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What are likely to be the final bond ratings of the Gov. Martin O'Malley's term offer a validation of his fiscal policies.

The state pension system is Maryland's financial Achilles heel. All bond rating services have noted that rising pension debt endangers the AAA bond rating, and the Pew Center on the States rates Maryland as one of the 10 most under-funded states. Perhaps it's time for Nancy Kopp to step down.

Carroll County received positive credit ratings, including one upgrade, from bond rating agencies after the county's annual bond review in New York. Carroll received a AAA rating, the highest possible, from both Fitch Services and Standard and Poor's Rating Service. The county received a Aa1 rating from Moody's Investor Services.

WASHINGTON -- The 16-day shutdown of the federal government last month resulted in $2 billion in lost productivity and, at its peak, left 40 percent of the federal workforce furloughed, according to a report released by the Obama administration Thursday.

Raise Maryland, a campaign supporting the increase in minimum wage, said companies such as Walmart, Yum! Brands, McDonald's and Target are earning at the expense of their workers.

Harford County officials are preparing to sell $116.9 in bonds on Feb. 19.

With a productivity level near an all-time low, the 112th Congress returns to Washington with an aim of doing the bare minimum to keep the country running.

Brazil, Russia, India and China have hamstrung global responses to Iran and Syria.

County executive David Craig released a statement last week about meeting with credit agencies

After a brutal third quarter in which the United States saw an unprecedented downgrade of its credit, many weary investors remain on the sidelines.

If the supercommittee is looking for Democratic results with Republican ideas, it should visit Puerto Reican Gov. Luis Fortuno.

Baltimore County has again earned a AAA bond rating from the three major rating agencies, county officials said Wednesday.

Officials also discuss small steps to be taken in the meantime

Maryland needs a balanced approach to balancing its budget

Like little kids, the politicians in Washington blame everyone but themselves when things go bad

Did S & P downgrade the U.S. credit rating to reclaim its reputation after having backed so many of the bad bonds that led to the 2008 financial collapse?