Maryland Archives - Page 327 of 395

Seasonal Increase in Passport Applications Has Increased Processing Time

Published February 19, 2023 at 5:40PM

Last week Representative Jamie Raskin warned travelers who plan on traveling this Spring that processing times for are increasing for passport applications due to a seasonal increase in applications. Processing times are now up to 8-11 weeks for regular applications and 5-7 weeks for expedited applications. Rep. Raskin’s full message can be seen below:

”I’ve just been alerted that a seasonal increase in passport applications has increased processing times to 8-11 weeks for regular apps and 5-7 weeks for expedited apps. If you have travel plans, please submit your application ASAP.”

Maryland Legislature to Look at Bill That Would No Longer Count Tips Towards Minimum Wage

By MCS Staff

Published February 18, 2023 at 7:11AM

Maryland legislature will be looking at a bill on March 2 that would abolish the “tip credit”. Employers in the state of Maryland (and most other states across the country) are permitted to count customer tips toward the minimum hourly wage they must pay to certain service employees. This is often referred to as a “tip credit.” A tip credit allows the employer to pay employees a wage that is less than the minimum wage by relying on tips the employee receives from customers to make up the difference. In November, DC voted to approve “Initiative 82”, which gradually eliminates the tip credit until its fully eliminated by 2027.

Synopsis of the bill, courtesy of the Maryland General Assembly: Specifying a certain tip credit amount that is in effect for certain time periods; prohibiting certain employers of tipped employees, beginning July 1, 2027, from including a tip credit amount as part of the employees’ wages; and requiring the Commissioner of Labor and Industry to establish the High Road Kitchen Program as a recognition program for restaurants that do not include the tip credit as part of certain employees’ wages.

Shop Maryland Energy Weekend Begins Today

By MCS Staff

Published February 18, 2023 at 6:46AM

Marylanders either needing or just contemplating replacing appliances could be motivated to shop from Feb. 18-20 when they can save on paying State sales tax on eligible Energy Star-rated appliances during “Shop Maryland Energy Weekend.”

During Presidents’ Day weekend, appliances bearing the Energy Star label, whether purchased in-store or online, will be exempt from the State’s six percent sales tax. Eligible appliances could include air conditioners, washers, dryers, standard-size refrigerators, furnaces, heat pumps, boilers, compact fluorescent light bulbs, dehumidifiers and programmable thermostats. Solar water heaters are tax-exempt year-round.

Governor Moore Testifies Before House Ways and Means Committee in Support of The Keep Our Heroes Home Act

By Patrick Herron

Published February 17, 2023 at 12:03PM

Per the State of Maryland: Governor Wes Moore yesterday testified in support of The Keep Our Heroes Home Act, presented as House Bill 554 before the House Ways and Means Committee, marking the first time a sitting governor has testified in support of a bill since 2014. The act is a major component of the governor’s legislative agenda to support veterans and their families.

“Maryland’s veterans start small businesses, serve on boards, and bring their talents to companies that are driving Maryland’s economy forward,” said Governor Moore. “These public servants start families, make friends, and build their lives here in Maryland—and yet we’re losing them to other states. I believe that this legislation stands to be among the most impactful that you will consider this session.”

Governor Moore Signs Executive Order to Strengthen Government Accountability for Maryland’s Minority Business Enterprise Program

By Patrick Herron

Published February 16, 2023 at 8:54PM

Per the State of Maryland: Governor Wes Moore today signed an executive order to underscore his administration’s commitment to strengthening participation, compliance, and accountability for Maryland’s Minority Business Enterprise program. The executive order—the first minority business enterprise-related order issued by any Maryland governor—will provide the Moore-Miller administration with data to assess Maryland’s current Minority Business Enterprise program performance and inform program development strategy.

“I’ve said this before and I will say this again, I am data driven and heart-led; the data shows that we are not meeting the mark in our Minority Business Enterprise program, so my heart is saying we must do everything we can to not only meet our goals, but exceed them,” said Governor Moore. “Our administration has the most diverse cabinet in history, and it’s critical that we take the first step forward in delivering more access and opportunities to our minority-owned businesses in order to create a more economically competitive and inclusive state.”

