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Maryland
Senate committee holds off vote on nominee to Maryland Stadium Authority – Maryland Matters
![Senate committee holds off vote on nominee to Maryland Stadium Authority – Maryland Matters Senate committee holds off vote on nominee to Maryland Stadium Authority – Maryland Matters](https://www.marylandmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Martinez-scaled.jpg)
The Senate Govt Nominations Committee held the title of Gov. Wes Moore’s nominee to the highly effective and prestigious Maryland Stadium Authority board Monday night, after listening to testimony from the lady being thought-about for affirmation.
With restricted dialogue, the panel opted to carry off its vote on Yolanda Maria Martinez, a 60-year-old businesswoman from Ellicott Metropolis with a troubled 35-year monetary historical past that features a current $7.2 million private chapter and dozens of lawsuits for unpaid money owed.
The choice to not take motion on Martinez’s nomination got here after an article Monday morning in Maryland Issues detailed how she had hundreds of thousands of {dollars} in judgments filed towards her and different monetary difficulties. Each Martinez, who is named Maria, and the governor’s workers stated that she had instructed Moore of her previous historical past earlier than the he nominated her Feb. 17 to the Stadium Authority board.
The committee held her nomination hours after Moore instructed reporters he continued to again her.
Sen. Antonio L. Hayes (D-Baltimore Metropolis), the panel vice chair, made the movement to carry Martinez’s nomination.
“There are questions that members of the committee nonetheless have … and so they in all probability want extra time to digest it; so, it was requested that we maintain onto it,” Hayes stated. “On this case, I agree with that, given what we learn immediately, we must always maintain off on it.
“We could convey it again up; we could not,” Hayes stated. “It simply relies on how the session is transferring, and it’s transferring actually rapidly.”
It’s Senate custom that any member of the Govt Nominations Committee could delay a last vote on a gubernatorial appointment.
Being named to the distinguished Maryland Stadium Authority’s nine-member board is taken into account a plum appointment, due to the company’s high-profile work. The authority has wide-ranging tasks, together with the award of contracts, structuring of financing offers and negotiating of multiyear, multimillion-dollar leases with skilled sports activities groups and others.
Martinez instructed the committee that her monetary issues began years in the past, when she was caught up within the 1994 chapter of an organization owned by her abusive former husband — circumstances that she stated affected her for years.
She then defined how she overcame being a sufferer of home abuse and rose as much as discovered one other enterprise, Respira Inc., a medical gear firm, which loved success till a change in authorities reimbursement charges compelled her to shut the doorways in 2018.
“I simply wanted to make clear all that as a result of it’s very painful for me,” Martinez instructed the committee.
Distinguished within the state’s Hispanic group, she has been energetic in civic causes through the years.
Martinez instructed the committee how she had been a previous appointee to state boards and commissions, together with as chair of Governor’s Fee on Hispanic Affairs, the board of trustees of the Maryland Vehicle Insurance coverage Fund, the state’s insurer of final resort, and the Division of Well being and Psychological Hygiene’s Board of Assessment.
She talked about her work with the United Method of Central Maryland on serving to to launch the Maryland 211 help hotline, and of serving to former Secretary of State Mary D. Kane (R) with laws establishing the state’s “Secure at Residence” program for victims of home violence.
“I’ve been earlier than this physique a number of instances in my profession and it’s at all times been nothing however help, and it simply may be very tough to be outlined via a lens that has simply info that has been obtained in public information” with out the advantage of feedback from her supporters.
Sen. Mary Beth Carozza (R-Decrease Shore) instructed Martinez that members of the Senate should reply to their constituents, who’ve questions in regards to the nomination to the Stadium Authority board as a result of the company has such huge energy and monetary oversight.
“When our constituents increase issues a few challenged fiscal historical past and background that’s being utilized to an appointment to one of the essential and prestigious [boards] within the state, these are professional questions,” Carozza stated. “They usually ask the query, are there others who didn’t face these challenges which may have been higher nominees? They ask these questions. It is best to know that.
“So when questions are being requested, it’s to not personally problem you, it’s to place it within the context of this particular appointment and the truth that it’s not your regular board or fee. It’s at a distinct stage,” the senator stated.
“I’m sorry for what you’ve gone via personally [and] I’m sorry for what you’ve gone via financially, and I do know my colleagues share that,” she stated.
Carozza was the one member of the committee to talk earlier than Martinez completed and left the room along with her husband, Ricardo Martinez. Then, Hayes referred to as for the vote on different names the committee was contemplating.
By means of Tisha S. Edwards, Moore’s appointments secretary, Martinez declined to talk to a reporter after the listening to.
Earlier within the day, at a Baltimore occasion about electrical autos, Moore stated he was supportive of Martinez being on the Stadium Authority board.
