COLBURN TO INTRODUCE SOFT-SHELL CRAB, BINGO BILLS
If one state lawmaker has his way, the soft shell crab sandwich will become the Maryland state sandwich. Eastern Shore state Senator Richard Colburn is introducing a bill in the General Assembly to establish soft shell crab as the state sandwich October first of next year. Colburn says the crabcake sandwich would be a more obvious choice, but the soft shell crab is more unique to Maryland and crabcakes can contain meat imported from Thailand. Colburn is also expected to introduce a bill to make Sunday casino gambling legal in Somerset County.
If one state lawmaker has his way, the soft shell crab sandwich will become the Maryland state sandwich. Eastern Shore state Senator Richard Colburn is introducing a bill in the General Assembly to establish soft shell crab as the state sandwich October first of next year. Colburn says the crabcake sandwich would be a more obvious choice, but the soft shell crab is more unique to Maryland and crabcakes can contain meat imported from Thailand. Colburn is also expected to introduce a bill to make Sunday casino gambling legal in Somerset County.
CHESTER MAN SHOT, KILLED IN COIN SHOP BREAK-IN
Anne Arundel County police are saying they responded four times to a Glen Burnie coin shop before a store employee shot and killed a man in an alleged break-in. Thirty-year-old Byron Keith Phillips of Chester was found dead Tuesday morning outside the Arundel County Coin Shop on Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard. Cops said they responded to that location four previous times in December. An investigation is ongoing.
Anne Arundel County police are saying they responded four times to a Glen Burnie coin shop before a store employee shot and killed a man in an alleged break-in. Thirty-year-old Byron Keith Phillips of Chester was found dead Tuesday morning outside the Arundel County Coin Shop on Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard. Cops said they responded to that location four previous times in December. An investigation is ongoing.
MD HOME PRICES DROP
Home values are continuing to drop across Maryland, as the new state assessments show a decline in value of nearly seven-percent. However, for the first time since 2008, the decline in home values was less than ten-percent. The Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation sent out tax assessment notices to over 600-thousand property owners last week. Department director Robert Young says the statistics show that the state housing market is improving.
Home values are continuing to drop across Maryland, as the new state assessments show a decline in value of nearly seven-percent. However, for the first time since 2008, the decline in home values was less than ten-percent. The Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation sent out tax assessment notices to over 600-thousand property owners last week. Department director Robert Young says the statistics show that the state housing market is improving.
FIRST HYPOTHERMIA DEATH IN MD IN 2012
An elderly man in Frederick County has died form hypothermia, and the state says it's the first weather-related death of the winter season in Maryland. State public health officials say the man was over the age of 65, but are not releasing any other information because of privacy concerns. The man died sometime between December 18th and Christmas Eve. During last year's mild winter, 15 people died of hypothermia in Maryland, which was way down from the 43 deaths the previous winter.
An elderly man in Frederick County has died form hypothermia, and the state says it's the first weather-related death of the winter season in Maryland. State public health officials say the man was over the age of 65, but are not releasing any other information because of privacy concerns. The man died sometime between December 18th and Christmas Eve. During last year's mild winter, 15 people died of hypothermia in Maryland, which was way down from the 43 deaths the previous winter.
GANSLER OUTLINES TIPS ON KIDS IDENTITY THEFT LAW
Attorney General Doug Gansler is providing some tips for parents who want to take advantage of a new Maryland law to protect children from identity theft. The new law takes effect Tuesday. Parents or guardians can contact the three major credit reporting agencies to place a freeze on their children's credit. A request can be made online to Equifax at www.equifax.com , to Experian at http://www.experian.com/consumer/help/states/md.html , and TransUnion at http://www.transunion.com/personal-credit/credit-disputes/credit-freezes.page . Maryland's law is the first of its kind in the nation. In the past, credit agencies have been able to refuse to lock the credit of those who do not have a pre-existing credit report. That is a problem for children, because if they have a credit report they are likely already a victim of fraud.
Attorney General Doug Gansler is providing some tips for parents who want to take advantage of a new Maryland law to protect children from identity theft. The new law takes effect Tuesday. Parents or guardians can contact the three major credit reporting agencies to place a freeze on their children's credit. A request can be made online to Equifax at www.equifax.com , to Experian at http://www.experian.com/consumer/help/states/md.html , and TransUnion at http://www.transunion.com/personal-credit/credit-disputes/credit-freezes.page . Maryland's law is the first of its kind in the nation. In the past, credit agencies have been able to refuse to lock the credit of those who do not have a pre-existing credit report. That is a problem for children, because if they have a credit report they are likely already a victim of fraud.
ANYONE SURPRISED?
Gambling interests are high up on a list for spending on lobbyists in Maryland this year. The State Ethics Commission has released a list of employers who spent $50,000 or more between May and Oct. 31. Buildings Trades for National Harbor Inc., spent about $2.7 million. That's the most on the list. The group lobbied on legislation to allow a casino in Prince George's County. PPE Casino Resorts Maryland, LLC, which was supported by The Cordish Cos., spent about $482,400 on lobbying during the period. Other gambling interests also are prominent on the list, including CBAC Gaming, LLC., and MGM Resorts International Operations Inc. Voters approved allowing table games like blackjack and the Prince George's casino site in November, after lawmakers passed legislation in an August special session.
Gambling interests are high up on a list for spending on lobbyists in Maryland this year. The State Ethics Commission has released a list of employers who spent $50,000 or more between May and Oct. 31. Buildings Trades for National Harbor Inc., spent about $2.7 million. That's the most on the list. The group lobbied on legislation to allow a casino in Prince George's County. PPE Casino Resorts Maryland, LLC, which was supported by The Cordish Cos., spent about $482,400 on lobbying during the period. Other gambling interests also are prominent on the list, including CBAC Gaming, LLC., and MGM Resorts International Operations Inc. Voters approved allowing table games like blackjack and the Prince George's casino site in November, after lawmakers passed legislation in an August special session.
SAME-SEX MARRIAGE NOT SETTLING WELL WITH SOME COURT CLERKS Some deputy court clerks in St. Mary's County will stop performing marriages when same-sex marriage becomes legal in Maryland next week. Joan Williams is clerk of the St. Mary's Circuit Court. She says that some of her employees are opposed to gay marriage for religious reasons. As a result, she decided those deputy clerks will not perform any marriages. She says it is a way of respecting their beliefs. All counties in Maryland are legally required to start performing same-sex marriages on Jan. 2. Fifty-two percent of Maryland voters approved legalizing gay marriage, but some resistance remains. Carrie Evans of Equality Maryland, a gay rights group, says there appears to be nothing discriminatory about changing which deputy clerks perform marriages.