Transportation Funding, Same-Sex Marriage, Leadership In The Montgomery And Prince George's County Councils, and Denied Federal Aid Requests

Governor Martin O'Malley is set to talk transportation at a meeting tomorrow with State Senate President Mike Miller and House Speaker Michael Busch. The Governor called the get-together to discuss legislative priorities for the upcoming General Assembly session, which begins on January 9th (via the Washington Post).

Same sex couples in Maryland can begin to apply for marriage licenses as early as tomorrow, thanks to a recent decision by Attorney General Doug Gansler. The state's new law permitting same sex marriages takes effect on January 1st... but instead of waiting until the courts re-open on January 2nd after the New Year's holiday, same sex couples will be allowed to begin seeking licences tomorrow... and they'll be allowed get married at the stroke of midnight, on New Years Day (via our wire service).

The Obama Administration has denied requests for financial aid for hundreds of people who live in the areas of the Eastern Shore hit hardest by Hurricane Sandy. The O'Malley administration says that it will appeal the decision (via the Baltimore Sun).

Former Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon is back on track in repaying court-ordered restitution. The former mayor was ordered to pay 45-thousand dollars to charity, as part a plea-deal on theft and perjury charges that ultimately led her to resign from her job. Last month, it was reported that Dixon was 13-thousand dollars behind those restitution payments... but state officials now say that Dixon's payments are up to date (via our wire service and WBAL).

On today's edition of Inside Maryland Politics, WYPR Senior News Analyst Fraser Smith talks to The Daily Record's Alexander Pyles about the politics and the potential for collaboration between University of Maryland College Park and University of Maryland Baltimore School of Law.

A Circuit Court Judge in Prince George's County is expected to issue a ruling today on what should happen to the seat in the House of Delegates formerly held by Tiffany Alston (via the Gazette and the Baltimore Sun). 

Maryland Senators Barbara Mikulski and Ben Cardin are joining Kansas Senator Jerry Moran in another effort to win the release of a government contractor from Potomac, who has now been detained in a Cuban jail for three years (via our wire service and the Washington Post).

When the Montgomery County Council voted in new officers Tuesday, the chamber unanimously elected councilwoman Nancy Navarro to be its president. That makes her the first Latina council president in Montgomery's history. Craig Rice, a former state delegate, was elected to be the County Council's new vice president (via our wire service, the Washington Post and the Gazette). 

Leadership posts were also determined yesterday in the Prince George's County Council -- where councilwoman Andrea Harrison was selected for a second term as Council Chair on a 5 to 4 vote. This will be the sixth time in PG history that the same person will chair the Council for sucessive one-year tearms (via the Washington Post).

Montgomery County councilman Phil Andrews is calling for tolls to be reduced on the Intercounty Connector so more drivers will use the new road. Andrews is asking that toll to be cut in half for a year, and has sent a letter to the Acting Chairman of the Maryland Transportation Authority with his proposal (via our wire service and the Baltimore Sun).

A new economic impact report says that the National Aquarium has generated about $320-million for the Baltimore/Washington region in the past year (via the Baltimore Sun).

The Frederick County Commissioners have approved higher water and sewer rates for most people who use the services (via the Frederick News Post).

An audit has turned up issues with the Maryland Public Broadcasting Commission, the panel that controls the broadcast licenses for Maryland Public Television (via our wire service and the Baltimore Sun). WYPR is not affiliated with Maryland Public Television or the Maryland Public Broadcasting Commission.