Franchot Stays Out Of Governor's Race, GOP Lawmakers Call On O'Malley To Reimburse State Police For Travel Expenses, and Sugary Drink Restrictions In Howard County

The field for the 2014 governor's race has become less crowded; yesterday, Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot announced that he will NOT seek the state's top job, as many had expected him to do. Franchot says he is humbled by the support he has received from across the state as he considered whether to run for governor (via our wire service, the Baltimore Sun, the Washington Post, and the Gazette).

Republicans from the House of Delegates are calling on Governor Martin O'Malley to reimburse the state for nearly 100-thousand dollars spent by the state police to protect him when he was traveling out of state during the first 9 months of this year (via our wire service, the Baltimore Sun, the Washington Post, and the Daily Record).

On today's edition of Inside Maryland Politics, WYPR Senior News Analyst Fraser Smith talks to WYPR's Karen Hosler about political turmoil in Prince Georges County.

There's a Regional Transportation Summit in Annapolis today -- at it, lawmakers and activists will talk about the need to invest more money in state transportation projects (via our wire service; more online here).

Maryland legislative leaders are hoping that the third time will be the charm for legislation designed to encourage the development of offshore wind farms. State Senate President Mike Miller says he wants the bill to get a full debate in his chamber in 2013. In the past two years, offshore wind legislation has never made it out of the Senate's Finance Committee (via our wire service, the Baltimore Sun, and the Daily Record).

Governor Martin O'Malley says that the companies that operate automated speed cameras should not be reimbursed based on the number of tickets issued (via the Baltimore Sun).

Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara Mikulski have announced a new wave of funding for farmers in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The USDA is freeing up $20-million for several programs that are designed to improve the health of the Bay (via our wire service; more here from Senator Mikulski's office).

If you're looking to buy a soda in Howard County... you'll soon no longer be able to do so on public property. Yesterday, Howard County Executive Ken Ulman signed an executive order forbiding the sale of high-sugar drinks in parks, libraries, and other county properites -- and at county sponsored events. The move is aimed at reducing childhood obesity; similar plans have been put in place in other jurisdictions nationwide, and Baltimore City is reportedly considering doing the same. The beverage industry has been critical of the sales ban, saying consumers should be allowed choices wherever they buy their beverages (via the Baltimore Sun).

There's a controversial measure being debated in Carroll County that would make English the County's official language (via our wire service, WJZ, and the Carroll County Times).

Baltimore City Community College President Carolane Williams has been forced out of her position by the school's board of trustees (via our wire service and the Baltimore Sun).

There has been a second confirmed death in Maryland caused by fungal meningitis, as part of a nationwide outbreak (via our wire service and the Baltimore Sun).

Baltimore is closing in on a record for the most consecutive days without any recorded snowfall (via our wire service and the Baltimore Sun).