October 8, 2019 •
Maryland General Assembly Member Resigns Amid Wire Fraud Charges
Del. Tawanna Gaines resigned from her District 22 seat in advance of federal wire fraud charges. Prosecutors allege from January 2015 through April 2018, Del. Gaines defrauded her campaign and its contributors by taking more than $22,000 from her campaign […]
Del. Tawanna Gaines resigned from her District 22 seat in advance of federal wire fraud charges.
Prosecutors allege from January 2015 through April 2018, Del. Gaines defrauded her campaign and its contributors by taking more than $22,000 from her campaign account for personal use.
If convicted, she faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
September 18, 2019 •
Two Members Resign from the Maryland House of Delegates
Maryland Del. Eric Bromwell resigned from his District 8 seat to serve as Baltimore County’s first opioid strategy coordinator. Additionally, Del. Stephen Lafferty resigned from his District 42A seat to serve as Baltimore County’s chief sustainability officer. Gov. Larry Hogan […]
Maryland Del. Eric Bromwell resigned from his District 8 seat to serve as Baltimore County’s first opioid strategy coordinator.
Additionally, Del. Stephen Lafferty resigned from his District 42A seat to serve as Baltimore County’s chief sustainability officer.
Gov. Larry Hogan will appoint successors to the vacancies following recommendations from the Baltimore County Democratic Central Committee.
July 23, 2019 •
Annapolis Mayor Introduces Procurement Legislation
Mayor Gavin Buckley introduced a bill at a recent city council meeting outlining how the city should purchase items and services. A draft of the legislation proposes a procurement process that would create an efficient, cost-effective, and equitable system of […]
Mayor Gavin Buckley introduced a bill at a recent city council meeting outlining how the city should purchase items and services.
A draft of the legislation proposes a procurement process that would create an efficient, cost-effective, and equitable system of public purchasing by the city.
Annapolis currently does not have a set system for procurement.
If passed, the bill would be added to the city code to create a more standardized procurement system.
July 23, 2019 •
Maryland Launches New Electronic Procurement System
The Maryland Department of General Services launched the state’s new electronic procurement system, eMaryland Marketplace Advantage (eMMA). The eMMA system is Maryland’s new online platform used to connect the vendor community with contracting opportunities from state, county, and local government […]
The Maryland Department of General Services launched the state’s new electronic procurement system, eMaryland Marketplace Advantage (eMMA).
The eMMA system is Maryland’s new online platform used to connect the vendor community with contracting opportunities from state, county, and local government entities.
Registered vendors will receive notices of bid opportunities, submit bid responses, and obtain bid results online.
Accounts from the previous system will not be transferred to eMMA.
Vendors will have to register with the new system.
The state is currently training over 825 procurement professionals to help during the transition and provide training to users.
Gov. Larry Hogan signed a bill authorizing Anne Arundel County to change local ethics rules covering county elections to limit developer money and reduce influence on campaigns. The bill also prohibits a member of the Anne Arundel County Council from […]
Gov. Larry Hogan signed a bill authorizing Anne Arundel County to change local ethics rules covering county elections to limit developer money and reduce influence on campaigns.
The bill also prohibits a member of the Anne Arundel County Council from participating in any legislative action relevant to a zoning change, amendment, or an application if the member has received or benefited from a contribution or donation.
The bill becomes effective July 1.
May 7, 2019 •
Annapolis Mayor Sets Dates for Ward 6 Special Elections
On May 5, Mayor Gavin Buckley issued a proclamation declaring the Ward 6 council seat vacant after the resignation of former Alderwoman Shaneka Henson. Henson was selected to complete the term of the late Michael Busch in the Maryland House […]
On May 5, Mayor Gavin Buckley issued a proclamation declaring the Ward 6 council seat vacant after the resignation of former Alderwoman Shaneka Henson.
Henson was selected to complete the term of the late Michael Busch in the Maryland House of Delegates.
Henson resigned after last Monday’s regular City Council meeting.
According to the City Charter, the Mayor had to issue a proclamation to fill the council seat within five days after receiving the resignation and schedule the dates for a special election.
The dates for the two special elections are the primary on June 4, with the general on July 2.
Gov. Larry Hogan signed House Bill 679 on April 30. The bill prohibits a state official from unlawfully harassing or discriminating against a regulated lobbyist based on any characteristic protected by law. Additionally, House Bill 679 prohibits a regulated lobbyist […]
Gov. Larry Hogan signed House Bill 679 on April 30.
The bill prohibits a state official from unlawfully harassing or discriminating against a regulated lobbyist based on any characteristic protected by law.
Additionally, House Bill 679 prohibits a regulated lobbyist from discriminating or harassing a state official or employee.
The Department of General Services will be able to revoke the special access to the state legislative complex granted to a regulated lobbyist who violates this prohibition.
House Bill 679 becomes effective October 1.
April 22, 2019 •
NYCU Video Digest – April 22, 2019
Campaign finance and ethics changes are happening in states all over the country. Find out which states made changes last week in today’s News You Can Use Video Digest.
Campaign finance and ethics changes are happening in states all over the country. Find out which states made changes last week in today’s News You Can Use Video Digest.
