During a legislative session dominated by coronavirus relief and confronting systemic inequities, General Assembly Democrats splintered over major climate change legislation, which eventually led to its on the night of Sine Die.Despite a major push from environmental advocates and increasing attention on climate change by lawmakers, why did the become such a source of contention and what does it mean for future climate policy in Maryland?What happened?When the bill was first introduced in January, the chief sponsors — Sen. Paul G. Pinsky (D-Prince George’s) and Del. Dana L. Stein...…During a legislative session dominated by coronavirus relief and confronting systemic inequities, General Assembly Democrats splintered over major climate change legislation, which eventually led to its on the night of Sine Die.Despite a major push from environmental advocates and increasing attention on climate change by lawmakers, why did the become such a source of contention and what does it mean for future climate policy in Maryland?What happened?When the bill was first introduced in January, the chief sponsors — Sen. Paul G. Pinsky (D-Prince George’s) and Del. Dana L. Stein...WW…

Despite strong pushback from the business community and moving late in the legislative session, the Maryland Essential Workers’ Protection Act made it through both chambers by Sine Die. The emergency measure was substantially amended, but advocates say essential workers can still meaningfully benefit from the provisions that survived.Above all, ’s significance comes from the clarity it could provide on workers’ rights, which has been obscure throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. More specifically, it would provide workers a recourse if their rights are violated by requiring the Maryland...…Despite strong pushback from the business community and moving late in the legislative session, the Maryland Essential Workers’ Protection Act made it through both chambers by Sine Die. The emergency measure was substantially amended, but advocates say essential workers can still meaningfully benefit from the provisions that survived.Above all, ’s significance comes from the clarity it could provide on workers’ rights, which has been obscure throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. More specifically, it would provide workers a recourse if their rights are violated by requiring the Maryland...WW…

The House of Delegates approved a priority climate bill on Saturday, sending the measure back to the Senate for final action on the last day of the General Assembly session on Monday.The amended includes a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to a level that is 50% lower than it was in 2006 by 2030. The Senate had initially proposed a 60% reduction goal. The bill also calls for net-zero statewide greenhouse gas emissions by 2045, or offsetting the amount of emissions produced and amount removed from the atmosphere by 2045.To help achieve the more ambitious goal, the bill also proposes...…The House of Delegates approved a priority climate bill on Saturday, sending the measure back to the Senate for final action on the last day of the General Assembly session on Monday.The amended includes a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to a level that is 50% lower than it was in 2006 by 2030. The Senate had initially proposed a 60% reduction goal. The bill also calls for net-zero statewide greenhouse gas emissions by 2045, or offsetting the amount of emissions produced and amount removed from the atmosphere by 2045.To help achieve the more ambitious goal, the bill also proposes...WW…

An effort to reconcile the competing versions of major environmental legislation collapsed in the final hours of the General Assembly session Monday night, rendering the dead.Less than three hours before midnight, Sen. Paul G. Pinsky (D-Prince George’s), the Senate sponsor of the bill, told the Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee that the House had rejected his “compromise proposal” for the wide-ranging climate bill.“It was take it or leave it,” Pinsky said in an interview minutes after the announcement. The House “eviscerated the original bill” and climate activists would...…An effort to reconcile the competing versions of major environmental legislation collapsed in the final hours of the General Assembly session Monday night, rendering the dead.Less than three hours before midnight, Sen. Paul G. Pinsky (D-Prince George’s), the Senate sponsor of the bill, told the Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee that the House had rejected his “compromise proposal” for the wide-ranging climate bill.“It was take it or leave it,” Pinsky said in an interview minutes after the announcement. The House “eviscerated the original bill” and climate activists would...WW…

After years of contributing to global warming and receiving federal tax incentives, the fossil fuel industry would have to pay for their share of pollution in Maryland under a proposed bill.sponsored by Del. David Fraser-Hidalgo (D-Montgomery) and Sen. Ben Kramer (D-Montgomery) would enact greenhouse gas emission fees on fossil fuels and new high-emission vehicles brought into Maryland and invest that revenue — projected at $674 million in fiscal year 2023 and $1.4 billion by fiscal year 2026 — into education, green infrastructure and protections for low-income families.The bill would also...…After years of contributing to global warming and receiving federal tax incentives, the fossil fuel industry would have to pay for their share of pollution in Maryland under a proposed bill.sponsored by Del. David Fraser-Hidalgo (D-Montgomery) and Sen. Ben Kramer (D-Montgomery) would enact greenhouse gas emission fees on fossil fuels and new high-emission vehicles brought into Maryland and invest that revenue — projected at $674 million in fiscal year 2023 and $1.4 billion by fiscal year 2026 — into education, green infrastructure and protections for low-income families.The bill would also...WW…

