STENY HOYER WILL NOT RUN FOR REELECTION, CLOSING A CHAPTER ON A 46-YEAR TENURE IN THE U.S. HOUSE: Representative Steny H. Hoyer has decided not to pursue reelection, effectively concluding a nearly six-decade journey in public service, which began with his influential role in Maryland politics and included two decades as the No. 2 Democrat in the U.S. House. Paul Kane/The Washington Post.
- Hoyer, known for his ambition and once considered a political adversary of Nancy Pelosi, ultimately became her deputy. Throughout much of his career, he operated under her influence. Following the Democrats’ loss of control in the House in 2022, Hoyer opted to wait until Pelosi announced her retirement from leadership before declaring his own plans to step down. Annie Karni/The New York Times.
- Entering the House in 1981 after winning a special election, Hoyer soon extended his influence beyond his Chesapeake Bay-area district, rapidly advancing through leadership roles to secure his position as the No. 2 Democrat. He played a significant role as majority leader when the Democrats regained control in both 2006 and 2019, following significant electoral victories. Associated Press and Lisa Mascaro/The Baltimore Banner.
- With Hoyer’s exit, a competitive environment may emerge among state Democrats, now liberated to vie for a seat long held by a well-regarded and influential incumbent, who proved difficult to unseat even for the few Democrats and a multitude of Republicans that challenged him over the years. William Ford and Steve Crane/Maryland Matters.
- Tributes have poured in for Hoyer, recognized as the third-longest-serving member of Congress, surpassed in tenure only by Reps. Hal Rogers of Kentucky and Chris Smith of New Jersey, each by only a few months. A consistent presence in party leadership over several decades, Hoyer held significant Democratic positions in the House from 1989 until 2023. Brian Carlton/The Baltimore Sun.
MARYLAND EXPERIENCES A LOSS OF 10,000 FEDERAL JOBS SINCE NOVEMBER: State officials are expressing their concerns over new data indicating that Maryland has lost over 10,000 federal jobs in just two months, culminating in a troubling total of 25,000 job losses for the entire year. This report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics highlights that Maryland has experienced a higher loss of federal jobs since President Donald Trump’s administration than any other state in the country, prompting strong reactions from Governor Wes Moore. Bryan Sears/Maryland Matters.
MOORE SEEKS ADDITIONAL POWERS FOR THE STATE HEALTH SECRETARY: In a notable shift away from federal health guidelines, the Moore administration is pushing for greater authority for the state health secretary to set vaccine recommendations for Maryland residents. Health Secretary Meena Seshamani stated that proposed legislation to grant her this power aims to address the “constant changes at the federal level concerning vaccine policies,” including recent shifts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding childhood vaccinations. Danielle Brown/Maryland Matters.
TRANSPARENCY ISSUES PLAGUE MARYLAND’S NONPROFIT SECTOR: For years, Maryland’s extensive nonprofit sector has functioned in a climate of secrecy, garnering praise from state leaders yet facing scrutiny when examined closely. This lack of transparency was starkly evident this week when Spotlight on Maryland sought basic answers from one of the frequently cited organizations that state agencies reference for data: Maryland Nonprofits. Garry Collins/The Baltimore Sun.
CONDITIONS AT BALTIMORE DETENTION CENTER DEETERIORATE: A recent independent safety report from the state corrections department has revealed that conditions at a beleaguered detention facility in downtown Baltimore have worsened to such an extent that detainees have managed to dig into the walls of their cells, and plumbing issues are so severe that human waste is seeping from the ceilings. Ben Conarck/The Baltimore Banner.
ANALYSIS: WES MOORE FACES CHALLENGES IN LEGISLATION: For the past two years, Governor Wes Moore has cultivated an image as a rising national leader: disciplined, charismatic, and widely admired. However, in Annapolis—the key area for governance in Maryland—Moore has encountered significant obstacles. The focus of this challenge centers around Bill Ferguson, the Senate president, who has effectively asserted control over the legislative agenda, marking one of the most noteworthy power plays in Maryland’s political history. The contention surrounding redistricting serves as the initial point of conflict, but its implications extend much further. Barry O’Connell/The Maryland Wire.
UM PRESIDENT CLEARED OF PLAGIARISM; REPORT NOT RELEASED: On the final Friday evening before the conclusion of fall classes, the University System of Maryland announced in a brief letter that the president of its flagship campus was absolved of allegations of having plagiarized portions of a paper co-authored in 2002. An investigation led by an external law firm, costing the university up to $600,000, examined research conducted by Darryll Pines, who has held the presidential position at the University of Maryland, College Park since 2020. Despite the findings, officials stated that the report will remain undisclosed since it qualifies as a personnel record under Maryland law, exempting it from public access. Ellie Wolfe/The Baltimore Banner.
BALTIMORE CITY SCHOOL CONTRACT WITH NONPROFIT SPARKS QUESTIONS: Baltimore City Public Schools has entered into a contract with the nonprofit Leaders of Tomorrow Youth Center, which could cost up to $7.5 million for arts education services. This arrangement has come under scrutiny, raising concerns about how well the district supervises its partnerships funded by taxpayer money. Tessa Bentulan/The Baltimore Sun.
DHS SETS FREE U.S. CITIZEN AFTER 25 DAYS OF DETENTION: On Wednesday, the Department of Homeland Security released a Maryland woman who had been detained for 25 days, despite her legal representatives presenting evidence confirming her status as a U.S. citizen. Joe Heim/The Washington Post.
BALTIMORE COMMUNITY ZONING DECISION EXPOSES NEW YORK INVESTOR: Benjamin Eidlisz had ambitious plans for Southeast Baltimore, having built a portfolio of rowhouses across the city’s east and west sides. His latest goal was to transform a 1-acre industrial lot into a six-story apartment complex. However, his approach did not sit well with the Patterson Park community association. Residents accused him of applying pressure, disregarding their queries, and withholding important details. Consequently, the community group chose not to support his development proposal, effectively derailing the project. Following this, his Baltimore properties began facing foreclosure. Hallie Miller and Giacomo Bologna/The Baltimore Banner.
HARFORD SCHOOL BOARD PLACES SUPERINTENDENT ON LEAVE: The Harford County school board has put Superintendent Sean Bulson on temporary paid leave, as announced by the board president on Wednesday. The board has also initiated an independent investigation regarding this situation. An audio recording from April 2024, originating from a school-related conference in New Orleans, indicated that Bulson reported approximately $8,000 worth of items stolen from his hotel room, including a laptop, wallet, and cellphones. In the recording, a caller suggested that a woman, whose name he was unaware of, might have taken his belongings while he was asleep. Kristen Griffith/The Baltimore Banner.
The post State Roundup: Longtime U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer announces retirement; Maryland loses 10,000 more federal jobs; taxpayer-funded nonprofit sector under a veil of secrecy appeared first on MarylandReporter.com.
