Representative Elijah Cummings is calling for an end of the congressional investigation into the IRS over the targeting of conservative groups for additional scrutiny on applications for tax-exempt status. Amid a 10-week backlog for gun background checks, some Maryland gun dealers are releasing firearms to buyers without the checks – after the 7-day wait required by law. Plus: the latest on the 2014 elections: Doug Gansler’s pick for campaign manager, Barry Glassman’s bid for Harford County Executive, and Allan Kittleman’s bid for Howard County Executive. And more…
MD’s Connection To The NSA Spying Program Revelations: The man who leaked top secret documents about the NSA's controversial spying program has been identified as a former Maryland resident. The Baltimore Sun reportsthat the whistleblower is 29-year-old Edward Snowden, who lived near the National Security Agency facility in Fort Meade. Snowden also attended community college in Maryland, and later got a job at an NSA office in College Park.
Congressman Cummings Calls For An End To IRS Probe: Representative Elijah Cummings says that testimony of top IRS officials indicates that the White House was not involved in targeting conservative groups. Speaking yesterday on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Cummings said that the testimony of top IRS officials indicates that the White House was not involved in the scandal; the Baltimore Sun reports that Cummings is calling for an end of the congressional investigation.
State Senator Barry Glassman Announces Bid For Harford County Executive: Republican State Senator Barry Glassman is looking to become the next Harford County Executive; on Saturday, he formally announced plans to leave the General Assembly and run for the post. The Baltimore Sun notes that Glassman has represented Harford in the State Senate since 2008, and previously served on the Harford County Council.
State Senator Allan Kittleman To Run For Howard County Executive: Republican State Senator plans to announce tomorrow that he’ll mount a bid to become the next Howard County Executive. Kittleman was once the Senate Republican Leader, but gave up that post in 2011 after announcing his support for a civil union bill; a year later, Kittleman was the only Republican in the Senate to vote to legalize same-sex marriage. The Washington Post notesthat Kittleman faces an uphill battle to for the County Executive’s job, as Democrats have dominated Howard County politics in recent elections.
Doug Gansler Picks Campaign Manager: State Attorney General Doug Gansler hasn’t yet said whether he’s running for governor next year… but last week, he picked a campaign manager. Gansler announced on Friday that he’s tapped Carrie Glenn to work his campaign, should he decide to mount one; the Washington Post notes that Glenn previously helped Montana Senator Jon Tester win re-election in a heavily Republican state.
MD Gun Dealers Release Firearms Without Background Checks: Some Maryland gun dealers are handing over guns to buyers before background checks are complete. Current state law requires that gun dealers wait seven days before releasing a firearm to a buyer… and until recently, it only took a week for state police to complete a background check. But the Baltimore Sun reports that a recent surge of gun purchases has created a backlog, and that checks now taking as long as 10 weeks. Most dealers are waiting for those checks to be complete, but some are following the letter of the law and releasing guns after 7 days.
Clack Steps Down: Baltimore City Fire Chief James Clack is stepping down, after five years on the job. The Baltimore Sun reports that his resignation will be effective July 26th.
Harbor Point Development: Fraser Smith and Baltimore Sun editorial writer, Andy Green, discuss how Harbor Point fits into Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake's plan for Baltimore. It’s today’s edition of Inside Maryland Politics.
Baltimore Baseball: The Orioles beat the Tampa Bay Rays 10 to 7 last night. Tonight, the O’s will be back in Baltimore, to kick off a three-game series with the Los Angeles Angels. First pitch tonight at Camden Yards is scheduled for 7:05pm.