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Maryland could become one of a handful of states that grant special driver's licenses to illegal immigrants under legislation garnering strong support in Annapolis. The bill, passed by the Senate on Monday, would expand and make permanent an existing two-tiered driver's license system to include more than 100,000 people whose immigration status currently prevents them from applying for a license. Gov. Martin O'Malley backs the plan, which now moves to the House of Delegates. "It's a safety issue," said Del. Jolene Ivey, a Prince George's County Democrat who introduced the House version.

Maryland Jockey Club President Tom Chuckas said Saturday that the Preakness brand “has changed dramatically” in the last few years, citing an attendance bump in the infield celebration and increased security all around the racetrack.   “The crowd in the infield is up, and the wagers are coming in,” Chuckas said. “All in all, it's pretty much what we expected, and we'll continue to fine-tune it.”   Speaking with reporters just after the seventh race Saturday at Pimlico Race Cource, Chuckas acknowledged that the Jockey Club has sought to find a balance between catering to old-school horse racing fans and drawing in new crowds who could become racing enthusiasts.

Bonnie Celmer had been on the waiting list for Section 8 housing since July when she finally got a voucher three weeks ago. She's still living in a Baltimore County homeless shelter, unable to find an apartment. "I've been looking for a place, but I can't get anybody to accept the voucher," the 59-year-old said. Celmer spoke to a crowd of more than 100 gathered Wednesday evening at Towson United Methodist Church to support a proposal that would prohibit landlords from discriminating against potential tenants based on their sources of income.

A group of friends and family from Elkridge prepared for the Preakness as they have every year for decades. They packed tubs of Rice Krispies treats, shrimp salad, macaroni salad, cashews, soft drinks and a giant bag of Utz chips into their cars and headed to Pimlico Race Course . But this year, the Boston Marathon bombing was in the back of their minds. Peggy Maher, one of the group, brought her grandson for the first time. Just in case the unthinkable happened, she went over an emergency plan with everyone should they get separated: Meet at Sinai Hospital, a little over a mile away.

Summer 2012 may have been the coolest in three years, but you nevertheless have likely paid slightly more to cool your house than you did a year earlier. The number of cooling degree days tallied so far this year is slightly ahead of where they were a year ago, at 1,505 versus 1,491 last year. Degree days are a measure of heating or cooling; in the summer months, they count up the amount by which average temperatures rise above 65 degrees. So, for example, it would take 75 days with an average temperature of 85 degrees to accumulate 1,500 degree days (20 degrees, for the difference between 65 and 85, times 75 days equals 1,500)

MOUNT AIRY - A divided Planning Commission approved a proposed ordinance that would require builders to preserve at least 30 percent of existing trees undisturbed in new residential developments.The tree-preservation measure, which would apply to parcels of 500,000 square feet or larger, passed by a 3-2 vote.At an industrial or commercial development, 15 percent of the existing trees must be undisturbed, according to the measure.The proposed ordinance now goes on to the Town Council, which must conduct a public hearing and will make the final decision, possibly in January.

SYKESVILLE - Town residents would able to erect satellite dishes in their yards if an amendment introduced by the Town Council on Monday becomes law.The measure would amend an ordinance that bars such devices on residences inside the town limits.The council scheduled a Dec. 10 hearing to take public comment on the proposed amendment.As written, the measure would restrict satellite dishes to side yards or back yards; require the devices be set back 10 feet from property lines; and require that they be visibly blocked from view from public rights of way.The council debated the third provision, indicating it may be too harsh and may be removed in the final version.

It's a cleaner, gentler Annapolis, a brave new world where trash cans must be hidden and walking around with an open beer bottle is a strict no-no.To protect the peaceful ambience of Maryland's capital,the City Council adopted four nuisance ordinances Monday night, including regulations restricting parking recreational vehicles and carrying open alcoholic beverages on the street.A measure that provoked an outburst of discussion and laughter targets people who mistake flower boxes and alleys for toilets.

WASHINGTON -- The House has approved a measure that would allow for the expansion of the Assateague Island National Seashore in Worcester County.The legislation, approved by voice vote yesterday, would allow the National Park Service to purchase 96 acres of the Elizabeth Woodcock estate, south of Md. 611. The rest of the 320-acre farm is expected to be largely preserved through the purchase by an environmental trust.Maryland lawmakers said the legislation was necessary to prevent commercial development of the property, owned by the late Mrs. Woodcock and located near the Verrazano Bridge, which connects Worcester County to the barrier island.

