The latest from Taylor DeVille
Banner political notes: Baltimore Co. picks acting economic director; Baltimore tax credit reform
Two months after Baltimore County’s new economic development director abruptly resigned, County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. has nominated a senior deputy administrator to temporarily lead the department.
Banner political notes: Top Baltimore Co. administrator to retire; Fun with fundraisers; Former Sen. Peters dies
Stacy Rodgers, who’s overseen Baltimore County government operations for almost five years, intends to retire from county government in April 2024.
Baltimore Co. Council elects Patoka as first new chairman in three years
Baltimore County Councilman Izzy Patoka was elected 6-0 to lead the council this year, taking over from former Chair Julian Jones.
Baltimore Co. Council expands inspector general’s ability to obtain records
Chairman Julian Jones chose not to introduce amendments after defending proposals for oversight board and court-approved subpoenas last week.
Banner political notes: Baltimore Co. FOP supports IG oversight; Audit review; State House personnel moves
Baltimore County’s Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 4 has once again elected David Rose its president.
Report provides few answers for solving toughest regional water system questions
Consultant’s report recommends Baltimore City and its suburban counterpart “commit sufficient resources” to figure out the possible issues of a transition.
Jones plays defense on proposal for IG oversight board, weakening subpoena power
Baltimore County Council chair Julian Jones’ calls for an oversight board revive similar checks Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. sought to impose through an oversight board on Inspector General Kelly Madigan’s office in 2021.
Baltimore’s light rail is long overdue for a rehab. How did we get here?
The suspension of light rail service has raised questions about why the state did not overhaul its older railcars sooner.
Political notes: City Councilman slams housing for lack of inspectors
Gov. Wes Moore also named several new members to the Commission on Indian Affairs
Buses replace light rail trains as suspension disrupts morning commutes
"The shuttles are worse because they have to stop at every stop and take even longer than the trains already do," said Teresa Abrams at the Camden Yards stop.
‘Back room’ tactics delay Baltimore County vote on adding inspector general powers
The board would review draft IG investigation reports and either “approve a draft report as written” or recommend changes to the draft report “if the advisory board disagrees with the substance of any item contained in a report.”
Baltimore Co. inspector general tells council ‘it doesn’t make sense to ask first’ for records
The Baltimore County Council is taking up two bills requested by County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. One bill would codify the Office of the Inspector General in the county’s charter, and the other would enable Madigan to subpoena noncounty records at any point during her office’s investigations of government fraud, waste and abuse.
AG names Baltimore Co. officers who shot at Parkville man after police say he killed his wife
The Maryland Office of the Attorney General’s Independent Investigations Division released the names of three Baltimore County Police officers who responded to a reported domestic disturbance Friday night and exchanged gunfire with a Parkville man who police say fatally shot his wife inside their home.
Banner political notes: Sneed qualifies for public financing; Anne Arundel housing bill advances
Shannon Sneed gave us an early peek into 2024 campaign finances this month, when the Democrat filed new records of donations in order to qualify for public financing.
Orioles workers hold Black Friday protest at Camden Yards merch store over cut hours, health care
Dozens of Orioles Team Store employees and union allies picketed at Camden Yards on Black Friday, saying the store's new operator has slashed work hours and health care benefits.
Baltimore Museum of Art closed Friday after ‘unfounded’ bomb threat, police said
The museum said police are investigating but gave no other details.
Baltimore County’s watchdog could get new access to records — with limits
The bills granting new powers were drafted in consultation with county Inspector General Kelly Madigan, lifted directly from the report put forward in February 2023 by the Blue Ribbon Commission on Ethics and Accountability.
Banner Political notes: Brandon Scott’s reelection kickoff
The revitalization of rec centers and public spaces for city youth are a favorite issue of Scott’s and he's chosen to launch his reelection campaign at Leakin Park's Cahill Recreation Center.
In stunning last-minute move, Baltimore task force forgoes vote on new water authority
In the final minutes of the Baltimore Regional Water Governance Task Force’s penultimate meeting Thursday night — expected to end with a vote on its recommended reforms to Baltimore’s water and sewer system — task force members decided too many equity questions remain unanswered.
Banner political notes: Hogan’s new video; redistricting fallout; the ‘Ruby’ opens in East Baltimore
Former Gov. Larry Hogan channels former President Ronald Reagan at the end of a new 90-second video, saying: “I believe in peace through strength. And I believe in standing up for our allies and standing up to our enemies. We need to stand with our allies and secure peace through strength.”