The county council voted Monday to limit commercial property owners’ fees at 25 percent of their property tax bill and phase in homeowners’ fees.

The Capital of Annapolis reports that property owners with bills of $500 or more will pay 60 percent in 2014, 80 percent in 2015 and 100 percent in 2016.

The changes respond to protests to a bill passed over the county executive’s veto last month.

A General Assembly bill passed last year directs 10 jurisdictions, including Anne Arundel County, to establish the fee to pay for Chesapeake Bay watershed cleanup by July 1 or face fines.

The council will consider four more bills that would cut the fees further.
——
(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Joseph Gill will be formally sworn in on Tuesday in Annapolis. Gill replaces John Griffin, who will be working as O’Malley’s chief of staff.

Gill has been serving as deputy secretary at the agency.

Before that, he was DNR’s assistant attorney general for 14 years. In that capacity, he managed a team of nine lawyers who represent the department and its employees on all legal issues.

Gill worked on developing the Rural Legacy Program, which provides money to protect large tracts of land from development, among other things. He also recently led the development of a more aggressive penalty system for natural resources violators.

(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Denise Koch has details on the new ad.

The ad is part of a campaign by gun control bill supporters, who want to tell Marylanders they believe the law will be effective in preventing gun violence.

Governor Martin O’Malley’s signature on the Firearm Safety Act means it’s scheduled to take effect on October 1—but it is signatures on a referendum petition that could stop the law for another 18 months when voters would decide whether to shoot down the law, which bans assault weapons purchases, puts a 10 round limit on magazines and requires handgun purchasers to go through fingerprinting, firearms training and pay licensing and renewal fees.

Petition supporters say momentum is on their side.

“My guess is we’ll get well over a hundred thousand, at least,” said Larry Helminiak. “People can’t wait to sign it.”

Now, supporters of the law are fighting back.

A new ad campaign is launching this week, supporting the law, claiming it reduces gun violence by getting weapons out of the hands of criminals.

The NRA is supporting a court challenge to overturn the law, rather than a petition referendum.

The ad is paid for by the Marylanders to Prevent Gun Violence Education Fund.

That’s according to an investigation by WAMU-FM, which examined the political contributions of developers who’ve received subsidies from the city.

WAMU found that groups receiving subsidies gave more than $2.5 million to political campaigns in the district. Nearly half of the donors used multiple affiliates to contribute, and 19 of them had more than 10 affiliates. District law allows for businesspeople to make donations from multiple limited-liability corporations.

The 10 developers that donated the most were part of teams that received $641 million in subsidies.
——
(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Center of Baltimore and Central Maryland, which organizes the celebration, announced last week that Rawlings-Blake would serve as grand marshal for the event in recognition of her support of gay rights.

The mayor will also preside over a mass wedding at this year’s event in Druid Hill Park on June 16. Wedding organizers say they’ve heard from same-sex couples from around the country who are interested in participating in the mass wedding.
Rawlings-Blake officiated same-sex weddings at City Hall when they became legal Jan. 1.

(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

WJZ has exclusive video of the new ad supporting the governor’s law.

Derek Valcourt has more on the push to change the law, and the governor’s new campaign.

With the referendum effort in full swing, the ads are aimed at boosting support for the new gun law and the politicians who backed it.

Governor O’Malley’s signature on the Firearm Safety Act means it’s scheduled to take effect October 1. But it is signatures on a referendum petition that could stop the law for another 18 months.

That’s when voters would decide whether to shoot down the law, which bans assault weapons purchases, puts a ten round limit on magazines and requires handgun purchasers to go through fingerprinting, firearms training and pay licensing and renewal fees.

Petition supporters say momentum is on their side.

“My guess is we’ll get well over 100,000, at least 100,000. People just can’t wait to sign it,” said Larry Helminiak, petition supporter.

Facing such staunch opposition, supporters of the law are fighting back.

“Something had to be done and here in Maryland we stood up,” the ad said.

WJZ has an exclusive look at a new ad campaign launching this week supporting the law, claiming it reduces gun violence by getting weapons out of the hands of criminals.

“With a fingerprint licensing law, that 68% of gun owners like me support. A requirement that’s reduced gun crimes in the five states where it’s the law,” the ad said. “It will work for Maryland and it could work for the entire country.”

The NRA has decided to support a court challenge to overturn the law, rather than a petition referendum, but the petition organizer said she doesn’t want to leave the fate of the new gun law up to the courts.

“And I thought that the citizens of Maryland deserved a voice on this issue,” said Sue Payne, Freestatepetitions.com.

So for now, the gun battle rages on.

Backers of the referendum have until the end of May to collect about 18,000 signature, and then another 38,000 by the end of June.

If the referendum is approved, it would go before voters in November, 2014.

Adam May reports.

Everyone attending the graduation ceremony at Morehouse College in Atlanta knew President Obama was the keynote speaker.

But Leland Shelton had no idea the commander-in-chief was about to share his inspirational story.

“When Leland Shelton was four-years-old, Social Services took him away from his mother and put him in the care of his grandparents. By age 14, he was in the foster care system,” the president said.

“And today he is graduating Phi Beta Kappa on his way to Harvard Law School,” he continued.

Shelton told WJZ he was shocked, a date to remember forever, fighting back tears.

“I knew if I started crying, my family wouldn’t be able to take it,” Shelton said.

Shelton graduated from Baltimore’s City College in 2009.

And he’s a member of a national foster care advisory group, now helping other foster children.

“I see Baltimore as a city with a great future, because if a kid like me can do what I’ve done and plan to do in life, I know there are many other kids in Baltimore who can do the same thing,” said Shelton.

