Late last month 13 Maryland corrections officers were among the 25 people indicted in Federal Court for allegedly running a criminal enterprise in a state institution, the Baltimore City Detention Center. According to prosecutors, the officers helped smuggle drugs, mobile phones and other contraband into the Baltimore jail and other corrections facilities. The ring also involved sex between inmates and
Ike Leggett Gives County Employees a 13.5% Pay Increase
Two news stories this week about public employee pay increases underscores Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett’s obliviousness to current economic conditions, as well as the political choices that determine blue state budgets. First the County Executive announced a tentative agreement with the Municipal and County Government Employees Organization, or MCGEO under which Montgomery County employees
Gun Homicide Data Does Not Support O’Malley Claims
When Governor O’Malley announced his new gun control proposals, he said “We must choose the things that work, that save lives.” He claimed that his were “data-driven, results-oriented strategies [with which] violent crime could be driven down” A century of state gun laws provides a useful yardstick for comparison on their effectiveness in preventing violence.
Handicapping the Coming Battle of the ‘Gentry Liberal’ Titans: Cuomo vs. O’Malley
SIn light of Governor O’Malley’s transparent Presidential ambitions, better understanding his campaign strategy helps clarify his current political agenda. As Herbert Smith, a professor at McDaniel College and coauthor of the book Maryland Politics and Government: Democratic Dominance recently told the Baltimore Business Journal, “It’s a reach of almost galactic portion to go from a
Why You Are Stuck in Traffic – Maryland’s Transportation Policy
Since the Maryland legislature begins its 2013 session this week, the natural question is, which taxes does Governor O’Malley plan on trying to increase? Media speculation has centered on a renewed attempt to hike the gas tax in order to replenish the state’s transportation trust fund. Last year, O’Malley sought to phase in a 6%
Maryland’s Coming Medicaid Cost Crunch From Obamacare
This past Friday was the deadline for states to decide whether or not to establish their own state health exchanges beginning next October under Obamacare. Their alternative is letting the Federal government shoulder the burden itself. Only 18 states are prepared to do so, leaving the remaining 32 states to use exchanges run either entirely
Montgomery County 48 Member Central Committee
This past week the Montgomery County Republican Central Committee met to elect county officers for the coming year. On Saturday at a state Republican Party Convention is being held in Ellicott City. At every state convention I get receive concerned, solicitous questions from members from other counties about the size of Montgomery County’s Central Committee.
Conservative Ideas Support Individual Aspirations
Since the election some media commentators have tried to “helpfully” suggest that Republicans change their positions on a variety of issues. In turn some conservatives have roared back, suggesting that the party failed only because it was not conservative ‘enough.’ Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal’s excellent response is direct and to the point: “America already has
Can You Help Between Now and Election Day?
With just over 10 day to go before the election, now is the time to volunteer in support of your convictions. We are down to the wire for this all important election and this time we need to put a face on the Republican Party in this county. We are asking that you be that
Have You Signed Up to Help Between Now and Election Day?
With just over two weeks to go before the election, now is the time to volunteer in support of your convictions. We are down to the wire for this all important election and this time we need to put a face on the Republican Party in this county. We are asking that you be that