Bonus

Left tackle Bryant McKinnie appeared to remove any lingering doubt when he went to his Twitter account last night to tell Ravens fans that team officials confirmed to him that he would back for this coming season. So it was no surprise that 4 p.m. today came and went, and McKinnie, who started all 18 games last season, remained on the roster. The Ravens informed McKinnie that they will pick up his $500,000 roster bonus, which was due today. With free agent right tackle Eric Winston having scheduled a visit to Baltimore, there were some questions about McKinnie's future with the Ravens. There's still plenty that could happen in free agency or the draft, but today's development solidifies McKinnie as the starting left tackle for now. Still, it wouldn't be surprising if the Ravens drafted a left tackle in April because McKinnie has only one more year remaining on his contract.

Compensation for First Mariner Bancorp's top executive reached $495,362 last year, about double from a year ago thanks to a bonus, according to a company filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Mark A. Keidel, president, chief operating officer and interim CEO of the Baltimore-based bank holding company, earned a base salary of $235,000, a bonus of $251,340 and other compensation of $9,022 in 2012, according to regulatory filings. His total compensation the year before was $244,436.

WASHINGTON - The Senate has rejected President Barack Obama's proposal to give a $250 bonus payment to people on Social Security. The proposal failed by a 50-47 vote in which Republicans and Democratic budget hawks opposed the idea for adding $14 billion to the budget deficit. Proponents said the $250 payment was needed to make up for the lack of a cost-of-living adjustment this year for beneficiaries. Disabled people and veterans also would have been eligible for the payments. - Associated Press

The Baltimore principals union is calling for schools CEO Andrés Alonso to pay back thousands of dollars in bonuses he received in years that schools were later found to have cheated on state tests. The request comes as a contract, released through a Public Information Act request, names three schools that have not previously been publicly linked to cheating suspicions: Sinclair Lane Elementary, Rayner Browne Elementary/Middle and William Pinderhughes Elementary. The schools join Abbottston Elementary, alleged to have cheated in 2009, in an independent investigation.

Maryland's success in tying for first place in the Atlantic Coast Conference men's basketball standings means not only bragging rights for the Terps and their fans, but also a lucrative bonus for coach Gary Williams and smaller bonuses for his assistants. Williams' contract calls for him to receive $318,000 "if the men's basketball team finishes the regular season in a two-way tie for first place in the ACC men's basketball standings." The 19th-ranked Terrapins finished tied with No. 4 Duke at 13-3.

In its coverage of the reactions to the negotiated changes to the state's pension plans ("State workers decry new pension plan", April 6), the changes described the financial help given to state employees due to the increase from 5 to 7 percent in their withholdings for pension contributions. Not mentioned in this increase is that deductions are pretax and part of the increased withholding will be offset by a reduction of payroll withholding taxes to this increase. But we also read that employees will be receiving a $750 bonus to help "smooth the transition" to the new plan.

Nearly 2,000 Harford County government employees received a bonus last month, but, time is running out for several thousand educators whose union has rejected County Executive David R. Craig's one-time offer. The dispute pits Craig, who is term-limited and considering a run for higher office, against the county's most powerful and largest union, of which he was once a member. Craig and leaders of the Harford County Education Association say they are still trying to resolve the impasse that has put a damper on his much publicized plan to distribute $11 million from a budget surplus among local employees.

Maryland's success in tying for first place in the Atlantic Coast Conference men's basketball standings means not only bragging rights for the Terps and their fans, but also a lucrative bonus for coach Gary Williams and smaller bonuses for his assistants. Williams' contract calls for him to receive $318,000 "if the men's basketball team finishes the regular season in a two-way tie for first place in the ACC men's basketball standings." The 19th-ranked Terrapins finished tied with No. 4 Duke at 13-3.

Twelve days ago MI Developments Inc. revealed a $5.5 million bonus program for the Grade I Preakness at Pimlico Race Course. Tuesday, the company announced a similar, $2.2 million bonus for the Grade II Black-Eyed Susan stakes that has been traditionally run for fillies the Friday before the Preakness. To qualify for the $2.2 million bonus, $2 million of which goes to the owner and $200,000 to the trainer, a filly has to win three designated races at Gulfstream Park (the Forward Gal Stakes, the Davona Dale and the Oaks)

Horsemen who won purse money at the Timonium meet might be in for a pleasant surprise -- a bonus -- when the final betting numbers, less operating expenses, are calculated in a couple of weeks."

I was appalled by your report that the Baltimore City school system is offering financial incentives to teachers in order to reduce the number of out-of-school student suspensions ("City trying bonuses to cut rate of suspension," Jan. 15). Children who misbehave in school usually do so because they are crying out for help. You report that the financial incentive "could encourage teachers to learn the reasons behind a child's bad behavior. " But as teachers we have a professional and moral responsibility to help children become the best that they can be with or without a bonus.

