Maryland Archives - Page 337 of 395

Governor Hogan and Transportation Officials Honor Victims of Crashes Involving Drunk, Drugged Drivers at 19th Annual Maryland Remembers Ceremony

Published November 22, 2022 at 1:11PM

Per the State of Maryland—Governor Larry Hogan joined together today with other state officials, Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) leaders, safety advocates, and law enforcement officers for the 19th annual Maryland Remembers ceremony, an event honoring Marylanders who have lost their lives to impaired driving. “No one should ever get behind the wheel of a car and drive impaired, and we hope that this creative new initiative will encourage more Marylanders to make better choices,” said Governor Hogan. “Even one death is one too many, which is why we must continue working together, we must continue to tell the stories of those we have lost, and we must continue doing everything in our power to save lives and to prevent future tragedies.”

The governor was joined by MDOT Secretary James F. Ports, Jr., MDOT Motor Vehicle Administrator Chrissy Nizer, Maryland State Police Superintendent Col. Woodrow Jones III, highway safety advocates from the Maryland Affiliate of Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the Washington Regional Alcohol Program, and victim impact speaker Deb Hardy in Annapolis for this year’s ceremony. Nineteen years ago—the same year Maryland Remembers began—Ms. Hardy’s daughter was killed a week before her 14th birthday by an impaired driver.

Office of Attorney General Formally Overrules Past Opinions that Upheld or Applied Racially Discriminatory State Laws; Office Reviewed Opinions Dating Back to 1916 to Determine if They Upheld or Applied the View that Maryland Could Restrict Interracial Marriage, Impose Segregation

By MCS Staff

Published November 21, 2022 at 7:32PM

In an official opinion addressed to Maryland General Assembly leaders, Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh formally overruled prior opinions of the Attorney General of Maryland that upheld or applied racially discriminatory Maryland laws that were later found to be unconstitutional.

Specifically, Attorney General Frosh found that many former opinions by the Office explicitly or implicitly relied on two discriminatory legal principles: 1) the restriction of interracial marriage by the State of Maryland and 2) the doctrine of “separate but equal” in public facilities, especially public education.

Governor Hogan Proclaims November 22 as Kimchi Day in Maryland

By Patrick Herron

Published November 21, 2022 at 11:17AM

Per the State of Maryland: Governor Larry Hogan today proclaimed November 22, 2022 as Kimchi Day to recognize the importance of this popular Korean dish, and to further celebrate Korean culture in Maryland.

First Lady Yumi Hogan, the first Korean-American First Lady in the United States, has promoted kimchi through her “Yumi Cooks” series. Government House is the first and only governor’s mansion in the nation with a kimchi refrigerator. The First Lady also led the effort to open Maryland’s Koreatown last year in Ellicott City.

Governor-Elect Wes Moore’s Statement on MDOT Decision on I-495/1-270 Toll Lanes Contract

By Patrick Herron

Published November 21, 2022 at 9:50AM

Last week the Maryland Department of Transportation announced the next steps for the State of Maryland’s Traffic Relief Plan, which included a10-month extension for private companies to submit proposals. On Friday, Governor-Elect Wes Moore issued the following statement:

Under Lt. Gov.-Elect Aruna Miller’s leadership, the Moore-Miller administration is eager to work collaboratively with Comptroller-elect Brooke Lierman, Treasurer Dereck Davis, the Maryland General Assembly, County Executive Marc Erich, and our communities to find the best path forward.”

Open Enrollment: Less Than Three Weeks Left to Enroll in Medicare and Receive Lower Premiums in 2023

By Patrick Herron

Published November 19, 2022 at 11:05AM

Per the State of Maryland—With Medicare Open Enrollment in full swing, Governor Larry Hogan and Maryland Department of Aging Secretary Rona E. Kramer are reminding Marylanders that lower premiums are available for Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D prescription drug plans. In addition, beneficiaries can now compare 2023 Medicare health and drug coverage premiums and deductibles using the recently updated Medicare Plan Finder on Medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE. “Medicare plays a key role in providing health and financial security to many residents across the state who utilize the program,” said Governor Hogan. “We want to continue to ensure that every Marylander has access to affordable care and, ultimately, a better quality of life.”

More than 1 million Marylanders are enrolled in Medicare. The projected average premium for 2023 Medicare Advantage plans is $18 per month, a decline of nearly 8% from the 2022 average premium of $19.52. Medicare Advantage plans will continue to offer a wide range of supplemental benefits in 2023, including eyewear, hearing aids, preventive and comprehensive dental benefits, access to meals (for a limited duration), over-the-counter items, and fitness benefits. The average basic monthly premium for standard Part D coverage—which helps pay for both brand-name and generic prescription drugs—is projected to be $31.50, compared to $32.08 in 2022.

Maryland Attorney General Reaches Settlement with Washington Commanders

By MCS Staff

Published November 19, 2022 at 9:17AM

“For many years, the Commanders kept money that was not theirs. It belongs to their customers,” said Attorney General Frosh. “Today’s settlement will require the team to return the monies owed to consumers. The Commanders will pay a penalty, and they will be enjoined from engaging in similar practices in the future.”

