By Douglas Holtz-Eakin
The young drop coverage to avoid higher premiums
Independent voices from the TWT Communities

Maryland has long been one of the nation's most Democratic-leaning states, but its progressive politics seem to have ramped up even further of late.

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley's gun control bill has been approved by a Senate committee, which passed the legislation late Thursday but added some changes that would decrease certain licensing fees and strengthen protections against handgun purchases by the mentally ill.

Maryland lawmakers are considering a bill to require that speed cameras provide clear photographic evidence of infractions, after numerous occasions where camera systems have ticketed drivers who appeared in photos to be traveling within the speed limit.

The murder-suicide involving a University of Maryland, College Park, student who was on medication for mental illness will likely affect the debate over Gov. Martin O'Malley's gun control bill and its safeguards against gun purchases by the mentally ill.

Hundreds of gun-rights supporters who gathered Wednesday in Annapolis are now lined up to testify against a proposal by Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley that would ban assault weapons and require residents to obtain a license before purchasing handguns.

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley will urge state lawmakers on Wednesday to pass legislation requiring residents to obtain a license before purchasing a handgun, but Second Amendment advocates hope to drown out his message.

Gov. Martin O’Malley said Tuesday the state Senate is within two votes of approving a ban on capital punishment in Maryland, and the governor underscored that job creation and transportation funding concerns will be top priorities in the legislative session.
Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller said Tuesday he will consider changes to the Senate Finance Committee, if that is necessary to advance an offshore wind measure to the full Senate for debate in the upcoming legislative session.

A bill that holds dog owners responsible for attacks by their pets, regardless of breed, is headed to the Maryland state Senate floor Friday.
State Sen. Brian Frosh says he is exploring a run for attorney general of Maryland.

The Senate could start debate as soon as Wednesday on Gov. Martin O'Malley's same-sex marriage bill and is expected to send the bill to the governor's desk by the end of the week.

The House debate on Gov. Martin O'Malley's same-sex marriage initiative is scheduled to begin Friday with testimony from the Democratic governor and a Republican lawmaker who is expected to introduce a constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman.

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley took his same-sex-marriage bill before a Senate committee Tuesday and touted the legislation as a way to bring stability for gay couples and their children without infringing on others' religious beliefs.