Maryland slots oversight inadequate, state auditors find

The Maryland State Lottery failed to collect tens of thousands of dollars from manufacturers who did not promptly fix inoperable slot machines, state auditors found in their first review of the agency since the start of the state's slots program in 2010.

Same-sex marriage opponents gather twice the signatures needed for referendum

Activists working to repeal Maryland's same-sex marriage law have collected more than twice the signatures needed for a referendum — likely ensuring that the measure will be on the ballot for voters to decide in November.

Frederick board chief to explore run for governor

Blaine Young, the Republican president of the Frederick County Board of Commissioners, has taken a step toward a possible run for governor in 2014 by launching a fund-raising committee.

Same-sex marriage opponents set to turn in first petitions

Church-led activists hoping to repeal Maryland's same-sex marriage law plan to deliver the first batch of petitions ahead of schedule this week, and they say the number of signatures will far exceed the mark.

Md. Politics: O'Malley to appear at tea party? Can this be true?

At first glance, the event listed on Gov. Martin O'Malley's schedule for Saturday seems utterly implausible.

Driver guilty in crash that killed Green Party Senate candidate

A driver who struck and killed a Green Party candidate for U.S. Senate in 2010 has been convicted of failing to remain at the scene of an accident.

Baltimore County Council approves $1.65 billion budget

The Baltimore County Council unanimously approved Thursday the spending plan proposed by County Executive Kevin Kamenetz for the coming fiscal year, a $1.65 billion operating budget that includes no furloughs, layoffs or tax increases.

O'Malley to spar with Gingrich on Meet the Press

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley will spend part of his Memorial Day holiday at the NBC studio in Northwest Washington for an appearance on Meet the Press.

New poll by same-sex marriage advocates shows gains

//UPDATE: This post has been changed to add more information about the methodology of the poll.

State agency looks at larger juvenile facilities

Secretary says he is considering expanding the size of privately run residential facilities for young offenders

Mikulski plan for women's pay gets new push

A proposal to expand equal-pay protections for women, long championed by Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski, was thrust into the national political spotlight Wednesday in a Democratic effort to court female voters — a crucial demographic in this year's election.

Presidential campaigns duke it out with their software apps for volunteers

The Obama presidential campaign is debuting its latest online campaign organizing tool for the 2012 election, one that is expected to be use by volunteers across the country to connect with voters.

Maryland open meetings course made available for public

The state has added a new tool to help members of the public navigate the rules governing open meetings of public bodies in Maryland.

Cummings: Stemming foreclosure and foreclosure abuse is key priority

Foreclosure protections would expand for service members, their widowed spouses and certain disabled veterans under an amendment that overwhelmingly passed the House last week.

Greens, Libertarians launch new drives after ruling keeps them off Md. ballot

The Green and Libertarian parties are launching new petition drives to get their candidates for president and other offices on Maryland's November ballot after losing a battle before the state's highest court.

Law puts social studies back in the limelight

Social studies, a subject that had been demoted in Maryland schools in recent years, will regain some of its past educational stature under a bill signed Tuesday by Gov. Martin O'Malley.

O'Malley to sign tax hike, arsenic ban, ethics bill

Gov.Martin O'Malley will sign bills doing everything from raising income taxes to banning arsenic from chicken feed Tuesday as he closes out the business of the 90-day General Assembly session and the special session that followed it.

B'More Green: Md. ban on arsenic in chicken feed to spread?

Maryland is set to become the first state in the nation to outlaw chicken feed additives containing arsenic - but it won't be the last, if environmental activists have their way.

O'Malley names panel to study gambling expansion

Gov. Martin O'Malley named an 11-member work group Monday night to study a possible expansion of gambling in Maryland and announced that if the group can reach consensus he would call a special session July 9 to vote on casino legislation.

Grade level of congressional speech falls

A study suggesting that the sophistication of congressional floor speeches has declined by a full grade level since 2005 ranks Reps. Chris Van Hollen and John Sarbanes as the most eloquent -- or verbose, depending on perspective -- members of Maryland’s delegation to Washington.