LaFerla's Write-In Campaign Gets The MD Democratic Party's Endorsement, Revenue Estimates Rise For FY-13, and O'Malley Names Leonard Howie As MD's Next Labor Secretary

The Maryland Democratic Party has endorsed John LaFerla's campaign to become the next congressman representing the First District. LaFerla replaces the Democrats' last candidate, Wendy Rosen, who dropped out of the race last week amid allegations of voter fraud. Rosen's name will stay on the ballot because a deadline to take it off it had already passed; LaFerla will have to wage a write-in campaign (via the Daily Times and the Baltimore Sun). 

Governor Martin O'Malley has named Leonard Howie to be commissioner of the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation. He's set to start on October 8th (via our wire service and the Baltimore Sun).

The State of Maryland says it expects to bring in $14.9-billion dollars in the current fiscal year. That revenue estimate is now 180 million dollars higher than previous projections; it was updated yesterday by the Board of Revenue Estimates to reflect a hike in the state income tax passed earlier this year by teh General Assembly. State Comptroller Peter Franchot, who heads the Board, says that even with the projected revenue increases, Maryland's economy remains "fundamentally fragile" (via the Baltimore Business Journal).

It's been about a month since the special session of the General Assembly that passed legislation expanding Maryland's casino gambling program. And now, disclosure forms are out -- showing how much cash was spent in attempt to influence lawmakers votes. The total was more than $3.6-million -- breaking down to about 900-thousand dollars a day over the course of the four-day session (via the Baltimore Sun). The majority of the spending came from a DC-area labor group: The Washington Building and Construction Trades Council, which sunk $2.7-million into a television advertising campaign in support of the gambling expansion... in the hopes that a casino at Prince George's County's National Harbor would create thousands of high paying construction jobs (via the Baltimore Sun). Whether that casino will go up is now in the hands of voters; they'll decide whether to approve the gambling expansion on the November ballot. And spending to influence voters' opinions has easily eclipsed that to influence lawmakers' -- so far, about $15-million have been earmarked for ads in advance of the election.

A group of Maryland lawmakers is calling on the US Supreme Court to uphold a law permitting police to collect DNA samples of people arrested for violent crimes and burglaries (via the Baltimore Sun).

historically black colleges are sharing in more than 12-million dollars in grants, from the US Department of Education. Over the next five years, the money will pour into Coppin State University, Morgan State University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore and Bowie State University (via our wire service, the Baltimore Business Journal, and the Baltimore Sun).  

State officials say they're putting off plans to spray for mosquitoes in Baltimore County until next week. The spraying is part of an effort to stop the spread of West Nile Virus, which has claimed two Marylanders' lives this year. Spraying will take place on September 19th around Catonsville, and September 24th around Pikesville; it'll start after 7:30pm on those days. Two other spray dates have been announced. Folks who live in the areas are being urged to stay inside during the spraying, as the pesticide that'll be used can cause irritation and other problems in humans. It can also cause problems in pets -- particularly in cats -- so if you're in the spray areas, you'll want to keep your pets inside as well (via the Baltimore Sun).

It was a year ago that the Occupy movement began on Wall Street, later coming to Baltimore and cities and towns across the country. The tents have long since been cleared from McKeldin Square, but the Occupy Baltimore group says they are still working to bring about change (via our wire service and the Baltimore Sun). 

Baltimore is the third dirtiest city in America, according to a new ranking from Travel + Leisure Magazine. The list was based on the reviews not of Baltimoreans -- but of people who visit Charm City. They said only New York and New Orleans were dirtier. 

And in sports: The Orioles beat the Seattle Mariners 10 to 4 last night... putting the O's half a game behind the top-ranked Yankees in the American League East. The Oriole play agains tthe Mariners again tonight.