Pamela Wood

Maryland AG asks court to halt work on immigration detention center Attorney General Anthony Brown is asking a court to stop work at a Washington County immigration detention center until a separate legal challenge is decided in court.

Maryland AG Anthony Brown asked a court to pause the build-out of a Western Maryland warehouse into an immigration detention center while his lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security plays out in court.

The latest from @brendawintrode.bsky.social:

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Developmental disabilities community frets as budget decisions loom After weeks of calling lawmakers, rallying outside the State House and making their case, thousands of people with developmental disabilities will soon find out if they’ll face budget cuts that they s...

“There is no question that there has to be some sort of cost containment,” said Senate Budget Chair Guy Guzzone, whose committee votes Thursday.

DDA advocates plan to descend on the State House ahead of the vote with matching shirts to make their case.

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Developmental disabilities community frets as budget decisions loom After weeks of calling lawmakers, rallying outside the State House and making their case, thousands of people with developmental disabilities will soon find out if they’ll face budget cuts that they s...

Maryland's state lawmakers will start making decisions this week on the budget. People with developmental disabilities -- and their families and caregivers -- are worried that they won't be saved from a $150M budget cut.

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Maryland sues Trump administration over Baltimore immigrant detention facility Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown sued DHS, alleging it blocked a state probe into immigrant detention conditions at Baltimore’s Fallon Federal Building.

Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown is suing the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security, alleging it “stonewalled” the state’s investigation into conditions for holding immigrants at the George H. Fallon Federal Building in Baltimore.

From my colleague Alex Mann:

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Youth charging reform is finally moving in Maryland, but not everyone is happy The Maryland Senate’s version of the bill would shorten the list of charges that automatically land teens in adult court but not by as many offenses as advocates wanted.

New story for @thebaltimorebanner.com: Youth charging reform is finally gaining traction in Maryland after more than a decade of advocacy. But after some significant compromises, not everyone is happy about it. www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...

Maryland agencies warn planned Hagerstown-area ICE facility could strain sewers, traffic Three of Maryland Gov. Wes Moore’s cabinet secretaries wrote they have “serious concerns that ICE is proceeding with this project in a secreteve and rushed manner” that will have negative effects on t...

In a lengthy letter to the feds, three of Maryland Gov. Wes Moore's cabinet secretaries raise concerns about the Washington County warehouse that the feds bought to turn into an immigration detention facility.

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Does Maryland have a redistricting plan B for 2028? Gov. Wes Moore’s office has hinted that there’s a “plan B” for redistricting in the works, but no one is sharing any details publicly.

One of the biggest questions in Annapolis right now:

Do Democrats have a "Plan B" for congressional redistricting?

As of now, their "Plan A" remains stalled.

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Feds considered 3 Baltimore-area sites for immigration detention The agency concluded that the three Baltimore-area sites “presented greater limitations related to site control, security, operational suitability, and potential community impacts.”

NEW: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security -- which is currently moving forward with an immigration detention facility near Hagerstown -- also evaluated three warehouses in the Baltimore region.

From @maddioneill.bsky.social, @brendawintrode.bsky.social & me:

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Youth charging reform bill clears key hurdle in Maryland Senate The bill -- a compromise that shortens the list of crimes that automatically result in adult charges -- passed out of the Maryland Senate’s Judicial Proceedings Committee on Friday.

Legislation is moving forward in Maryland to shorten the list of charges that automatically land teenagers in adult court & would put teens in front of a judge sooner.

There have been efforts on this front for more than a decade, reports @maddioneill.bsky.social:

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Marylanders with disabilities are in a budget fight — again Marylanders with developmental disabilities find themselves in a budget fight again, as Gov. Wes Moore’s administration looks for ways to contain the ballooning budget of the state Developmental Disab...

Gov. Wes Moore says costs need to be constrained at the Developmental Disabilities Administration.

For people with disabilities, that translates to pay cuts for their aides and loss of 1:1 support.

They're fighting the cuts -- for the 2nd year in a row.

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Flip-phone-toting lobbyist is eyewitness to decades of Maryland candidacies “There are things you can only do in person,” Bruce Bereano said. “You can’t do it any other way.”

While the rest of us refreshed the Maryland candidate website, Bruce Bereano was at the elections office in person - as he always is - to witness last-minute drama.

A delightful read from @emilyopilo.bsky.social on the election junkie, flip phone-wiedling lobbyist

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Here’s where all 47 Maryland senators stand on redistricting Enough senators oppose redistricting that supporters can not get the 29 votes they need to approve new congressional maps, according to a Banner survey of all 47 senators.

There’s a lot that’s been said and assumptions made about where Maryland state senators stand on congressional redistricting.

But there’s been no public accounting of each senator’s position — until now.

See how your senator answered (or dodged) questions:

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Catching up on Maryland candidate filing deadline:

Sen. Pam Beidle, an Anne Arundel County Democrat, says she's withdrawing her candidacy in District 32, and she's endorsing Del. Mark Chang to succeed her. The Dem primary also features Rev. Stephen Tillett.

Who is running for Maryland offices in 2026? Deadline is 9 p.m. Tuesday Scores of candidates are lining up for a shot at public office in Maryland, from county council seats to the U.S. Congress.

At 9 p.m., a lot of people will have their eyes on the State of the Union address.

Because I am a Maryland politics junkie (and also because it's my job) I will be refreshing the Maryland State Board of Elections website for candidate filings.

www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...

