A behind-closed-doors meeting on Baltimore’s controversial Harbor Point development has been ruled improper by Maryland’s Open Meetings Compliance Board. The 2014 Maryland Attorney General’s race is getting more crowded today, with Democratic State Senator Brian Frosh expected to formally throw his hat in. Ocean City residents are gathering signatures in an effort to get rid of newly installed parking meters. The man behind the infamous “relax robocalls” has had an appeal of the civil judgment against him rejected by a federal court. Plus: the future of Calvert Cliffs, MD’s commitment to PARCC tests, blacktip reef sharks come to the National Aquarium, and more.
Tuesday’s Commute: Delays will continue on MARC’s Camden line today; the Maryland Transit Administration says Camden Line trains are expected to operate 10 to 15 minutes late. This because of track repairs after Sunday’s CSX freight train derailment in Southwest Baltimore. Also, Howard Street is now closed between North Avenue and Mt. Royal Avenue for water main work; Baltimore officials say it’ll stay closed for up to a month.
Harbor Point Meeting Deemed Improper: Maryland’s Open Meetings Compliance Board says that the public was illegally barred from a meeting on Baltimore’s controversial Harbor Point development. The meeting in question was held by the city’s Board of Finance on May 20th; at it, the panel approved more than $100-million in public financing for the Harbor Point development. The Open Meetings Compliance Board says holding that vote behind closed doors violated transparency laws. The Baltimore Sun notes that the ruling doesn’t reverse the decisions made at the meeting… but does mean the city could have to be more transparent about future legislation on tax breaks and tax deals.
2014 Attorney General’s Race: State Senator Brian Frosh is expected to formally enter the Maryland Attorney General’s race today. The Montgomery County Democrat tells the Washington Post that he’s pledging to be “the people’s lawyer” if elected. He’ll be the second Democrat to enter the race; last week, Baltimore County Delegate Jon Cardin launched his own bid for the job… and several other Democrats are reportedly considering mounting bids of their own. Maryland’s current Attorney General, Doug Gansler, is expected to run for Governor next year; Gansler plans to formally launch his campaign in September.
“Relax Robocalls” Appeal Rejected: Political consultant Julius Henson’s appeal of a civil judgment against him for an illegal robocall sent out on Election Day of 2010 has been rejected by a federal court. The call in question went out to more than 100-thousand voters before the polls closed, telling them to “relax” and watch the results on TV; prosecutors say the call was designed to suppress the black vote. The message did not include information on the call’s sponsor. Henson said he was exercising first amendment rights to political speech, but the Baltimore Sun reports that the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals rejected that argument yesterday.
Ocean City Residents Fight Parking Meters: Some Ocean City residents are trying to fight the new parking meters that went up on the resort town's streets this summer. The meters went up on several Ocean City streets where parking used to be free; the town expects that the meters will bring in more than $115-thousand dollars in the current fiscal year. The Daily Times reports that residents are gathering signatures in an effort to put remove the meters; if enough are gathered, Ocean City residents would decide the meters' fate in November's municipal election. About 1225 signatures are necessary for that to happen, and organizers say they should have that number in hand today.
MD Remains Committed To PARCC Tests: Maryland education officials say that they remain committed to using the tests that are being created by the “Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers” or PARCC. Maryland WAS one of 20 states that had committed to using the tests… but only 14 states are left, after Georgia stepped back last week, and Indiana dropped out this week. The PARCC assessment tests are being designed to go along with the new common core standards, which are being adopted by Maryland schools. The Baltimore Sun reports that Maryland will participate in field testing of the assessments in the coming school year, and will give out the tests in the following year.
The Future Of Calvert Cliffs: The Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant will be the topic of a public meeting in Baltimore next week. The Baltimore Sun reports that officials with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission will hear from Calvert Cliffs’ owners – the Constellation Energy Nuclear Group – about the performance of the plant. Earlier this month, a report from the Vermont Law School’s Institute for Energy and the Environment indicated that the two reactors at Calvert Cliffs could be at risk of early retirement. The public meeting will be held next Monday night.
Money For West Baltimore Health Zone: More than $1.2-million are going to help increase healthcare in West Baltimore. The West Baltimore Primary Care Access Collaborative got the check from Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown yesterday; the Baltimore Business Journal reports that the Collaborative will use the money to give area residents access to primary care providers.
MTA Seeks Ad Agencies: The Maryland Transit Administration says it’s in the market for three firms to provide advertising, digital media, and other public relations services. Over the next five years, the MTA expects to pay up to $27-million for the work, which it hopes will increase its ridership and improve its public image. The Baltimore Business Journal notes that eligible firms must be able to “front the costs” of media buys of at least a quarter-million dollars; bids are due next week.
Blacktip Reef Sharks Come To The National Aquarium: The new Blacktip Reef exhibit at Baltimore’s National Aquarium now has its first blacktip reef sharks; the Baltimore Sun reports that 12 of the sharks were released into the 265-thousand gallon exhibit yesterday. 8 more sharks will be added today. The sharks will live there with about 70 different types of fish, as well as the Aquarium’s resident sea turtle.
Baltimore Baseball: the Orioles are set to play against the Houston Astros tonight at Camden Yards; the first pitch is set for 7:05pm.