Anne Arundel County Young Democrats Featured Content

Annapolitans fear more job cuts

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:03:00 PST

33 gone as Cohen works to trim deficit; proposed budget would slash another 52 positions

Parking enforcement officers who issue tickets like this one on a car at City Dock would likely be replaced by contract workers in Mayor Joshua J. Cohen's effort to shrink the projected $8 million budget deficit for fiscal 2011. Thirty-three employees have been laid off; 52 more jobs would be lost in his proposed budget.

Baltimore deputy mayor resigns

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:03:00 PST

Frank, Dixon holdover, to work with Johns Hopkins president

Frank, Dixon holdover, to work with Johns Hopkins president

Grasmick grants five-day waiver for Arundel schools

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:03:00 PST

Students in Anne Arundel County won't go to school for 180 days this year, thanks to last month's record-breaking snowstorms. State schools Superintendent Nancy S. Grasmick has granted the county's request for a five-day calendar waiver. That means the school year will end June 15, so long as there are no more emergency closings. Anne Arundel schools built four snow days into the calendar but have used 10 this winter. Grasmick says she granted the waiver because the system added one day to the end of the school year and because it plans to "concentrate instructional time to make up for lost school days." The state school board gave Grasmick the authority to grant waivers on a case-by-case basis. Officials with the Maryland State Department of Education say Grasmick also granted waivers to five other counties: Charles, Frederick, Kent, Prince George's and St. Mary's. In Kent, Prince George's and St. Mary's counties, students will be in class for 175 days this school year. Charles and Frederick counties received three-day waivers, meaning they'll have 177 instructional days.

No big Harford budget cuts for now, Craig says

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:03:00 PST

After reporting a projected $8 million revenue shortfall in late January, when he announced an early retirement incentive program for county workers, Harford County Executive David Craig said Tuesday that he doesn't expect further drastic action during the fiscal year - despite $3 million in snow-removal costs and a $1.3 million decline in state income tax payments in February. "We've been pragmatic," he said, by leaving nearly 300 open county jobs vacant and attracting nearly 50 older county workers to the early retirement program. "We anticipated the second drop in income tax revenues," Craig said, and the extra snow-clearance costs can be offset by surplus funds without touching the county's $25 million rainy-day fund.

Board votes to close 5 middle schools, revoke school charter

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:03:00 PST

The Baltimore City school board voted Tuesday night to close five middle schools and to revoke the charter of a low-performing school Tuesday night.

Judge to end oversight of city schools for special education

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:03:00 PST

Accord reached in 26-year lawsuit on behalf of special-education students

The often-contentious 26-year-old lawsuit that attempted to provide equality for Baltimore's special-education students but ultimately helped to change the course of the public school system is nearing an end after a federal judge agreed Monday to end his oversight.

Tax payments fall, local governments face more cutbacks

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:03:00 PST

The latest state income tax payments to local governments fell $61.8 million year over year

Prosecutor sells Dixon's Xbox on eBay, to YouthWorks' benefit

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:03:00 PST

Prosecutors putting several items up for bid

Attention political junkies and video game enthusiasts: There's an item for sale online that might pique your interest.

Howard budget shortfall grows due to snow removal, tax design

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:03:00 PST

Projected deficit now $20 million due to snow removal costs, decline in income tax payments

Md. included in antitrust deal with voting system provider

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 04:03:00 PST

The nation's largest provider of voting equipment will forgo its acquisition of a rival company as part of an antitrust settlement reached with nine states, including Maryland, according to the Department of Justice.