Shelton got a scholarship from Black Professional Men, Inc. of Baltimore.

“For the president of the United States to make a statement of that magnitude, he was in a state of shock. We’re all still in a state of shock right now,” said Rod L. Carter, Black Professional Men, Inc.

Shelton told WJZ he’s thinking he might want to hold some sort of elected office someday to help children in Baltimore.

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake will preside over a mass wedding at this year’s Baltimore Pride Celebration in Mount Vernon.

In November, Maryland became one of the first states to have same-sex marriage approved by voters in a referendum.

The mass wedding is planned for June 16.

But for one Baltimore senior, the speech was personal.

Christie Ileto has more from the young lady who Michelle Obama mentioned by name.

Graduating from college is the pinnacle of these 600 Bowie State seniors’ college careers. But getting a sendoff from the first lady of the United States Friday, that’s something to remember.

And for Baltimore native Ariel Williams-Edwards, it’s personal.

“Oh my goodness! That’s what went ran my mind. I can’t believe she’s mentioning my name!” said Williams-Edwards.

Michelle Obama championed Williams-Edwards beating the odds. She’s an honor student who had many family challenges, including a parent struggling with substance abuse.

“But Ariel decided to draw inspiration from her struggle,” the first lady said.

The First Lady challenged students to live up to the university’s legacy by stressing the importance of education and the need to increase the number of high school and college grads, especially in the African-American community.

“A lot of people my age, they don’t really value education. So it’s really big, it was a really great message,” said Williams-Edwards.

Bowie State University is celebrating its 148th anniversary this year, making it Maryland’s oldest historically black college university.

“Instead of dreaming of being a teacher, a lawyer or a business leader, they’re fantasizing about being a baller or a rapper,” said Michelle Obama.

“It’s just an honor to have the first lady here,” a graduate said.

“A new found inspiration, like she said, and just a new found strength like you can take on the world,” another grad said.

And as for the Class of 2013, they walk away with encouraging words and a pat on the back from the First Lady. A job well done.

This is Michelle Obama’s first time speaking to Bowie State. The president has spoken twice, once in 2006, the other in 2010.

As Alex DeMetrick explains, students and parents at Moravia Park Primary School did not see it coming.

President Obama landed in a field in Northeast Baltimore at about 11:30 a.m.

The White House asked his destination be kept a secret to a Pre-K class at Moravia Park Primary School. The point was to make this a surprise visit for the children.

Students were excited when they caught a glimpse of the president.

“It was surprising to see the president in my school,” said Toi Lyles.

“It was a nice experience to see Barack Obama,” said Cameron Watson.

Cameron also said he forgot what the president had talked about.

But what the Obama administration doesn’t want forgotten is early childhood education.

It’s on the president’s agenda and a specialty of this school.

“Extremely large elementary population, along with an early childhood population. So I think they wanted to take a look at a program that’s been in existence. We have the first Judy center in Baltimore City Schools,” said Assistant Principal William Allen.

It wasn’t until school was over that parents learned of the president’s visit.

“It was really shocking. Happy at the same time,” said parent Tiny Allen.

But word quickly spread along the motorcade route.

“We watched the cars come in and Barack waved to us, so I got some pretty good pictures,” said Brenda.

“I have camera footage of him coming in in the line and pictures. Yep, definitely a memory for me. I was born and raised, I went to the elementary school, so it’s monumental” said parent Andreia Green.

Certainly not your usual day at school.

The president also left a souvenir: his drawing of a tiger for the class.

Related Link: President Obama Arrives In Baltimore To Talk Jobs & Opportunity

Meghan McCorkell has more on the signing and the backlash.

Even though the gun safety measure has already been signed into law, opponents say the fight is not over.

In the wake of the horrors in Newtown, Conn. and Aurora, Colo., Maryland comes out with some of the strongest gun laws in the United States.

“If we want better results, we have to make better choices,” said Governor O’Malley.

With the swipe of a pen, the governor signs the Firearms Safety Act. The law bans assault style weapons and puts a ten round limit on magazines. It also requires fingerprinting for handgun purchasers, firearms training and licensing  and renewal fees.

Supporters of the law say it will keep guns out of the hands of criminals while protecting individual rights.

“There is no infringement on Second Amendment rights with this law. All it does is save lives,” said Vincent DeMarco, President of Marylanders To Prevent Gun Violence.

But opponents disagree. Now some are working to get enough signatures to put the issue on the ballot in November.

Free State Petitions say the effort would at least delay the law from taking effect.

“It stops this bill from becoming law for 18 months and it cannot go into effect until November 2014,” said organizer Sue Payne.

They say the gun control law needs to be repealed.

“This bill is an infringement on citizen rights and an infringement on our freedom,” said Dee Hodges.

“The cities in the United States with the most gun control laws are the most dangerous,” said Larry Helminiak.

The group needs nearly 56,000 signatures by the end of June to get gun control on the ballot.

The NRA is not supporting the petition effort. Instead, they say they’ll fight the law in court.

The Firearms Safety Act is set to take effect on October 1.

—–
And get ready to pay more at the pump. Governor Martin O’Malley also signed into law the first hike in the state’s gas tax in more than 20 years.

Derek Valcourt takes a look at the increase and the reaction to it.

The governor and other lawmakers knew it would be politically unpopular, but it’s a done deal now. The gas tax goes up a little this year, a little more next year, and a little more the year after.

Starting July 1, the gas in your tank will cost about four cents more, thanks in part to the governor’s ink Thursday on the Transportation Infrastructure Investment Act of 2013.

It passed in the General Assembly under mounting pressure to find a way to fund major road and transportation projects.

