Maryland Archives - Page 338 of 406

Beyond MoCo: Maryland Vegan Restaurant Month Set to Begin

Published February 27, 2023 at 12:15PM

Maryland Vegan Eats is hosting a ramped up version of what was previously Maryland Vegan Restaurant Week, as it has now become Maryland Vegan Restaurant Month. “Maryland Vegan Eats welcomes back returning restaurants and invites new restaurants to participate in a compassionate campaign by encouraging them to offer healthy, plant-based, and/or vegan items as part of their menu selections.” As of now, there aren’t any Montgomery County restaurants participating, but many in nearby areas with the ability for your favorite MoCo restaurants to join, according to Maryland Vegan Eats.

“Maryland is an exciting and vibrant state full of unique counties, towns, and neighborhoods boasting incredible diversity. Nothing brings people and community together quite like good food. The mission of Maryland Vegan Restaurant Month (formally known as Maryland Vegan Restaurant Week) is to bridge the gap by increasing the awareness, benefits, and accessibility of a plant-based diet through a fun, innovative, and community-based experience.” Additional information can be found here. Below is a video of MoCo vegan restaurant, St. Veg, courtesy of Taste MoCo.

Governor Moore Announces Initiatives and Investment to Support Rebuilding and Elevating Maryland Police Force

By Patrick Herron

Published February 24, 2023 at 10:46AM

Per the State of Maryland (2.23.23): Governor Wes Moore today announced historic initiatives and investment in public safety to support rebuilding the State police force, promoting intelligence sharing and collaborative enforcement strategy, and reducing crime across Maryland. Joined by newly confirmed Secretary of Public Safety and Correctional Services Carolyn Scruggs and Secretary of Juvenile Services Vincent Schiraldi, the governor named Lieutenant Colonel Roland Butler as the next Maryland State Police Superintendent.

“To rebuild the State Police force, we must elevate the profession, invest in the training and development of our troopers, and do all we can to cultivate a culture that retains, advances, and rewards the most effective and ethical law enforcement professionals,” said Governor Moore. “The Maryland State Police is the vanguard of law enforcement in our state and at its best, that is what our State Police has done; and under my administration, that is the standard State Police will uphold.”

Update: Maryland State Police Investigating Fatal Single-Vehicle Crash That Occurred Tuesday Morning; Identity of Victim Released

By Patrick Herron

Published February 21, 2023 at 3:06PM | Updated February 21, 2023 at 6:44PM

Per the Maryland State Police: Maryland State Police are continuing to investigate a fatal crash that occurred Tuesday morning in Montgomery County. Shortly before 5:01 a.m. on Tuesday, troopers from the Maryland State Police Rockville Barrack responded to the area of eastbound Interstate 495, prior to the Route 355 exit for a report of a crash involving injuries. According to a preliminary investigation, a Chevrolet Cobalt, for unknown reasons, traveled off the right side of the highway, striking an embankment and tree.

The driver of the vehicle, identified as Tera King, 18, of Weejun Loop, Woodbridge, Virginia, was pronounced deceased at the scene by Montgomery County EMS personnel. The lone passenger in the car, a 20-year-old male, was transported by ambulance to Suburban Hospital for treatment of his injuries. Anyone with information related to this crash is asked to contact the Maryland State Police Rockville Barrack at 301-424-2101. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Governor Wes Moore Joins Twenty States to Announce Reproductive Freedom Alliance

By Patrick Herron

Published February 21, 2023 at 1:36PM

Per the State of Maryland: Today, Governor Wes Moore joined California Governor Gavin Newsom, Colorado Governor Jared Polis, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, Delaware Governor John Carney, Hawai’i Governor Josh Green, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, Maine Governor Janet Mills, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Rhode Island Governor Daniel McKee, Washington Governor Jay Inslee, and Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, to announce the launch of a multi-state Reproductive Freedom Alliance (Alliance).

The Alliance is a non-partisan coalition of 20 Governors committed to protecting and expanding reproductive freedom in their states, the largest such coalition ever convened. The Alliance will work together to strengthen reproductive freedom in the face of an unprecedented assault on abortion access and other forms of reproductive health care by states hostile to abortion rights and judges who are advancing their ideological agenda. All Governors who support reproductive freedom are welcome to join the Alliance.

Governor Wes Moore and Lt. Governor Aruna Miller Visited North Bethesda on Friday

By Patrick Herron

Published February 20, 2023 at 12:13PM

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, Montgomery County Council members, and representatives from the University of Maryland, College Park (UMD), the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB), the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (WMATA) welcomed Maryland Governor Wes Moore and Lt. Governor Aruna Miller to the Pike District for a presentation and update on the UM-Institute for Health Computing project. The Institute for Health Computing is a planned research facility and academic presence at the North Bethesda Metro Station in the Pike District that will serve as an anchor and attraction to developers and businesses. The Institute will include research in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning and Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR).

Here is a Power Point presentation from the event.

Seasonal Increase in Passport Applications Has Increased Processing Time

By MCS Staff

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.