Consumer Alert: Home Warranty Scam Letters Sent to Maryland Homeowners

By Patrick Herron

Published February 15, 2023 at 11:36AM

These letters generally ask for a response to the notice by a certain date, often include language such as “final notice,” and threaten that failing to call may result in financial risk for the homeowner. In examples of such a letter sent to the Attorney General’s office, also included are a document that resembles a check, with the words “renewal fee voucher,” as well as an actual photo of the homeowner’s home on the return envelope.

Solicitations that use threatening language or unnecessary urgency are almost always a scam. Although they include the name of the homeowner’s mortgage company, scam letters like this rely on publicly available information to deceive the homeowner. To reiterate, the people sending these letters are not representing, nor have any affiliation with, mortgage companies. They use this information, as well as other seemingly “official” references, such as “record ID” numbers, to appear legitimate. If you have a home warranty, check with the company through which you already purchased your warranty for expiration and renewal information.

Wheaton High School Principal’s Appeal to Overturn Cancellation of Wrestling Season is Denied; Second Appeal to Follow

By MCS Staff

Published February 14, 2023 at 9:22PM

Wheaton High School Principal Joshua Munsey announced in a letter to parents of students on the Wheaton wrestling team that an appeal of the MPSSAA decision to not allow Wheaton High School wrestlers to participate in any post-season series has been denied. In the letter to parents, Munsey stated the following: “Yesterday, I represented the Wheaton High School wrestlers in a hearing appealing the MPSSAA Sanction that Wheaton High School wrestlers are not allowed to participate in the post-season series. This afternoon, I received the attached letter denying our appeal. Also this afternoon, I followed the steps outlined in this letter to appeal this decision.” Principal Munsey has told us that he filed for the initial appeal as soon as he knew he was able to do so. He has also followed the steps for a second appeal that is likely to be heard this week. The full letter denying the appeal can be seen below.

Dear Mr. Munsey:

Maryland Is 2023’s “2nd Most Educated State in America” According to Study

By MCS Staff

Published February 13, 2023 at 8:47AM

The state of Maryland has been ranked second in a list of “Most Educated States.” With BLS data showing a correlation between higher education levels, higher income and lower unemployment rates, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2023’s Most & Least Educated States in America. Massachusetts was ranked first and Connecticut came in third.

In order to determine the most educated states, WalletHub compared all 50 states across 18 metrics that examined the key factors of a well-educated population: educational attainment, school quality and achievement gaps between genders and races.

Whitman Alumna Abby Meyers Honored by Maryland Basketball on Senior Day

By MCS Staff

Published February 13, 2023 at 8:25AM

Abby Meyers is Whitman High School’s all-time leading scorer with over 1,700 points and was the Ivy League Player of the Year last year before transferring to the University of Maryland for her senior season. Yesterday she was honored at Senior Day as #8 Maryland took on Illinois.

Meyers didn’t disappoint, scoring 14 of her 18 points in the third quarter for the Terps, helping lead the team to an 81-72 victory and improving to 13-0 all-time against Illinois. In an interview with the Diamondback last month, she credited her junior and senior years at Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda as helping her evolve as a teammate and leader, playing a big role in being named a captain ahead of her first season at Maryland.

Beyond MoCo: Governor Wes Moore Statement on The Officer-Involved Shootings in Baltimore and Harford Counties

By Patrick Herron

Published February 11, 2023 at 11:21AM

Governor Wes Moore released the following statement on the officer-involved shootings in Baltimore and Harford counties:

“Today I visited with the family and colleagues of the Baltimore County detective who is currently on life support after being shot while in pursuit of the individual who ran from police and this morning was apprehended in Harford County.

Reminder: Text-To-911 is Available in Montgomery County and Maryland

By MCS Staff

Published February 10, 2023 at 4:26PM

The Montgomery County Police Department shared in 2020 that Text-To-911 is now available in Maryland and has provided the following guidelines. If you’re experiencing an emergency and are unable to place a voice call, you can send a text to 911. Follow these steps to request emergency services:

Tips for using text-to-911: