A new report shows that Maryland is the third worst state in the country when it comes to guns being lost or stolen from federally licensed firearms dealers. There's a new trade deal between Maryland and the Calais region of France, with a goal of increasing car imports and exports between the Port of Baltimore and the Port of Calais. State Senator Nancy Jacobs announces plans to retire; Delegate Mary-Dulany James eyes her seat. The Brown/Ulman gubernatorial team announces a major fundraiser; David Craig picks a campaign manager for his gubernatorial bid. Plus: Baltimore’s “Vacants To Value” program, educating kids about the war of 1812, hopes for Baltimore’s Red Line, a small projected Chesapeake Bay “dead zone,” and more.
Lost And Stolen Guns: A new report shows that Maryland is the third worst state in the country when it comes to guns being lost or stolen from federally licensed firearms dealers. Maryland gun dealers reported the loss of 886 guns and the theft of nearly 100 others last year. The state trails only Texas and Pennsylvania in the number of weapons lost or stolen from dealers – and the director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Policy and Research can’t come up with a reason why; he tells the Baltimore Sun that the high number of thefts doesn’t match up with Maryland’s gun ownership rate, or its population.
Trade Agreement Between Maryland And Calais: Governor Martin O’Malley’s trade mission to Europe takes him to Ireland today… but before leaving France, he signed a trade agreement with that country’s Calais region. The Baltimore Business Journal reportsthat the pact is aimed at increasing car imports and exports between Maryland and that part of France, which – like Maryland – has a large port.
Jacobs Announces Retirement: Harford County State Senator Nancy Jacobs has decided not to seek reelection next year. Senator Jacobs called her decision a "very personal and extremely difficult" one; she says she wants to spend more time with family. The Washington Post notes that Jacobs is the only Republican woman in the State Senate, where she served as minority leader in 2011.
James Eyes Jacobs’ Seat: With Senator Jacobs set to retire, Democratic Delegate Mary-Dulany James tells the Baltimore Sunthat she’s giving strong consideration to running for the Senate seat she’ll leave vacant. James said she’s already been eyeing the post, but says she’s far more likely to run now for the open seat; she’ll likely finalize her plans in September.
Brown/Ulman Fundraiser: Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown is holding a big fundraiser next week, as his quest to become the state’s next Governor continues. Brown and his running mate, Howard County Executive Ken Ulman, will host the event next Thursday at the Baltimore Museum of Industry; the Washington Postreportsthat tickets go for a minimum of 250 dollars, with “VIP access” priced at 4-thousand bucks. The Brown/Ulman team is the only Democratic gubernatorial ticket announced so far, but several other politicians are eyeing the race – including Attorney General Doug Gansler, whose campaign warchest is far greater than that of Brown and Ulman.
Craig Names Campaign Manager: Republican Harford County Executive David Craig has named a campaign manager for his bid to become Maryland’s next Governor; Craig’s picked Paul D. Ellington, described by the Washington Postas a “veteran GOP operative.” Ellington was the chief of staff for Michael Steele, when he served as Maryland Lieutenant Governor. Steele himself is reportedly considering whether to get in the Governor’s race; he says he’ll make a decision later this year.
Maryland Live! Revenue: The Maryland Live! casino in Anne Arundel County brought in 55-million dollars in May. The Baltimore Business Journal notes that the take was the most of any of Maryland's four casinos and more than any other gambling venue in Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jerse.
Small “Dead Zone” Expected: This summer’s Chesapeake Bay “dead zone “looks like it’ll be smaller than usual – for the second year in a row. Researchers tell the Baltimore Sun that the relatively dry spring will likely make the low-oxygen area that forms in the Bay “at the low end” of previous dead zones.
Rockets’ Red Glare: Patterson Park Public Charter School fifth graders spent their school year learning about the War of 1812, inside and outside the classroom. And yesterday they were rewarded for their efforts with the first of the city’s commemorative War of 1812 coins, presented by Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. WYPR’s Gwendolyn Glenn has more in this installment of “Rockets’ Red Glare: The War, the Song and Their Legacies.”
Vacant Opportunities: Many neighborhoods in Baltimore are rebuilding through the city’s “Vacants To Value” initiative. The program was started by Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake more than two years ago, designed to address the thousands of vacant homes that blight city neighborhoods. In the final part of our series “Vacant Opportunities,” WYPR’s Kenneth Burns looks at how some neighborhoods are using “Vacants To Value” to accelerate plans to rebuild their communities.
High Hopes (For Now) For Red Line Construction In Baltimore: WYPR's Fraser Smith and Candy Thompson of the Baltimore Sun talk about why many are optimistic about the chances for construction of the Red Line mass transit line that would run east-west through downtown Baltimore. It’s today’s edition of Inside Maryland Politics.
Erika Brannock Returns Home: The Towson preschool teacher who was seriously injured in the Boston Marathon bombings is finally home. The Washington Post reports that Erika Brannock was released from rehab yesterday, where she has been since returning to Maryland last month.
Measles At IAD: Health officials in Virginia say anyone who passed through Dulles International Airport at the beginning of the month may have been exposed to measles. According to the Loudoun County Health Department, a traveler who had measles passed through the international terminal on June 7th between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. The Washington Post reports that anyone who was in the area of the terminal or baggage claim area may have been exposed.
Buzzuro To Become Ocean City Police Chief: A 28-year veteran of the Baltimore Police Department is set to become Ocean City’s new police chief. Lieutenant Colonel Ross Buzzuro began his law enforcement career in 1985 as a Baltimore City police cadet. The Daily Times reports that he’ll start his new job on July 2nd.
“House Of Cards” Filming: Shooting for the Netflix series “House of Cards” wrapped up in Annapolis yesterday, where the House of Delegates chamber was made over to look like the US Senate. One person who will show up on screen is Cynthia Busch – the wife of House Speaker Michael Busch; she was tapped as an extra to play a US Senator. The Speaker sounded jokingly jealous yesterday, when he told the Capital Gazette“I spent 28 years in the General Assembly, pulled myself up the ranks… and in two days, (my wife’s become) a US Senator.”
Baltimore Baseball: the Orioles bested the Detroit Tigers 5 to 2 in last night’s game. The O’s look for a repeat performance when the two teams play again this afternoon.