The Ravens' Victory, Leopold's Resignation, and In Annapolis This Week: Gun and Transportation Legislation

February 4, 2013

The Ravens were victorious in Super Bowl 47. They took down the San Francisco 49ers, with a final score was 34 to 31. The Ravens took the lead early on... but Ravens coach John Harbaugh says he knew his brother Jim and the San Francisco 49ers weren't going to quit yesterday, even after the Ravens went up by 22 points. After play stopped for more than half an hour because of a power outage, the 49ers roared back to score 17 points in a span of just over four minutes. But the Ravens kept San Francisco at bay, for a Baltimore triumph. Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco was named the Super Bowl 47 MVP. Flacco completed 22-of-33 passes for 287 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. And it was the final game for Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis, who announced earlier in the season that this would be his last year; he played all of his 17 seasons with the Ravens. Governor Martin O'Malley and Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake are congratulating the Ravens on their Super Bowl victory. Rawlings-Blake said "The Baltimore Ravens once again demonstrated strength, poise, and perseverance as they prevailed." O'Malley called the Ravens "the team of destiny." Charm City is set to celebrate the Super Bowl 47 victory tomorrow -- with a parade at City Hall. It's scheduled to start at 11am.

In other news: John Leopold is no longer Anne Arundel County Executive. He resigned from the post on Friday, after being convicted of two misconduct charges last week. Leopold is now turning his to the civil cases against him. Two former county employees have lawsuits pending in Baltimore federal court claiming they were wrongfully fired. One of the former workers says she was fired for complaining about Leopold's inappropriate behavior, and the other for helping the first with her complaint (via our wire service; more here from the Gazette, and here and here from the Baltimore Sun).

Governor Martin O'Malley is scheduled to testify about gun control bills Wednesday before a state senate committee. His proposals include an assault weapons ban, limiting ammunition clip capacity, and expanding reporting of mental health problems. He also wants to add a licensing requirement for handguns (via our wire service and marylandreporter.com).

Eastern Shore Delegate Mike McDermott is calling for the lifting of restrictions on who can carry firearms on school campuses. McDermott has introduced legislation that would create a school guardian program, where qualified and trained school staff would be allowed to carry a licensed handgun on school property (via our wire service and the Daily Times).

The General Assembly will begin to return its focus to transportation funding today -- when the Daily Record reports that State Senate President Mike Miller is expected to introduce legislation on the topic. In recent weeks, Miller has floated several ideas: including a sales tax on gasoline at the wholesale level and allowing counties to levy their own regional gas taxes. He's also asked lawmakers to consider leasing the Intercounty Connector to a private company (more here from the Washington Post).

On today's edition of Inside Maryland Politics, WYPR's Fraser Smith and Karen Hosler talk about Maryland's current status as a reliably liberal state, which was not always the case.

A port strike that would have halted all container cargo for 15 East Coast and Gulf ports has been averted. Dock workers and management reached a tentative agreement on a new master contract late Friday night. A walkout had been threatened for Wednesday (via the Baltimore Sun).

A water main broke over the weekend in Baltimore's Canton Industrial Park, sending water spraying into the air and partially collapsing Newkirk Street. While officials do not know the exact cause of the break, a public works spokesperson says it is likely a combination of cold weather and aging infrastructure (via our wire service and the Baltimore Sun).

President Obama is coming to Annapolis this week... but Annapolitans might not get a chance to see him. He'll be speaking to Democratic US Senators at their annual retreat, taking place tomorrow and Wednesday -- and the Baltimore Sun reports that the address will not be open to the public... or, to reporters.