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No word on whether Leggett will sign minimum wage increase
Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett hasn’t revealed whether he’ll sign the minimum wage increase approved Tuesday by the County Council. A group of demonstrators urged Leggett to endorse the $15-per-hour wage measure supported by five out of nine council members. Leggett must sign or veto the legislation by Jan. 27, or he could refrain from taking any action and let the proposal become law. The county executive has expressed concern the rate hike would burden local employers. [The Washington Post]
Midway through his first term, Hogan has about $5 million in campaign funds
Republican Gov. Larry Hogan has more than $5 million in his campaign war chest that he could spend on a re-election bid in 2018. Campaign finance disclosures filed Thursday show Hogan and Lt. Gov. Boyd Rutherford hauled in about $4.5 million in 2016. By contrast, former Gov. Martin O’Malley, a Democrat, had about $1.7 million available for his campaign at the same point in his first term. A consultant for Hogan wrote the governor’s campaign was surpassing its goals, according to a memo obtained by The Washington Post. [The Washington Post]
Frosh and other attorneys general reject Trump’s DOJ nominee
Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh has joined attorneys general from five other states to oppose the appointment of President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the U.S. Department of Justice. A letter signed by the six leading lawyers states they harbor doubt that Sen. Jeff Sessions would “diligently and fairly enforce all laws protective of civil rights, public safety, health and welfare” as the nation’s attorney general. The letter also referenced Session’s past statements that the state attorneys general believe were bigoted. [CBS Baltimore]
Van Hollen comes out against DeVos for education secretary
U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen on Thursday announced he rejects Trump’s nomination of Betsy DeVos as education secretary. In a Facebook post, Van Hollen wrote that DeVos shows a “concerning lack of knowledge of some of the most important issues in the education community.” He added that he feels she supports school voucher programs and for-profit charter schools above public education. Her statements about guns in schools and education for children with disabilities also concerned Van Hollen, he said. [Facebook]
Wet, mild weather anticipated for Friday
Area weather is expected to be rainy until mid-afternoon, according to the National Weather Service. The temperature will reach about 47 degrees. As night falls, the rain will turn to drizzle and fog, and lows will be about 43 degrees.
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