politics and government

A recap of the March 5 episode of "Scandal," as Olivia tries to diffuse tension surrounding a police shooting, but starts questioning some of her own beliefs instead

Who do the Democrats think they're fooling?

Jeb Bush has a long way to go to win over the tea party crowd, says Jules Witcover.

Recent medical research has given Carroll County legislators cause to amend current late-term abortion law in Maryland.

Two Republican lawmakers want to put a moratorium on standardized testing for students in second grade or lower, arguing youngsters are over-tested and losing enthusiasm for school.

Maryland lawmakers voted Wednesday to increase the maximum speed on interstate highways to 70 mph, but don't start pressing the gas pedal just yet.

WASHINGTON -- A pair of national liberal groups launched a draft campaign Thursday to encourage Rep. Donna Edwards to enter the race to replace U.S. Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski, who is retiring next year.

William Offutt Doub, a retired attorney who had headed the Maryland Public Service Commission and later sat on the Atomic Energy Commission, died.

Latest snowstorm to hit the East Coast reinforces, rather than disproves, man-made climate change

Senate votes to move 2016 primary date

Executive orders are a bipartisan pastime

A bill before the General Assembly proposes to make it a little bit easier for parents to appeal a school's decision not to let their child leave a program they feel isn't working.

Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman is heading to Annapolis Wednesday to testify in support of repealing the stormwater fee, according to his office.

The governor will have the sole responsibility of filling a delegate vacancy in Carroll County, despite efforts by the Carroll County Republican Central Committee's two factions to facilitate the completion of their recommendation process.

WASHINGTON — Like many people in Maryland, Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski was all but certain she would seek another term next year.

WASHINGTON -- Rep. Chris Van Hollen, a Montgomery County Democrat and fast-rising star in his party, told supporters Wednesday that he will run for the Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski next year -- becoming the first to formally jump into a race that more than a dozen people are considering.

Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, a former lieutenant governor of Maryland, said Wednesday that she will consider running for the Senate seat of retiring Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski.

Former Del. Heather R. Mizeur, who gained statewide recognition in Democratic circles last year with a spirited campaign for governor, is considering a run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski.

Maryland General Assembly should take the threat of big money and party politics out of how it selects circuit court judges

Justice Kennedy turns a debate about four words in the ACA into a constitutional question.

Former Baltimore County Del. John A. Olszewski Jr. will join the city's payroll to lobby the General Assembly on transportation issues.

Mix of religion and partisan politics has turned U.S. relations with Israel and the rest of the Middle East into a volatile mix

Mr. Netanyahu wants the U.S. to forgo negotiations in favor of sanctions while Iran continues to build the infrastructure for nuclear weapons. The logical consequence of this chain of events would be war, because Iran would continue to develop its nuclear program unless negotiations prohibit it. Presumably, then, Mr. Netanyahu wants the next step to be a U.S.-led war in Iran

As she weighs a decision to run for U.S. Senate, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said Wednesday she¿s considering whether she can serve Baltimore better in her current job or in Congress.

Israel's visiting prime minister deserved to be treated better by Obama and members of his party

The Democratic presidential nominee will campaign on reviving the middle class, but will she take on the moneyed interests?

In a letter to the Howard County Times, County Councilman Jon Weinstein writes "The power of citizens to petition the government through referendum is a key to our democratic process. I firmly believe that it is our duty as elected representatives to make sure this process to forward new or address existing laws is clear and not unnecessarily burdensome."

WASHINGTON — Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski's decision to retire in 2016 has thrust Maryland into an unexpected contest for that coveted seat and could put several House districts in play for the first time in more than a decade.

Gov. Larry Hogan's campaign pledge to repeal Maryland's so-called "rain tax" got a Senate hearing Tuesday, where a Republican county executive, a parade of business owners, and even one Democratic senator called the mandatory pollution cleanup fees unfair, burdensome and unnecessary.

President Barack Obama offered his praise of Sen. Barbara Mikulski

Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake could decide "within weeks" whether or not to run for the U.S. Senate seat held by the retiring Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski, according to an mayoral aide.

Three members of the Howard County Council are sponsoring a bill that would ban guns and other weapons in county buildings.

Of course, talk of Senator Mikulski's potential successor has already begun in earnest. But there will be plenty of time to discuss what to expect from a post-Mikulski Maryland and Congress.

The state should approve legislation to ensure that the assets of foster care kids are protected and that the children themselves are being prepared for their financial futures.

Martin O'Malley leads a list of logical candidates who could succeed Sen. Barbara Mikulski, who will announce her retirement on Monday.

Former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley says he won't run for the seat of retiring Sen. Barbara Mikulski.

Republicans should win the public over in Department of Homeland Security funding decision

WASHINGTON — Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski's startling announcement Monday that she will not seek reelection in 2016 after a four-decade career in elected office set off a political free-for-all as Maryland's most powerful Democrats began to position themselves for the opportunity to run for a rare open seat.

Fire companies, children and businesses benefitted from Senator's efforts

The Court of Appeals in Maryland has upheld the ruling of a Carroll County Circuit Court judge who denied a request to prevent the county's Republican Central Committee from sending multiple names to the governor for a vacant delegate seat.

The Baltimore County Council voted Monday to cut the county's stormwater fees by one-third, after rejecting a proposal to reduce the fees to one penny per year.