A bill expanding Maryland's gun laws another raising taxes on gasoline are among more than 250 measures set to be signed into law today by Governor Martin O'Malley. With the 138th running of the Preakness Stakes on Saturday, we look at how gambling is benefiting MD's horse racing industry. Civilian Defense Department employees at Fort Meade and U.S. Naval Academy are getting ready for furloughs brought on by the federal sequestration cuts. Plus: tuition to increase in the University System of Maryland System, a look at Attorney General Doug Gansler's possible entry in the 2014 Governor's race, and more.
Thursday's Bill Signings: More than 250 bills will be signed into law by Governor Martin O'Malley, at a ceremony scheduled for today in Annapolis. The most controversial is a package of gun control legislation, which includes provisions banning 45 types of semi-automatic rifles, limiting magazines to ten bullets and imposing a licensing requirement on handgun buyers that would have them submit their fingerprints to state police; the Washington Post notes that the NRA has vowed to fight the law in court, and there's a signature gathering campaign underway aimed at putting the measure on the November 2014 ballot. Another measure being signed is a bill designed to raise new revenues to pay for transportation projects, by phasing in higher taxes on gasoline; the Post notes that it'll mean that the price per gallon will likely rise by about 4 cents this July... and by up to 16 cents more by the year 2016.
The Preakness Stakes & Maryland's Horse Racing Industry: The 138th running of the Preakness Stakes is just days away. The Kentucky Derby-winning horse Orb is the morning-line favorite at even-money for Saturday's race. Maryland's annual celebration of its historic horse racing tradition comes amid signs that gambling revenue may finally allow the industry to prosper, after decades of decline. WYPR's Karen Hosler has more.
Brown To Present Preakness Trophy: Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown present the trophy to the winner of the Preakness Stakes; that's because Governor Martin O'Malley -- who's presented the Woodlawn Vase to the Preakness winner every year since 2007 -- is being kept away by a family obligation. Brown announced last week that he's running for Governor next year, and has recieved O'Malley's endorsement; the Washington Post speculates that Brown will likely have "plenty of other opportunties" to stand in for O'Malley in the coming months.
Gansler's Possible Gubernatorial Bid: One Democrat considered likely challenge Brown in the 2014 Governor's race is Attorney General Doug Gansler. WYPR Senior News Analyst Fraser Smith says Gansler is moving toward a decision with "studied patience." Fraser comments in his weekly essay.
Sequestration's Impact On DoD Workers: Fort Meade and U.S. Naval Academy's civilian Defense Department employees are getting ready for furloughs brought on by the federal sequestration cuts. WJZ reports that thousands of civilian workers at the two operations will lose eleven days' pay, one day a week for eleven weeks. The Defense Department tells the Baltimore Sun that the number of furlough days is about half what was first expected because cuts have been made in other areas.
Evacuation Near Fort Meade: Some homes near Fort Meade were evacuated yesterday, after the discovery of unexploded World War Two-era ordnance at the military facility. Residents were ordered from their homes yesterday morning and allowed back in about two hours later. The Odenton Patch reports that the ordnance was determined to be inert and was removed.
Tuition To Rise At University System Of Maryland: Tuition and fees are going up in the University System of Maryland. The Baltimore Sun reports that the Board of Regents has announced that tuition at most schools will go up 3 percent; Salisbury University will increase its tuition by 6 percent.
O'Malley Gets Paid For 2004 Movie: Governor O'Malley is $271 richer, thanks to the state comptroller's unclaimed-property program. The Baltimore Sun reports that Comptroller Peter Franchot yesterday presented the governor with a check for the cash owed to him by Disney for his speaking role in the 2004 movie "Ladder 249," in which O'Malley portrayed the mayor of Baltimore.
Baltimore Baseball: the Orioles lost yesterday afternoon's game against the San Diego Padres; 8 to 4 was the score. The O's take today to rest; tomorrow, they'll host the Tampa Bay Rays in the first of a three-game series.