A public probe into Maryland's prison system is scheduled for next month, following revelations of widespread corruption at the Baltimore City Detention Center. MD Comptroller Peter Franchot says that requiring online retailers to collect state sales taxes would bring about $175-million per year into state coffers. Baltimore Gas and Electric says customers who buy their energy from the utility will be paying higher prices for it. Anne Arundel County Executive Laura Neuman says she will be vetoing the stormwater remediation fee approved by the County Council last week. Plus: increased security procedures likely for the Preakness Stakes, MD's 4th casino likely to open ahead of schedule, delays likely today near the Social Security Administration headquarters at Woodlawn, and more.
Prison Misconduct Scandal: Maryland lawmakers are planning to hold an out-of-session legislative hearing on the state's prison system; the Baltimore Sun reports that it'll take place May 8th. It comes after this week's revelations of a federal investigation into the operations of the Black Guerilla Family gang in the Baltimore City Detention Center -- which the Washington Post notes led to the indictment of 25 people, including 13 corrections officers. Meanwhile, a report from 2006 indicates that one of the corrections officers indicted was flagged as potentially having gang ties seven years ago, according to the Baltimore Sun.
Internet Sales Tax: Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot is backing legislation moving through the US Senate that would require online retailers to collect state sales taxes -- which he says would bring about $175-million a year into the state's coffers. Franchot tells WJZ that people are already SUPPOSED to be paying the state taxes on their internet buys; last year, he told the Capital News Connection that less than 5 percent of Marylanders do. If Congress does pass the proposed legislation, the Gazette notes that MD gas taxes would not go up approximately 7 cents per gallon in 2016, as they're currently scheduled to do.
BGE Energy Prices To Rise: Baltimore Gas and Electric customers are seeing their bills go up. All BGE customers will be paying higher distribution rates -- the state's Public Service Commission says the hike will amount to more than 3 dollars extra per month on the average customer's bill. And as the Baltimore Sun reports, BGE announced yesterday that customers who buy power from the utility will also pay an average of 6 dollars more per month for that energy; some 30 percent of BGE customers will not pay the higher energy prices, as they get their power from third-party suppliers which set their own energy prices.
Anne Arundel's Stormwater Fee Faces Veto: Anne Arundel County Executive Laura Neuman says she will be vetoing the stormwater remediation fee approved by the County Council last week. The Baltimore Sun reports that the Council must now come up with a new plan or override the veto.
Governor O'Malley's Trip To The Middle East: WYPR's Joel McCord and Karen Hosler talk about why Governor Martin O'Malley's trip to Israel, Jordan, and the Palestinian territories is similar to domestic visits to Iowa and New Hampshire, on today's edition of Inside Maryland Politics.
Increased Security For The Preakness Stakes: Pimlico Race Course is expecting to see increased security at this year's running of the Preakness Stakes. The President of the Maryland Jockey Club tells the Baltimore Sun that a review of policies and procedures is underway, and will continue over the weekend. New policies could be unveiled as early as next week.
Rocky Gap Casino To Open Early: Maryland's fourth casino looks like it'll be opening ahead of schedule; the Daily Record reports that the state's Lottery and Gaming Control Commission will likely approve the license for the Rocky Gap Lodge and Golf Resort in Allegheny County today. A demonstration of the facility's table games and slots is scheduled for May 20th.
A Third Wind Farm For Western MD: Maryland's Public Service Commission has approved a proposal by Annapolis-based Synergics Wind Energy to construct a 24-turbine wind farm near Frostburg. The Baltimore Sun reports that the company is hoping to have the wind farm up and running by the end of the year.
High Pollen Counts: If your nose gave you trouble yesterday, there's good reason; Thursday saw pollen counts reach their highest levels this season. The Baltimore Sun reports that tree and grass pollen are exceptionally high this season and weed pollen is also wreaking havoc on allergy sufferers.
Traffic Delays Likely Near The SSA: Folks whose afternoon commutes take them near the Social Security Administration at Woodlawn should expect some delays today. The Baltimore Sun reports that's because of an emergency drill scheduled for sometime this afternoon; the SSA isn't saying exactly when it'll occur.
And in sports: The Orioles trounced the Oakland A's last night; the score was 10 to 2. The two teams play again tonight.