“As we build up and build out a modern transportation system, it will create an estimated 57,200 jobs over the next six years,” the governor said.

The new law phases in a sales tax on gas that analysts expect will add to the current 23.5 cents gas tax by about four cents this year, about another four cents the year after that, then in 2016, things get tricky.

Not only will the gas tax go up about another four cents, if Congress doesn’t allow states to collect sales tax on online purchases, Maryland will boost the gas tax even more, bringing it to 39.2 cents.

By 2018, you could be paying nearly 45 cents per gallon in taxes.

“When you put 20  gallons of gas in your car, that’s another eight or nine dollars. I think it’s ridiculous,” a driver said.

“It’s a little exorbitant I think,” said another driver.

“Unfortunately, four cents here and four cents there, it’s a lot nowadays,” a woman said.

But some say they’re used to gas prices constantly rising anyway and don’t mind paying more, saying improved roads and less traffic would be worth it.

“I’d rather it go up for that than just to line an oil tycoon’s pockets,” said Nathaniel Sheppard.

When all is said and done, the new gas tax is expected to bring in $800 million n transportation funding each year.

The state has a list of transportation projects they’ve green-lighted as a result of the gas tax increase.

They include:

$82 million for construction — U.S. 15/Monocacy Boulevard interchange in Frederick County, Western Maryland.
$125 million for construction — I-270/Watkins Mill Road interchange in Montgomery County.
$100 million for construction — M.D. 210 at Kerby Hill Road/Livingston Road interchange in Prince George’s County.
$20 million for design — – new Thomas Johnson Bridge in Calvert and St. Mary’s Counties, Southern Maryland.$100 million for MARC enhancements — Penn weekend service, Camden weekday two new round-trips, new locomotives in Baltimore and Washington D.C.
$60 million for construction — I-695 Leeds Avenue interchange reconstruction and bridge replacement in Baltimore County.
$49 million for construction — U.S. 29 Northbound widening to three lanes from Seneca Drive to M.D. 175 in Howard County.
$44 million for construction — Aberdeen Proving Ground BRAC intersection improvement in Harford County.
$54 million for construction — U.S. 301/MD 304 interchange in Queen Anne’s County, Eastern Shore.
Transit funding for final design — Red Line $170 million, Purple Line $280 million, Corridor Cities Transitway $100 million in Baltimore and Washington D.C.

Mike Hellgren tackles the feud and what it means for the governor’s political aspirations.

The sheer outrageousness of the story—inmates impregnating officers and an out-of-control atmosphere behind bars—has gotten national attention. While the governor contends he’s responsible for rooting out that corruption, Bill O’Reilly says the state’s prison chief “sounds like a moron.”

Bill O’Reilly has Governor Martin O’Malley in his crosshairs, sending a crew to target him on the jail scandal. The crew targeted Corrections Chief Secretary Gary Maynard, too.

“He just sounded like a moron,” O’Reilly said.

Maynard has refused interviews with WJZ for weeks on what’s being done to get the Baltimore City Detention Center under control and whether other facilities have similar problems with officers allowing inmates to run wild behind bars—all while Governor O’Malley fends off critics from both parties on the scandal.

“How could this possibly happen? What’s going on? Who’s in charge?” said State Comptroller Peter Franchot.

“Our governor has spent his time focusing on issues that will get him elected in 2016,” said Congressman Nicholaus Kipke.

“Regardless of the cheap shots Bill O’Reilly or other people take when you go after corruption, the fact of the matter is, it’s a lot easier to ignore problems than to paper over them,” O’Malley said.

“Reporting the truth is a cheap shot to you but not to us,” O’Reilly countered.

The governor says he has no desire to fire Secretary Maynard and maintains his administration initiated the federal investigation and he’ll take the heat over it.

“I don’t generally watch Fox but I might come on,” O’Malley said.

Monday, inmate Tavon White, who federal authorities call a gang kingpin, complained about conditions in Cumberland, where he’s being held.

Authorities say White fathered several children with correctional officers while behind bars.

Gov. Martin O’Malley announced Wednesday that he has appointed Weathersbee to the Maryland State Parole Commission.

Weathersbee’s last day on the job is June 11. He will begin serving on the commission the next day.

The governor noted Weathersbee has been a prosecutor for more than 40 years.

Weathersbee became an assistant state’s attorney in 1969. He was appointed to his current post in 1988 and then elected six times.

He is a former president of the Maryland State’s Attorneys Association. He is still a member of the group.

(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Franchot presented the governor with a check for $271 from the comptroller’s unclaimed properties division Wednesday.

O’Malley told the comptroller: “This is the first thing you’ve ever given me.” The remark prompted laughs from people attending the meeting.

The two have had frequent sparring bouts over the years about board decisions.

The money comes from a small amount in royalties the governor receives for his brief speaking role in the movie “Ladder 49.” O’Malley says he’ll donate the money to charity.

Franchot says his office has honored about 54,000 claims from Maryland residents, totaling about $54 million in the last fiscal year. The program returns lost property.

(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

The Takoma Park City Council voted 6-1 on Monday to allow 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in city elections starting in November.

The council also voted to allow convicted felons who have served their time to vote.

Councilman Tim Male, who voted for the measure, told a local TV station that elected officials are trying to make it possible for more people to be part of the city government.

The lone councilmember to vote against the measure wanted the issue put to referendum.

Takoma Park, known as a liberal-leaning community, has a population of about 17,000. The law takes effect in 50 days.

(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Mike Hellgren was in the courtroom for the surprise twist.

Delegate Don Dwyer left court upset and not talking as his lawyer vowed to fight the 30-day jail sentence and $1,000 fine the judge gave him for operating his boat while drunk.

