Maryland Archives - Page 358 of 395

Maryland Ranks 16th in List of ‘Best State Economies’ by WalletHub

Published June 6, 2022 at 9:26AM

Personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2022’s Best & Worst State Economies, with Maryland ranking as the 16th best economic performer. In order to determine America’s top economic performers, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 28 key indicators of economic performance and strength. The data set ranges from change in GDP to startup activity to the share of jobs in high-tech industries.

Per the article, “U.S. economic growth depends heavily on the performance of individual states, but some contribute more than others. California, for instance, is the fifth largest economy in the world, boasting a GDP larger than that of countries like the U.K., France and India. Meanwhile, Vermont’s GDP is around 91 times smaller, at $36.7 billion compared to California’s $3.4 trillion.”

Governor Hogan Announces Launch of New Maryland.gov

By Patrick Herron

Published June 1, 2022 at 3:40PM

Maryland.gov analytics and metrics are reviewed annually to understand current usage patterns and adjust the layout and content. The next generation Maryland.gov is designed to deliver what customers need quickly and intuitively. The new design is based on industry best practices, the latest web and mobile technologies, and detailed user analytics to incorporate Marylanders’ preferences and expectations for their state government website.

“We are always looking at ways to innovate and deliver on our commitment to transparency,” said Governor Hogan. “This website upgrade will make it easier, faster and more convenient for Marylanders to engage with government services and resources, and for visitors to learn more about the state.”

New Maryland Law Banning Ghost Guns Takes Effect Today

By Patrick Herron

Published June 1, 2022 at 1:59PM

A new law banning “ghost guns”, which are privately manufactured guns that do not have serial numbers, goes into effect today. Anyone who possesses a “ghost gun” will now be subject to a misdemeanor punishable by up to two years in prison. Individuals who sell or transfer unserialized firearms would be subject to a misdemeanor punishable by up to five years in prison, or a $10,000 fine, and would be no longer be able to own firearms.

While Governor Hogan allowed the legislation to become law, he did not sign the bill. “I appreciate the work you have put into Senate Bill 387/House Bill 425 to address issues surrounding untraceable firearms, and agree that it is a positive step as we seek to stem the tide of violent crime, which is why I am allowing it to take effect, but it does nothing to penalize those who actually pull the triggers on firearms, and deflects away from the need to take decisive action to hold violent criminals accountable,” Hogan said in April.

Nexstar To Expand Local News Operations Serving Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia and Maryland

By MCS Staff

Published May 31, 2022 at 1:02PM

Stations Will Launch New Newscasts, Expand Existing News, and Open Satellite News Bureaus in Hagerstown and Frederick, Maryland, and Chantilly, Virginia

Per the press release: Nexstar Media Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nexstar Media Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: NXST), today announced that it will expand its local news operations serving Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Northern Virginia. The company plans to bring its two television stations currently serving the area, WDVM-TV (Ind) in Hagerstown, and WDCW-TV (CW) in Washington, D.C. (DMA #7), together at one central location in the nation’s capital. The new, combined operation will be known as “DC News Now.”

Three MoCo Natives Help Maryland Men’s Lacrosse Win National Championship

By MCS Staff

Published May 30, 2022 at 3:40PM

Maryland men’s lacrosse has won the National Championship completed its undefeated season by defeating Cornell 9-7, becoming the first team to complete an undefeated season with a championship since UVA in 2006.

The Terps, who finished the season 18-0, were helped by three MoCo natives– Matthew Copp, Zach Wittier; and Alex Smith. One additional player, John Geppert, attended high school in MoCo (Landon), but is from D.C.

Governor Hogan Announces Additional Legislative Actions

By Patrick Herron

Published May 27, 2022 at 5:07PM

Policy Vetoes. The governor also announced 18 policy vetoes of legislative measures in accordance with Article II, Section 17(a) of the Maryland Constitution:

A list of duplicative vetoes is available here.

Driver’s License and State ID Can Now be Added to iPhone and Apple Watch in Maryland

By MCS Staff

Published May 25, 2022 at 7:05PM | Updated May 25, 2022 at 9:22PM

Maryland driver’s licenses and state-issued identity cards (IDs) can now be added to your Apple Wallet on iPhone and Apple Watch to provide an easy, private, and secure way for Maryland citizens to present their state ID. Currently, it can only be used with TSA, and various entities, including law enforcement, are not yet accepting Maryland Mobile ID.

