Governor Martin O'Malley says the Baltimore City Detention Center corruption indictments are a positive development in the fight against prison gangs. Republicans in the House of Delegates have a new leadership team: Nicholas Kipke is the new Minority Leader, and Kathy Szeliga the new Minority Whip. Heightened security measures will be in place at Pimlico Race Course for the May 18th Preakness Stakes. Summer vacation comes early for Baltimore County public school students. Plus: the future of Baltimore's Lexington Market, upgrades at BWI, and more.
Prison Corruption Case: Governor Martin O'Malley says he's been aware of the federal investigation into corruption at the Baltimore City Detention Center for about a year, according to the Gazette. 25 people were indicted last week in relation to the case, including 13 corrections officers who were charged with smuggling drugs, cell phones, and contraband into the jail, at the behest of the Black Guerilla Family gang. As the Baltimore Sun reports, the Governor has issued a vote of confidence in Public Safety and Correctional Services Secretary Gary Maynard; O'Malley said Maynard is one of the best at his job in the country. The Washington Post notes that Maynard has moved his office to the city Detention Center while the investigation continues. More on the investigation -- and the future chances for prison reform -- in this Inside Maryland Politics conversation between WYPR Senior News Analyst Fraser Smith and the Baltimore Sun's Ian Duncan.
New GOP Leadership For The House Of Delegates: There's been a shakeup in the GOP leadership team in the House of Delegates; at what the Washington Post describes at a "contentious" closed-door meeting yesterday, House Republicans voted to make Delegate Nicholaus Kipke the new House Minority Leader and Delegate Kathy Szeliga the new House Minority Whip. They replace Delegates Anthony O'Donnell and Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio. The Baltimore Sun says that the change does not represent much of an ideological shift, as both the outgoing leaders and the new ones are "solid conservatives."
Heightened Security For The Preakness Stakes: The Maryland Jockey Club is beefing up security for the Preakness Stakes. The Baltimore Sun reports that the new measures at Pimlico Race Course for the May 18th event include a ban on backpacks and duffel bags, and a ban on cameras with detachable lenses, or with lenses longer than six-inches. Coolers will only be allowed in if they're see-through... and all attendees will searched with electronic wands.
The Future Of Baltimore's Lexington Market: This morning, Baltimore City officials are set to tell potential contractors how they want to turn the historic Lexington Market into a “food destination” for the region. But as WYPR's Kenneth Burns reports, vendors and customers alike are worried about what the plans could contain.
Summer Break Comes Early For Baltimore County Students: Summer vacation is coming a little earlier for Baltimore County students and teachers this year after the school board decided the last day of classes will be on June 14th. The last day had been scheduled for June 18th, but the Baltimore Sun notes that the school system did not use all of the emergency time built into the calendar.
Rawlings-Blake Aide Returns Tax Credit: A top aide to Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake has repaid $14-thousand in homestead tax credits that he was not supposed to receive. Khalil Zaied, deputy chief of operations for the mayor, received the tax credits on a rental property he owns in East Baltimore; the Baltimore Sun notes that the credit is only supposed to be for owner occupied homes.
County Councilman Huff Sentenced: Baltimore County Councilman Todd Huff will be serving two years of unsupervised probation for his recent drunk driving conviction. The Baltimore Sun reports Huff yesterday received a one-year suspended jail sentence. The first-term councilman had been arrested in February while driving with a blood alcohol level more than twice the legal limit.
Budge Named To Annapolis City Council: Activist and longtime Annapolis resident Joe Budge is the choice to fill a vacant seat on the City Council. Budge was selected by the Annapolis Democratic Central Committee. The Capital Gazette reports that he will be sworn in May 13th.
BWI Upgrades: Getting to your flight is getting easier at BWI-Marshall Airport. A new nine-lane security checkpoint near Concourse C is now operational; the Baltimore Sun reports that it's the largest at the airport and leads to 40 gates at three concourses. BWI is in the midst of a $100-million improvement project that should be done this summer.
And in sports: the Orioles took down the Seattle Mariners 7 to 2 yesterday. The O's and the Mariners complete their three game set tonight.