The Baltimore school system is paying bonuses to teachers and administrators at struggling schools that reduce suspensions, drawing criticism from union leaders who say the program could provide a financial incentive to ignore problems and jeopardize school safety. In addition to cutting down on suspensions for nonviolent incidents, the program pays bonuses for helping to reduce truancy and absenteeism. The school system has moved away from zero-tolerance discipline policies - a nationwide trend aimed at disciplining students in school rather than keeping them out through suspensions, which have risen in Baltimore over the past two years.

The dance floor was rocking and an elegant spread of crab cakes, shrimp, a chocolate fountain and an open bar kept spirits merry at Friday night's holiday party for employees at the Random House Distribution Center in Westminster. But the buffet at Martin's of Westminster couldn't top the company's CEO, Markus Dohle, who came from Random House's Manhattan office to toast his Carroll County employees — and make an announcement: "Each and every one of you will receive a very special Random House thank you payment ... in the amount of $5,000," Dohle said, smiling from ear to ear. Any other words were drowned out in screams, applause and whistles from the packed ballroom.

"Fifty Shades" the S&M series that became a surprising runaway best-seller this year, has paid off in a big way for workers at a Random House distribution center outside Baltimore. As noted in this article in the Baltimore Sun, each of the 800 workers -- from supervisors to secretaries -- will receive a $5,000 bonus, a company official announced at the Westminster center's holiday party. Company CEO Markus Dohle said that E. L. James' trilogy -- "Fifty Shades of Grey," "50 Shades Darker" and "50 Shades Freed" -- was a major factor in the company's success this year.

A federal bankruptcy judge approved RG Steel's $767,000 "retention" plan for 21 employees Tuesday over the sharp objections of the United Steelworkers. The payments, approved by Judge Kevin J. Carey in Wilmington, include stipends for health insurance and a bonus equal to three months' salary, if the workers remain through Dec. 31. RG Steel — which owned the Sparrows Point mill in Baltimore County before auctioning it to a redevelopment firm and liquidator this summer — said the move was necessary to wind down its estate.

Nearly four months after signing Cuban defector Henry Urrutia, the Orioles are still waiting for the 25-year-old outfielder to officially join the organization, according to an industry source. Urrutia, who has set up residency in the Dominican Republic, continues to have difficulty obtaining a visa, an obstacle that has existed since the Orioles signed him in July. The Orioles had hoped Urrutia would arrive in time to get some minor league at bats at the Double-A level. Even after the season ended, the hope was to get Urrutia into to the team's spring training complex in Sarasota, Fla., to begin workouts.

With the backing of stakeholders, Merry-Go-Round Enterprises Inc. has agreed to pay a modest bonus -- $125,000 -- to the outgoing crisis management team that led the fashion retailer through a tumultuous period of store closings, layoffs and unrelenting financial losses.Meridian Ventures, brought in on an interim basis in mid-January, could have collected as much as $1.3 million in bonuses had the consultants remained with the Joppa-based chain when it emerges from bankruptcy.But under the revised deal, approved by U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Meridian will receive two installments -- $75,000 for closing on a $90 million line of credit, obtained last week, and $50,000 when Merry-Go-Round wins confirmation of a plan of reorganization under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

H. Furlong Baldwin, chairman and chief executive of Mercantile Bankshares Corp., received a salary and bonus of $1.29 million in 1997, up 33 percent from a year earlier, according to the company's proxy report filed with federal regulators.Baldwin was paid $878,500 in salary, compared with $750,000 in 1996, and his bonus was $414,400, compared with $219,000.Mercantile's compensation committee boosted Baldwin's pay package because of the Baltimore-based banking company's strong performance.

Sparrows Point workers age 60 and older have until the end of today to retire if they want a $10,000 bonus. Joe Rosel, president of United Steelworkers Local 9477 in Sparrows Point, said many workers were coming in today to sign up after hearing of the tight deadline set by bankrupt owner RG Steel. The steel mill's largely laid-off workers must be eligible to retire and at least 60 to take advantage of the bonus. Rosel said the company's human resources staffers are handling applicants.

Shoppers in Maryland showed up at area malls and other retail outlets in large numbers Sunday, the first day of the state's Tax Free Week. The holiday from state sales tax for most clothing and footwear priced under $100 was an incentive to spend and an added bonus this time of year, said parents goingback-to-schoolshopping with their kids. "I say every dollar counts," said Kristin Ganoe of Hagerstown, who was shopping atMacy's at the Mall in Columbia with her husband, Roman, and daughter Gabriella, who's going into the third grade.