He collided with another boat on the Magothy River last August. Toxicology reports showed his blood alcohol content was three times the legal limit.

Anatasia Moore wept in court as she recounted what she called “nightmare” injuries her children suffered in the accident.

“It’s appalling. I’m appalled and I’m very hurt that when he apologized to the families, he looked straight at the judge and not once looked at us,” Moore said.

Under a deal with a special prosecutor who would not talk about the case, Dwyer thought he would get off without jail time but the judge said, “Those who make laws have the obligation to obey them. When you break the law, you violate the trust of the people. You are held to a higher standard than the average Joe. The state wants to give you a slap on the wrist.”

“The judge has a right to disregard that recommendation [but] it’s rare. He specifically said he did it because Delegate Dwyer is an elected official. We disagree with that decision,” said Dwyer’s lawyer, David Fischer.

Randy Harbin was piloting the other boat and his grandson was injured.

“The judge’s statement that those who make the laws have an obligation to follow them really rang true today,” Harbin said.

Dwyer says he will not step down from his seat and is running for another term.

The judge did not decide who was at fault for the boating accident. He said that was a matter to be hashed out during the civil case.

Jessica Kartalija reports Governor Martin O’Malley visited the set of “House of Cards” to talk about new jobs.

Maryland’s close proximity to Washington makes it a very attractive location for politically-based shows and films and Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey says he loves it here.

After announcing the Netflix series will be back for another season, Kevin Spacey joined the governor to talk about the impact the show has had here in Maryland.

“All the locations we go to and all the vendors we employ and work with has had an instrumental effect on how the show is looked at and perceived,” Spacey said.

That’s a big reason they’re staying—not to mention the state’s film production tax credit.

“The ability to be able to attract not only movies, but I think more importantly a series, like this series,” O’Malley said. “`House of Cards’ employs some 2,000 Marylanders.”

People like Kenneth Morton, who has worked on several productions.

“By being a Baltimorean, I promote Baltimore,” he said. “As long as you are willing to work and have a good work mentality, I can get you a job. I can teach you everything you need to know.”

“House of Cards” generated $140 million its first season, providing 2,200 jobs and using 1,800 vendors. Maryland hopes to match the revenue generated by the series last year.

“I am having the time of my life. We’re enormously pleased that we have landed here in the state of Maryland and have been given such a tremendous welcome,” Spacey said.

The comedy series “VEEP” was also renewed for a third season. Ten new episodes will air next year.

Spacey is the star and executive producer of the Netflix drama series.

The bill received preliminary approval Monday and would require contractors and entities that receive $5 million in assistance for city-subsidized projects to make sure 51 percent of jobs are filled by city residents.

The Daily Record of Baltimore reports that the bill sponsored by Council President Jack Young must be reviewed for final passage at the June 3 council meeting before it goes before Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake for approval.

Council members expressed frustration with the city’s law department over its insistence that the bill is unconstitutional.

City Solicitor George Nilson has said the proposed bill’s goals could be accomplished administratively instead of through legislation.
——
(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Adam May takes a look at how the potential candidates are going after support and money.

“I give you our lieutenant governor and our future governor of Maryland, Anthony Brown,” said Governor Martin O’Malley.

Governor O’Malley’s weekend endorsement of Brown for 2014 may be one of the biggest non-surprises in politics.

But a look around the event at other power-players in Maryland’s Democratic party makes it clear that Brown has a lot of support and that could give him a fundraising edge.

“I ask you to join me on this campaign to become your next governor of the great state of Maryland,” Brown said.

But other potential Democratic candidates include Attorney General Doug Gansler. He reportedly already has more than $5 million in the bank.

For now, Gansler is holding off any announcement.

“It’s 18 months before the election, so I don’t think there’s a real appetite for the next year and half to have a governor’s race,” Gansler said.

“So I’m going to keep focusing on my job everyday, but we’ll look at the governor’s race for sure. More in the fall, when it’s a little more appropriate for us,” he continued.

Congressman Dutch Ruppersburger could be the dark horse, as the only Baltimore area candidate with a strong track record of raising funds.

A number of Republicans are considering a run, but so far, well known candidates haven’t filed.

Brown stood side-by-side with Governor Martin O’Malley at an event at Waverly Elementary-Middle School, where O’Malley placed his support behind Brown.

The governor says he has a proven track record of leadership in Maryland.

It’s still not clear who Brown will face in what’s expected to be a heated gubernatorial race in 2014.

The Capital of Annapolis reports that Del. Don Dwyer will hold a news conference Monday, one day before his trial in Annapolis is scheduled to start.

Dwyer, an Anne Arundel County Republican, is charged in a boating crash on the Magothy River last August that injured multiple people.

Dwyer, who is seeking re-election, has admitted being drunk at the time of the crash.

He has said he began drinking heavily as a result of a separation from his wife and because he felt betrayed by fellow lawmakers who voted in support of gay marriage legislation.

(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Rochelle Ritchie has more on his public campaign kickoff.

Lt. Governor Anthony Brown makes it official–he wants to lead the state when two-term Governor Martin O’Malley leaves office next year.

“I declare my candidacy to be the next governor, your governor, of Maryland,” he told the crowd.

Brown is in his seventh year as lieutenant governor for the state of Maryland.

As O’Malley’s right hand man, he will run on the record of being part of the team which helped to repeal the death penalty, pass same-sex marriage and implement some of the strictest gun laws in the country.

“I’m asking you to join me as friends and neighbors, as one community built on strong families and neighbors helping neighbors,” he said.

Even with all these successes, Brown tells supporters more work needs to be done.

