Maryland Matters

Welcome to Maryland Matters, your go-to source for news on Maryland's government and political landscape. Maryland Matters operates as an independent, nonprofit, and nonpartisan news platform. We are not affiliated with any profit-driven companies, and we do not impose a paywall on our content. Our goal is to make our reporting accessible to everyone. To achieve this, we depend on the support of individuals and foundations.

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Annual Salvadoran festival in Montgomery County canceled over ICE raid concerns

2 days ago | marylandmatters.org | Jose Umana

By Jose UmañaThe D.C. region’s largest Salvadoran festival — and one of the area’s largest Latino heritage events — has been canceled due to fears surrounding immigration policies put on by the Trump administration. Organizers for Salvadoreñisimo Festival told WTOP the annual event, which was set to take place at the Montgomery County Agricultural Fairgrounds in Gaithersburg, has been canceled for this year.
Insurers seek 17% hike in state marketplace premiums, amid 'wild uncertainty' at federal level

3 days ago | marylandmatters.org | Danielle J. Brown

State insurance officials warn that thousands of Marylanders who bought health insurance on the state marketplace could see the cost of coverage increase an average of 17% next year unless Congress extends federal subsidies that are set to expire in December. The Maryland Insurance Administration (MIA) said in a press release Tuesday that health insurers are asking the state to raise premiums between 8.1% and 18.7% for individual plans offered under the Affordable Care Act for 2026.
Supreme Court lets stand Maryland's assault weapons ban

4 days ago | marylandmatters.org | William Ford

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday let stand Maryland’s decade-old ban on assault weapons, over the objections of four conservative justices who were ready to review a lower court’s defense of the law that they called “dubious” and “questionable.”“I would not wait to decide whether the government can ban the most popular rifle in America.
Kalyanaraman becomes latest to leave Maryland Department of Health

4 days ago | marylandmatters.org | Danielle J. Brown

The deputy secretary of public health services is leaving the Maryland Department of Health this week after two years serving under the Moore Administration and more than a decade in both private and public health services in Maryland, state officials confirmed Monday. Tuesday will be Dr. Nilesh Kalyanaraman’s last day with the department.
Political notes: Lawmakers get a pat on the back, Kamonjoh, Thomas get new jobs, more

5 days ago | marylandmatters.org | Danielle J. Brown

Who says being a lawmaker is a thankless job? The Arc Maryland said thanks to four lawmakers Thursday, recognizing them at the Arc Maryland’s 65th Convention and Awards banquet for their part in clawing back nearly $300 million in proposed cuts to the Developmental Disabilities Administration. Budget and Taxation Chair Guy Guzzone (D-Howard), Appropriations Chair Ben Barnes (D- Prince George’s and Anne Arundel), Sen. Cory McCray (D-Baltimore City) and Del.
Year of special elections ends Tuesday in Prince George’s, with election for county executive

5 days ago | marylandmatters.org | William Ford

Prince George’s County’s year of cascading special elections is almost over. More than 62,000 Prince George’s County voters had dropped off mail-in ballots as of Friday, ahead of Tuesday’s special election to choose a new county executive and a new District 5 council member, a county election official said.
Sunday marks start of new laws, end of rush to courthouse for child sex abuse victims

1 week ago | marylandmatters.org | Bryan P. Sears |Christine Condon |Danielle J. Brown |William Ford

When you wake up Sunday, it will be harder to collect damages from the state for child sexual abuse and easier to find relief at a pick-your-own farm, new rules will start the long process of slowing utility rate increases and a new law will again delay the start of a paid family and medical leave programAnd chromite will be the official state mineral, a fact you can toast with the new official state cocktail, the orange crush.
Blueprint gets a road map: Two agencies that oversee school reform agree to clarify roles

1 week ago | marylandmatters.org | William Ford

Local school systems straining to comply with the state’s sweeping Blueprint for Maryland’s Future have had to report to both the Maryland Department of Education and the Blueprint’s Accountability and Implementation Board, a setup creating confusion “since the get-go.”Now, more than three years into the process, the two agencies said they are working on a memorandum of understanding that could make things a bit smoother for all concerned.
Independent voters challenge constitutionality of Maryland's closed primary elections

1 week ago | marylandmatters.org | Bryan P. Sears

Five Maryland voters who are not affiliated with any political party filed a lawsuit this week asking a state judge to declare the state’s restrictions on primary elections a violation of the state constitution. Maryland, which has a partially closed primary system, requires voters to affiliate with the Democratic or Republican party if they want to vote in the primary election. The five unaffiliated voters, represented by Republican former Lt. Gov.
Homeland Security labels Maryland, several counties and cities, sanctuary jurisdictions

1 week ago | marylandmatters.org | William Ford

The Trump administration on Thursday said Maryland and several of its counties and cities are sanctuary jurisdictions for immigrants, a designation that will bring a warning from federal officials along with a vague threat of the loss of unspecified federal funds.