trent kittleman

Western Maryland restaurant owner: Minimum wage bill could put me out of business.

Howard County’s government operates a school system, a police department with nearly 500 sworn officers, a fire department, a water and sewer system, a landfill and six branch libraries that have the highest per-capita circulation rate in the state.

Laura and Reid’s Law warrants support, but it may take time to alleviate concerns about how it may affect a woman’s right to choose, and ultimately become law.

The bill would enable the Howard County council to place a fee on plastic bags which is blamed for contributing to climate change. In Annapolis, the state delegation voted to advance the bill. Sen. Guy Guzzone was in support of the bill but said he is in favor of a ban.

The delegation of Carroll County's lawmakers in the Maryland General Assembly met Thursday to discuss and vote on locally focused legislation. The delegation voted to support bills that would seek state money for local projects, adjust local liquor laws and adjust some gaming and gambling rules.

Though the session opened at about noon, lawmakers representing Carroll County had been coming up with legislative agendas and crafting bills for months in preparation. Many have refined bills they introduced in the past that failed to make it and plan to reintroduce the legislation.

State Sen. Guy Guzzone took his seat as senate majority leader and several new members of the Howard County delegation took the oath of office on Wednesday’s opening day of the Maryland General Assembly.

When the Maryland General Assembly convenes for its 2019 session next week, Howard County’s delegation will tackle an agenda that’s been forming for the past several months — and will have a few new faces to help carry it out.

Opposition is mounting in the Democratic-controlled Maryland legislature to Republican Gov. Larry Hogan’s proposal for a new Washington Redskins stadium on parkland overlooking the Potomac River in Prince George’s County. House Speaker Michael Busch says the state has more pressing needs.

Voters resoundingly elected incumbent Republican lawmakers in the three legislative districts that touch Carroll County (Districts 4, 5 and 9). In District 5 — which covers most of Carrol — Republican Sen. Justin Ready, and Delegates Susan Krebs, Haven Shoemaker and April Rose cruised to victory.

For the Republican race for House of Delegates representing District 5, the Carroll County Times is endorsing the incumbent slate of Dels. Susan Krebs, April Rose and Haven Shoemaker.

Howard County’s government operates a school system, a police department with about 500 sworn officers, a fire department, a water and sewer system, a landfill and six branch libraries that have the highest per-capita circulation rate in the state.

Del. Rick Impallaria files a bill in Annapolis that would allow school employees across the state to carry guns on school property — if the local school district so desires — to prevent or minimize the loss of life in a school shooting.

Carroll County voters will notice a few changes during the 2018 elections. The county has added two early voting centers as well as an additional polling place in Taneytown.

Just like gasoline and fire, guns and domestic violence don't mix and when they do, the results can be fatal. When a gun is present in an abusive situation,

Howard County’s government operates a school system, a police department with 472 sworn officers, a fire department, a water and sewer system, a landfill and

After weeks of discussion, Howard County's state delegation has reached an agreement on legislation that proposes to change the way the school board is elected.

Sen. Justin Ready, R-District 5, is listed as a co-sponsor on the bill, but when asked about it, he said that he does not support the bill and was planning to remove his name.

Carroll County's delegation decided Thursday to reject a change to the way the county fills commissioner vacancies for a second year in a row.

Members of the Carroll County delegation to the General Assembly met with business and community leaders.

A Woodbine man will soon find out the fate of his challenge to the state's legislative districts.

In unvarnished words, Howard county's top Republican, Executive Allan Kittleman, excoriated the presumptive presidential nominee for the Republican Party - joining a rare rank of local elected Republicans who publicly renounced Trump and will not vote for him in November.

Widening northbound US 29 to three main lanes, dualizing Route 32 and improving the intersection at Kit Kat Road ranked high among Kittleman's top for state funding this year, according to a letter the administration plans to send to the state.

Howard County¿s government operates a school system, a police department with 479 sworn officers, a fire department, a water and sewer system, a landfill and six branch libraries that have one of the highest per-capita circulation rates in the nation.

A tyranny of the majority

Carroll County's delegation in Annapolis is throwing its weight behind a bill seeking to place term limits on the county Board of Education.

Carroll legislators say a bill they put forth in Annapolis could aid a county plan to replace the aging Carroll County Career and Technology Center by reducing the project's estimated price tag.

Sometimes, legislation comes along that just makes perfect sense. To us, that seems to be the case with a proposed Tax Refund-Warrant Intercept Program, which Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot has championed this year, along with many Carroll County legislators in Annapolis.

Bill concerning vacancies will not go forward

While many members of Carroll's all-Republican, 11-member delegation note that they want to see the cost of living and doing business in Maryland go down, many also plan to fight for increased funding for Carroll County Public Schools, which plans to close three schools next year in response to declining enrollment.

Representatives talk small business priorities

Christopher Eric Bouchat sued the state of Maryland in August over what he described as redistricting practices that are "clearly designed with the intent to manipulate election results, are discriminatory against the non-dominant political party and violate my guaranteed constitutional voting rights."

While Carroll legislators received high marks for their support of bills that were in favor of economic and business growth from one non-partisan group, another organization ranked them significantly lower based on voting record for bills that favored environmental protection and stewardship.

A major responsibility of a Maryland legislator is determining the best uses of the state's revenue, and in order to do this the federal and state government allows them to spend enormous amounts of money.

Sykesville's recent Wine and Arts Festival in May was arguably the most successful even in the town's history, drawing 6,000 visitors and bringing in more than $20,000 in funds.

The 435th General Assembly legislative session came to a close April 13 with the usual down-to-the-wire whirlwind of negotiations and voting.

Several bills have been introduced in the General Assembly that would take away the responsibility of central committees in Maryland of recommending someone to fill a legislative vacancy.

Gov. Larry Hogan has sent legislation to curb income taxes on the pensions of retired military and first responders. But some Carroll County legislators support legislation that would provide blanket tax protection to those 65 years and older.

Education, the environment and election laws were the most popular concerns among Howard County residents who came to share their thoughts on state bills with the county's Annapolis delegation Wednesday night.

Newly installed Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman hit the ground running on his first day in office Tuesday, announcing several key staffing positions as well as a list of initial priorities.

Just two weeks have passed since Election Day, but Howard County's delegation members are already looking ahead to the start of session in January.

And in the newly created House District 9B, where the race had been labeled a dead heat by both sides, former Republican delegate Bob Flanagan defeated attorney, blogger and former CA board member Tom Coale, the Democratic candidate.

The three republican candidates dominated the election results Tuesday night

Last weekend and Monday, Howard Countians heard from candidates in two new settings, at forums hosted by the African American Coalition of Howard County and the Howard County chapter of the League of Women Voters.

Republican county executive candidate Allan Kittleman posted strong fundraising numbers Tuesday, outraising Democratic opponent Courtney Watson by more than a three to one margin.

West county conservatives may have more options than the two Republican delegate candidates on the ballot come November.

The primary election results are in, and – despite an unusually numerous field of new, untested candidates – didn't yield many election-night surprises or upsets.

Two current delegates and one newcomer won the Republican nomination for the District 5 House of Delegates, an entirely new district that encompasses the majority of Carroll County.