Maryland legislature passes medical system overhaul, climate change legislation on final day
On its final day of session, the Maryland General Assembly Monday passed a series of reforms aimed at overhauling University of Maryland Medical System board that included replacing some members, adding more financial disclosure regulations and prohibiting single-source contracts.
Lawmakers also passed the Clean Energy Jobs Act on Monday, which requires that utilities’ portfolios include 50% renewable energy sources by 2030, which was sponsored by Sen. Brian Feldman, a Montgomery County Democrat.
On the education front, legislators failed to pass a school construction bill due to differences between the House and Senate versions. [Maryland Matters]
House speaker successor will likely not be chosen for a few weeks
The Maryland House of Delegates will call a special session either later this month or at the beginning of May to choose a successor to the late House speaker Michael E. Busch, who died Sunday at the age of 72. Lawmakers said little about succession plans for Busch on Monday, the final day of session, out of respect for the late speaker. Del. Eric Luedtke (D-Montgomery), the House Democratic Caucus chair, said the date for the special session will depend on legislators’ availability. [Maryland Matters].
Trial begins for Bethesda man who dug tunnels
A trial is expected to begin this week in Montgomery County Circuit Court for Daniel Beckwitt, a 27-year-old millionaire who is charged with second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter in connection with the September 2017 death of 21-year-old Askia Khafra. Beckwitt is accused of having enlisted Khafra’s help in digging the tunnels beneath his Bethesda home when a fire erupted. [WTOP].
Clarksburg High senior accepted to seven Ivy League schools
Sienna Williams, a senior at Clarksburg High School, has been accepted to seven Ivy League universities and 11 of the 13 schools she applied to overall. Williams has received nearly $300,000 in scholarship offers. [WTOP]
Today’s weather
Temperatures are expected to reach 80 degrees Tuesday with partly cloudy skies. Overnight temperatures will cool to around 50 degrees.
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