Prosecutors drop assault case against Del. Caylin Young Caylin Young, 38, a Democrat from Baltimore, has maintained his innocence.

UPDATE: Prosecutors dropped an assault charge against Del. Caylin Young of Baltimore.

The charge was filed through a court commissioner, and prosecutors said there was "not sufficient admissable evidence" to prove the case.

By @dylansegelbaum.bsky.social:

www.thebanner.com/community/cr...

I have not had a chance to check in with Del. Bouchat yet. He has not filed to run for governor nor for House of Delegates.

Filing deadline is 9 p.m. Tuesday if he's going to run for something.

Moore files for reelection against a large field of challengers Two top Republican options to challenge Wes Moore decided to sit the race out.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore & Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller filed their paperwork to run for re-election.

Several other candidates hope to stand in the way.

"We run hard, and for anyone who comes in, I just want them to know: They should be ready," Moore said.

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Maryland sues to block planned Washington County ICE detention center The suit asks a federal judge to void the Department of Homeland Security’s purchase of a warehouse and block any further development of the property.

Maryland is suing the Department of Homeland Security to block a planned ICE detention center in Washington County, saying the federal government failed to do a required environmental impact study and public health concerns.

w/ @maddioneill.bsky.social

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House Minority Leader Jeffries meets with Ferguson as redistricting pressure builds As he walked into the State House, Jeffries said he would “in all likelihood” discuss redistricting with Gov. Wes Moore.

U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries met with Md. Senate Prez Bill Ferguson on redistricting at the State House today.

It appears neither man's position changed. Jeffries wants a public Senate vote; Ferguson parked a proposed map in a committee.

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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries in Annapolis as redistricting fight heats up As he walked into the State House, Jeffries said he would “in all likelihood” discuss redistricting with Gov. Wes Moore.

Look who is in town in Annapolis today to press state lawmakers to redraw Maryland's congressional district boundaries: U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

Here is the developing story from your @thebaltimorebanner.com State House team:

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Moore’s human services secretary, Rafael López, to resign Rafael López oversaw an agency that struggled with its charge to provide social safety net services to vulnerable Marylanders.

NEW: Maryland Human Services Secretary Rafael López is on his way out, resignation effective Feb. 23.

DHS has struggled with foster care, contracting for new SNAP cards and critical audits. But DHS also improved kinship care and lowered SNAP error rates.

www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...

Former Annapolis resident.

5 key moments from Gov. Wes Moore’s nationally televised town hall The broadcast served as one of the biggest stages yet for the Democratic governor to showcase his personality and brand of politics — a valuable moment for a man who many believe has national aspirati...

Did you watch Maryland Gov. Wes Moore's town hall on CBS?

If you missed it, here are some key moments:

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Gov. Moore ‘town hall’ airs on CBS Sunday Moore answers questions about his rocky relationship with Republican President Donald Trump and on immigration policy, according to clips released by CBS.

Coming up in 30 minutes:

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore featured in a “Things That Matter” town hall on CBS.

It was recorded in Cambridge a couple days ago. Here is a preview:

www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...

Gov. Moore ‘town hall’ airs on CBS Sunday Moore answers questions about his rocky relationship with Republican President Donald Trump and on immigration policy, according to clips released by CBS.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore is on TV in prime time tonight — a “town hall” on CBS where he discusses President Trump, immigration and more.

A preview:

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Maryland Black lawmakers’ priorities: Immigration enforcement, juvenile justice Maryland’s Black state lawmakers unveiled a sweeping agenda on Thursday that aims to curb immigration enforcement, ensure that children accused of crimes are held more often in youth custody, promote ...

Maryland’s Black state lawmakers unveiled a sweeping agenda that aims to curb immigration enforcement, ensure that children accused of crimes are held more often in youth custody, promote homeownership and protect health care access.

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Limits of Moore’s power exposed in State of the State address At times seeming during his speech, Gov. Wes Moore seemed contrite, acknowledging that he’d learned some lessons and that his success depended on lawmakers.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore’s State of the State speech revealed the limits of his power — the governor alone cannot redraw congressional boundaries, combat immigration enforcement or boost the economy.

From your @thebaltimorebanner.com State House team:

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Wes Moore’s State of the State: Pushing for redistricting navigating Trump’s tensions Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, in his annual State of the State speech, made a direct appeal to state senators to vote on a new map of Congressional boundaries that give Democrats a chance of a sweep of all...

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, in his annual State of the State speech, made a direct appeal to state senators to vote on a new map of congressional boundaries that give Democrats a chance of a sweep of all eight districts.

www.thebanner.com/politics-pow...

Wes Moore’s State of the State: Navigating Trump’s tensions Maryland Gov. Wes Moore will deliver his fourth State of the State speech on Wednesday as he continues to navigate a touch and go relationship with President Donald Trump’s administration.

Good morning and happy State of the State to all who observe.

Here’s what to watch for in Gov. Wes Moore’s speech:

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Democratic governors will skip White House dinner in support of Moore Eighteen Democratic governors are refusing to attend a dinner at the White House with President Donald Trump next week, after Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis were uninvited.

After Maryland Gov. Wes Moore & Colorado Gov. Jared Polis were uninvted from a White House dinner for governors next week, a whole bunch of Dem govs say they're not going.

The latest:
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