Presidents Day Schedule Changes, Offshore Wind, Death Penalty Repeal, and Gun Control Legislation

Today is Presidents Day; a federal holiday, and a day full of schedule changes in Maryland. The Baltimore Sun has a comprehensive list here; a brief overview is as follows: Federal, state, and local government offices are closed today. Schools are also closed, so are courts and banks. There's no regular mail delivery from the post office today, either. Most public libraries are closed -- but those in Anne Arundel and Frederick Counties are open. Trash pickup is also a mixed bag -- it's on regular schedules in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, and Howard County. But there's no trash pickup in Baltimore City, and Harford County's waste disposal center is closed. MARC trains are not running today; neither are most commuter buses (commuter bus route 201 is on a holiday schedule) But the Metro Subway and the Light Rail are running on their regular weekday schedules. Local MTA buses are operating on regular schedules as well. Also on regular schedules -- the region's parking meters; don't forget to feed 'em when you're out today. 

The state Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee is expected to vote this week on legislation involving gun control and the repeal of Maryland's death penalty (via our wire service, the Capital Gazette, and the Daily Record). 

A bill that would help finance a wind farm off Ocean City's coast, by adding a $1.50 monthly charge on utility bills, passed a key committee in the House of Delegates last week. It could get a hearing in the full House this week (via our wire service and the Baltimore Sun).

Maryland's automated speed camera laws will also be up for debate in Annapolis this week (via the Baltimore Sun).

The General Assembly may take up legislation this year that could allow the state of Maryland to start its own bank (via the Baltimore Business Journal).

On today's edition of Inside Maryland Politics, WYPR Senior News Analyst Fraser Smith and Karen Hosler from WYPR's political team talk about the power that Maryland's Congressional delegation has in Washington, as well as speculation about leadership position changes.

Acting Anne Arundel County Executive John Hammond is one of 16 people seeking to fill the post through 2014... which is when the term of former County Executive John Leopold comes to an end. Leopold resigned from office earlier this month, after being found guilty of two misconduct charges, and Hammond became acting County Executive upon the resignation. Hammond says that if the County Council agrees to let him stay in the post, he won't run for the job in 2014. A similar pledge has been made by former Maryland first lady Kendel Ehrlich, who's also applied for the job. Other applicants include Delegate Steve Schuh, who says he will run for the job in two years. The County Council is set to vote on who'll fill the seat on this Thursday (via our wire service and the Baltimore Sun).

The Baltimore City Democratic Central Committee is set to appoint community activist Nina Harper to replace Delegate Hattie Harrison in the legislature. The central committee is expected to vote on Harper's appointment to the post on Wednesday, and her name would then be sent to Governor Martin O'Malley for him to formally issue the appointment (via our wire service; more here from WJZ).

And in sports: The Orioles continue to workout in Sarasota this week as they prepare for the 2013 campaign. The Birds started full-team workouts over the weekend. The O's start Grapefruit League play on Saturday in Sarasota against the Twins.