“We need to ensure more opportunities are available to more Marylanders,” he said.

Other powerful, well known Democrats are expected to run, like Howard County Executive Ken Ulman, who has been raising campaign funds for some time now, Attorney General Doug Gansler, who has not officially announced but has told many he’s planning, and some speculate even U.S. Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger may join the race.

The lieutenant governor has not yet indicated who his running-mate will be, but sources tell WJZ it could be Ken Ulman.

Brown has the support of Governor O’Malley, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake as well as the Democratic political machine.

With so much at stake, political experts predict lots of money will be spent as candidates get their names and messages out to the voters.

“Money is very important because it’s what buys an organization, what feeds and cares for an organization that gets out the vote and what buys advertising,” said Donald Norris, Public Policy, UMBC.

Brown, an Iraq veteran who was rewarded the Bronze Star, says he is hoping to build on the successes and boldly face the next challenges.

“I need your help, I need your support,” he told the crowd.

If Brown were to win the election for governor, he would be the first black governor in the state of Maryland.

Brown is a Harvard graduate, a husband and a father.

Mike Hellgren spoke to the new county executive, and tells us what upset Leopold.

New County Executive Laura Neuman told WJZ Friday she thinks decisions were made under the old administration without thought to how they impact the constituents. Leopold is bristled in his letter to the editor. He also doesn’t like some of the budget changes.

Disgraced Anne Arundel County Executive John Leopold put himself back in the political spotlight, writing a letter to several newspapers where he fought back against his successor’s criticism that his administration left the county behind, saying:

“These disingenuous, feckless claims are untethered from the facts.”

Neuman was unfazed.

“I wouldn’t even call it a distraction. It’s barely registered from my day,” said current Anne Arundel County Executive Laura Neuman.

“I think Mr. Leopold and his cronies had their opportunity, and that day has passed,” she continued. “Mr. Leopold and his followers feel the county should be run the way they thought was best for it, and it’s been proven that’s not the case.”

It’s one of several letters Leopold has written since his sentencing, but it’s the first one to get political.

He didn’t want to talk to WJZ Friday. He didn’t want to talk to us last month after getting out of the detention center, either.

Alex DeMetrick: “Can you call me?

John Leopold: “I’ll give you a number because I’ve got to run.”

But plenty of constituents in his home base near Pasadena weren’t shy.

“Leopold should just go off into the sunset and shut his mouth,” said Al Antonelli.

“I think he should disappear. He used the office to his advantage,” said Bob Cranford.

“He has a right to his opinion, which I don’t agree with,” said Kelley McAllister. “That shows to me that he’s very insecure.”

Leopold served jail time for misconduct in office, after making county employees empty his urine from his catheter and put up campaign signs.

For the new county executive, it’s time to move on.

“The citizens of this county are ready for a fresh start. They want transparent, clean government and that’s what I aim to do,” said Neuman.

Leopold says belt-tightening under his administration made the county financially stronger. He has not said whether he may be interested in getting back into politics in the future.

Right now, Leopold is spending many of his days completing court-mandated community service at the Anne Arundel County Food Bank.

The lockup has been under scrutiny since last month when federal officials announced the indictment of 25 people — including 13 female correctional officers — in a conspiracy to bring in drugs, cellphones and other contraband. The ring involved sex between inmates and guards that resulted in four of the officers becoming pregnant, one of them twice, by Tavon White, leader of a gang called the Black Guerilla Family.

Delegate Nicholaus Kipke, R-Anne Arundel, and other lawmakers described it as a long-outdated facility with a variety of problems that make it harder to manage the busy traffic of detainees, their visiting family members and attorneys. They cited cell doors that don’t open because the ground has shifted. They also noted there is too much close contact between correctional officers and detainees. They said full body scans are needed, not just metal detectors, to prevent contraband from entering the facility.

“It would cost about $300 million,” Kipke said, noting the estimated cost of building a new facility. “It’s in the long-term plan for corrections. They’ve been asking the governor to fund that, and we think it’s essential. You can’t have cells, for example, where the doors have to be opened by a guard. You have to have it computerized so that there’s less contact between guards and prisoners.”

Participants in Friday’s tour included Dels. John Cluster, R-Baltimore County, Michael Hough, R-Frederick, Michael Smigiel, R-Cecil, and Sen. E.J. Pipkin, R-Cecil. They met with Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services Secretary Gary Maynard, who has moved his office to the detention center to conduct a thorough investigation.

Gov. Martin O’Malley announced a variety of reforms this week, including the installation of new technology that blocks inmates’ ability to use contraband cellphones from correctional institutions. The governor also said he will urge lawmakers to pass a measure to make smuggling a cellphone into a correctional institute a felony punishable by additional jail time.

A briefing before the Legislative Policy Committee, which includes the chairs of committees and leadership of both parties in the Legislature, has been scheduled for June 19. A task force will be appointed to identify legislative and budgetary measures.

Cluster, who said he has concerns about a correctional facility in western Maryland, said Maynard has agreed to look into them.

“He took it upon himself to go ahead and start looking at it once he heard it,” Cluster, who noted he was confident in Maynard’s efforts, said.

Smigiel said officials plan to implement a recommendation next week to bring correctional officers from other facilities to search correctional officers who come to work there. Smigiel also said Maynard told the lawmakers that the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. marshal’s office and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were part of a joint effort to investigate corruption at the facility, along with the FBI.

The tour was closed to the media. The lawmakers spoke to reporters outside afterward.

“We wanted this to be an open tour, but unfortunately the press wasn’t allowed to be a part of it,” Kipke said.

(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Obama is expected to make several stops during his May 17 visit. He made four stops during his first such trip Thursday in Austin, Texas.

