Ryan E. Little

The Daily Times • April 27 2020

Larry Hogan's future now tied to Maryland's economic recovery from COVID-19 pandemic

Grappling with the greatest test of his term, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan has been lauded for his leadership by experts who say his focus on facts and the future have saved lives during the coronavirus pandemic.

Longtime Hogan watchers say he has managed a diplomatic minefield well while leading the National Governors Association, and walking a fine line when he criticizes the federal response by rarely saying anything negative about President Donald Trump or Vice President Mike Pence by name.

Annapolis, MD Patch • February 29 2020

MD Coronavirus: Shipping Economy Could Soon Feel Strain

By Ryan E. Little and Jeff Barnes, Capital News Service

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Marylanders might notice fewer goods in stores by mid-March or April due to the effects of the novel coronavirus on the global supply chain, the acting director of the Port of Baltimore told lawmakers Friday. An expected shipment to the Port of Baltimore has been cancelled for the first time because of the virus — due to a lack of goods.

Meanwhile, state leaders in Annapolis are urging Marylanders not to panic. The ship, w

CNS Maryland • February 27 2020

Ex-Baltimore mayor gets three years for ‘Healthy Holly’ fraud

BALTIMORE — Former Baltimore mayor and “Healthy Holly” author Catherine Pugh, who wrote her own downfall by fraudulently selling children’s books to organizations with which she was politically connected, was sentenced to three years in federal prison on Thursday.

Pugh must also forfeit the Baltimore home she holed-up in last year as the scandal grew. The home is part of a $669,688 forfeiture order imposed on her in addition to the $411,948 restitution she must repay after her release.

The sen

February 16 2020

Bill Would Expand Maryland In Vitro Insurance To Cover Unwed Women

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — A Maryland mandate that health insurance plans pay for in vitro fertilization doesn’t cover unwed women.

But a bill filed in the General Assembly and supported by the Women’s Law Center of Maryland aims to end the state’s distinction of a woman’s marital status, expanding coverage under certain insurance plans that is already offered to heterosexual and homosexual couples.

The bill would also decrease the time any woman must try and fail to conceive by other methods before ins

AP News • February 7 2020

Bills would create exemptions for teen ‘sexting’ in Maryland

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Teens could be exempted from Maryland’s child pornography laws in certain cases if the General Assembly passes any one of four bills filed this session.

Lawmakers want to decriminalize teen “sexting,” a practice that arose with the mass adoption of smartphones and that experts say is fairly common among teenagers.

But legislators will have to do more than protect teenagers from prosecution under established laws written to protect them from adult predators.

The Baltimore Sun • January 16 2020

Proposed rule could limit the number of bills senators can file

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Senate bills may become a hot commodity in Maryland if a rule proposed this week is enacted.

The Senate Rules Committee is planning to meet Friday to consider limiting the number of bills any one senator can propose in the yearly 90-day session of the state’s General Assembly.

The busiest senators have proposed more than 40 bills in past years. Sen. Michael Hough, R-Frederick and Carroll, wants to cut that to no more than 20.

CNS Maryland • January 16 2020

Proposed rule could limit the number of bills senators can file

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Senate bills may become a hot commodity if a rule proposed this week is enacted.

The Senate Rules Committee is planning to meet Friday to consider limiting the number of bills any one senator can propose in the yearly 90-day session of the state’s General Assembly.

The most busy senators have proposed more than 40 bills in past years. Sen. Michael Hough, R-Frederick and Carroll, wants to cut that to no more than 20.

“Because we hear every bill (in a committee), our time is

CNS Maryland • January 15 2020

Housing, guns bills priority of new Maryland Senate committee chairman

ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND — A bill that would make it illegal for landlords to discriminate against voucher holders is the top priority of the new chairman of the state’s powerful Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee.

Sen. William “Will” Smith Jr., D-Montgomery, will also push to require background checks for private sales of rifles and shotguns, appropriate more funds to hire state prosecutors and address racial disparities in the state’s prison population.

Smith sponsored but withdrew the housing

CNS Maryland • January 14 2020

Hogan: Fighting Baltimore crime a priority in new Maryland budget

ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND — The governor’s 2021 budget will prioritize fighting violent crime in Baltimore, provide “record levels” of education funding and finish paying for a major economic development project.

Gov. Larry Hogan, R, released the details of his “Accountability Budget” at a news conference on Tuesday morning. The full text of the $47.9 billion budget isn’t expected until Wednesday, but Hogan touted the highlights that include a 1% increase in expenditures with no new taxes.

Hogan sai