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High stakes for Gov. Moore as Maryland General Assembly starts legislative session – WTOP News

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High stakes for Gov. Moore as Maryland General Assembly starts legislative session – WTOP News


Gov. Wes Moore is running for reelection this year as Maryland continues to face challenges, such as federal funding cuts, immigration enforcement and a looming $1.4 billion budget deficit.

Gov. Wes Moore is running for reelection this year as Maryland continues to face challenges, such as federal funding cuts, immigration enforcement and a looming $1.4 billion budget deficit.

Wednesday marked the start of the final legislative session of Moore’s first term.

The Maryland General Assembly is expected to focus on a number of key issues during its 90-day session, including the state’s debt, actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, public safety initiatives and education.

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In an interview with WTOP anchors Anne Kramer and Shawn Anderson, Moore said the budget deficit will impact decisions.


Maryland Gov. Wes Moore speaks with WTOP about his last legislative session during his first term as governor


“I’m going to introduce a balanced budget that is actually going to be, the general fund is going to be smaller than the year before, so we are actually going to decrease the size of our spending,” Moore said, noting that it will not include tax or fee increases.

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He noted that manufacturing and private sector investments, from corporations such as Samsung Biologics and AstraZeneca, will support jobs and the state economy.

“We’re going to diversify our economy off of Washington, D.C. We are going to make sure we’re spending smartly and wisely, and not spending on things that are either not effective or not sustainable,” he said.

Moore gave WTOP no clues into which programs may see reduced funding when he rolls out the budget next week, but hinted at some “very real investments in public education” and public safety.

“You will see where my priorities are laid out, and you’ll also be able to see the things that we just believe, either because of efficacy or sustainability, did not make the cut,” he said.

In regards to the contract buyouts for hundreds of state employees last year, Moore said those were necessary to have the “most efficient and effective government possible.”

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Some Republican members of the General Assembly have said they intend to watch what Moore does with one word in mind — affordability. At a news briefing Tuesday, minority leaders in the House and Senate announced a planned proposal to introduce an oversight panel to investigate findings from audits into state agencies where the mishandling of funds may have occurred.

GOP leaders also pointed to rising utility bills and financial concerns they’ve heard from constituents.

“One of the bills that I’m introducing is actually helping to address the rising costs of energy bills,” Moore told WTOP. “So if they want to have a serious conversation about energy prices, then I’m ready to have a serious conversation about including things like solar, wind, nuclear technologies and nuclear energy, because these are things that are going to, not just effectively, efficiently, but also in a very speedy and affordable way, be able to increase the supply that we have on energy.”

He touted the lowered teacher vacancy rate, investments into local law enforcement and the subsequent drop in violent crimes as examples of these “smart investments.”

“Eighteen of the last 21 budgets in the state of Maryland have required cuts in order to balance. And so, we’ve got to get away from this idea that we invest based on formulas and start investing based on results,” Moore said.

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Severn scratch-off makes player a millionaire as Maryland Lottery pays $31.8M in prizes

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Severn scratch-off makes player a millionaire as Maryland Lottery pays .8M in prizes


A scratch-off ticket sold in Severn turned one Maryland Lottery player into a millionaire, leading a week in which the Lottery paid out more than $31.8 million in prizes statewide.

Maryland Lottery and Gaming said it paid more than $31.8 million in prizes from Feb. 23 through March 1, including 36 tickets worth $10,000 or more.

The top scratch-off prize claimed during that period was a $1 million winning $1,000,000 Crossword ticket sold at the Walmart at 407 George Clauss Boulevard in Severn. Another top winner was a $100,000 Red 5’s Doubler ticket sold at the Carroll Motor Fuel station at 2535 Cleanleigh Drive in Parkville.

Other scratch-off prizes claimed Feb. 23 through March 1 included two $50,000 winners: a 200X the Cash ticket sold at the Wawa at 7501 Pulaski Highway in Rosedale, and a $5,000,000 Luxe ticket sold at the Spring Hill Lake Mini Market at 9240 Spring Hill Lane in Greenbelt. A $30,000 Diamond Bingo 6th Edition ticket was sold at Tempo Lounge at 402 Back River Neck Road in Essex.

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ALSO READ | SUN | Maryland GOP unveils energy plan it says saves customers up to $40 a month

The Lottery also reported three $20,000 scratch-off winners, all on $1,000,000 Crossword tickets sold at Geresbeck’s Food Market at 8489 Fort Smallwood Road in Pasadena; Hillandale Beer and Wine at 10117 New Hampshire Avenue in Silver Spring; and Paddock Wine and Spirits at 7627 Woodbine Road in Woodbine.

The Lottery reminded players to sign the backs of tickets and keep winning tickets in a safe location.

The Lottery said the last dates to claim scratch-off tickets are posted on the scratch-offs page at mdlottery.com.

More information is available at mdlottery.com.

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SUN: Dozens of vehicles moved to planned Maryland ICE facility; advocates concerned

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SUN: Dozens of vehicles moved to planned Maryland ICE facility; advocates concerned


Advocacy groups are raising concerns over a warehouse in Washington County that is slated to become an Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing facility after dozens of black SUVs were moved to the warehouse’s parking lot on Sunday.

“When federal enforcement vehicles begin lining the warehouse lot, it sends a clear message about what’s taking shape in our community,” said the organizer of Hagerstown Rapid Response, Claire Connor. “We refuse to let ICE quietly plant roots in Washington County without transparency, accountability and community consent.”

The 825,620-square-foot warehouse is located at 16220 Wright Road in Williamsport. Access to the facility was blocked by orange traffic barriers and signs outlining regulations and “governing conduct on federal property” with the Department of Homeland Security emblem at the top of the page.

In late January, Washington County issued a news release stating that on Jan. 14, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security sent a letter to the county’s historic district commission and department of planning and zoning regarding the property.

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Read the full story on the Baltimore Sun’s website.



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Howard County police investigate fatal officer-involved shooting in Columbia

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Howard County police investigate fatal officer-involved shooting in Columbia


An adult man was killed in a police-involved shooting in Columbia early Sunday, prompting an investigation by the Maryland Attorney General’s Independent Investigations Division.

Howard County police said officers were called on March 1, at about 12:09 a.m., to an apartment building in the 6400 block of Freetown Road for a report that involved an adult male threatening to harm himself.

According to police, at about 12:22 a.m., officers encountered the man outside the building. The man approached officers while holding a knife and ignored commands to drop the weapon, police said. Officers then shot the man.

ALSO READ | Gas leak explosion, fire in Prince George’s County leaves 1 injured

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Officers attempted life-saving measures, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene. Officersrecovered a knife near the man.

No officers were injured, and the officers were equipped with body-worn cameras.

The Independent Investigations Division is investigating.

Anyone with information about this incident, including cell phone or private surveillance video, is asked to contact the IID at (410) 576–7070 or by email atIID@oag.maryland.gov.

The IID willgenerally releasethe name of the decedent and any involved officers within two business days of the incident, although that period may be extended, if necessary,pursuant toIID protocol.

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TheIID willgenerally releasebody-worn camera footage within 20 business days of an incident. There may be situations where more than 20 days is necessary, including if investigators need more time to complete witness interviews, if there are technical delays caused by the need to shield the identities of civilian witnesses, or to allow family members to view the video before it is released to the public.



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