Opinions On Gun Control And The Death Penalty, Offshore Wind, BGE's Rate Increase Proposal, and Maryland's Flu "Epidemic"

A new OpinionWorks survey shows majority support among Maryland voters for two gun control proposals likely to be debated in the General Assembly this year. 62 percent of those surveyed support a state ban on assault weapons, with 71 percent in favor of limiting ammunition magazines to ten rounds (via the Baltimore Sun and the Washington Post). The poll also shows that more people want to keep the state's death penalty on the books than repeal it; 48 percent said they do not want capital punishment eliminated, with 42 percent in favor repeal (via the Baltimore Sun). 

Governor Martin O'Malley is preparing a plan that would lead to the development of an offshore wind power industry in Maryland. O'Malley is expected to propose legislation that would encourage developers to put wind turbines more than 12 miles off the coast of Ocean City (via our wire service and the Baltimore Sun).

Maryland's Public Service Commission today will hold a public hearing on a proposal to raise the toll on the Potomac River bridge between Oldtown, in Allegheny County, and West Virginia. Current tolls range from 50 cents to one dollar; the proposal would set all tolls at $1.50 (via the PSC; more here from the Daily Record). The PSC also holds two more public hearings this week on Baltimore Gas and Electric's proposal to raise its distribution rates. BGE wants to raise average monthly electricity charges by about $6.60, and average monthly gas charges by about $4.25. One hearing takes place tomorrow night in Bel Air; the last one is in Ellicott City on Wednesday night (the PSC has information about the hearings here). 

Residents in Timonium’s Mays Chapel community get another chance today to change the minds of Baltimore County school board members about building an elementary school in a park near their homes. State officials are requiring the hearing because the first one was not properly publicized. WYPR’s Gwendolyn Glenn reports.

The foreclosure crisis has put more people than ever on the street, looking for a place to rent. It has sent the rental vacancy rate in Baltimore plummeting to less than 7 percent, according to The American Community Survey of 2011. Other sources have it even lower. WYPR's Mary Rose Madden has this story about one entrepreneurial team that set out to take advantage of the buyer’s market AND the demand for rental units. 

On today's edition of Inside Maryland Politics, Nathan Sterner talks to freelance journalist Alexis Taylor about the Baltimore Police Department's new Community Policing division.

Maryland's flu outbreak has reached "epidemic" proportions. So said the Centers for Disease Control on Friday of last week. Some 15-thousand Marylanders have visited emergency rooms with flu-like symptoms this season. Health officials urge you to get a flu shot, if you haven't done so already (via our wire service and the Baltimore Sun).

Anne Arundel Executive John Leopold goes on trial this week. The 69-year-old is accused of using his police detail to arrange sexual liasons and harass his political opponents. Leopold maintains his innocence; jury selection is scheduled to start Wednesday (via our wire service and the Baltimore Sun).

The operator of three coal fired power plants has agreed to pay a large fine to settle allegations regarding the disposal of ash from their plants (via our wire service; more here from the Baltimore Sun).

And in sports: Baltimore Ravens fans are looking forward to a rematch with the New England Patriots for the AFC Championship. This after the Ravens beat the Denver Broncos 38 to 35 in double-overtime on Saturday. The victory puts the Ravens just one game away from the Super Bowl -- and that game will played Sunday in New England.