New laws focused on streamlining MVA services, improving customer service take effect October 1

BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) is announcing several new laws going into effect on Tuesday, October 1, aimed at improving customer experience and streamlining services. Among the changes are new measures allowing the MVA to print death certificates, extend the validity of learner’s permits, and waive some state ID fees and the identification card fee […]

NOW YOU KNOW: Family budgets are tight

The following is an update from Delegates Kathy Szeliga and Ryan Nawrocki. Family budgets are tight. According to economists, food prices have increased more than 25% since 2020 (editor’s note: in 2022, food prices increased by 9.9 percent, faster than in any year since 1979). To put that in perspective, a cart of groceries that cost you $100 in November […]

Poll: 84% of Marylanders support ICE partnership

ANNAPOLIS, MD—The September Gonzales poll showed that 84% of Marylanders want local law enforcement to cooperate with ICE, with a record of 69% strongly supporting it. In this same poll, 64% of respondents support the job Wes Moore is doing as Governor. “Marylanders clearly want change in Maryland’s ICE policies,” said Delegate Matt Morgan of St. Mary’s County. “Every demographic […]

Maryland DOT $18.9 billion transportation investment plan

BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland Department of Transportation this week released its Draft Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP) for Fiscal Years 2025 to 2030. The program outlines $18.9 billion in spending for transportation infrastructure and operations. The $18.9 billion plan represents a 1.3 billion decrease from the final capital program for fiscal year 2024 to 2029 due to reduced economic growth and an […]

Baltimore County introduces legislation to penalize vacant, blighted properties

TOWSON, MD—County Executive Johnny Olszewski on Monday announced plans to introduce legislation establishing penalties on vacant and blighted properties in order to further incentivize rehabilitation and redevelopment in Baltimore County. The proposed penalty be a $10 fee per $100 of a property’s assessed value and would only apply to buildings that have been vacant and cited as unfit for habitation […]

Committee members named to oversee Hart-Miller Island redevelopment

SPARROWS POINT, MD—A steering committee made up of community members selected to help guide redevelopment efforts for Hart-Miller Island is slated to meet for the first time August 7. The nine member committee is charged with overseeing the development of a community benefit agreement that is required by state law as a condition of allowing the Maryland Department of the […]

Councilman Marks slams effort to expand Baltimore County Council

NOTTINGHAM, MD—Baltimore County Councilman David Marks is speaking out against the effort to expand the Baltimore County Council by four seats. The proposal to expand the Baltimore County Council by four seats is being pushed by the Vote4More coalition, a grassroots organization that is collecting signatures for a county charter amendment. The Vote4More coalition has been organizing since March 2022, […]

Enhanced Maryland work zone laws, increased fines going into effect June 1

BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland State Highway Administration is reminding motorists of changes to speed enforcement laws in an effort to improve safety for highway workers. The new law, which goes into effect on June 1, 2024, will allow speed cameras to be placed in more work zones across the state. The law also increases fines for violations detected by work zone […]