April 18, 2019 •
Maryland Governor Signs Bill Requiring Electronic Filing By Lobbyists; Calls Special Session
Gov. Larry Hogan signed Senate Bill 79 on April 18. The bill requires lobbyists to file registrations and certain reports electronically with the State Ethics Commission. The State Ethics Commission is also required to develop procedures regarding these electronic filings […]
Gov. Larry Hogan signed Senate Bill 79 on April 18.
The bill requires lobbyists to file registrations and certain reports electronically with the State Ethics Commission.
The State Ethics Commission is also required to develop procedures regarding these electronic filings by lobbyists.
Gov. Hogan also signed an executive order calling for the Maryland General Assembly to convene a special session on Wednesday, May 1.
The special session will allow the House of Delegates to elect a successor to the late Speaker Michael E. Busch, who passed away on April 7.
April 9, 2019 •
Maryland General Assembly Adjourns
The Maryland General Assembly adjourned sine die on April 8. Legislators were in mourning due to the death of House Speaker Michael Busch the day prior. A Democrat from Anne Arundel County, Busch served as speaker for 16 years, longer […]
The Maryland General Assembly adjourned sine die on April 8.
Legislators were in mourning due to the death of House Speaker Michael Busch the day prior.
A Democrat from Anne Arundel County, Busch served as speaker for 16 years, longer than anyone in state history.
Though delegates will vote for a new leader at a later date, county committee members will appoint a successor to Busch’s House seat.
January 7, 2019 •
Federal Judge Enjoins Maryland from Enforcing Provisions of Election Law
U.S. District Judge Paul W. Grimm, has enjoined Maryland from enforcing M.C.E.L. §§ 13-405 and 13-405.1. The statutes in question, require online platforms, like search engines and social media sites, to publicly disclose the contact information and amount paid by […]
U.S. District Judge Paul W. Grimm, has enjoined Maryland from enforcing M.C.E.L. §§ 13-405 and 13-405.1.
The statutes in question, require online platforms, like search engines and social media sites, to publicly disclose the contact information and amount paid by the purchaser to the online platform for the placement of the qualifying paid digital communication within 48 hours.
In the 50-page opinion, the judge concludes the statutes encroach on First Amendment freedoms. The state may file an interlocutory appeal.
December 4, 2018 •
Baltimore Lobbying Bill Becomes Law without Mayor’s Signature
On October 15, 2018, the Baltimore City Council passed an ethics bill introduced by City Councilman Zeke Cohen. Ordinance No. 18-0230, also known as the Transparency in Lobbying Act, became law without the mayor’s signature on December 3, 2018. The […]
On October 15, 2018, the Baltimore City Council passed an ethics bill introduced by City Councilman Zeke Cohen.
Ordinance No. 18-0230, also known as the Transparency in Lobbying Act, became law without the mayor’s signature on December 3, 2018.
The ordinance requires lobbyists to file reports twice a year and affirmatively identify their clients when approaching city government officials. Additionally, any lobbyist violating the act may be banned for a period of three years.
An amendment was adopted delaying the effective date of the reporting provisions. As a result, lobbyists will file the annual report due January 31, 2019.
Following the 2019 annual report, lobbyists will likely report semi-annually beginning with a report due on July 31, 2019.
The bill will be effective March 3, 2019, while the section impacting reporting requirements will be effective March 3, 2019, or 30 days from a viable online reporting system being implemented, whichever is later.
November 7, 2018 •
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan Wins Second Term
Larry Hogan, a moderate Republican who has emphasized bipartisanship, was re-elected as Maryland’s governor. He is the first Republican to win re-election in Maryland since 1954, although Democrats outnumber Republicans in the state 2-1. Hogan has the same priorities for […]
Larry Hogan, a moderate Republican who has emphasized bipartisanship, was re-elected as Maryland’s governor.
He is the first Republican to win re-election in Maryland since 1954, although Democrats outnumber Republicans in the state 2-1.
Hogan has the same priorities for his second term as his first: making improvements in education, job creation, transportation infrastructure and working for tax relief.
Hogan defeated Ben Jealous, who would have been Maryland’s first black governor and is a former national president of the NAACP.
Jealous had a progressive agenda that included tuition-free college and expanding Medicare to all. He supported funding full-day, universal kindergarten with the tax revenue from his proposal to legalize marijuana for recreational use.
November 5, 2018 •
Anne Arundel County Ethics Bill Signed by County Executive
On October 15, 2018, the Anne Arundel County Council passed a public ethics bill originally proposed by County Executive Steve Schuh. Bill No. 80-18 increases late filing fees for lobbyists and employees, adds a revolving door provision, modifies certain definitions, […]
On October 15, 2018, the Anne Arundel County Council passed a public ethics bill originally proposed by County Executive Steve Schuh.
Bill No. 80-18 increases late filing fees for lobbyists and employees, adds a revolving door provision, modifies certain definitions, requires employee ethics training, and creates changes to comply with state ethics laws, among other provisions.
The bill also updates who is required to file financial disclosure statements.
The bill was signed by Schuh and will be effective on December 6, 2018.
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