unemployment and layoffs

A few months ago, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake looked to many pundits like she was practically unbeatable. The city's crime and unemployment rates were down. She had substantial money in her campaign account. She even flirted with a run for U.S. Senate. Then the rioting broke out.

Maryland employers added more than 16,000 jobs in April, pushing down the unemployment rate to 5.3 percent, according to new estimates released Wednesday by the Department of Labor.

At 2 p.m. on the Friday of a holiday weekend, when many people were away on vacation, Gov. Larry Hogan vetoed House Bill 980 which restored voting rights to ex-felons upon their release from prison, rather than waiting until they're off parole or probation. The timing seems calculated and political, and designed to deflect attention from the veto. This ultimately perpetuates feelings of distrust for elected officials and apathy for voting and reinforces the idea that state leaders are protecting

Chances are if you walk the streets of Baltimore and ask anyone under the age of 35 who Reginald Lewis was, many would offer a blank stare. But, Lewis was one of them, a street smart, athletic African American kid growing up in the economically forgotten neighborhood that Freddie Gray called home. But he got out, and made it big.

Political pundits and others have wondered whether Hillary Clinton will get, or even deserves, the same enthusiastic support from the African-American community in her presidential bid that President Barack Obama received. After her April 29th speech at Columbia University, there can be no doubt that the answer to both questions is a resounding "Yes!"

The Sandtown-Winchester neighborhood — home to some 15,000 people where about half of children live below the poverty line and nearly a quarter of adults are out of work — drew national attention as the place where Freddie Gray was arrested.

Labinal Power Systems plans to cut nearly 500 jobs from its manufacturing plant in Salisbury starting in July, as the defense contractor intiates layoffs connected to the shutdown of its Eastern Shore operations.

The Maryland Transportation Authority's board on Thursday reduced tolls statewide at the urging of Gov. Larry Hogan — mostly for E-ZPass drivers but also for those who pay cash at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.

Maryland lost about 5,700 jobs in March, but maintained an unemployment rate of 5.4 percent, slightly lower than the national average, according to Labor Department estimates released Tuesday.

The Carroll County Board of Commissioners voted to use the county's surplus to fund $1.3 million for the recent board-approved drug enforcement program and self-contained breathing apparatus for eight volunteer fire companies but has yet to find means of paying for about $20 million and 22 staffing positions in agency requests.

A Baltimore-based foundation analyzing the local workforce said on Thursday that apprenticeships are critical to decreasing youth unemployment and highlighted General Assembly legislation designed to establish a youth training program.

Baltimore city schools CEO Gregory Thornton told state lawmakers Friday that about 100 employees will lose their jobs in his plan to close a $108 million deficit.

Polk Audio's presence on its native Baltimore turf is shrinking again. The company that makes speakers and headphones for home sound systems will lose about half of its workforce of more than 80 people in a reorganization by its parent company Sound United, a division of DEI Holdings Inc.

Harford County Executive Barry Glassman's retirement incentive offer to employees fell about 30 percent short of its goal, and Glassman said he is following up with other steps in a multi-faceted approach to trimming the county workforce.

Mens retailer Jos. A. Bank Clothiers Inc. has informed the state government it will lay off 122 workers from its corporate headquarters in Hampstead.

The hospital will officially join the LifeBridge network on April 1

Maryland employers added 6,100 jobs in February, but the unemployment rate held steady at 5.5 percent as more people entered the labor force.

Baltimore's spending panel agreed Wednesday to send a city pension director to London for a week — the latest of nearly $100,000 in travel expenses for top pension officials since 2013.

Maryland employers added 500 jobs in January, a marginal gain dragged down by losses in the leisure and hospitality industry, according to federal data released Tuesday.

U.S. Labor Secretary Thomas E. Perez said plans for a a new light rail line in Baltimore should move forward in a speech in Baltimore Monday that promoted the Obama administration's economic agenda.

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake plans to focus much of Monday's State of the City speech on a plan to bolster small businesses, including more funding for the city's Small Business Resource Center and $1 million for an "innovation fund" to help small firms acquire the latest technologies.

The Carroll County Board of Commissioners is unified in opposition to several proposed tax cuts in the General Assembly that would affect the retirement incomes of military personnel, first responders, the elderly, the disabled and property taxes for small business.

The state paid unemployment benefits to four people behind bars, according to an audit released Friday that found numerous other problems in the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.

Supporters of mental health, drug treatment providers rally for funds

City Council members reacted with shock Wednesday to the news the Baltimore City school system has run up a deficit of more than $60 million — even before $35 million in proposed state budget cuts. And they said they will hold hearings on the matter.

Even before proposed state budget cuts, the Baltimore City schools face a shortfall for next year of more than $60 million.

Even before proposed state budget cuts, the Baltimore City schools face a shortfall for next year of more than $60 million.

Following through on a campaign promise, Gov. Larry Hogan unveiled legislation Tuesday that would repeal Maryland's requirement that its largest counties impose a fee to pay for stormwater cleanup. Critics call it the "rain tax."

It has been almost two years since federal authorities unveiled charges at the Baltimore Detention Center, drawing international attention amid revelations that Black Guerrilla Family leader Tavon White had impregnated four corrections officers who were supposed to be guarding him. But officials say that even with 40 guilty verdicts, including two dozen against corrections workers, there is more work to be done.

Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, the top-ranking Democrat on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, told a gathering of federal employees on Wednesday that he anticipates an "unprecedented and extremely damaging assault" on federal employees this year by the GOP-controlled Congress.

Nearly 500 people showed up to plead the case for maintaining the mission at Aberdeen Proving Ground to Army representatives Thursday night, as the service considers troop and civilian workforce cuts at posts across the country.

Lexington Market could get a new building and play host to a weekly farmers' market if the city follows through on new recommendations for an institution dogged by a reputation for safety problems, lack of cleanliness and "smells."

Baltimore County school leaders have quickly backed away from an ambitious budget proposal after the county executive summoned school board members a few at a time into his office and told them to reduce their request.

The Carroll County Board of Education chose to request an additional $2.3 million from the county to make up for cuts in Gov. Larry Hogan's proposed budget during a budget session Wednesday.

Maryland employers added an estimated 11,000 new jobs in December, driving the state's unemployment rate down a tenth of a percentage point to 5.5 percent, according to data released Tuesday.

Harford County residents are once again being urged to voice their concerns about the future of Aberdeen Proving Ground, this time at a public meeting Thursday to discuss a potential reduction of an estimated 4,300 civilian and military jobs as the installation over the next five years.

Beyond spending cuts for next year, Gov. Larry Hogan is asking the General Assembly for an array of permanent, long-term budget reductions — for public schools, private colleges, libraries and economic development aid for farmers.

Local governments around the Baltimore region are rolling back or eliminating stormwater fees, derided as the "rain tax."

Governor Larry Hogan's first proposed budget is putting Carroll County on the fiscal negative side as the county is tied with the biggest percentage of cuts.

Gov. Larry Hogan outlined a budget plan Thursday that would cut school aid to Baltimore and state workers' pay but preserve — for now — funding for two light rail lines.

As Gov.-elect Larry Hogan and his team begin tackling the state's budget, they will soon turn their attention to one of its most pernicious challenges: the underfunded employee pension system.

Gov.-elect Larry Hogan has given New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie a special place in his inaugural ceremony Thursday, testifying to his gratitude for Mr. Christie's work on behalf of Mr. Hogan's underdog campaign. A nice gesture, to be sure. But here is a warning to the people of Maryland: Hope that your new governor does not lean on New Jersey's governor for guidance on what to do once in office.