Wednesday, February 22, 2012
A full-fledged casino would bring in tens of millions a year in tax revenue, Baker tells Senate committee.
By Aaron Carter Capital News Service ANNAPOLIS – Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker III told the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee Wednesday that a full-fledged casino at National Harbor is in the best interest of the county’s economic development and would bring in tens of millions a year in tax revenue. Last week, Baker released a study he commissioned that said National Harbor, and not Ft. Washington’s Rosecroft Raceway, is the ideal location for a casino in the county. Baker testified Wednesday in support of SB 892, introduced by Sen. Douglas J.J. Peters, D-Prince George’s, which would allow a casino with both slot machines and table games in Prince George’s County. “Here’s another chance for us to build a high-end …
Lengthy debate and amendments are expected Thursday.
The Maryland Senate has delayed its vote on same-sex marriage legislation until Thursday. The 47 legislators had planned to take up the bill, which was passed Friday by the House of Delegates, during its Wednesday morning session. The opponents said the procedural delay would allow them time to seek an opinion from the attorney general on several amendments as well as prepare additional amendments that could be offered Thursday. One amendment offered by Sen. Edward Reilly, an Anne Arundel County Republican, would allow the law to go into effect on Oct. 1—thus removing an amendment by Del. Wade Kach, a Baltimore County Republican, that set the effective date as Jan. 1, 2013. "It may look like a placebo but this is really a poison pill," …
Saturday, February 18, 2012
The minimum of 71 delegates needed to pass the legislation voted to approve the bill.
It was close, but the Maryland House of Delegates voted to approve a same-sex marriage bill Friday night that was a priority for Democratic Gov. Martin O’Malley. Legislators passed the Civil Marriage Protection Act with 72 votes in favor and 67 delegates voting against the legislation. The bill needed a minimum of 71 votes to pass. The total was originally reported as 71 votes in favor because a technical glitch locked out Del. John Bohanon’s vote in favor of the bill. Just two Republicans—Dels. Wade Kach and Robert Costa of Baltimore and Anne Arundel counties, respectively—voted in favor of the bill. A similar bill died last year in the House when proponents failed to secure the needed votes and were forced to return the bill to committee…
The former Prince George's County Executive must start his federal prison term in North Carolina Saturday.
Time has run out for former Prince George's County Executive Jack Johnson to remain a free man. Johnson is scheduled to begin his 87-month sentence in federal prison today, Feb. 18, in Butner, NC, Jeffrey Harding, one of Johnson’s attorneys told The Washington Post. Johnson and his wife, Leslie, were both indicted on federal charges in November 2010. Johnson pleaded guilty to conspiracy, extortion and witness evidence tampering after admitting he accepted cash, airfare and other gifts in exchange for changing laws and results of inspections in May 2011 and his wife pleaded guilty to detroying evidence, after she infamously stuffed $79,000 in her underwear and tried flushing a $100,000 check down the toliet. She later resigned from her …
Friday, February 17, 2012
Rushern Baker says if gambling comes to county, it must be “world class.”
As a bill that would expand gambling in the state, particulary in Prince George’s County, works its way through the Maryland General Assembly, County Executive Rushern L. Baker said Thursday that he supports a $1 billion entertainment complex at National Harbor. “I have determined that if gaming comes to Prince George’s County, it must be a high-end facility. I believe we should develop a world-class destination facility that features gaming, live shows, dining, and lodging,” he said in a statement. “I envision a facility that attracts tourist, visitors, meetings and conventions from all over the world.” Baker’s comments come just days after the county council gave a thumbs-down vote to a proposed gambling bill in the General Assembly. …
A rundown of schedule changes for bus, rail, and government services.
In observance of Washington's Birthday—the federal holiday commonly known as Presidents Day—many government services and transit networks will be closed or operating on a modified schedule this Monday, Feb. 20. Here's the rundown: Town services County services Transportation
The MTA claims it does not maintain a current list.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
The flash mob is planned for 5 p.m. on the Red Line.
Advocates from the Purple Line project are planning a flash mob Thursday during the evening rush hour. The Action Committee for Transit is hoping the flash mob planned for 5 p.m. at the Silver Spring metro station will draw attention for the need of the Purple Line in Prince George’s and Montgomery counties. The light rail system would connect New Carrollton and Bethesda with 21 stations in between to stretch across 16.3 miles. The project, estimated to cost $1.6 billion, is still only in the planning stages. Ted Van Houten, a board member for Action Committee for Transit, said Thursday morning that the flash mob will not disrupt the evening rush hour traffic flow as the group will be set up on the corner of Wayne Avenue and Colesville …
The contest will decide who succeeds former Councilwoman Tracey Toscano.
A special election to fill the Ward 5 seat on the University Park Council has been set for Tuesday, March 20. The post was vacated in January when former Councilwoman Tracey Toscano stepped down to lease a new residence outside of her ward. Ward 5 covers the northeast corner of University Park. Polls will be open at Riverdale Presbyterian Church (6513 Queens Chapel Rd.) from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the day of the vote. The contest falls two weeks ahead of Maryland's April 3 primary elections. Ward 5 residents wishing to run for the seat must submit a candidate petition to Town Hall (6724 Baltimore Ave.) by Monday, March 5 bearing the signatures of at least ten qualified voters. As of Wednesday, no completed petitions had been received. …
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
County Council members said they unanimously oppose the slots bill in the state General Assembly.
The Prince George’s County Council is looking to put an end to the slots bill currently working its way through the Maryland General Assembly. This week, council members said they unanimously oppose a bill to bring slots to in Fort Washington and the National Harbor, according to The Washington Post. The bill was introduced by Sen. Douglas J.J. Peters (D-Dist. 23) and in the House by Del. Barbara Frush (D-Dist. 22) and would allow for the slot machines and table games in the county, pending voter approval. While the bill would earmark revenues from the gambling to go to a new regional hospital and economic development fund, council members said the current legislation fails to specify what percentage of revenues. Obie Patterson (D-Dist.8) …
Michael B. Cron
8:41 am on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
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