https://chestertownspy.org Nonpartisan and Education-based News for Chestertown Thu, 08 May 2025 14:52:42 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/05/08/bumps-ahead-trump-administration-evaluating-marylands-authority-to-set-medicare-rates/ https://chestertownspy.org/2025/05/08/bumps-ahead-trump-administration-evaluating-marylands-authority-to-set-medicare-rates/#respond Thu, 08 May 2025 13:00:25 +0000 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/05/08/bumps-ahead-trump-administration-evaluating-marylands-authority-to-set-medicare-rates/ The Trump administration has signaled an interest in reining in Maryland’s ability to set rates for Medicare services – an authority the state has held for about 40 years. Maryland’s system, unusual among states, gives the state significant say over the costs of health care services across different coverage plans to keep costs low and […]]]> https://chestertownspy.org/2025/05/08/bumps-ahead-trump-administration-evaluating-marylands-authority-to-set-medicare-rates/feed/ 0 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/05/07/blueprint-bill-that-avoids-some-of-the-most-severe-education-cuts-is-signed-into-law/ https://chestertownspy.org/2025/05/07/blueprint-bill-that-avoids-some-of-the-most-severe-education-cuts-is-signed-into-law/#comments Wed, 07 May 2025 13:00:06 +0000 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/05/07/blueprint-bill-that-avoids-some-of-the-most-severe-education-cuts-is-signed-into-law/ Even as changes to the state’s education reform act were being signed into law Tuesday, state officials and advocates were already talking about changes they want to see next in the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. The debate over House Bill 504 – the Excellence in Maryland Public Schools Act – was among the sharpest in […]]]> https://chestertownspy.org/2025/05/07/blueprint-bill-that-avoids-some-of-the-most-severe-education-cuts-is-signed-into-law/feed/ 1 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/05/03/banker-blast-owner-ed-hale-preparing-a-2026-challenge-to-wes-moore/ https://chestertownspy.org/2025/05/03/banker-blast-owner-ed-hale-preparing-a-2026-challenge-to-wes-moore/#comments Sat, 03 May 2025 11:00:50 +0000 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/05/03/banker-blast-owner-ed-hale-preparing-a-2026-challenge-to-wes-moore/ As far as Ed Hale is concerned, it’s all over but the paperwork. Hale, the current owner of the Baltimore Blast indoor soccer team and a longtime city banker and business owner, said he is committed to mounting a Democratic primary challenge in 2026 to Gov. Wes Moore (D), at the urging of friends who […]]]> https://chestertownspy.org/2025/05/03/banker-blast-owner-ed-hale-preparing-a-2026-challenge-to-wes-moore/feed/ 1 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/05/02/jake-day-eyes-challenge-on-eastern-shore-to-gop-rep-andy-harris/ https://chestertownspy.org/2025/05/02/jake-day-eyes-challenge-on-eastern-shore-to-gop-rep-andy-harris/#comments Fri, 02 May 2025 18:07:51 +0000 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/05/01/jake-day-eyes-challenge-on-eastern-shore-to-gop-rep-andy-harris/ Jake Day, the secretary at the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, is beginning to raise money for a possible challenge to U.S. Rep. Andy Harris (R-1st), Maryland Matters has learned. At the urging of leading Democrats, Day, a former mayor of Salisbury and one of the most high-profile members of Gov. Wes Moore’s […]]]> https://chestertownspy.org/2025/05/02/jake-day-eyes-challenge-on-eastern-shore-to-gop-rep-andy-harris/feed/ 1 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/04/25/board-of-public-works-reaffirms-state-property-tax-rate-at-current-rate/ https://chestertownspy.org/2025/04/25/board-of-public-works-reaffirms-state-property-tax-rate-at-current-rate/#respond Fri, 25 Apr 2025 13:00:15 +0000 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/04/25/board-of-public-works-reaffirms-state-property-tax-rate-at-current-rate/ Maryland property owners will not see an increase in the state share of the property tax rate next year, when the rate will hold steady at the same level it’s been since 2007. The three-member Board of Public Works voted unanimously, and without debate, Wednesday to approve a recommendation to hold taxes on commercial and […]]]> https://chestertownspy.org/2025/04/25/board-of-public-works-reaffirms-state-property-tax-rate-at-current-rate/feed/ 