State government

The Baltimore Orioles sale to David Rubenstein holds promise for the direction of the team, but the city should consider what lies ahead in future stadium lease negotiations, two Orioles fans and taxpayer advocates say.

Coming into this legislative session, the leaders of Maryland’s Democratic supermajority faced public outrage over mounting auto thefts committed by children and adults and a raft of high-profile gun crimes involving teens as suspects and as victims.

A junior aide to U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin will not face criminal charges in connection with a sex tape filmed in a Senate hearing room.

The end of the Maryland Homeowner Assistance Fund means the loss of a lifeline for low-income residents struggling to stay in their homes.

Youth advocates say the proposals reverse reforms intended to divert youths away from the legal system.

David Rubenstein, the billionaire Maryland resident who is leading the purchase of the team, has, however, been “actively communicating with the governor,” a source said.

Here’s what local and state leaders, residents and fans had to say about the Orioles sale to David Rubenstein and other investors including Cal Ripken Jr. and Michael Arougheti.

The little-known housing program supports about 900 households statewide and is now set to expand.

Senate and House leaders have said they’re reluctant to roll back recent changes, but indicated they’ll look to broaden accountability for teens — especially those who commit crimes with guns — and increase oversight for the agency responsible for turning them around.

State Sens. Sarah Elfreth and Clarence Lam, along with Dels. Mark Chang, Terri Hill and Mike Rogers, all started steps ahead of the rest of the field after congressman John Sarbanes’ surprise retirement announcement in October.

Olszewski, a Democrat in his second term as county executive, hopes to succeed longtime U.S. Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, who announced his plans to retire last week.

A judge ordered The Maryland Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to turn over complete autopsy reports to The Baltimore Banner on Monday after a yearlong lawsuit. The state could still appeal.

In his latest effort to fulfill promises to end child poverty and “leave no one behind,” Maryland Gov. Wes Moore is proposing a program to push government investments into high-poverty neighborhoods in Baltimore and beyond.

The persimmon could join square dancing, skipjacks and striped bass among Maryland’s state symbols.

The administration is moving to help Maryland’s military families overcome a variety of challenges they face regularly, Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller and first lady Dawn Moore say.

Maryland lawmakers, for the fourth consecutive year, will consider a bill that would enable Baltimore’s mayor and City Council to set a higher property tax rate for vacant, blighted and abandoned properties.

The Maryland state prosecutor, Charlton T. Howard III, alleges that Anne Arundel County Register of Wills Erica Griswold cashed a $6,645 check intended for her office and hasn't repaid the state. She could not be reached for comment.

The comments come in the wake of Maryland State Board of Elections member Carlos Ayala being charged in federal court in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021 attempted insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

A three-judge panel of the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals found Anne Arundel County could require gun dealers to distribute suicide prevention and conflict resolution literature. A gun rights group intends to appeal.

Republicans are pushing to repeal a controversial Maryland law that prohibits police from pulling over and searching drivers simply because they smell marijuana, but Democratic leaders say they aren’t interested in dramatic changes to the state’s cannabis legislation this year.