The White House says details of the trip will be released closer to the event.

(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Mike Hellgren explains how criminals were exploiting the system.

A newly unsealed federal indictment shows how widespread gang activity is now in the suburbs, including Howard County, and it all ties into the correctional system scandal.

Pictures show Black Guerilla Family gang members in jail. One of them is talking on a cell phone, smoking a cigar and wearing a gold chain. That’s according to Republican delegates who say it shows the level of dysfunction behind bars.

“This isn’t isolated. This problem is a vast corruption scandal that expands beyond Baltimore City,” said Del. Nicholaus R. Kipke.

The cases are astounding: A Black Guerilla Family kingpin accused of impregnating four officers at the Baltimore City Detention Center, where he had ready access to cell phones and control.

Another federal indictment, dating back four years, revealed jail was the lap of luxury for other Black Guerilla Family members who drank Grey Goose Vodka, ate lavish seafood dinners and smoked expensive cigars while behind bars.

And a new indictment reveals a Bloods gang member at the Chesapeake Detention Center, a federal facility staffed by the state, repeatedly obtained cell phones to make drug deals, helping a violent criminal operation in suburban Howard County.

The feds say inmates anonymously used Green Dot credit cards to launder money and fund drug sales.

Related Story: Gov. O’Malley Outlines Plans To Combat Crime Behind Bars

The delegates are calling for an independent audit of state correctional facilities.

“We need to start looking out for the citizens of Maryland instead of looking out for the criminal element, and that’s something we’re not doing,” said Del. John W.E. Cluster, Jr.

The governor just announced he will push for legislation making it a felony to smuggle cell phones into jails and review discipline policies for correctional officers, after being dogged by tough questions.

“I don’t believe there is any impediment to our ability to root out corruption in our prisons,” said Gov. O’Malley.

Lawmakers believe this picture speaks louder than words, that action must be taken.

The Republican delegates who spoke Thursday said they would like to see correctional officers entering facilities to be frisked by another agency like the state police.

Lawmakers would like an investigation into whether there’s a major corruption problem in Western Maryland correctional facilities and believe it could be as big or bigger than what’s happening here.

Adam May gets answers from the new county executive.

Finding a new police chief is just one of many issues facing the new county executive. In fact, Wednesday, she revealed another embarrassment for the county’s government.

The search is on for Anne Arundel County’s third police chief in less than a year. James Teare retired after questions surfaced about his role in the John Leopold misconduct investigation.

Now, Larry Tolliver suddenly quits. He claims his decision is not connected to reports last month that he used homophobic slurs, calling an officer the “f” word and a “rump ranger.”

“This was his decision. I didn’t urge him [to] either decision. I am doing everything I can to root our issues in the police department,” said County Executive Laura Neuman.

In her first in-depth interview with WJZ, Neuman talks about how she’s cleaning up after the Leopold scandal, the shocking discovery of hundreds of hidden cameras in county buildings and the public’s mistrust of their government.

“To say it’s a challenge is an incredible understatement. Through government, there are extraordinary challenges I’m confronted with every day,” she said.

In fact, Neuman made another incredible revelation about their 911 call center.

“The flip chart is how we respond to emergency calls,” she said.

Yes—1950s style flip charts to guide operators through helping callers, not computers.

“Every department has challenges and we need change county-wide across every department in the county,” she said.

County Executive Neuman says she will run for a full term in office next year. She says she needs a lot more time to clean up the mess.

A nationwide search is underway for a new police chief.

Adam May has the story.

The former Economic Development Chief for Howard County was selected by the County Council to replace John Leopold, who was convicted of misconduct in office.

She is currently one of the highest profile Republicans to hold an office in Maryland.

Since taking over, Neuman has been forced to tackle a litany of issues, including controversial police leadership and a series of hidden cameras inside county buildings.

Wednesday, she told WJZ she was shocked to discover 911 operators were using a 1950s era flip chart to help callers.

She’s immediately making plans to computerize the system.

Nueman’s campaign committee meets for the first time next month.

The next General Election is 2014.

Irv Nathan testified Wednesday in Washington’s federal court, where a judge is investigating allegations of potential evidence tampering.

A lawyer for the plaintiffs, Jonathan Turley, argued that there’s been a pattern of misstatements by the attorney general’s office. That office is representing the city in a lawsuit.

But Nathan said under questioning that he didn’t believe anyone on his staff had ever knowingly provided false information or violated any ethical rules.

Nathan also said he thought the inquiry into evidence tampering should end soon so that the case could move forward. He blamed plaintiffs’ lawyers for the fact that the case has lasted a decade.

(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

O’Malley announced the initiative at a panel discussion on Wednesday that included the Future of Information Alliance, a partnership between the University of Maryland, College Park and 10 other partners.

The O’Malley administration is describing it as the first statewide open data portal that will provide information to researchers, entrepreneurs, public servants and residents.

The information will include things like vendor payments, vehicle accidents, licensed veterinary clinics, geographic information systems mapping data and per capita electricity consumption. Most popular Maryland baby names in 2011 also are available.

The data will be available in one central place for the public online at data.maryland.gov.

The website will be continually updated.

(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

The letter to Gov. Martin O’Malley, who proposed the plan in January and is scheduled to sign it at a May 16 bill ceremony, outlines legal opinions about some of the main parts of the measure that was approved by the Maryland General Assembly last month. Gansler noted that the measure was “crafted carefully to balance the rights of legitimate gun owners with the need for increased public and law enforcement safety from gun violence.”

“We are confident that the resulting legislation is constitutional and legally defensible,” Gansler wrote in the April 30 letter to the Democratic governor.

