Maryland Archives - Page 366 of 406

Governor Hogan Announces New Chief Legal Counsel, More Than 300 Additional Appointments

Published July 13, 2022 at 9:48AM

The governor is also naming Heather Shek, currently Director of the Office of Governmental Affairs for the Maryland Department of Health, to serve as Deputy Legal Counsel. Shek succeeds Stephanie Meighan, who has been appointed to the Board of Contract Appeals.

“Chris Mincher is an exceptionally committed public servant who has been an integral member of our administration for nearly six years,” said Governor Hogan. “We have always had a strong and experienced team in the Office of Legal Counsel, and I know Chris will continue this legacy. Mike Pedone was part of the core team that led us through the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery. I am deeply grateful for Mike’s wise counsel and many contributions, and I wish him and his family the best.”

Governor Hogan Announces $18.8 Million for Chesapeake Bay Restoration Projects

By Patrick Herron

Published July 11, 2022 at 11:47PM

“Our administration’s commitment to environmental stewardship has included making record investments in Chesapeake Bay restoration, and fully funding the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund,” said Governor Hogan. “Each of these projects plays a critical role in improving the quality of the bay and making our ecosystem more resilient.”

Grants are made possible with funding through the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund, which targets the most cost-efficient and effective non-point source pollution reduction projects. The projects awarded this funding round will benefit local waterways and the Chesapeake Bay by removing more than 41,083 pounds of nitrogen, 4,332 pounds of phosphorus, and 7,967 tons of suspended solids.

Governor Hogan Announces More Than $127.6 Million For Broadband Grants

By Patrick Herron

Published July 11, 2022 at 11:19AM

ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan today announced that, through the state’s Connect Maryland initiative, the Office of Statewide Broadband has awarded more than $127.6 million to local jurisdictions, Internet Service Providers, educational, and community organizations to increase high-speed internet access and affordability. The funding will help provide broadband service to an estimated 15,000 households that are currently unserved or underserved while specific education grants will both expand infrastructure and provide wireless devices and equipment to Maryland’s K-12 students.

The governor made the announcement while kicking off a series of events in Harford County to highlight administration initiatives and accomplishments.

Unemployment Claims in Maryland Are 40.72% Lower Than Pre-COVID Levels, According to Study

By MCS Staff

Published July 9, 2022 at 1:46AM

Maryland is having a successful recovery from new unemployment claims, with last week’s claims lower than in the same week in 2019, according to WalletHub’s updated rankings for the “States Whose Unemployment Claims Are Recovering the Quickest.” WalletHub, a personal finance website, provided a few key stats related to unemployment claims in Maryland:

Key Stats:

Governor Hogan Announces Project Restore Now Accepting Additional Applications from New or Expanding Maryland Businesses

By Patrick Herron

Published July 8, 2022 at 11:54AM

ANNAPOLIS, MD–Governor Larry Hogan today announced the opening of the second application round for Project Restore, an economic recovery initiative that provides financial incentives for small businesses and commercial developers to revitalize vacant retail and commercial space.

Through Project Restore, the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development will administer $25 million in rental and operational grants to new and expanding Maryland small businesses to assist with startup costs and incentivize commercial investment in vacant spaces. Launched last year by Governor Hogan, Project Restore has already assisted more than 350 Maryland businesses.

Governor Hogan Announces $122.5 Million in Police Protection Funding

By Patrick Herron

Published July 6, 2022 at 3:03PM

“Prioritized by our budget, this record 60% increase in funding will help police officers and the communities they serve in every jurisdiction in Maryland,” said Governor Hogan. “We will continue to do everything in our power to support law enforcement and to provide our men and women in uniform with the tools they need to keep Marylanders safe.”

SAPP funding is used for a wide range of resources, including officer salaries and wages, officer equipment, technology upgrades, investigative tools, operating expenses, contractual services, vehicle operation and maintenance costs, and other supplies and materials. Funds will be distributed based on a formula derived through jurisdictional population, the number of police officers in an agency, and the total jurisdictional taxable income. Legislation passed during the 2022 legislative session required use of Uniform Crime Report violent crime statistics to distribute increased funding for FY23.

Maryland State Police Arrest Almost 100 Drunk Drivers Through Independence Day Weekend Across the State

By Patrick Herron

Published July 5, 2022 at 1:18PM

From Friday, July 1st, through Monday, July 4th, police arrested 95 impaired drivers during regular road patrols throughout the state and a joint DUI saturation patrol focused on Route 50. The full-time drunk driving enforcement team of troopers known as the State Police Impaired Driving Reduction Effort, or S.P.I.D.R.E. team, funded by the Maryland Highway Safety Office also worked the initiative.

Troopers worked saturation patrols on I-695 in Baltimore County, I-70 in Howard County and I-495 in Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties. In total, police issued 1,396 citations and warnings in these four counties during the initiative.

Governor Hogan Directs Maryland State Police to Suspend ‘Good and Substantial Reason’ Standard For Gun Permits

By Patrick Herron

Published July 5, 2022 at 11:39AM

“Over the course of my administration, I have consistently supported the right of law-abiding citizens to own and carry firearms, while enacting responsible and common sense measures to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and the mentally ill.

“Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a provision in New York law pertaining to handgun permitting that is virtually indistinguishable from Maryland law. In light of the ruling and to ensure compliance with the Constitution, I am directing the Maryland State Police to immediately suspend utilization of the ‘good and substantial reason’ standard when reviewing applications for Wear and Carry Permits. It would be unconstitutional to continue enforcing this provision in state law. There is no impact on other permitting requirements and protocols.

New Laws in Maryland Starting July 1

By MCS Staff

Published July 1, 2022 at 8:01AM

In addition to the minimum wage increase, several new laws are in effect as of July 1st, 2022 in the state of Maryland. These new laws affect sales, taxes, schools, abortion rights, and hunting. They can be seen below, courtesy of Fox 5 DC (link shows new laws in D.C. and Virginia as well):

Sales

Governor Hogan Hosts Roundtable Discussion on Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence With International Delegation

By Patrick Herron

Published June 30, 2022 at 8:10PM

Together with Maryland Secretary of State John C. Wobensmith and representatives from Maryland State Police and the Annapolis YWCA, the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services (GOCPYVS) hosted a roundtable discussion about combating domestic violence and human trafficking, in addition to sharing victim support strategies.

“Comprehensive crime prevention and victim support are critical to reducing incidents of heinous crimes like domestic violence and human trafficking,” said Governor Hogan. “We are honored to share our progress and best practices with this delegation, in the hope that through these conversations, we can help those impacted by these crimes not only here in Maryland, but anywhere in the world.”

Governor Hogan Announces Expanded Incentives For State Employees to Serve as Election Judges

By Patrick Herron

Published June 29, 2022 at 6:25PM

“Election judges play an important role in the democratic process, and state employees have always stepped up to serve,” said Governor Hogan. “For this election cycle, we are expanding our recruitment efforts to include the primary election, and extending these leave incentives to our contractual employees. It is important for local election boards to get people signed up and trained quickly once they express interest.”

The Department of Budget and Management has posted and distributed this information to state agencies.