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Maryland delegation introduces bill for Congress to fully fund ‘gargantuan task’ of replacing Key Bridge

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Maryland delegation introduces bill for Congress to fully fund ‘gargantuan task’ of replacing Key Bridge


Maryland’s congressional delegation introduced a bill in both the House and Senate on Thursday to ensure that federal funds will cover the full cost of replacing the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

The legislation would protect Maryland taxpayers from bearing a 10% share of the cost of reconstructing the bridge, which was struck by a cargo ship last month and collapsed into the Patapsco River, killing six construction workers.

Democratic President Joe Biden has promised that the federal government will cover the entire bill, with his administration approving an initial $60 million request from the state and access to a $1 billion emergency relief fund.

Lawmakers stressed that the loss of the bridge, which has halted much of the traffic at one of the East Coast’s busiest ports, is not just a local but a national catastrophe.

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“The sudden collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge was a human tragedy and an economic tragedy — for Maryland and the nation,” Sen. Ben Cardin said in a statement. “The federal government is an essential partner in this gargantuan task of reopening the Port of Baltimore shipping channel and replacing the bridge with one built for modern-day commerce and travel needs.”

Crews have been clearing tons of debris and opening temporary shipping channels, hoping to reopen normal port traffic by the end of May. To date, divers have recovered the bodies of three of the six workers who were killed in the bridge collapse.

Named the Baltimore Bridge Response Invests and Delivers Global Economic, or BRIDGE, Relief Act, the bill has the support of the delegation’s lone Republican, U.S. Rep. Andy Harris, despite his membership in the far-right Freedom Caucus which has called for restrictions on the federal funds.

The caucus in a statement last week said officials should seek “maximum liability” from shipping companies before seeking public funds, a notion rejected by Cardin and others who said litigation could take years and should not delay the rebuilding of the bridge.

But Harris told reporters Thursday that there is consensus in Congress to fund the rebuild even if that means the federal government must “front” the money before seeking funds from foreign shipping companies who may be liable.

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Harris, a Republican representing the 1st Congressional District, said during a media conference call that there is “broad agreement the federal government should front the money, but that every effort should be made to recoup this money from those who I believe will be held liable for the damage done.”

The Freedom Caucus statement specified that the government should seek maximum liability from the shipping companies “upfront.”

But Harris, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, said “it’ll take years” to recoup any money, and that the bridge project must stay on track.

Harris said holding companies liable is important, but that “with very few exceptions I think the House will agree and the Congress will agree that the federal government can keep the project moving by assuring the funds are available” in the meantime.

Harris’ district includes the Eastern Shore, Harford County and part of Baltimore County.

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The legislation says that in accordance with federal regulations, “any compensation for damages or insurance proceeds” recovered by the state should go toward the reconstruction of the bridge.

The bill was introduced two days after the state delegation and Gov. Wes Moore took to the U.S. Capitol to urge support for the funding.

Moore, a Democrat, expressed gratitude in a statement on Thursday to the delegation and “our federal allies in this hour of national importance.”

“We must continue to come together, across party lines and all levels of government,” he said, “to reopen the Port of Baltimore and rebuild the bridge as fast as possible.”

Baltimore Sun reporter Jeff Barker contributed to this article. 

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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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