Maryland Archives - Page 13 of 50

Published May 10, 2022 at 2:52PM

The governor made the announcement at an MDH warehouse facility in Hanover, joined by Yaroslav Brisiuck, Deputy Chief of Mission for the Embassy of Ukraine; Karina Mandell, chair of the Baltimore-Odesa Sister City Committee; Dr. William Chester of the Paul Chester Children’s Hope Foundation; and Maryna Baydyuk and Boris Levonenko of United Help Ukraine.

“The atrocities taking place in Ukraine have served as a reminder to all of us of exactly why strong ties and alliances are so critical, and why it is so important that we do whatever we can to support our allies in their time of need,” said Governor Hogan. “I want to thank our entire state government team for working around the clock over the past week to make this possible, along with the Baltimore-Odesa Sister City Committee, which has been indispensable in helping us coordinate efforts on the ground.”

Maryland

Maryland Updates Stalking Laws to Include Modern Technology

By Patrick Herron

Published May 10, 2022 at 10:36AM

The criminal definition of stalking has been updated by the Maryland General Assembly to include electronic communications that can track individuals without their consent, such as geotagging. Previously, an individual would have to be physically followed by a stalker in person. House Bill 148 was signed by Governor Larry Hogan on April 21 and alters the definition of stalking to include “conduct that occurs in person, through electronic communication, or through the use of a device that can pinpoint or track the location of another without the person’s knowledge or consent.” The new law will go into effect on October 1.

According to the law, “stalking” means a malicious course of conduct that includes approaching or pursuing another where the person intends to place or knows or reasonably should have known the conduct would place another in reasonable fear of serious bodily injury; of an assault in any degree, rape or sexual offense, false imprisonment, death, or that a third person likely will suffer any of the acts listed, or the person intends to cause or knows or reasonably should have known that the conduct would cause serious emotional distress to another. A person who violates this could be found guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 5 years or a fine not exceeding $5,000 or both.

Maryland

Montgomery County Sends Over $4 million in Tax Refund Checks to Homeowners After State Error

By Patrick Herron

Published May 9, 2022 at 10:11AM

Montgomery County has sent out over $4,000,000 in tax refund checks after a tax error by the state of Maryland. The mistake was first discovered by Olney resident Louis Wilen back in 2016, which FOX 5 first reported on in 2020. Maryland had been miscalculating the Homeowner Tax Credit, which is for seniors and low-income residents. Montgomery County has issued over 5,000 checks to homeowners eligible for the $346 senior supplement, according to FOX.

Per Montgomery County, “Homeowner tax credit refunds for the County portion (issued by Montgomery County Treasury Office in Finance), have now been completed and refund checks are being mailed out to taxpayers now. Refunds are being issued because of a State Department of Assessment and Taxation (SDAT) error that was made in the calculations. Checks and letters for the State portion of the refund have already been mailed out to taxpayers from the State Department of Assessments and Taxation. The refunds cover levy years 2017, 2018 and 2019, however, not all homeowners will receive refunds for all years, it just depends on what the homeowner applied for and were deemed eligible for.”

Maryland

Governor Hogan Announces 211 Maryland Campaign to Expand Multilingual Access to Services and Support

By Patrick Herron

Published May 3, 2022 at 11:44AM

Per the State of Maryland:

ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan today announced a new partnership between the Office of Immigrant Affairs and 211 Maryland to expand multilingual access to services and support, including reporting hate crimes and finding resources for victims. “This new partnership with 211 Maryland is an important collaboration to overcome language barriers in serving everyone who calls Maryland home and who works to make great contributions to our state,” said Governor Hogan. “It will further expand our outreach and resources to make it easier to report hate crimes and connect victims with services. We will continue to use every tool at our disposal to help provide additional support for those who are affected by these heinous crimes.”

I-270

Update: Two Maryland State Troopers Struck By Suspected Impaired Driver on I-270

By Patrick Herron

Published April 29, 2022 at 10:05AM

On Thursday, a collision involving a Maryland State Police vehicle closed three lanes on southbound 270 from Exit 4 (Montrose Rd) to Exit 1 (Democracy Blvd) and resulted in two Maryland State troopers being transported by EMS with non-life-threatening injuries. On Friday, the Maryland State Police announced that chargers are pending against the driver who struck the troopers, who is believed to have been impaired at the time of the collision.

(ROCKVILLE, MD) – Charges are pending against a suspected impaired driver who struck two Maryland state troopers in their patrol vehicles on I-270 yesterday.

Uncategorized

Montgomery County Sierra Club Group Endorses David Blair for County Executive

By Patrick Herron

Published April 27, 2022 at 1:01PM

The Sierra Club Montgomery County Group announced Tuesday that they would be endorsing David Blair for Montgomery County Executive. The Sierra Club is an environmental protection and advocacy group, which has local chapters throughout all 50 states. According to their website, “the Montgomery County Maryland Group focuses on local issues, including improving public transit, maintaining clean water sources, supporting and monitoring the county’s Climate Protection Plan, and endorsing and supporting green candidates.” The Sierra Club said that Blair will be a strong and effective leader, and that he has an appealing environmental platform. In a press release, the Sierra Club said, “we understand that our endorsement of Mr. Blair will be met with surprise and even frustration by some. Montgomery County Sierra Club, though, believes that Mr. Blair is the best candidate overall to continue and expand real environmental progress in our County.”

Maryland

Governor Hogan Announces $200 Million Affordable Housing Package

By Patrick Herron

Published April 27, 2022 at 11:46AM

Per the State of Maryland:

ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan today announced that more than $200 million in financing tools and new programs will be made available to create new affordable housing opportunities in the state. The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) will administer the funds to produce more than 6,000 additional units statewide amid rising construction costs and interest rates.

Health

Governor Hogan Encourages Marylanders to Get Boosted This Week to Qualify For $1 Million Vax Cash 2.0 Grand Prize Drawing

By Patrick Herron

Published April 26, 2022 at 8:37PM

Per the State of Maryland:

ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan and state health officials today encouraged Marylanders to get boosted between now and Monday, May 2, to qualify for next week’s VaxCash 2.0 $1 million grand prize drawing.

Kensington

Governor Hogan Joins Leaders of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to Launch D.C. Temple Open House

By Patrick Herron

Published April 19, 2022 at 9:14AM

ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan today joined global leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to launch the open house for the Washington, D.C. Temple in Kensington.

“Since 1974, this temple with its beautiful towering spires has been an iconic landmark in Maryland’s skyline along the Capital Beltway and it has been a beacon of hope for the more than 40,000 Marylanders who are members of the church,” said Governor Hogan. “Congratulations to all of the leaders on this wonderful celebration of faith, community, and fellowship.”

Maryland

Gas Prices to Increase $.36/Gallon This Sunday as “Gas Tax Holiday” Ends

By Patrick Herron

Published April 15, 2022 at 6:54PM

Last month, Governor Hogan signed a bill that suspended Maryland’s gas tax of $.36 a gallon for 30 days. That suspension is up this Sunday, April 17.

The State of Maryland is estimated to have lost close to $100 million in tax revenue during the period. Maryland announced recently that it had a projected budget surplus of more than $7.5 billion.

Maryland

Governor Hogan Announces Close to $10 Million For Community Safety Grants

By Patrick Herron

Published April 15, 2022 at 10:21AM

Per the State of Maryland:

ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan today announced nearly $10 million in grant awards through the new Community Safety Works program to more than 300 business districts and nonprofit organizations across Maryland, advancing a key plank of the governor’s Re-Fund The Police Initiative.