Bad news gets headlines and good news gets buried; therefore, I am committed to keep you informed on issues and tell you "the rest of the story." So often we read something posted on social media or see a headline; yet, all too often we don’t know the behind the scenes information that lends context or explains the complexity of an event or issue. My goal is to give you a front row seat into your government and a critical analysis of how decisions are made so that you can spot political agendas, separate fact from fiction, and draw your own conclusions.
By David Anderson• Statewide legislation is being considered in the Maryland General Assembly that would provide some relief for displaced employees of hospitals that close, such as University of Maryland Harford Memorial Hospital in Havre de Grace which is slated to close in the next several years. Del. Mary Ann Lisanti, whose district includes Havre de Grace, is sponsoring House …
Continue readingJake Brodsky, Capital News Service ~~The state of Maryland has a host of symbols, ranging from iconic, such as the Baltimore oriole and the diamondback terrapin, to trivial, like the state’s official sport of jousting or milk as the state’s official beverage. Delegate Mary Ann Lisanti, D-Harford, is proposing a bill that would add a new state symbol: the canvasback …
Continue readingBy Bryna Zumer Harford County Executive Barry Glassman praised University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health’s plans for a more limited-use hospital in Havre de Grace and expanded inpatient services at its Bel Air location, but a state legislator has concerns about the impact the planned closing of Harford Memorial Hospital will have on the surrounding area. Glassman said he believes …
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Aberdeen city officials are moving closer to adopting a charter amendment providing for a runoff when there are ties in future elections for mayor or city council seats. City Council members and Mayor Patrick McGrady briefly discussed a draft amendment during an hour-long work session at City Hall Monday evening, two days after a new state law took effect Saturday …
Continue readingBy David Anderson Legislation that would allow health systems, such as the University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health, which operates two hospitals in Harford County, to open medical centers and close hospitals without going through the state’s extensive certificate of need process, was approved on Monday’s final day of the 2016 Maryland General Assembly session. Passage of Senate Bill 707, …
Continue readingEditorial The Aegis ter the 2015 Maryland General Assembly session drew to a close, the Harford County Delegation’s chairman remarked: “Our new delegates did a fantastic job and really stepped up to the plate in getting legislation through. We worked really well as a team.” It was the first time in a dozen years – maybe more – such a …
Continue readingBy David Anderson Even with two freshman senators and three freshman delegates, the 11 members of Harford County’s legislative contingent finished a productive 2015 General Assembly session that ended in Annapolis Monday night, several members said. Among their successes in the 90-day session were the passage of three state bond bills for Ripken Stadium, Ladew Topiary Gardens and the Susquehanna …
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By Bryna Zumer Dispite skepticism from Aberdeen city officials, the sponsor of state legislation that could fund as much as $200,000 for repairs at Ripken Stadium says the measure is not dead in the Maryland General Assembly. Del. Mary Ann Lisanti introduced House Bill 1280 on March 12 to create state debt up to $200,000 in matching funds toward stadium …
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By David Anderson Members of the Susquehanna Hose Company of Havre de Grace recently received surprise news that state bond funding was approved to help with the purchase of a new fire and rescue boat. The Maryland House of Delegates approved a capital spending package for fiscal 2016 on April 2 that includes $100,000 toward the new boat. “We now …
Continue readingBy Rebecca Lessner Women’s rights representatives are seeking “fundamental fairness,” by protecting workers who wish to discuss their wages and bringing in the issue of discrimination for gender identity in the workplace. HB 1051 was brought before legislators of the House Economic Matters committee on Tuesday, where some legislators were stunned to hear statistics about disparate pay. Business leaders opposed the …
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