Under today’s settlement, the Commanders are required to refund all security deposits that have not yet been returned to consumers who are no longer ticketholders within 30 days. If any of the payments are undeliverable, the team must turn the funds over to be held as unclaimed funds. Today’s settlement also contains an injunction requiring the team not to mislead consumers about their security deposit practices and to return in the future any security deposits they collect from fans within 30 days of the cancellation or termination of their contracts to purchase tickets. The Commanders have also agreed to pay a $250,000 civil penalty.

Maryland Mobile/Online Sports Betting Will Go Live on Wednesday, November 23

By MCS Staff

Published November 17, 2022 at 1:31PM

Maryland Lottery Director John A. Martin says Maryland online sports betting launch will commence on Wednesday, Nov. 23, but a time has not yet been determined. According to sports betting reporter Ryan Butler, seven sportsbooks should be ready to start taking bets that day:

Betfred, betPARX, Fanatics have also been approved, but launches TBD.

First 10 Mobile Sports Wagering Licenses in Maryland

By MCS Staff

Published November 16, 2022 at 10:07PM | Updated November 16, 2022 at 10:38PM

The Maryland Sports Wagering Application Review Commission (SWARC) voted to award mobile sports wagering licenses to 10 businesses during a meeting held Wednesday, November 16. 10 businesses and full press release below:

SWARC’s awards do not allow the licensees to immediately begin taking wagers. Each business is working with Maryland Lottery and Gaming staff to complete operational requirements before Maryland Lottery and Gaming gives approval to launch. The last step for each applicant is the successful completion of a controlled demonstration of its systems and procedures, which involves live wagering by customers at specific dates and times approved by Maryland Lottery and Gaming. If those go well, the first mobile sports bets could start being placed before Thanksgiving. Additional nformation on the timing of controlled demonstrations will be provided by the licensees.

Governor Hogan Announces Maryland State Police Superintendent Colonel Jerry Jones to Retire, Names Lt. Colonel Roland Butler as Acting Superintendent

By Patrick Herron

Published November 16, 2022 at 9:42PM

Per the State of Maryland: Governor Larry Hogan today announced that Maryland State Police (MSP) Superintendent Colonel Woodrow W. “Jerry” Jones, III, has notified him of his intent to retire at the end of the year after 35 years in law enforcement. The governor has named Lt. Colonel Roland L. Butler, Jr. to serve as acting superintendent. “Maryland is fortunate to have the finest state police organization in the entire country, and Colonel Jones has continued that tradition with steady and principled leadership of the highest caliber,” said Governor Hogan. “I have relied on Jerry’s advice and counsel throughout the crises and challenges we’ve navigated over the last few years. We are deeply grateful for his decades of dedicated service to the state.”

Prior to becoming superintendent in February 2020, Colonel Jones served more than four years as chief of the Maryland Transportation Authority Police. “When I was hired as a Maryland State Police cadet just a few weeks after graduation from high school, I never in my most ambitious visions thought I would reach the pinnacle of my law enforcement career by serving in Governor Hogan’s administration,” said Colonel Jones. “It has been my greatest privilege to lead the committed individuals who are a part of the Maryland Department of State Police. They possess a dedication to duty that is evidenced each day in their selfless public safety service to the people of our state. The amount of good done each day across this state by our troopers and civilian employees is awe-inspiring. I will forever be proud of the opportunity I have had to serve the people of Maryland for 35 years as a law enforcement professional.”

Governor Hogan Announces MilliporeSigma Expanding Biosafety Testing In Montgomery County, Adding 500 New Jobs

By Patrick Herron

Published November 16, 2022 at 2:36PM

Per the State of Maryland: Governor Larry Hogan today announced that MilliporeSigma, an international biosciences company, is growing its presence in Montgomery County with a $286 million investment to expand its biosafety testing capacity. The company, known locally as BioReliance Corporation, currently has five locations in Rockville and is planning to consolidate in a new 250,000-square-foot facility at 9820 Darnestown Road at the Alexandria Center® at Traville Gateway campus, which is being developed and operated by Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. MilliporeSigma will maintain one additional facility at 9630 Medical Center Drive and will retain at least 600 full-time employees during the expansion, while creating more than 500 new jobs over the next four years.

“Maryland has built one of the nation’s strongest life sciences industries, and having MilliporeSigma reinvest in its Maryland biosafety facility will bring hundreds of more jobs to the Montgomery County community and continue to grow the region’s innovative workforce,” said Governor Hogan. “Our administration has made expanding the state’s life sciences and biotechnology research workforce a priority, and the progress our life sciences industry has made in the last eight years is another sign that Maryland is open for business.”

Maryland Attorney General Joins Coalition Pushing Back Against Abusive Student Loan Debt Collection Practices

By Patrick Herron

Published November 16, 2022 at 9:47AM

“The illegal debt collection tactics alleged by the CFPB create extreme hardship for student borrowers,” said Attorney General Frosh. “When collection actions are underpinned by fraudulent claims, they violate consumer protection laws. The perpetrators should be punished.” The attorneys general argue that CFPB oversight is crucial because the model used by the trusts incentivizes them to condone misconduct by the debt collectors they hire.

The Maryland Attorney General’s office has long been a national leader in investigating and enforcing consumer protection violations in the higher education field, including entering into a multistate settlement earlier this year with Navient Corporation, one of the nation’s largest student loan servicers, resolving allegations of unfair and deceptive student loan servicing practices and abuses in originating predatory student loans. Attorney General Frosh was joined in filing the brief by the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.