In one of the measure’s most contentious provisions, people who buy a handgun will be required to submit fingerprints to state police. Gansler noted that fingerprint requirements as part of a firearms registration process is a longstanding feature of state laws in New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Hawaii and the District of Columbia.

The measure bans 45 types of assault weapons applying to long guns, although people who own them now will be allowed to keep them. Gansler noted that it expands the longstanding assault pistol ban, which has not been challenged.

The legislation limits gun magazines to 10 bullets. Gansler expressed confidence that a court would find there is “a substantial relationship between the prohibition of high-capacity detachable magazines and the state’s objectives of controlling crime and protecting law enforcement officers.”

The bill addresses firearms access for people who are mentally ill. Those who have been involuntarily committed to a mental health facility won’t be allowed to have a gun.

In addition, Maryland State Police will be able to suspend the licenses of gun dealers who fail to comply with new recordkeeping obligations.  The provision will allow the state police to supplement enforcement efforts of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

“We do not anticipate any challenge to the state’s power to enact this legislation,” Gansler wrote.

Opponents of the measure had considered trying to petition the measure to the ballot for voters to decide in November 2014. However, a lawmaker who has led similar petition drives in recent years announced last month that opponents should seek to overturn the measure in court instead.

(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

The Carroll County Times reports that the Board of Commissioners decided without a vote Tuesday to remove the county’s 1992 prohibition on allowing people to carry firearms at facilities like the Northern Landfill in Westminster. The county attorney will create an amendment to the county code.

Second Amendment Foundation wrote the county and dozens of other Maryland jurisdictions asking for the repeal of local gun regulations. The Bellevue, Wash.-based group contends local ordinances are illegal since state gun regulations supersede them.

Commissioner Dave Roush, a Republican from Westminster, says it seems silly to prohibit firearms at solid waste facilities but no other county facilities.

(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Council President John Ford, Ward 2 Councilman Pete Lesher and Ward 4 Councilwoman Megan Cook will serve four more years after Tuesday’s election.

About 318 voters cast ballots. Ford says the lack of candidates may have contributed to the low turnout. Ford and Lesher ran unopposed and Cook had one challenger, Andre Gibson Sr.

Ford received 300 votes across all wards and Lesher received 94 votes in Ward 2. In the contested Ward 4 election, Cook received 129 votes to Gibson’s six.

(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

The campaign cookout will start Friday at 4:30pm at Prince George’s Community College.

On May 11, Brown will continue his announcement tour across Maryland with stops in Frederick, Montgomery County and Baltimore.

“I’m excited to formally launch my campaign to make Maryland better for all Marylanders and that’s why I’m inviting families from across our state to join me at Prince George’s Community College to kick it off,” Brown said in a press release. “Maryland is a great state because of the hard work that we’ve done to invest in new jobs, education and health care, but we still have a lot of work to do to ensure that no family is left behind.”

Brown has served as Maryland’s lieutenant governor for seven years.

O’Malley announced the appointment of Matt Power on Tuesday.

Power has previously worked as deputy secretary for the Maryland Department of Planning. He began his career in public service in 1999 with the Department of Legislative Services, where he provided legislative oversight to Maryland’s environmental agencies.

As StateStat director, he will oversee weekly meetings where agency heads meet with executive staff report and answer questions about performance and initiatives.

Power replaces Beth Blauer, who went to work for cloud-based open data systems provider Socrata late last year.

StateStat is modeled after the CitiStat program O’Malley used while mayor of Baltimore.

(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Meghan McCorkell has more on the decision.

In a tight vote Monday night, the County Council decided to lift the ban on the devices, despite some concerns for public safety.

Stun guns and Tasers could soon be in the hands of residents in Anne Arundel County.

“I think it provides an alternative…for folks that are not comfortable carrying handguns. It gives them a choice. It gives them an option,” said Councilman Derek Fink, who sponsored the bill.

The County Council has voted to lift a ban on the devices for anyone over the age of 18 who passes a criminal background check.

Supporters say it’s necessary for self-defense.

“We can’t fight off most attackers without a took at our disposal. Most of the counties in Maryland allow Tasers,” said Dr. Ray Miller.

Opponents question the lack of training required to carry the weapons.

“All they are required to do under state law is provide a brochure, just provide written instructions. A how to manual, if you will. And you know how many of us read those,” said Patric Enright.

Tasers and stun guns were banned in the county back in 1985. In 2006, a special exception was made to allow police officers to carry them.

A state law passed in 2009 allows the devices, but different jurisdictions—many in central Maryland—have upheld the bans, including Harford, Howard and Baltimore counties, as well as Baltimore City and Annapolis.

Under the new Anne Arundel County legislation, if a person misuses a Taser or stun gun, they could face up to three years in jail and a $3,000 fine.

When the bill was introduced, the police union president told WJZ he had concerns about it. However, no one from the police force testified against it.

If the county executive signs the bill, it will become law in 45 days.

As Mike Schuh reports, the United Way is stepping in to ask for help.

Not having enough food in the house is widespread.

“So we operate a call center at United Way, and we’ve been getting an increasing amount of calls about food,” said Mark Furst, United Way of Central Maryland.

That’s why the United Way is working with all of the governments in our area to collect 25 tons of food.  Not just any food, but healthy food.

“As the healthy food ambassador, I am so proud to announce our partnership with our elected officials who have stepped up to the plate,” said Molly Shattuck, healthy food ambassador.

All of the area’s political leaders are onboard.

“This is a partnership,” said Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. “We know that hunger knows no geographic or political boundaries. This is about a regional effort to make sure that families in need have the resources they need.”

Timing is crucial, as all that collected during the holidays is now gone.