“I’m excited for the truth that she’s now going to have an opportunity to have a good listening to,” he stated of her look earlier than the Senate committee.
“I do know on the subject of Maria, we all know that for many people, our paths haven’t been even. And I do know that giving her a chance to have the ability to meet with the Senate, giving her a chance to have the ability to make her case and to see why I used to be so excited, and am so excited, to see her as a part of the Maryland Stadium Authority,” Moore stated.
“I feel individuals will see that she brings distinctive perspective, that she brings a singular view, and that the journey she has had, the life journey that she has had, not solely does it mirror many Marylanders’, nevertheless it brings a singular additive to what we have to see on the Maryland Stadium Authority,” he stated.
Josh Kurtz contributed to this report.
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Maryland
Maryland issues a new suicide prevention action plan for schools, families – WTOP News
![Maryland issues a new suicide prevention action plan for schools, families – WTOP News Maryland issues a new suicide prevention action plan for schools, families – WTOP News](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/SAD_GIRL.GettyImages-1033774340-e1705449585875.jpg)
Suicide is the third leading cause of death for young people between the ages of 10 and 24 in Maryland. That’s according to a new suicide prevention action plan produced through the state’s Department of Health.
Suicide is the third leading cause of death for young people between the ages of 10 and 24 in Maryland. That’s according to a new suicide prevention action plan produced through the state’s Department of Health.
Scott Poland, the director of the Office of Suicide and Violence Prevention at Nova Southeastern University College of Psychology, talked to WTOP about the action plan he authored with his wife, Donna, who is a career educator.
The “Maryland Action Plan to Prevent Suicide in K-12 Schools” serves as a reference guide to school administrators and the community, and was developed in cooperation with the state health department’s Office of Suicide Prevention.
Poland said one thing that surprises people is that children as young as 8 years old may consider taking their own lives.
“I hear from school personnel all around the country (asking if they) have to take it seriously (if a fourth or fifth grader is talking about suicide). And the answer is absolutely yes,” Poland said.
Among the data points in the action plan is a survey of students in the “Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey of 2021/2022.” According to that survey, 21% of high school students “seriously considered suicide” in the past year, and 27% of middle schoolers considered suicide at some point in their lives.
Poland said it’s important to talk about suicide with young people, and that the idea that talking about it might encourage a young person to consider suicide is a “myth.”
“When we actually bring it up, it gives someone a chance to unburden themselves, to realize that they’re not alone, that there are alternatives and that there is help available,” Poland said.
But he said young people are most susceptible to imitating suicidal behavior: “It is important that we not glorify the suicide victim.”
Instead, Poland said, the emphasis after a suicide should be on healing those affected and helping them find appropriate ways to deal with their emotions and mental health.
The plan released this week includes providing intervention action plans for a young person who may be considering suicide.
“Part of that, of course, is removing lethal means and developing a written safety plan with them,” he said.
Poland said that can include helping people understand “the importance of calling 988, doing things that can calm themselves down,” and reaching out to the nearest trusted adult.
People can reach the national resource for crisis response services and suicide prevention by dialing 988.
Poland said social media is “wreaking havoc” on children’s emotional well-being, often making them feel “not smart enough, not rich enough, not good enough.” Poland said he’s currently working with the state of South Dakota on developing tools to help “young people be a little more mindful and make better decisions about their screen time.”
Poland said parents can help — when it comes to the hours and hours that many people spend online — by modeling healthy amounts of screen time themselves. And he said adults need to think about how they introduce technology to their kids.
“We’re in too (much of) a hurry to give kids smartphones and 24-hour internet access,” Poland said.
“I really have to compliment Maryland,” Poland said, on coming up with the new plan.
Poland said Maryland does not have an especially high rate of suicide, but “I think we all recognize that losing one young person to suicide is one too many.”
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Maryland
Getting to know Michigan State football’s Week 2 opponent: Maryland
![Getting to know Michigan State football’s Week 2 opponent: Maryland Getting to know Michigan State football’s Week 2 opponent: Maryland](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_4000,h_2250,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_1440,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/137/01j714ppf1xrvce2agzn.jpg)
Game two is coming up for Michigan State football as the Spartans hit the road for an early season Big Ten matchup against Maryland. The Terps have had MSU’s number in recent years, but the Spartans’ new-look team is ready to change that narrative this weekend.
Jonathan Smith and his staff have a lot to work on this week after a lackluster 16-10 win over Florida Atlantic, but we’ve become more than used to slow starts for MSU in their first game so it’s not time to panic just yet.
While the team wraps up their preparations for Maryland, let’s take a quick look at the Terps and see what we can learn about them before the big game on Saturday.
Maryland is off and running in their 2024 campaign and had an absolutely dominant week one performance. The Terps took on UConn at home and came away with an impressive 50-7 win. Sure UConn is an awful football program, but we saw how poorly Michigan State just did against a similar opponent.