Maryland Mobile ID is a voluntary, secure, digitized version of your MDOT MVA-issued driver’s license (DL) or identification card (ID) available in the Apple Wallet app on your iPhone and Apple Watch. Maryland Mobile ID offers even more security and privacy benefits than the physical state ID or driver’s license because Marylanders get to review the personal information they share with others and use biometric authentication with Face ID or Touch ID to authorize it. Maryland Mobile ID on iPhone and Apple Watch is currently the ONLY form of mobile phone-based identification that is recognized by MDOT MVA and it is only available to individuals that have a current, valid Maryland-issued driver’s license or ID card. You must have an eligible Maryland driver’s license or state-issued identification card.

Governor Hogan Announces Global Gateway Initiative to Attract More International Businesses at World Economic Forum

By MCS Staff

Published May 25, 2022 at 9:54AM | Updated May 26, 2022 at 5:16PM

Press release: Today during the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, Governor Larry Hogan announced a $2 million investment in the state’s innovative Global Gateway Initiative. Managed by the Maryland Department of Commerce, this first-in-the-nation program helps attract international businesses and ease their transition into the U.S. market by connecting them with local incubators and accelerators.

“As we continue to have one of the strongest recoveries in the world, we want to be as aggressive as possible and kick this initiative into high gear,” said Governor Hogan. “Our state is worth the attention and investment of even more international companies, and now we look forward to making it easier than ever to forge closer ties with partners across the globe.”

Maryland State Trooper Rescues Tow Truck Driver Who Was Trapped Underneath SUV In Silver Spring

By Patrick Herron

Published May 24, 2022 at 12:21PM | Updated May 25, 2022 at 8:46AM

Shortly before 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Trooper Jason Reid, who is assigned to the Rockville Barrack, was on the scene of a motor vehicle crash on the ramp from eastbound I-495 to southbound Colesville Road (US 29) in Silver Spring, Maryland. According to a preliminary investigation, a tow truck operator was on the scene working on removing the vehicles involved in the crash. The tow truck driver, a 51-year-old male, was working on getting a Chevrolet Equinox onto the back of his tow truck.

While the driver was attempting to attach the winch to the underside of the vehicle, the Chevrolet Equinox slipped off the back of the tow truck bed and fell on top of him. Trooper Reid saw what happened, and despite having no previous training on the equipment, he was able to use the tow truck’s controls to lower the tow truck’s bed to the ground and re-position it underneath the front of the Chevrolet Equinox. Trooper Reid then used the rear of the tow truck’s bed to lift the car off of the victim and then pull him away from the vehicle.

Governor Hogan Calls on Comptroller Franchot to Minimize Impact of Scheduled Summer Gas Tax Increase

By Patrick Herron

Published May 23, 2022 at 6:09PM

Under legislation passed by the General Assembly in 2013, the Comptroller announces gas tax increases on or before June 1 of each year that are set to take effect on July 1. The tax increase is calculated by the Comptroller’s Office.

“This tax increase, while hardship-inducing for Marylanders at any time, is simply unconscionable at this moment when gas prices are already at their highest level in recorded history amid a period of prolonged inflation and economic uncertainty,” writes Governor Hogan in a letter to the comptroller. “I know that you agree we should do more to give Marylanders a break from these punishing prices. That is why it is my hope that you will use every legal and regulatory power at your disposal to halt or minimize the impact of the accelerating gas taxes, and that you consider granting an extension for paying the taxes and removing penalties for unpaid tax, including the revocation of business licenses.”

Maryland Is 2022’s 4th Best State for Military Retirees, Per WalletHub Study

By MCS Staff

Published May 23, 2022 at 8:08AM

With May being Military Appreciation Month and the U.S. sending additional troops to NATO countries in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2022’s Best & Worst States for Military Retirees.

Maryland came in fourth, behind our neighbor Virginia who was in first, Florida, and Minnesota. “To help our troops plan their years after service, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 29 key indicators of retirement-friendliness toward veterans. The data set ranges from job opportunities for veterans to housing affordability to quality of VA hospitals.”