Health Insurance Exchanges, Proposed Penalties For Speed Camera Inaccuracies, and An Appeal To FEMA's Denial Of Individual Aid To Hurricane Sandy Victims On The Eastern Shore

Maryland has recieved conditional approval from the Federal Government for its health insurance exchange -- the marketplace where people and small businesses will be able shop for health care coverage under the Affordable Care Act (via our wire service, the Baltimore Sun, the Baltimore Business Journal, and the Daily Record).

The nonprofit United Health Foundation has issued its annual "report card" on state health. Last year, Maryland came in 24th in the country in overall healthiness. This year, we've moved up five slots, to number 19 (via our wire service).

Maryland officials say they hope a reassessment of properties damaged by Hurricane Sandy will prompt the Federal Emergency Management Agency to reverse its recent denial of individual aid to people who live on the Eastern Shore (via the Daily Times).

Recent relevations that some of the region's automated speed cameras are inaccurate -- and have sent out tickets to drivers who weren't speeding -- are drawing a response from Delegate Jon Cardin. The Baltimore County lawmaker is calling for penalties for local governments and the companies that operate the cameras whenever incorrect tickets are sent out. Cardin wants the companies and municipalities to face fines of a thousand-dollars for each false ticket issued. He also wants local governments to be required to submit speed camera audits to the General Assembly on a regular basis (via our wire service and the Baltimore Sun).

Home sales were up last month in the Baltimore region, according to market research firm RealEstate Business Intelligence. The company says that November home sales increased 24 percent when compared to the same month last year. And home prices were up as well -- some 3 and a half percent, when compared to November of 2011 (via the Baltimore Business Journal).

The Maryland Aviation Administration wants to make it easier for airlines to add new routes out of BWI Airport. It's calling on the state's Board of Public Works to let the airport create financial incentives to airlines that create new routes, by waving regular charges for up to two years (via the Baltimore Business Journal). 

Mice are reportedly moving inside for the winter at BWI. The vermin infestation is reportedly being caused by a 100-million-dollar construction project that opened access to the 36-hundred acres of grassland and woods surrounding the terminal. A pest control company has reportedly set hundreds of traps to catch the rodents (via our wire service and the Baltimore Sun).

Morgan State University's board of regents has voted not to renew the contract of school president David Wilson (via our wire service and the Baltimore Sun).

Special commemorative MARC Train tickets for next month's Presidential Inauguration Day ceremonies in Washington will go on sale next Monday. The tickets cost 25-dollars and are limited to 20 per person (more here from the MTA).

In sports news: The Ravens have fired offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, replacing him with quarterbacks coach Jim Caldwell. The firing comes after the Ravens lost their second consecutive game with Sunday's overtime defeat at Washington. The Ravens are 9-and-4 on the season and still hold a two-game lead over Pittsburgh and Cincinnati in the AFC North. The Ravens host the Broncos on Sunday (via the Baltimore Sun and the Baltimore Business Journal).