delegate Debra Davis, has passed through the House of Delegates with  unanimous support. The bill was introduced to classify MACo's OPEB Investment Trust as a "local government" for liability purposes, which likely would save its participating counties and other governments on overhead costs with insurance. From MACo's testimony on HB 378: The more immediate case…

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February 23, 2021
Coronavirus / Health and Human Services
Statewide Vax Portal Coming, Local Health Depts May Opt-In

The State will soon unveil a centralized COVID vaccine Pre-Registration Site, with County Health Departments able to "opt in" to be part of the coordination system. During Monday's meeting of the Senate Vaccine Oversight Workgroup, Acting Health Secretary Dennis Schrader indicated the State's plans to offer a single-site pre-registration system for COVID vaccinations. As of Monday's discussion, it appears that the offering will cover the State's three (and expanding number of) mass vaccination sites, but…

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February 23, 2021
General Assembly News
How About Some “Notable Maryland Bills” Today?

We recommend a Twitter user's weekday threads, as he peruses the upcoming hearing schedule and comments on bills about to be heard "in Annapolis." Looking for ways to stay in touch during a mostly remote 2021 legislative session? Wondering what else is out there in the Annapolis policy landscape? Are you a committed Annapolis diehard trying to decide where to point your browser for each day's online public hearings? Follow Alex Holt on Twitter. For…

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February 23, 2021
CDC: Weather Will Delay Vaccine Shipments
Coronavirus / Health and Human Services
CDC: Weather Will Delay Vaccine Shipments

The Maryland Department of Health has shared information from the federal Centers for Disease Control, regarding vaccine shipments and the effect of inclement weather. Update: Weather Impacts on COVID-19 Vaccine Shipments This Week The CDC has provided the following updates on weather-related delays to vaccine shipments: Moderna vaccine: Moderna vaccines were not shipped on Monday February 15 or Tuesday February 16, and will most likely not ship today, February 17, due to adverse weather conditions. We are…

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February 18, 2021
Police Reform: Senate in Work Sessions, House Has Wave of Bills
Government Liability and Courts / Public Safety and Corrections
Police Reform: Senate in Work Sessions, House Has Wave of Bills

With police reforms being among the most high-profile topics expected to mass out of this General Assembly session - what are the bills in play, and where do they stand? Here's a quick update. Police reform has gathered the national attention since multiple deaths at the hands of officers elevated the tenor and debate - pushing action in many cities and States. Maryland's General Assembly has been working toward advancing multiple bills this session since…

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February 15, 2021
County Budgets / Public Safety and Corrections
Why Are Jail Costs Rising, Even As Crime Rate Falls?

A Governing article examines troubling trends in local correctional costs nationally, including trends that affect Maryland facilities. Crime rates have gone down in recent decades, but facility costs and mandates have prevented the overall spending on local jails from dropping during that same period. A Governing magazine evaluation reaches this, and related conclusions, after reviewing the fiscal status of local jails nationwide: In a report released last month, the Pew Charitable Trusts analyzed local jail…

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February 12, 2021
Coronavirus / Health and Human Services
Health Department Responds, Details Vax Program “Next Steps”

Following the February 8 letter from county leaders, the Maryland Department of Health issued its own letter to counties, detailing and largely reaffirming its vaccination efforts and strategies going forward. Getting vaccinations out into our communities, and especially targeted populations, has elevated to the top priority for every player in county government. A February 8 letter from county leaders outlined county priorities and urged improved communications and allocations through the local health departments. Acting Secretary…

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February 10, 2021
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