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Maryland: A right-to-die state? What to watch in the statehouse this week Maryland: A right-to-die state? What to watch in the statehouse this week
(about 9 hours later)
Maryland lawmakers are approaching the halfway point of the 90-day legislative session. This week, some of the most significant bills will receive their first public airing. Here are a few things to watch:Maryland lawmakers are approaching the halfway point of the 90-day legislative session. This week, some of the most significant bills will receive their first public airing. Here are a few things to watch:
In what’s sure to be an emotionally charged hearing, the state Senate on Friday is taking up a bill to allow terminally ill patients to take life-ending medication. The national right-to-die movement doesn’t see Maryland as the state most likely to be the next to allow aid-in-dying, but the bill may gain more traction with House Speaker Michael E. Busch (D-Anne Arundel) coming out in favor of such legislation and Gov. Larry Hogan (R) softening opposition that he had expressed on the campaign trail. In what’s sure to be an emotionally charged hearing, a House of Delegates panel on Friday is taking up a bill to allow terminally ill patients to take life-ending medication. The national right-to-die movement doesn’t see Maryland as the state most likely to be the next to allow aid-in-dying, but the bill may gain more traction with House Speaker Michael E. Busch (D-Anne Arundel) coming out in favor of such legislation and Gov. Larry Hogan (R) softening opposition that he had expressed on the campaign trail.
The Democratic leaders of both houses of the legislature on Tuesday morning are scheduled to announce plans to bring more “transparency and accountability” to the state’s transportation system and planning. Hogan made significant changes to transportation policy in his first year in office by reducing tolls on some crossings, cancelling funding for a long-planned Red Line light rail in Baltimore and directing funds to road and bridge projects elsewhere.The Democratic leaders of both houses of the legislature on Tuesday morning are scheduled to announce plans to bring more “transparency and accountability” to the state’s transportation system and planning. Hogan made significant changes to transportation policy in his first year in office by reducing tolls on some crossings, cancelling funding for a long-planned Red Line light rail in Baltimore and directing funds to road and bridge projects elsewhere.
Senators on Thursday will consider legislation to automatically place eligible voters on state voter rolls in an attempt to increase participation. Voting policy has turned into a major point of tension in Annapolis, with Democrats blaming Hogan for a torrent of angry messages sent their way after they overrode his veto of a bill to allow more than 40,000 felons on probation and parole to vote. Hogan hasn’t yet weighed in on automatic voter registration.Senators on Thursday will consider legislation to automatically place eligible voters on state voter rolls in an attempt to increase participation. Voting policy has turned into a major point of tension in Annapolis, with Democrats blaming Hogan for a torrent of angry messages sent their way after they overrode his veto of a bill to allow more than 40,000 felons on probation and parole to vote. Hogan hasn’t yet weighed in on automatic voter registration.
Friday is the day Hogan must deliver nominations for state boards and commissions to the state Senate. There isn’t the same slew of high-profile open spots there was last year when he was new to the governor’s office.Friday is the day Hogan must deliver nominations for state boards and commissions to the state Senate. There isn’t the same slew of high-profile open spots there was last year when he was new to the governor’s office.
RETHINKING CONTRACTS: Hogan formed a panel to examine how the state buys good and services — his latest attempt to make government more efficient.RETHINKING CONTRACTS: Hogan formed a panel to examine how the state buys good and services — his latest attempt to make government more efficient.
WHAT FUNDRAISING BAN? Nearly one in 10 lawmakers kept donation pages on their websites despite the ban on fundraising during the legislative session.WHAT FUNDRAISING BAN? Nearly one in 10 lawmakers kept donation pages on their websites despite the ban on fundraising during the legislative session.
LAWMAKER MERRY-GO-ROUND: Montgomery County Democrats nominated Morgan State University professor Pamela Queen to fill the delegate seat vacated by now-Sen. Craig Zucker.LAWMAKER MERRY-GO-ROUND: Montgomery County Democrats nominated Morgan State University professor Pamela Queen to fill the delegate seat vacated by now-Sen. Craig Zucker.
BILLS OF NOTE: Lawmakers weighed bills to give themselves more say in choosing Maryland’s schools’ chief, expand ignition locks for drunk drivers and shore up the state’s already strict gun restrictions.BILLS OF NOTE: Lawmakers weighed bills to give themselves more say in choosing Maryland’s schools’ chief, expand ignition locks for drunk drivers and shore up the state’s already strict gun restrictions.
Correction: An earlier version of this article said the Maryland Senate, not a House of Delegates panel, is taking up a bill to allow terminally ill patients to take life-ending medication.