MARYLAND’S NEW STATE BUDGET STARTS JULY 1: With the arrival of July 1, Maryland will enter a new fiscal year, accompanied by a fresh state budget. Starting Wednesday, the $70.8 billion budget for the fiscal year 2027 will take effect. It allocates $124 million for local law enforcement, $100 million for utility relief, $100 million in business tax reductions, $73 million targeting energy efficiency initiatives, $384 million for assisting low-income renters, and $1.7 billion designated for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funding. Hannah Gaskill/The Daily Record.
HEAT WAVE RAISES ENERGY DEMAND ACROSS PJM GRID: As a severe heat wave grips much of the eastern U.S. this week, the PJM Interconnection grid, the largest in the nation and encompassing Maryland, is cautioning residents about record-high energy demands. Starting Tuesday and lasting through Friday, this 13-state grid will be under a hot weather alert. Temperatures are projected to soar into the high 90s and even reach triple digits in Baltimore and surrounding areas. The increased strain on the power system raises the likelihood of adverse events such as blackouts, and may also lead to significant spikes in short-term energy prices.Christine Condon/Maryland Matters.
- Maryland is bracing for dangerously high temperatures as this heat wave intensifies just before the Fourth of July weekend. A heat dome, characterized by a stagnant mass of hot air, is moving eastward across parts of the United States, according to the National Weather Service. Starting Wednesday, temperatures are forecasted to hit the triple digits, exacerbated by high humidity which could make it feel as hot as 115 degrees.Clara Longo de Freitas/The Baltimore Banner.
CECIL COUNTY’S SOLE BIRTH CENTER CLOSES ITS DOORS: Union Hospital in Elkton has announced the closure of its Family Birth Center as of June 30, citing a decline in childbirths, staffing difficulties, and an increasingly aging demographic—issues common throughout the nation. Although rural hospitals often discontinue labor and delivery services when they become unprofitable, Maryland’s unique funding structure was supposed to safeguard these services statewide. Darreonna Davis, Meredith Cohn and Kasturi Pananjady/The Baltimore Banner.
MARYLAND INTRODUCES ‘SUN BUCKS’ PROGRAM TO COMBAT CHILDHOOD HUNGER: Families in Maryland facing food insecurity can benefit this summer from a program designed to help close the “hunger gap” that occurs when schools are not in session. The Maryland Sun Bucks program is set to launch for its third year, with Governor Wes Moore encouraging participation following last year’s success, which saw 630,000 students qualifying for these benefits, amounting to $75 million in assistance.Danielle Brown/Maryland Matters.
STATE PANEL RECONVENES TO OVERSEE INSURANCE COVERAGE AMID POLICY CHANGES: Close to a decade ago, Maryland legislators formed a task force to scrutinize health insurance coverage during Donald Trump’s initial term as president. The panel was dissolved during President Joe Biden’s administration, but with emerging policies from a possible second Trump presidency that may jeopardize coverage for thousands of Marylanders, the Maryland Health Insurance Coverage Protection Commission is set to reconvene.Danielle Brown/Maryland Matters.
MARYLAND JOINS OTHER STATES IN LAWSUIT OVER NEW MEDICAID REGULATIONS: Maryland, along with 24 other Democratic-led states and the District of Columbia, has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration challenging new work requirements imposed on Medicaid recipients. The states contend that the “medically frail” designation is unnecessarily restrictive, making it harder for sick and disabled individuals to maintain their Medicaid coverage. Anna Claire Vollers/Maryland Matters.
HOGAN CALLS COX ‘UNELECTABLE’ AS REPUBLICAN DIVISIONS GROW: Former Governor Larry Hogan has expressed his reluctance to endorse Republican gubernatorial candidate Dan Cox, labeling him as “unelectable” during a recent Fox 5 interview. Hogan’s comments brought to light concerns about whether Maryland Republicans can thrive without the diverse coalition he previously built, stating, “I’m going to have to make a tough decision about what I do in November.”Mennatalla Ibrahim/The Baltimore Sun.
JUDGE PUNISHES CORRECTIONS DEPARTMENT FOR INFORMATION DELAY IN INMATE’S DEATH CASE: A judge in Baltimore County has sanctioned the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services for failing to comply with an earlier court order requiring the production of documents related to the death of inmate Lamont Mealy, who passed away in his cell from dehydration last July.Ruben Castaneda/The Baltimore Sun.
OLSZEWSKI PROMOTES FEDERAL HOUSING MEASURE: The bipartisan Road to Housing Act aims to reduce housing costs by streamlining permit processes, expanding financing options, and promoting increased home construction. Democratic Representative Johnny Olszewski argues that the legislation could significantly impact communities like Baltimore, where the prevalence of vacant homes remains a pressing issue. Although President Trump canceled a signing ceremony planned for last week, the bill is still expected to move forward within ten days. Wambui Kamau/WYPR-FM.
ONE-THIRD OF HOUSEHOLDS IN CARROLL COUNTY STRUGGLE FINANCIALLY: Recent data indicates that one in three households in Carroll County struggles to meet basic living expenses, with the situation worsening. Those most affected include single-parent families, individuals under 25, and Hispanic households. Specifically, 81% of households led by individuals under 25 faced difficulties covering essential costs in 2024.Sofia Montoya-Deck/The Carroll County Times.
BALTIMORE CITY HALL SILENT ON ADVISOR’S STATUS: Following an investigation by FOX45 News, questions remain unanswered regarding Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott‘s senior advisor Marvin James and his alleged use of a city-issued vehicle for personal matters. City Hall has not disclosed any information about James’ employment status or whether disciplinary measures are being considered.Mikenzie Frost/WBFF-TV News.
FORMER WJZ JOURNALIST STAN SAUNDERS PASSES AWAY AT 72: Stan Saunders, renowned as a weekend sports anchor at WJZ and as an esteemed journalism instructor, died on Friday at the age of 72 after facing a prolonged illness. His family informed WJZ that he dealt with long Covid, which ultimately transitioned into sarcoidosis, leading to his demise.Cayla Harris/The Baltimore Banner.
The post State Roundup: Maryland’s New Budget; Heat Waves Strain PJM Power Grid; Closing of Cecil’s Birth Center; Hogan’s Criticism of Cox appeared first on MarylandReporter.com.