0 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/04/25/federal-judge-in-maryland-blocks-plan-by-trump-administration-to-ban-dei-in-schools/ https://chestertownspy.org/2025/04/25/federal-judge-in-maryland-blocks-plan-by-trump-administration-to-ban-dei-in-schools/#respond Fri, 25 Apr 2025 10:00:46 +0000 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/04/25/federal-judge-in-maryland-blocks-plan-by-trump-administration-to-ban-dei-in-schools/ A federal judge in Maryland temporarily blocked the U.S. Department of Education’s attempt to end diversity, equity and inclusion practices in schools by threatening to withhold federal funding from those that refuse to comply. U.S. District Judge Stephanie Gallagher in Baltimore wrote Thursday that the court isn’t required to assess whether policies from the department […]]]> https://chestertownspy.org/2025/04/25/federal-judge-in-maryland-blocks-plan-by-trump-administration-to-ban-dei-in-schools/feed/ 0 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/04/20/up-to-100000-marylanders-could-lose-coverage-if-medicaid-imposes-work-requirements/ https://chestertownspy.org/2025/04/20/up-to-100000-marylanders-could-lose-coverage-if-medicaid-imposes-work-requirements/#respond Sun, 20 Apr 2025 12:00:13 +0000 https://chestertownspy.org/?p=183747 As many as 109,000 Marylanders could get thrown off Medicaid if Congress follows through on a proposal to impose a work requirement for the coverage, according to a new report. The report from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation comes as some lawmakers are looking for ways to cut billions in federal spending in coming years. […]]]> https://chestertownspy.org/2025/04/20/up-to-100000-marylanders-could-lose-coverage-if-medicaid-imposes-work-requirements/feed/ 0 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/04/16/nonprofits-report-calls-for-broad-based-approach-to-improving-reading-scores/ https://chestertownspy.org/2025/04/16/nonprofits-report-calls-for-broad-based-approach-to-improving-reading-scores/#respond Wed, 16 Apr 2025 13:00:33 +0000 https://chestertownspy.org/?p=183635   Alice Tickler tries to stay positive when it comes to educating young children, but the longtime teacher admits there are some things that can make it hard — and it’s not anything the students do. Things like the legislature’s failure to fund a training program, specifically for reading and math teachers. As a teacher […]]]> https://chestertownspy.org/2025/04/16/nonprofits-report-calls-for-broad-based-approach-to-improving-reading-scores/feed/ 0 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/04/15/local-farmers-food-banks-plan-for-potential-blow-to-food-assistance-output-from-trump-cut/ https://chestertownspy.org/2025/04/15/local-farmers-food-banks-plan-for-potential-blow-to-food-assistance-output-from-trump-cut/#comments Tue, 15 Apr 2025 13:00:12 +0000 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/04/15/local-farmers-food-banks-plan-for-potential-blow-to-food-assistance-output-from-trump-cut/ Jesse Albright, along with his brother and father, has been operating Albright Farms in Baltimore County for decades, producing beef, pork and, more recently, eggs. But Albright is one of dozens of local farmers who may lose significant business opportunities due to a recent decision to end a federal program that helps food pantries buy […]]]> https://chestertownspy.org/2025/04/15/local-farmers-food-banks-plan-for-potential-blow-to-food-assistance-output-from-trump-cut/feed/ 1 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/04/10/house-senate-ratify-budget-compromise-on-final-day/ https://chestertownspy.org/2025/04/10/house-senate-ratify-budget-compromise-on-final-day/#respond Thu, 10 Apr 2025 13:00:07 +0000 https://chestertownspy.org/?p=183506 Passing a budget took longer than usual this year. This time, however, it was ongoing federal budget cuts and a congressional debate over spending that dragged on and had fiscal leaders making corrections in real time. The House and then the Senate on Monday ratified a conference committee agreement on a $67 billion overall spending […]]]> https://chestertownspy.org/2025/04/10/house-senate-ratify-budget-compromise-on-final-day/feed/ 0 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/04/04/house-rejects-gop-amendments-gives-final-approval-to-bill-creating-reparations-commission/ https://chestertownspy.org/2025/04/04/house-rejects-gop-amendments-gives-final-approval-to-bill-creating-reparations-commission/#respond Fri, 04 Apr 2025 12:00:18 +0000 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/04/04/house-rejects-gop-amendments-gives-final-approval-to-bill-creating-reparations-commission/ It’s done. The House of Delegates gave final approval Wednesday evening to a bill that would create a Maryland Reparations Commission, sending the measure to the governor for his signature. The 101-36 party-line vote would make Maryland one of the few states in the nation with a statewide body to study the inequality endured by […]]]> https://chestertownspy.org/2025/04/04/house-rejects-gop-amendments-gives-final-approval-to-bill-creating-reparations-commission/feed/ 0 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/04/04/states-ordered-by-u-s-education-department-to-certify-school-dei-ban-or-lose-funds/ https://chestertownspy.org/2025/04/04/states-ordered-by-u-s-education-department-to-certify-school-dei-ban-or-lose-funds/#respond Fri, 04 Apr 2025 12:00:12 +0000 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/04/04/states-ordered-by-u-s-education-department-to-certify-school-dei-ban-or-lose-funds/ This story was updated at 6:44 p.m. EDT. WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Education demanded in a letter to state education leaders on Thursday that they certify all K-12 schools in their states are complying with an earlier Dear Colleague letter banning diversity, equity and inclusion practices if they want to keep receiving federal financial […]]]> https://chestertownspy.org/2025/04/04/states-ordered-by-u-s-education-department-to-certify-school-dei-ban-or-lose-funds/feed/ 0 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/04/01/maryland-faces-418-million-catastrophic-loss-in-pandemic-era-relief-funds/ https://chestertownspy.org/2025/04/01/maryland-faces-418-million-catastrophic-loss-in-pandemic-era-relief-funds/#respond Tue, 01 Apr 2025 12:00:04 +0000 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/04/01/maryland-faces-418-million-catastrophic-loss-in-pandemic-era-relief-funds/ The U.S. Department of Education told states Friday that it was canceling previous approvals to spend down remaining COVID-19 recovery funds, a change that could mean $418 million to the Maryland Department of Education. The change was announced in a letter from U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon that was dated Friday at 5 p.m., and […]]]> https://chestertownspy.org/2025/04/01/maryland-faces-418-million-catastrophic-loss-in-pandemic-era-relief-funds/feed/ 0 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/03/28/sheriffs-defend-cooperation-with-federal-officials-on-immigration-enforcement/ https://chestertownspy.org/2025/03/28/sheriffs-defend-cooperation-with-federal-officials-on-immigration-enforcement/#comments Fri, 28 Mar 2025 11:00:36 +0000 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/03/28/sheriffs-defend-cooperation-with-federal-officials-on-immigration-enforcement/ Supporters of a bill that would force sheriff’s departments to cancel agreements with federal immigration officials said deputies could still enforce the law just as effectively — they would just not be doing so as an extension of federal authorities. “There are counties that do not have these formal agreements that still cooperate with ICE […]]]> https://chestertownspy.org/2025/03/28/sheriffs-defend-cooperation-with-federal-officials-on-immigration-enforcement/feed/ 3 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/03/27/tensions-boil-over-in-shouting-match-during-final-house-vote-on-fiscal-2026-budget/ https://chestertownspy.org/2025/03/27/tensions-boil-over-in-shouting-match-during-final-house-vote-on-fiscal-2026-budget/#respond Thu, 27 Mar 2025 11:30:38 +0000 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/03/27/tensions-boil-over-in-shouting-match-during-final-house-vote-on-fiscal-2026-budget/ There were repeated references to “my friend” from here or “the gentle lady” from there, but the niceties were overpowered by the shouting and the finger-pointing Wednesday during a second day of debate on the fiscal 2026 budget. The House ultimately approved the $67 billion budget for next year, after three hours of debate — […]]]> https://chestertownspy.org/2025/03/27/tensions-boil-over-in-shouting-match-during-final-house-vote-on-fiscal-2026-budget/feed/ 