Thomas McLain “Mac” Middleton was the only full-time farmer left in the legislature when he was upset by now-Sen. Arthur Ellis (D-Charles) in the 2018 Democratic primary. During this holiday season, he has been busy selling Christmas trees and decorations with his son on his farm, Middleton Manor Farms, which has been in his family since the 1660s.Middleton, the former chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, was interviewed ,” the Maryland Matters podcast.All the farm’s Christmas trees were sold out by the first week of December, and there are only a handful of Christmas grave blankets...…Thomas McLain “Mac” Middleton was the only full-time farmer left in the legislature when he was upset by now-Sen. Arthur Ellis (D-Charles) in the 2018 Democratic primary. During this holiday season, he has been busy selling Christmas trees and decorations with his son on his farm, Middleton Manor Farms, which has been in his family since the 1660s.Middleton, the former chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, was interviewed ,” the Maryland Matters podcast.All the farm’s Christmas trees were sold out by the first week of December, and there are only a handful of Christmas grave blankets...WW…

In a socially distanced room inside City Hall, former City Council President Brandon Scott was sworn in as Baltimore’s 52nd mayor Tuesday afternoon.After a few minutes of formalities, Scott walked to an outdoor podium for brief remarks to a small group of press.“These dual emergencies of violence and this pandemic exacerbate the underlying and obvious inequities facing residents of Baltimore. I am humbled by the task before us and I have hope, but I am not naïve to the challenges we face,” Scott said outside of City Hall.Those challenges include the COVID-19 pandemic, the fiscal impact it...…In a socially distanced room inside City Hall, former City Council President Brandon Scott was sworn in as Baltimore’s 52nd mayor Tuesday afternoon.After a few minutes of formalities, Scott walked to an outdoor podium for brief remarks to a small group of press.“These dual emergencies of violence and this pandemic exacerbate the underlying and obvious inequities facing residents of Baltimore. I am humbled by the task before us and I have hope, but I am not naïve to the challenges we face,” Scott said outside of City Hall.Those challenges include the COVID-19 pandemic, the fiscal impact it...WW…

This story has been updated to reflect changes in the number of COVID-19 cases on campus and in Allegany County.After spending three days in self-quarantine with chest pains in her dormitory room, Jasmine, a junior at Frostburg State University, received a positive COVID-19 test result. The next day, she was transported to an off-campus hotel to isolate in a private room.But not before facing many hurdles. When Jasmine, who did not want her last name published, initially called the Brady Health Center, the on-campus health provider, last week to explain her symptoms, which included chest...…This story has been updated to reflect changes in the number of COVID-19 cases on campus and in Allegany County.After spending three days in self-quarantine with chest pains in her dormitory room, Jasmine, a junior at Frostburg State University, received a positive COVID-19 test result. The next day, she was transported to an off-campus hotel to isolate in a private room.But not before facing many hurdles. When Jasmine, who did not want her last name published, initially called the Brady Health Center, the on-campus health provider, last week to explain her symptoms, which included chest...WW…

The proposed Eastern Shore Pipeline Project, which would bring fracked natural gas from Delaware into Somerset County, runs primarily through low-income communities of color, a recent analysis by the Chesapeake Climate Action Network found.Out of the 40 census blocks surrounding the proposed pipeline route through Maryland, only four were not identified as potential environmental justice populations. There are especially large majority minority and low-income populations concentrated around Salisbury in Wicomico County, where the proposed pipeline project would begin. The also found a large...…The proposed Eastern Shore Pipeline Project, which would bring fracked natural gas from Delaware into Somerset County, runs primarily through low-income communities of color, a recent analysis by the Chesapeake Climate Action Network found.Out of the 40 census blocks surrounding the proposed pipeline route through Maryland, only four were not identified as potential environmental justice populations. There are especially large majority minority and low-income populations concentrated around Salisbury in Wicomico County, where the proposed pipeline project would begin. The also found a large...WW…