Government

House Speaker John Boehner says there is no easy way to stop the budget cuts -- known as the “sequester” -- that began taking effect Friday, and he voiced uncertainty about how Washington can solve the fiscal problems that have consumed the nation’s politics for more than two years. Sequester threatens nearly 50,000 jobs and many programs in Maryland. Andrea Seabrook, former NPR congressional correspondent and now the host of her podcast, DecodeDC, explains how this whole thing began and how it might end.

March 1, 2013

As you’ve been hearing all morning, today is March 1st – the day major across the board cuts known as sequestration are set to take effect.   President Obama is meeting with congressional leaders today in an effort to avoid the $85 billion in scheduled cuts.

Sheilah talks with Maryland’s only Republican Congressman, Andy Harris, who represents Maryland's 1st district, on the Eastern Shore.

In two days, 85 billion dollars is scheduled to be cut from federal spending, cuts known as ‘the sequester.’  In Maryland, that means lots of changes, from air traffic control towers shutting down,to thousands of defense employees being furloughed.  We talk about what to expect.

Some Maryland lawmakers want to expand the hours and number of sites for early voting in Maryland. Critics say Democratic-leaning areas get the most help. We’ll hear from both sides.

The series of federal budget cuts known as sequester are set to  begin on Friday effecting millions of Americans and threatening the jobs of nearly 50-thousand Maryland residents. We discuss the scope of sequester with our guests: Melissa Deckman, chair and professor of Political Science and the Louis L. Goldstein Professor of Public Affairs at Washington College and Barry Rascovar political columnist for the Gazette and a communications consultant.

February 27, 2013

Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake is rolling out a ten-year plan to keep Baltimore financially solvent over the next ten years. The plan includes a trash pick-up fee, city pension reform, and a reduction in the property tax.

Governor O’Malley has proposed one of the most aggressive gun reform packages in the nation, prompting hundreds of protestors to turn out for a hearing on them last week in Annapolis. In another of our series on guns in the wake of the Newtown massacre, we return to the debate on the governor’s proposals with Matt Daley, lobbyist for the Maryland State Rifle and Pistol Association, and Casey Anderson, spokesman for Maryland Against Gun Violence.

February 12, 2013

Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake delivered the annual State of the City address yesterday afternoon at City Hall. Her message was simple: "We cannot build the foundation of a growing city on the mud of a fiscal swamp. The status quo is unacceptable, and the price of inaction is clear. We must change to grow."

February 11, 2013

Mental health has played a significant role in the gun control debate over the last several months. Governor Martin O’Malley’s proposed gun control legislation, which had its first committee hearing last week, includes new mental health provisions. How does it handle the gun rights of the mentally ill?

When controversy erupts over big developments in Baltimore, developers often counter with this tantalizing promise: "We've got JOBS!" Today, "The Lines Between Us" investigates. Reporter Melody Simmons looks at recent projects to see how often developers’ promises of jobs become reality for city residents. Then, we'll home in on the westside Superblock development and talk to a city councilman, a pastor who negotiated a jobs agreement with the developer, and the developer himself. 

Can human traffickers be discouraged by the threat of law enforcement seizing the proceeds? Delegate Kathleen Dumais of Rockville has proposed an asset forfeiture bill three years running; it has died in committee. We discuss her chances of it passing this session.

Do you see purple?  As the Ravens get ready for the Super Bowl, our in-house amateur economists analyze fluctuations in the Purple Economy.

The American Library Association announced some prestigious children’s literature awards this week. Librarian Paula Willey tells us what won and what was skipped.