0 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/03/24/developmental-disability-community-tentatively-exuberant-at-restored-funding/ https://chestertownspy.org/2025/03/24/developmental-disability-community-tentatively-exuberant-at-restored-funding/#respond Mon, 24 Mar 2025 10:00:24 +0000 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/03/24/developmental-disability-community-tentatively-exuberant-at-restored-funding/ Weeks of persistent lobbying, heart-wrenching public testimony and rallies that brought hundreds to the State House apparently paid off, with legislative leaders signaling an agreement last week to restore hundreds of millions of proposed cuts to the Developmental Disabilities Administration. That promise was confirmed within the hour Thursday, when the House Appropriations Committee voted to […]]]> https://chestertownspy.org/2025/03/24/developmental-disability-community-tentatively-exuberant-at-restored-funding/feed/ 0 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/03/22/md-senate-panels-vote-on-blueprint-bill-straddles-house-administration-versions/ https://chestertownspy.org/2025/03/22/md-senate-panels-vote-on-blueprint-bill-straddles-house-administration-versions/#respond Sat, 22 Mar 2025 17:38:26 +0000 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/03/22/md-senate-panels-vote-on-blueprint-bill-straddles-house-administration-versions/ A Senate committee advanced parts of Maryland’s sweeping education reform plan Friday, splitting the difference between versions of the bill advanced by the House and the Moore administration and setting up a showdown in the waning days of the legislature. The Senate Budget and Taxation Committee approved a four-year pause in the start of funding […]]]> https://chestertownspy.org/2025/03/22/md-senate-panels-vote-on-blueprint-bill-straddles-house-administration-versions/feed/ 0 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/03/21/budget-agreement-could-generate-more-than-1-billion-in-new-revenue/ https://chestertownspy.org/2025/03/21/budget-agreement-could-generate-more-than-1-billion-in-new-revenue/#respond Fri, 21 Mar 2025 15:00:17 +0000 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/03/21/budget-agreement-could-generate-more-than-1-billion-in-new-revenue/  House Speaker Adrienne Jones (center), Gov. Wes Moore and Senate President Bill Ferguson announced an agreement to a budget framework Thursday, as the legislative session enters its last 18 days. (Photo by Bryan P. Sears/Maryland Matters) A compromise spending plan for the coming budget year includes more than $1 billion in tax increases, including a […]]]> https://chestertownspy.org/2025/03/21/budget-agreement-could-generate-more-than-1-billion-in-new-revenue/feed/ 0 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/03/13/house-approves-blueprint-education-bill-that-rejects-most-cuts-proposed-by-governor/ https://chestertownspy.org/2025/03/13/house-approves-blueprint-education-bill-that-rejects-most-cuts-proposed-by-governor/#respond Thu, 13 Mar 2025 10:00:21 +0000 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/03/13/house-approves-blueprint-education-bill-that-rejects-most-cuts-proposed-by-governor/ As expected, the House of Delegates approved an amended, comprehensive education plan Tuesday night that rejected cuts proposed by Gov. Wes Moore (D). The 100-39 party-line vote sets up a potential showdown with the Senate over the Excellence in Maryland Public Schools Act. Senate leaders have indicated that, in the face of a projected $3 […]]]> https://chestertownspy.org/2025/03/13/house-approves-blueprint-education-bill-that-rejects-most-cuts-proposed-by-governor/feed/ 0 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/03/12/ferguson-warns-of-maryland-recession/ https://chestertownspy.org/2025/03/12/ferguson-warns-of-maryland-recession/#respond Wed, 12 Mar 2025 12:29:12 +0000 https://chestertownspy.org/2025/03/12/ferguson-warns-of-maryland-recession/ Maryland’s Senate president warned of a “Maryland recession” Tuesday, after a top bond rating agency released a report highlighting the state’s unique vulnerability to federal budget and employment cuts coming from the Trump administration. “We have to brace for a Maryland recession. That is the news that we are receiving,” Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore) […]]]> https://chestertownspy.org/2025/03/12/ferguson-warns-of-maryland-recession/feed/ 0