State government

    Hutzell: Testifying at the State House? You’ve got 2 minutes to change the world.
    Column: Thousands of people will testify before delegates and senators in Annapolis over the next several weeks, all trying to convince them to see the issues their way. Most have just two minutes to do it.
    Caroline LaPere testifies in favor of the Pava Marie LaPere Act before the Maryland House of Delegates Judiciary Committee in Annapolis on Feb. 6, 2024. The Act is named for her daughter, who was killed in Baltimore in 2023.
    Grocery prices changing by the minute? Maryland lawmakers want to ban that.
    The bill would require grocery stores to keep their prices fixed for at least one business day and would ban the use of personal data to set individualized prices for groceries.
    Gov. Wes Moore and lawmakers unveil legislation to limit "dynamic pricing" in grocery stores at an event at BD Provisions in Severna Park on January 20, 2026.
    Former Gov. Larry Hogan says he won’t challenge Gov. Wes Moore in 2026
    “It was an honor to serve, but it’s time to look forward, not back,” Hogan wrote on social media.
    Former Gov. Larry Hogan gives a concession speech after losing U.S. senate seat at during his Election Night Victory Party held at The Graduate in Annapolis, on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.
    Maryland lawmakers talk immigration enforcement, budget goals at Banner event
    The Maryland Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee Thursday will have hearings on two bills limiting federal immigration enforcement efforts in Maryland.
    Senate President Bill Ferguson, right, and Speaker of The Maryland House Of Delegates Joseline A. Peña-Melnyk with Pamela Wood, Banner Politics reporter, during the Inside the Legislative Session event at The Graduate in Annapolis on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
    In dramatic ruling, Baltimore judge sides with tenant in ‘junk fees’ case
    The case shows a “massive corporate entity taking advantage of an honest, hard-working individual,” the a Baltimore judge wrote.
    Live coverage: The General Assembly honors Dr. King
    A pair of bills designed to limit ICE agents’ power in Maryland are being heard in the Senate’s Judicial Proceedings Committee later this week
    Maryland Gov. Wes Moore testifies in the House of Delegates on his plan to balance the state's budget.
    Gov. Moore has $8M in the bank heading into reelection campaign
    Gov. Wes Moore raised $7 million last year for his reelection campaign and has $8 million in the bank.
    Gov. Wes Moore speaks with reporters at the State House in Annapolis on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026.
    Democrats and Republicans wrestle over 2026’s hottest topic: Affordability
    They’re wrestling over the “A-word” at the start of an election year when the governor and all members of the General Assembly will be on the ballot.
    Affordability proved a winner for Democrats in 2025 elections, as candidates pointed to a Republican-dominated D.C. failing to bring down costs.
    What happened on day 3 of the 2026 Maryland General Assembly session
    Gov. Wes Moore and U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy “made significant progress” during a meeting about the Francis Scott Key Bridge and the American Legion Memorial Bridge
    Lawmakers are back in Annapolis for the annual 90-day legislative session.
    Has time run out for Maryland to redistrict? Depends on who you ask.
    The clock is ticking to draw a new map, settle legal challenges, assign voters to their districts, print ballots and run the primary election, currently scheduled for June.
    The clock is ticking for Democrats who want to push forward on mid-cycle redistricting of the state's congressional districts.
    Your BGE bill has definitely gone up. Here’s why.
    A by-the-numbers look at why BGE bills are rising again.
    What happened on Day 2 of the 2026 Maryland General Assembly session
    It’s day two of 90. We’ve got big legislation to add a 50-foot shark to the state’s symbols. Follow along for live updates from Annapolis.
    Del. Melissa Wells chairs the first meeting of the new House of Delegates Government, Labor and Elections Committee on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026.
    School funding and other Howard County bills to watch this legislative session
    Howard County’s General Assembly delegation is finalizing its list of local bills to be introduced in the 2026 session. Of the dozen bills proposed, five touch on public education.
    From left, Del. Natalie Ziegler, Sen. Chao Wu, and Sen. Clarence Lam at a public hearing on local bills for Howard County in 2024. Howard County’s General Assembly delegation is finalizing its list of local bills to be introduced in the 2026 session.
    As power bills surge, Exelon and Constellation spend big for influence in Annapolis
    Exelon and Constellation are among the state’s top campaign donors — the second and third biggest, according to campaign finance records.
    The 21-story, mixed-use Constellation Building serves as the headquarters of Constellation Energy and a regional office for the Exelon Corporation.
    Maryland General Assembly 2026 updates: What do Republicans want?
    Lawmakers have returned to Annapolis for the annual 90-day legislative session facing a big budget shortfall and uncertainty about what a second Trump administration will mean for Maryland.
    Legislators gather in the House chamber on Wednesday.
    Maryland AG pushes for change to system allowing anyone to file for criminal charges
    In Maryland, anyone can seek criminal charges on their own without input from police or prosecutors by going before a district court commissioner, a judicial officer who is not required to have a law degree.
    Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown said he supports restricting the ability of district court commissioners to issue arrest warrants when people are seeking charges on their own.
    Moore faces a budget gap, Trump threats and tense relationships in reelection year
    Gov. Wes Moore brought in a new budget secretary and a new chief of staff, both veterans of Maryland politics.
    Maryland Gov. Wes Moore faces myriad challenges in 2026: another budget deficit, threats from the Trump administration, tricky relationships in Annapolis.

Credit: Maansi Srivastava for The Banner
    Baltimore County opened the door to data centers. Now, it’s backtracking.
    A bill by Councilman Pat Young would impose a moratorium on data centers in Baltimore County until 2027.
    A bill by Councilman Pat Young would impose a moratorium on data centers in Baltimore County until 2027.
    Maryland Democrats lining up for Hoyer’s open congressional seat
    As U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer prepares to retire from Congress, a number of Maryland Democrats are lining up for his soon-to-be open seat.
    WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 20: Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD) attends the inauguration on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Donald Trump takes office for his second term as the 47th president of the United States.
    As residents fume over power bills, Maryland’s top utility regulator steps down
    Maryland Public Service Commission Chairman Frederick Hoover was appointed to his role in 2023 by Gov. Wes Moore. He will no longer serve as the PSC’s leader, but will continue to be a commissioner.
    PSC chair Frederick H. Hoover runs the Maryland Public Service Commission meeting on May 21, 2025.
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