NEWS
March 11, 2013
Maryland has already issued driver's licenses to thousands of illegal immigrants, and Maryland Democrats want to continue this practice. But Maryland passed a law in 2009 to conform to the requirements of the Federal Real ID Act which disqualifies the use of licenses from states issuing them to illegal immigrants as proof of identity. The 2009 law discontinued the issuing of new drivers licenses to illegal immigrants and also prohibits license renewals to those who can't provide proof of legal residency after June 30, 2015.
NEWS
March 8, 2013
Maryland Democrats must be oblivious to the fact that people will buy gas where it is the least expensive ("Democratic plan raises gas tax," March 5). People, including truckers, going North or South on Interstate 95 will purchase fuel in either Delaware or Virginia avoiding paying more if Maryland is more expensive. Those who live close to or work in Pennsylvania, Virginia, Delaware or D.C. will purchase their fuel there. How much fuel revenue will be lost by increasing the price with taxes?
NEWS
Thomas F. Schaller | February 5, 2013
Last week, top Maryland Democrats announced their intention to make it more difficult to put statewide policy referenda on the ballot. The move is a clear response to Republicans' success last year in putting to referendum policy questions in the hope of achieving victories the GOP couldn't win in the legislature. The Republicans' ballot plans backfired, most notably the surprising approval by voters of same-sex marriage. But the Democrats, who dominate state politics thanks to large legislative majorities, took notice of the potential threat to their legislative monopoly.
NEWS
The Baltimore Sun | December 19, 2012
In an unexpected move that could have significant implications for Maryland, Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski will be named the first female chair of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee on Thursday. The Baltimore native and Maryland Democrat, who had been the most senior member of the U.S. Senate without a committee gavel, was suddenly in line to head the influential spending panel following behind-the-scenes maneuvering for chairmanships that played out after the death Monday of its former chairman, Sen. Daniel Inouye of Hawaii.
NEWS
By Michael Dresser, The Baltimore Sun | December 6, 2012
David Sloan, executive director of the Maryland Democratic Party for the last four years, said late Thursday that he is leaving that post. The announcement, made via email, comes just a month after Maryland Democrats scored some noteworthy successes in the November election. In addition to winning the state for President Obama with 62 percent of the vote, the party held on to the congressional seats held by U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin and its incumbent representatives while capturing the 6th District seat held by Republican Rep. Roscoe Bartlett.
NEWS
By Annie Linskey, The Baltimore Sun | December 2, 2012
President Barack Obama no longer needs Gov. Martin O'Malley as a top campaign surrogate, and the Democratic Governors Association is set to elect someone else as its chairman on Monday when the group meets in Los Angeles. But neither development is likely to push Maryland's governor off the national stage. "Once you achieve a certain stature, which I believe O'Malley has, then you are going to remain a sought-after speaker, surrogate, television guest," said Anita Dunn, a national political consultant who was an adviser to the Obama campaign.