Legum’s New Line

Last weekend, we had a very successful kickoff for the campaign. Thanks to everyone who braved the heat, especially those who hit the streets afterward to knock doors.

If you’d like to get involved with the campaign, you can sign up to volunteer here.

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Due to expected changes in Maryland licensing requirements, 350,000 state drivers will face the following choice: “Stop driving or get behind the wheel illegally.” [Washington Post]

A proposal increase the scope of internet sales tax gains high-profile supporters. The measure would raise about $7 million annually in Maryland. [Gazette.net]

Anne Arundel County Executive John Leopold has asked the state to waive the required annual increase in county school funding, about $9 million this year. [Baltimore Sun]

After lawmakers forced the University of Maryland to cancel a screening of a pornographic movie, Pirates II — Stagnetti’s Revenge, students “are organizing their own viewing parties.” [WJZ]

Miss Maryland USA 2004 “was charged with conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine and possession of marijuana.” [Washington Post]

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The University of Maryland canceled a midnight showing of a pornographic movie, Pirates II: Stagnetti’s Revenge, after the State Senate threatened to pull hundreds of million of dollars in aid to the public university. [Baltimore Sun]

State Senator E.J. Pipkin introduced an amendment to cut $6 million for the Maryland Transportation Authority, saying he was inspired by MC Hammer’s classic “You Can’t Touch This.” [Capital News Service]

Dixon’s lawyers move to dismiss the criminal charges against her, saying the government’s case is plagued by a “‘multiplicity of mistakes and misconceptions.” [Baltimore Sun]

A new report card by the University of Maryland gives the health of the Chesapeake Bay an overall grade of C-. The river’s in the Annapolis area, including the Severn River, all receive failing grades. [Bay & Environment]

The State Senate approves education cuts. [InsideEd]

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House of Delegates adds teeth to Governor O’Malley’s growth bill. An amendment approved yesterday would “spur local governments to corral suburban sprawl – or risk having development projects blocked by the state.” The move was praised by environmentalists. [Bay & Environment]

Speaking to the Anne Arundel County GOP, Chairman Michael Steele chides the party for infighting. [Baltimore Sun]

Maryland Public Television airs a documentary, Citizen Schaefer, chronicling the life of the controversial former governor. [The Captial]

The U.S. Postal services acknowledged “the names and Social Security numbers of about 8,000 state employees and retirees were in a report ‘lost in the mail’ this month.” [WBAL]

House and Senate at odds over new drivers licensing system. The House “voted Friday to allow undocumented immigrants who have a Maryland license to continue driving, while the Senate approved a proposal to end the practice.” [Baltimore Sun]

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More than half of Maryland if officially in a drought. [Baltimore Sun]

New legislation proposed by Sen Richard S. Madaleno would grant Maryland victims of Bernie Madoff’s Ponzi scheme special tax breaks. [Maryland Gazette]

Gov. O’Malley’s plan for partially re-regulating the electricity industry, including the the to order utilities to build new power plants, faces an uphill battle in the General Assembly. Some lawmakers say the Governor didn’t give them enough time to consider the complex legislation. [WBAL]

Maryland considers options to bring its drivers licenses into compliance with the Federal Real ID program by requiring proof of legal residence. A version of the bill under consideration by the House of Delegates would allow those who currently have a license to renew it without proof of legal residence, although the new license would be marked “not federally compliant.” [Baltimore Sun]

The state senate slices $13.4 million from O’Malley’s proposal to fund stem cell research. [Maryland Daily Record]

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The Maryland House of Delegates approves substantial restrictions to capital punishment in Maryland. Governor O’Malley wanted a full repeal but will sign the bill. [Baltimore Sun]

The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Act, which would “commit the state to reduce its climate-warming emissions of carbon dioxide 25 percent by 2020″ nears final passage. [Bay & Environment]

Prosecutors suggests that the corruption case against Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon could expand. [Baltimore Sun]

Dixon stays focused on city issues, says she wants to cut trash pickup to once a week to encourage recycling and save cash. Residents fear more rats. [WJZ]

Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) has introduced a bill expanding federal money available to protect witnesses in state and local cases. Cummings says “retaliation against witnesses has escalated to the point where ‘it basically can destroy your criminal justice system.’” [Baltimore Sun]

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The EPA’s new Chesapeake Bay Czar, Chuck Fox, “praised the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s decision to sue his own agency in January for failing to keep its promises to reduce pollution.” [Bay Daily]

Eight percent high school seniors in Maryland, 4600 total, have not passed the required standardized tests, placing them in danger of not graduating. [WBAL]

Delegate Henry Heller (D-Montgomery) has introduced legislation to “study legal and feasibility issues related to the research, use and procurement of medical marijuana. The group would have to issue a recommendation to repeal or maintain the state’s current policy for medical marijuana.” Heller told the Associated Press that “he doesn’t use medical marijuana himself.” [AP]

Sens Mikulski and Cardin secure a $15 million federal grant to make improvements to BWI airport. [Baltimore Sun]

Senate President Mike Miller changes his tune, says its time for a new state song. The current song, set to the tune of O Tannenbaum, contains a reference to “northern scum.” [Maryland Politics]

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The head of the University of Maryland system, William Kirwan, says tuition should rise. The Governor’s budget proposes maintaining a tuition freeze for a fourth straight year. Kirwan says the freeze could erode educational quality for students. [AP]

The Army Corps of Engineers still hasn’t decided whether to support a controversial plan to introduce Asian oysters to the Chesapeake Bay. Environmentalists are concerned that the foreign oysters could overtake native species. [WBAL]

With three weeks to go in the General Assembly’s session, The Capital provides a a helpful rundown of the status of key legislation. [The Capital]

Anne Arundel County will start charging for Ambulance rides. Insurance companies, not residents, will be responsible for a $500 fee. Some are concerned that the new fee will discourage residents from calling 911. [Baltimore Sun]

Magna Entertainment asks a bankruptcy judge permission to auction off the racetracks it owns, including Laurel and Pimlico in Maryland. [WBAL]

A libertarian group ranks Maryland last in the nation in “personal freedom.” The reasons: “Maryland lacks gay marriage or civil unions, aggressively prosecutes victimless drug crimes, keeps tight controls on land use and has the nation’s second-strictest gun laws after California.” [The Capital]

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O’Malley blasts mulit-million dollar bonuses for BGE executives: “It is hard to accept the necessity of paying $32 million in retention bonuses during record unemployment. And it is hard to accept the injustice of paying these bonuses at a time when our State and Federal governments are spending record amounts in energy assistance to thousands of vulnerable families throughout our state.” [Maryland Politics]

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced to new restrictions on harvesting blue crabs in the Bay. [WBAL]

Orioles owner and super-lawyer Peter Angelos says he’s prepared to help Maryland keep the Preakness, part of horse racing’s triple crown. [Baltimore Sun]

Delaware governor ups the ante on regional gambling, proposing to add three new slots parlors and allow sports betting. [WBAL]

RNC chair Michael Steele is slated to headline a fundraising dinner for the Republican State Central Committee in Annapolis. [The Capital]

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Just 17 percent of residents of Anne Arundel County support the sighting of a slots parlor at Arundel Mills Mall. [Maryland Politics]

Del. Alfred C. Carr Jr. (D-Montgomery) proposes a five cent tax on all single-use bags distributed by businesses. The proceeds would fund Chesapeake Bay restoration. [In Session]

Home construction in Maryland ticked upward in February, mirroring a national trend. [Baltimore Sun]

The House of Delegates approved two bills that would give judges more authority “to take firearms from people accused of domestic violence.” The legislation was championed by Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown, whose cousin was killed last year by an estranged boyfriend. [Washington Post]

In Annapolis, some residents are organizing an effort to put a referendum on November’s ballot that would move the city to a city manager form of government. A similar proposal failed to pass the city council earlier this year. [Capital Punishment]

O’Malley is in favor of installing speed cameras in Maryland, saying the automated devices saves lives without diverting police resources. [WTOP]

Senate President Mike Miller suggests the state could buy the Preakness Stakes and build its own racetrack to host it. Magna Enterntainment, which currently hosts the race, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. [Capital News Service]

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