We sample some of the reactions to yesterday’s Supreme Court rulings on same-sex marriage, on of which declared a key part of the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional. Baltimore officials speak out on the recent spate of shootings in the city, as WYPR’s Fraser Smith asks whether outrage will turn into action. Plus: Independence Day holiday travel is projected to decrease slightly this year, Baltimoreans speak out on plans to increase water rates, and a black bear captured in Washington DC is released in rural MD. And more…
Supreme Court Rulings On Same-Sex Marriage: Maryland officials are reacting to yesterday’s Supreme Court rulings on same-sex marriage. Governor Martin O’Malley took to Twitter to praise the high court for declaring a key part of the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional. The ruling means that legally married same sex couples in Maryland will be able to file joint state and federal tax returns. After voters approved an amendment allowing same-sex marriage last year, state law allowed such couples to file joint state returns, but before yesterday’s rulings, they had to file individual federal returns. However, same-sex marriage remains illegal in most states in America, and yesterday’s ruling doesn’t change that. Governor O’Malley says the nation still has more work to do on the matter. WYPR’s Joel McCord has more reactions here.
Baltimore Shootings: It has been a particularly violent week in Baltimore; since last Friday, the city has seen at least 32 shootings, and 12 of the victims have died. Public officials are expressing anger and outrage, according to the Baltimore Sun. And the Sun reports that Baltimore's chief police spokesperson -- Anthony Guglielmi -- has been “temporarily” reassigned after being quoted as saying that the department was satisfied with their progress on crime for the year. WYPR Senior News Analyst Fraser Smith notes the outrage – but asks what action is being taken, in his weekly essay.
Water Rate Hikes In Baltimore: A plan to increase Baltimore’s water rate is not sitting well with some city residents, dozens of whom spoke out against the plan at yesterday’s Board of Estimates meeting. The Department of Public Works is asking for a 15% rate hike in the coming fiscal year, followed by additional eleven-percent rate hikes in 2015 and 2016. In all, Baltimoreans’ water rates would go up nearly 42 percent over the next three years – raising the average bill by about 21 dollars a month once all the hikes kick in, according to the Baltimore Sun. The Board of Estimates was expected to vote on the plan yesterday, but put that vote off until next week. If approved, the rate increase would begin in July.
“Superblock” Update: Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake says she is planning to seek new bidders to develop the Superblock property this fall, according to the Baltimore Sun.
Water Quality At Ocean City's Beaches: Ocean City's beaches are among the best in the nation in terms of water quality. The Baltimore Sun reports that the New York-based Natural Resources Defense Council has given OC's beaches its top 5-star water quality rating again -- OC's beaches have won that ranking every year since 2008.
Independence Day Holiday Travel: The roads could be slightly less busy during the 4th of July holiday travel period, according to AAA Mid-Atlantic. The auto club predicts that just under 800-thousand Marylanders will travel 50 miles or more for the holiday. That’s a decline of a little less than 1 percent from last year; AAA tells the Baltimore Business Journal that the drop will be due to the shorter holiday period and the federal sequestration spending cuts. Folks who do take to the roads will have to pay more in gas taxes, with an increase of about 4 cents a gallon set to take effect on June 1st. The Baltimore Sun notes that motorists will also pay more in cash tolls on the state’s bridges and tunnels, and on I-95 north of Baltimore.
Black Bear Caught In DC, Released In MD: Maryland has a new resident – a black bear, that was capturedin Washington DC yesterday. After chasing the approximately 1-year-old male bear through several back yards, officers were finally able to tranquilize him and take him to a local animal hospital, where the Washington Post reports he was checked out and transported to a rural part of Maryland where he was released.
Baltimore Baseball: The Orioles lost last night’s game against the Cleveland Indians; the score was 4 to 3. The O’s look to turn it around tonight; the game starts at 7:05 at Camden Yards.