Not only was the final score lopsided, but ever major statistical category was as well. Maryland doubled UConn in first downs and rushing yards, threw for nearly 400 passing yards and even won the turnover battle 3-0. The Terps also only had five penalties for 45 yards which is significantly better than MSU’s 12 for 140 yards against FAU.
Sure all of this took place against UConn, but it appears that Maryland is in a very good spot heading into this big week two matchup.
One thing that I thought would be a positive for Michigan State in this game is that Maryland is breaking in a new quarterback as well. The Terps’ quarterback, Billy Edwards Jr., went off against UConn and completed 20-of-27 passes for 311 yards and two touchdowns. He also is a capable runner and added 39 yards on the ground, so Michigan State will have its hands full on Saturday slowing him down.
The Terps don’t have one standout running back in the backfield, so that does benefit MSU. They do however have two solid backs in Roman Hemby and Nolan Ray who both ran for over 60 yards and one score each.
The one player however that Michigan State needs to pay the most attention to is wide receiver Tai Felton. He had one of the best Week 1 performances in the country as he recorded seven receptions for 178 yards and two touchdowns. Thankfully MSU’s defense and secondary looked much improved against FAU, so hopefully that carries over into this weekend’s matchup.
The opportunity in front of MSU on Saturday is massive. The Spartans are big underdogs in this matchup which they probably deserve, but a win would do wonders not just for the overall perception of the team but for their confidence moving forward.
I’ve got a strange feeling that we’re going to be very happy around 7 p.m. ET Saturday night.
Maryland
Maryland makes filing taxes online free for some
![Maryland makes filing taxes online free for some Maryland makes filing taxes online free for some](https://thebaltimorebanner.com/resizer/v2/VNZHS3ZRPZFIPLMIQSBCIVIK4M.jpg?auth=ff77372d15f6509b1a1f9c396b1babd2c44c98f67411941eae674ed3f248e4b4&width=657&smart=true&quality=85)
More than 700,000 Marylanders should be able to file their state and federal income tax returns online for free next year, saving residents hours of work and hundreds of dollars on tax software and prep services.
Maryland joined dozens of states Wednesday in a voluntary federal program called Direct File after a test run received positive reviews and showed possible cost savings. Filing paper returns by mail will still be an option.
“It’s unacceptable that Marylanders should have to pay any portion whatsoever of their refund or paycheck to fulfill a mandatory requirement like filing tax returns,” Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman said at a news conference in Annapolis.
The first-term Democrat called the program a game changer for Maryland taxpayers that will modernize her agency. It targets low-to-moderate earners with relatively simple tax returns, and is expected to expand over time.
Lierman’s office will partner with the nonprofit Code for America to integrate the Maryland tax filing system into Direct File. Eligibility requirements will be announced in January, the comptroller’s office said.
Gov. Wes Moore, State Treasurer Dereck E. Davis, members of Maryland’s congressional delegation, U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo and nonprofit partners joined Lierman for the announcement.
Funds from the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 helped build and test the system. The IRS and Treasury Department then invited states to participate.
The IRS has been considering a free e-filing option for low-income American taxpayers for decades, according to the Congressional Research Service. When tax prep companies pushed back, the federal government agreed not to compete with them if they provided free help and e-filing to low-earning taxpayers.
However, many qualified taxpayers were pushed toward paid services, according to an investigation by nonprofit news outlet ProPublica.
The IRS piloted Direct File in 12 states this year. Filers used a laptop, tablet, cellphone or other device to submit income returns and request certain tax credits offered to low-earning individuals and families.
In a survey, nine out of 10 Direct File users ranked their experience as “Excellent” or “Above Average.”
U.S. Rep Steny Hoyer, a Democrat representing Maryland’s 5th District, called paying taxes the “price of our democracy.”
“We ought to make it as easy as possible for people to comply with a legal obligation that they have to support their country, their state and their communities,” he said. “And this system of Direct File does that.”
Robin McKinney, CEO and co-founder of CASH Campaign of Maryland, said easy, free online filing makes the government work more efficiently for citizens and should deliver refunds and credits to taxpayers faster.
McKinney’s nonprofit promotes economic advancement for low- to moderate-income Marylanders and provides free tax help, among other services.
Economic Security Project, a nonprofit that advocates for guaranteed income and economic equity for working families, found that adopting Direct File could mean $355 million in costs and time saved for Maryland’s low- to moderate-earners.
Maryland recently has expanded tax credits for working families, but about $152 million goes unclaimed each year, according to the Security Project’s analysis.
They also estimated that about $148 million could be saved in filing fees and $56 million could be saved in time spent filing taxes.
That money could have gone into Marylanders’ pockets, CASH Campaign’s McKinney said, and it could have gone back into the state’s economy.
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