“The problem occurs in the off-season, but hunger doesn’t have an offseason,” Furst said.

Filling three big trailers, or six smaller ones, is the goal.

Everyone is asked to give.

“Firehouses, Coldwell Banker offices, in fact you can leave a healthy bag of food at your mailboxes next Saturday, May 11, and we’ll make sure that it gets in the hands of people who need it,” Furst said.

In addition to those postal pickups, there are fire halls and libraries, as well as the two Santoni’s and two Eddie’s locations.

The week of donations starts Friday and runs through May 11.

Political reporter Pat Warren reports it was not unexpected, but the decision to petition comes late enough that it could be hard for petitioners to meet their first deadline.

Kurt Bloodsworth, found innocent after spending two years on death row, celebrated replacing death with life without parole.

“It’s a happy day,” he said.

But Lois Burton, whose son was murdered by John Thanos, who was later executed in Maryland, is disappointed.

“Very disappointed that the system once again has failed us,” Burton said.

After the bill signing Thursday, Bloodsworth told WJZ: “One thing’s for sure, nobody, by the stroke of this pen, nobody will be executed and innocent in this state.”

But voters may have to sign off on it first.

Baltimore County State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger and MDPetitions.com are gathering signatures to put the death penalty on the 2014 ballot.

“Aurora, Colo.; Virginia Tech, Newtown, Conn.; and of course now recently at the Boston Marathon and you have to ask yourself ‘What happens if one of those heinous crimes happens here in Maryland and we don’t have the appropriate punishment available to seek justice in those cases?’” Shellenberger said at a news conference in Baltimore on Friday.

State Senator James Brochin (D-Baltimore County), an opponent of repeal, says life without parole as the ultimate punishment leaves only life with the possibility of parole as a plea bargain.

“Really? I mean it’s unthinkable. Even if the person doesn’t get parole, to put the victim’s family through that trauma because we didn’t have the ultimate penalty on the books is absolutely unacceptable to me,” Brochin said.

And to some victims’ families as well.

“To think that my taxpaying dollars would have kept Thanos in jail with warm food and clothes and paying by my money, I have a real problem with that one,” Burton said.

Others who have that problem are expected to sign the petition.

Opponents of the repeal need more than 17,000 signatures by May 31 to clear their first hurdle.

Maryland Citizens Against State Executions says it is ready for a possible referendum and is confident the public will support replacing the death penalty with life without parole.

Pat Warren reports Maryland joins 18 other states with a system in place for patients to legally use marijuana.

Governor Martin O’Malley signed the state’s medical marijuana bill into law Thursday.

“I feel that it would cut down on some of my pain,” Lawanna Elsafty, an arthritis patient, told WJZ during the General Assembly session this year.

The bill signing comes nearly a year to the day that WJZ aired an Eyewitness News Special Report on people who feel they have no choice but to break the law to get the relief they need.

“It’s just as useful as chemotherapy,” Phillip Weigner told WJZ‘s Vic Carter in an interview last year.

Weigner is a cancer patient who was arrested for possession of marijuana. He was among the patients testifying in committee hearings on the bill.

Marijuana, he says, “helps me with my appetite, nausea, sleep, some of the pain that I have.”

The new legislation authorizes a commission to designate marijuana dispensaries in academic medical centers and study the effects on patients.

“Oh, it could potentially help me immensely if I get included in the study,” said Barry Considine, a medical marijuana advocate whose illness requires he use a wheelchair.

He is among those who consider the selective power of the commission to decide which diseases are treated as a shortcoming in the bill.

“Say somebody on the commission says, ‘You know what, rheumatoid arthritis is a much more serious disease than osteoarthritis, so let’s just study rheumatoid arthritis patients’ and then I’m out in the cold,” Considine said.

But supporters consider this bill a big step forward.

The law takes effect in October.

The governor last month signed a bill that allows caretakers caught with marijuana to avoid criminal charges if they can prove the drug is for a patient.

Mike Hellgren spoke to several lawmakers, and has their calls for action.

Some, including the comptroller, believe this is a system-wide problem. He questions who’s really in charge.

The governor faces tough new criticism for how state correctional facilities are run, days after the exposure of a lurid sex and corruption scandal at the Baltimore City Detention Center.

That’s where federal prosecutors allege violent gang members were working with officers to run a criminal empire.

“Boy, it looks like the rot is pretty longstanding and pretty deep,” said Peter Franchot.

Comptroller Peter Franchot says it goes beyond one facility, and he’s worried about the state’s liability.

“I cannot believe trial lawyers are not going to get involved and bring class action suits on behalf of these prisoners,” he said. “They go and complain to a corrections officer. They don’t know whether they’re talking to a corrections officer or a gang member. How pathetic is that?”

The mother of an inmate at the city detention center, who asked WJZ not to use her name, says she fears for his security and wants action to stop the corruption.

“For me, it’s very important. It’s supposed to be done,” she said. “It’s supposed to be stopped. It is supposed to be stopped.”

The governor has defended his Secretary of Public Safety, Gary Maynard, and said the federal indictments are a positive step as his administration works to root out corruption.

But Delegate Patrick McDonough wants Maynard fired.

“What the federal people discovered in that one institution is only the tip of the iceberg,” McDonough said. “Get someone in there who’s going to go from top-to-bottom on the management system, take care of the corruption. There is no management backup, it’s out of control.”

The state approved a $40,000 settlement Wednesday for an inmate who alleged he was beaten with the help of a corrupt corrections officer. There is now concern that could set off a wave of lawsuits, with taxpayers footing the bills.

State lawmakers will hold a hearing next week on prison corruption.