Smokers in Anne Arundel County will have fewer places to light up after the County Council last night unanimously approved a measure that bans smoking in many public areas.The measure, which takes effect in 45 days, mandates no-smoking areas in restaurants seating more than 75 patrons and businesses with more than 50 employees. It also bans smoking in banks, classrooms, lecture halls, auditoriums, health care facilities, public meeting rooms, museums, galleries, libraries and restrooms, among other places.

The Baltimore County Council could vote next week to reduce fees that developers pay to help the county build parks and buy recreational land. A council resolution would lower — in some cases by nearly 90 percent — so-called open-space waiver fees. A vote is set for May 23. Under county law, developers must set aside land for recreation or open space when they build housing developments. But since 2000, the county has allowed developers to pay cash into a fund instead of preserving land, if approved by the county's director of parks and recreation.

No. 12 Salisbury's 7-4 upset of No. 8 Washington and Lee in the second round of the NCAA tournament last Saturday was immensely gratifying to the reigning national champion for two reasons. The Sea Gulls earned their 15th consecutive appearance in the quarterfinals since the tournament added a round prior to the quarterfinals for the 1998 tournament, and they made amends after dropping a 7-6 double-overtime decision to the Generals on Feb. 20. “It was nice to win the game because it obviously gets us to the quarterfinals,” coach Jim Berkman said Monday morning.

The City Council is poised to vote Monday on a bill that would require businesses receiving large city contracts or major financial support to hire 51 percent of new workers from Baltimore - or face sanctions. "We have the highest unemployment rate in the state," said City Council President Bernard C. "Jack" Young, the bill's lead sponsor. "If a business wants to take our money, at least hire us. As they begin to enrich themselves, enrich the citizens as well. " But the city's law department is challenging the legislation - calling it unconstitutional - and some businesses are objecting to what they believe is a burdensome requirement.

The Senate voted Monday to allow states to assess a sales tax on purchases from Amazon.com, eBay and other online retailers in a bipartisan measure that would also reduce the increase planned for Maryland's gas tax. The bill, which passed 69-27, would resolve a long-standing complaint of brick-and-mortar business owners, who say they struggle to compete with online companies that don't charge sales tax. The legislation requires Internet sellers to...

Surrounded by religious leaders, civil rights activists and others who have fought for years to stop executions in Maryland, Gov. Martin O'Malley signed legislation Thursday repealing the state's death penalty. Unless the law is overturned in a referendum, Maryland will become the 18th state to end capital punishment, leaving life without parole as the maximum penalty for any crime. "We have a responsibility to stop doing those things that are wasteful and ineffective," O'Malley, a Democrat, said before putting pen to paper.

City school officials said they will take extra security measures at a Southeast Baltimore charter school after five fires were set this week at the school, which also had an altercation that injured an administrator and a student arrest. Officials said they will increase the presence of school police officers and district staff at the Friendship Academy of Science and Technology Middle/High School, which they acknowledged has had "significant safety issues" this week. Among them were five trash-can fires - two Wednesday and three Thursday.

In a major about-face, the Laurel City Council has tabled a sweeping resolution that would have condemned the Redskins' proposed football stadium just east of town.Four of five council members supported the measure at a July 7 work session, but the council voted 3 to 1 with one abstention to table the measure after a public hearing Monday. Another public hearing was held on the resolution July 18."That was a win on our part," said Walter Lynch, the Redskins' project manager for the stadium.

An index of U.S. mortgage applications declined for a third week, reflecting fewer home purchases and less refinancing, an industry group report showed. The Mortgage Bankers Association's index dropped 6.8 percent to 797.8 last week. The home purchase applications measure fell 9.4 percent to 402.2. The MBA's index measuring applications to refinance homes fell 4.7 percent to 3099.1. Refinancing helps boost consumer spending, which accounts for 70 percent of the economy, by putting more cash in the pockets of homeowners.

Imagine you are a benevolent monarch and you have the power to institute a sales tax. (Even benevolent government has to be financed, after all.) Would you set one up that gave preference to sellers located outside your kingdom and penalized your own subjects? Would you go further and discourage those outsiders from even setting up shop in your country? Of course you wouldn't. That would be crazy. And while there are plenty of examples of insane heads of state, they aren't usually beloved by their people.

First lady Michelle Obama came to Annapolis on Wednesday to praise a new Maryland law, saying it sets a national standard for removing barriers for veterans in transition to the civilian workforce. The legislation - unanimously approved by the General Assembly - was signed into law by the governor Wednesday as Obama looked on. It requires agencies to expedite the processing for veterans of 70 professional licenses, including those for nurses, paramedics and teachers. The measure also spells out how agencies and universities should translate military education and experience for licensing purposes and college credits.