The House of Delegates passed a version of Governor Martin O'Malley's package of gun legislation yesterday, sending it to the Senate; Delegate Joe Vallario tells WYPR he hopes that "the amendments that have been adopted by the House will be acceptable to the Senate and that they will adopt the entire bill." More on the gun bill, plus a look at legislation that would allow casino jobs to go to some convicted criminals, a bill dealing with automated speed cameras, and how the agenda in Annapolis reflects issues in the national interest. Also: furloughs for Maryland's 30 federal public offenders, and Frederick County Animal Control's search for two dogs killing livestock near New Market.
Gun Legislation: On a vote of 78 to 61 yesterday, the House of Delegates passed a package of sweeping gun laws. The legislation includes a ban on certain assault weapons, a ten-bullet limit for gun magazines, and new gun-buying restrictions for people with a history of mental illness. The measure also requires that people seeking licenses for regulated firearms complete a safety training course, pay a $50 fee, and submit their fingerprints to state police. If the measure becomes law, Maryland would become one of just six states that require gun buyers to be fingerprinted. The NRA has blasted the proposal as infringing on gun owners' constitutional rights -- and opponents of the legislation are vowing to petition it to referendum if it's signed into law. The bill approved yesterday by the House is somewhat different from a similar measure that already passed the State Senate... but House leaders are hoping that the Senate will sign off on their version of the legislation, and send it to Governor O'Malley's desk.WYPR's Karen Hosler has a comprehensive review of the legislation here; there's more here from the Baltimore Sun, more here from the Washington Post, and more here from the Gazette.
Casino Jobs For (Some) Criminal Offenders: Some convicted criminals would be allowed to work at Maryland casinos, under a bill approved by the General Assembly yesterday. The measure would permit -- but not require -- casinos to hire people convicted of nonviolent crimes, such as fraud, theft, and drug possession... but only seven years after the conviction or the completion of parole or probation. Current law bans anyone convicted of offenses that raise questions about a person's trustworthiness from working at a facility with slot machines. The bill now heads to Governor O'Malley's desk; the Baltimore Sun notes that O'Malley hasn't indicated whether or not he'll sign it. There's more on the legislation here from the Washington Post.
Speed Cameras: The House of Delegates is now set to consider a bill that could lead to changes in automated speed camera systems around the state. The Baltimore Sun reports the package will add oversight, increase rules on where the cameras can be installed and covers how ticket vendors are paid. It would also bar the so-called "bounty system" that lets camera vendors get paid for each ticket issued; existing contracts would be grandfathered in for a year, but local governments would be "empowered" to change them after October 1st of next year.
The Annapolis Agenda: Maryland continues to make its mark on issues of national interest - health care and gun control being the two most recent. WYPR Senior News Analyst Fraser Smith Comments in his weekly essay.
Sequestration Furloughs: The federal spending cuts known as sequestration are leading to furloughs for federal public defenders. Those furloughs start on Friday, and the Baltimore Sun reports that Maryland will feel the impact. There are 30 US public defenders in the state. Right now, federal courts in Maryland say they're not planning to close because of the work reduction.
Dogs Kill Livestock In Frederick County: Two dogs are killing animals near the Frederick County town of New Market... and Frederick County Animal Control is trying to catch them. The Frederick News Post reports that the dogs have killed goats, rabbits and chickens but don't seem to be after people. If the roaming dogs are found to have an owner, there could be charges filed.
And in sports: The Orioles fell 8 to 7 to the Tampa Bay Rays last night. The two teams play again this afternoon, before the O's return to Baltimore for tomorrow's home opener. And some good news for tomorrow's game... it looks like it probably won't be rained out; the Baltimore Sun reports that the showers that had been forecast for Friday afternoon are now expected to come down tonight and tomorrow morning; partly sunny skies are now expected for tomorrow afternoon's first pitch.