New Maryland Laws Go Into Effect on July 1
Laws passed during the most recent General Assembly session will go into effect on July 1. Some of the more than 300 news laws include:
- Easing the construction and development of data centers
- Reforming the state’s juvenile justice system
- A grant to provide security for abortion clinics
- Preventing books from being banned for ideological or partisan reasons
- Creating a state 988 number for mental health crises
- Grants for nonprofits in areas of concentrated child poverty
- Banning the speculative sale of event tickets
- Ban the use of a vape while indoors, in transit, or the workplace
- Ban the use of legacy or donor status for admission to public colleges
A more comprehensive list of bills going into effect is available here.
Congressional Delegation Secures Transit Victories
State House and Senate members are working to secure congressional funding to address local transportation issues and needs.
Maryland Democratic U.S. Sens. Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-Md.) announced over $650,000 in funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation to develop comprehensive safety action plans aimed at preventing serious injury and fatal roadway crashes in Laurel and New Carrollton on June 5.
“On behalf of our entire community, I want to thank the Department of Transportation for awarding us the Safe Streets and Roads for All grant,” said Mayor Keith R. Sydnor, Laurel’s first Black Mayor. “This grant represents a significant step forward in our commitment to improving road safety and enhancing the quality of life for all our residents. With this funding, we will implement critical infrastructure improvements that will make our streets safer for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike.”
On June 13, an additional $1.3 million was announced to improve accessibility at the University of Maryland- College Park’s MARC stop. These renovations will include new 600-foot, low-level platforms that allow riders to easily board and depart at the station and additional safety protections in and around the station that will directly meet the needs of passengers with disabilities.
“Accessible public transportation is vital to Marylanders. It helps them get to work, enjoy leisure time and strengthens our economy. Improving our MARC station in College Park gives opportunities for people with disabilities to go more places and do more,” said Ivey. “I commend Senators Cardin and Van Hollen for shepherding this money through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Equal access for all starts with making transit a real and easier option.”
Accessible transportations is core to the Maryland Department of Transportation’s (MDOT’s) mission, according to Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld, who also noted the importance of the funding in advancing the agency’s work.
“This funding will help advance our efforts to build low-level platforms for riders to easily access trains as well as added safety protections,” Weidefeld said. “The funding further supports building an integrated, multi-modal hub in College Park that will connect the MARC Camden Line station to WMATA and the future Purple Line. Thank you to Team Maryland’s federal delegation for supporting this grant and our work to further connect all of our passengers to opportunities.”
Gas Tax To Slightly Decrease in July
Maryland’s gas tax will decrease by almost 1 cent to 46.10 cents per gallon on July 1, in a slight relief to consumers. This is the third such decrease since the 2013 passage of a law to link the gas tax rate to inflation.
Each year, the Comptroller sets and announces the new gas tax rate by June 1 to implement on July 1. Last July, the gas tax rate went up almost 7 cents per gallon due to high inflation rates.
“Due to a decrease in pre-tax gasoline prices, the Sales and Use Tax Equivalent decreases by 2.0 cents per gallon,” Bureau of Revenue Estimates Director Robert Rehrmann wrote in a letter to Gov. Wes Moore (D) and legislative leaders. “The new rates, as a result of slower inflation and lower fuel prices, decrease by 0.9 cents per gallon.”
Alsobrooks Leads Hogan in Post-Primary Polling
In the most recent Senate polling between Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks (D) and former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R), Alsobrooks is leading by a double-digit margin in both polling and favorability.
Public Policy Polling measured Alsobrooks’ support at 45% compared to Hogan’s 34%, with minor candidates receiving 5% support and less than 20% of voters remaining undecided.
Shortly before the primary, the same polling firm measured a nine-point lead for Alsobrooks, at 46% support to Hogan’s 37%.
An Emerson College poll in May also had Alsobrooks ahead of Hogan, 48% to 38%.
Hogan, who has historically relied upon Democratic and independent voters to win statewide races, currently has the support of 15% of Democrats in this poll. Meanwhile, many conservative Republicans who are critical of aspects of Hogan’s record view him unfavorably in spite of the Trump endorsement.
Alsobrooks has consistently shown her support for upholding reproductive rights and has tied Hogan to former President Trump’s quest for a legislative majority in the Senate, while Hogan has focused on concerns regarding crime, taxes, and immigration.
Alsobrooks has been endorsed by Vice President Kamala Harris (D), Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D), and national organizations Planned Parenthood and Higher Heights.
Hogan has been endorsed by presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump (R), Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R), and former Judiciary Committee Chairman Bobby Zirkin (D).