Campaign filings show Del. Gary Simmons spent nearly all of his 2025 donations on meals, out‑of‑state trips and resort charges, prompting review under Maryland campaign law.

Ocean City adjusted its hotel‑room tax rules to let some tourism‑advertising dollars pay debt or operating costs for a proposed sports complex, shifting how lodging taxes can be used.

An investigation and state records show roughly $318 million went to Maryland schools for students who later left; lawmakers introduced a bill to average fall and spring counts.

Baltimore’s Quarantine Road landfill saw deliveries fall sharply after the city doubled its tipping fee, forcing officials to rethink capacity and budget plans. Activists say the drop could accelerate a shift toward zero‑waste if revenue follows.

After the state backed away from building a training center at Shamrock Farm, Carroll County legislators moved quickly to secure first purchase rights. The bill would give local officials a chance to determine the property’s future.

Anne Arundel officials are pushing to slow a five‑day eviction timeline they say leaves renters without meaningful notice or counsel. Lawmakers in Annapolis are now weighing a local fix versus a statewide change.

The Supreme Court declined to review the Fooks appeal, leaving Maryland’s law barring gun possession for people sentenced to two years or more in place. The state high court had called the statute a felon‑equivalent.

After sharp backlash, Howard County reversed layoffs and restored 55 library shelver jobs with emergency county funding to carry them through the fiscal year.

The Maryland House approved HB1341 to stop school security from assisting ICE and sharing student or staff records. The bill now heads to the Senate for review.

Lawmakers have proposed a bipartisan change to carve inspectors general out of the Maryland Public Information Act after Baltimore’s watchdog office says it was blocked from records. The move follows a lawsuit and a joint appeal from four local inspectors general.

County commissioners approved a $1,200 annual stipend and a retirement plan for volunteer firefighters as officials scramble to blunt a steep recruitment shortfall.

A legislative audit found missing and delayed background screenings for Worcester County Public Schools staff and flagged procurement problems that were referred to prosecutors.

A review of state budget records shows only about one quarter of Maryland’s TANF funds become direct cash assistance, while most is spent on child‑welfare, foster care and administration.