Baltimore's school system is expected to lose some $23-million in federal funding; we get a report on the system's budget. Plus: the latest on the corruption case at the Baltimore City Detention Center. The GOP field for the 2014 Governor's race is getting more crowded. Maryland is expanding its Minority Business Enterprise program. A look at the economic impact of the MD-filmed "House of Cards." And more.
The Budget For Baltimore's Schools: The first public hearing on Baltimore city schools’ $1.3 billion budget takes place tonight before the school board of commissioners. With fewer federal dollars available for the 2013-2014 school year, the proposed budget calls for some cuts and shifting of resources. WYPR's Gwendolyn Glenn has more.
Prison Corruption Case: The accused ringleader of a smuggling operation within the Baltimore City Detention Center -- Tavon White -- pleaded not guilty to the charges facing him yesterday. White is accused of using corrupt corrections officers to move drugs, cell phones and other contraband into the city jail. The Baltimore Sun notes that the trial isn't expected to start until next year.
2014 Governor's Race: The Republican field for next year's gubernatorial race looks like it's getting more crowded. Yesterday, Anne Arundel County Delegate Ron George told the Washington Post that he intends to enter the race. Other Republicans reportedly planning to run for Governor in 2014 include Harford County Executive David Craig, Frederick County Commissioners President Blaine Young, and former Secret Service agent Dan Bongino.
Maryland's Minority Business Enterprise Program: The state is expanding its Minority Business Enterprise Program. The Baltimore Sun reports that Maryland is setting a goal of having 29 percent of its contracts go to minority- and women-owned businesses in the coming fiscal year. Last year, some 25 percent of contracts went to minority- and women-owned businesses... marking the first time that Maryland met the 25 percent goal that had been set back in 2001.
Baltimore's Speed Cameras: Baltimore's automated speed camera system has had a difficult couple of months; it only issued tickets for a period of about six weeks, from February 20 through early April. But during that period, a lot of tickets went out; the Baltimore Sun is reporting that more than 16-thousand tickets were issued during those six weeks. Ticketing is currently suspended; city officials aren't saying when the cameras will start sending out tickets again.
The Economic Impact of House Of Cards: The popular Netflix series "House of Cards" officially began filming its second season in Maryland yesterday. And as the Baltimore Sun reports, an analysis shows that the first season had an economic impact of more than $140-million in Maryland, and provided more than 22-hundred jobs. Earlier this year, the General Assembly upped the amount of subsidies for film companies to $25-million in the coming fiscal year.
MICA's President Steps Down: It's the end of an era at the Maryland Institute College of Art; the Baltimore Business Journal reports that MICA's longtime president, Fred Lazarus the Fourth, announced yesterday that he's stepping down at the end of the
current
UPCOMING academic year, after leading the school since 1978.
And in sports: The Orioles lost last night's game against the Seattle Mariners; the score was 6 to 2. The two teams continue their three-game set tonight.