The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) Board named James (Jim) F. Ports, Jr. as its new Executive Director. MDTA is a 1,700-employee agency that oversees the state’s eight toll facilities and the E-ZPass Maryland system. Mr. Ports has served as Deputy Secretary of Operations for the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) since 2015. MDTA Press Release…

The General Assembly recently provided organizational materials and committee activities for the 2019 interim. Information includes letters from committee chairs of standing, statutory and special committees detailing proposed activities for the interim; listings of legislation related to the Legislative Policy Committee; new reports to the General Assembly as a result of legislation; and reports due…

Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr. and House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones announced appointments to the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Funding Formula Workgroup. As reported by Maryland Matters, The panel will be tasked with making funding formula recommendations before the 2020 legislative session, including on the split between state and local education funding, prioritizing…

Governor Hogan announced last week he has vetoed the following eight bills which passed during the 2019 legislative session. HB 66/SB 252 – Railroad Company – Movement of Freight – Required Crew Read the governor’s letter here. HB 262/SB 537 – Higher Education – Tuition Rates – Exemptions Read the governor’s letter here. HB 720/SB 830 –…

Governor Larry Hogan announced yesterday that he will let Senate Bill 516 – Clean Energy Jobs take effect without his signature. At the same time, he announced an energy strategy, the innovative Clean and Renewable Energy Standard (CARES) to require 100% clean electricity by 2040. From the Governor’s press release, The governor made the announcement…

Governor Larry Hogan, Senate President Mike Miller, and House Speaker Adrienne Jones signed 181 bills into law on May 13. Bills of significance expand critical health care and crime prevention measures, including legislation that will add more Marylanders to the health insurance rolls, and raise the minimum age tobacco can be sold to 21. Other legislation…

In an unanimous vote, Delegate Adrienne Jones has been selected to serve as Speaker of the House of Delegates. The long-time Speaker Pro Tem has made history as the first African-American and first woman to serve in this role. Speaker Jones has served in the House of Delegates since 1997. In addition to serving as…