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Citizen Portal News Maryland
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The Anne Arundel County Board of Education's contentious vote on Phase 2 redistricting could reshape the future of local schools and impact hundreds of families.

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#MD #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #MarylandEducation #CommunityEngagement #EducationReform
Anne Arundel school board approves Phase 2 redistricting after hours-long debate
After hours of testimony and multiple tied amendment votes, the Anne Arundel County Board of Education approved revised Board Recommendation 3 — the Phase 2 redistricting plan — on a 5-3 roll call. Board members and staff debated capacity projections, transportation safety on Route 3, legacy transfers and the timing of planned school additions.
citizenportal.ai
November 30, 2025 at 11:46 PM
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St. Mary's County is taking bold steps to safeguard its agriculture and seafood industries from flooding, exploring innovative cost-share incentives and adaptive strategies for a resilient future.

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#County #MD #StMarysCountyAgriculture #CitizenPortal #FoodSecurity #FloodResilience
Commission discusses farm flood mitigation, saltwater 'hot spots' and living-shoreline pilots in resiliency review
At the Nov. 25 work session, commissioners reviewed natural-hazards and resiliency actions in the St. Mary's 2050 draft, including a proposed farm cost-share for flood mitigation, a saltwater-intrusion 'hot-spot' plan for farms, living-shoreline demonstration pilots, and prioritization of storm-hardening on rural roads.
citizenportal.ai
November 30, 2025 at 5:16 AM
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Baltimore County's Planning Board just hit pause on a controversial proposal to double visitor parking requirements for new residential developments, sparking a heated debate among developers and residents alike.

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#BaltimoreCounty #MD #CitizenPortal #BaltimoreCountyPlanning
Board defers final vote on CMDP residential update after developers flag new 30% visitor-parking recommendation
At a public hearing on Nov. 20, planning staff presented updates to the Comprehensive Manual of Development Policy; developers and their attorneys objected to a proposed increase in recommended overflow/visitor parking from 15% to 30% and asked for more review. The board voted to defer final action on the residential section for 60 days.
citizenportal.ai
November 29, 2025 at 8:47 AM
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St. Mary's County is taking bold steps to address the needs of its aging population and improve behavioral health services, but will they overcome the recruitment challenges and service gaps ahead?

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#County #MD #CommunityCollaboration #CitizenPortal #StMarysCountyPublicHealth
Planning commission reviews public-health chapter of Comprehensive Plan 2050, flags wording and service gaps
At a Nov. 21 work session, St. Mary's County planners and commissioners reviewed the draft Public Health & Community Services element of Comprehensive Plan 2050, discussing aging demographics, behavioral health responsibilities, recruitment barriers for clinicians, and edits to remove prescriptive language such as 'guarantee' in favor of collaborative, implementable actions.
citizenportal.ai
November 29, 2025 at 8:24 AM
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Hagerstown's city council just greenlit crucial projects including a $20,000 easement purchase and a $100,000 investment in citywide surveillance—find out how these decisions will impact your community!

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#HagerstownWashingtonCounty #MD #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety
Hagerstown council approves easement purchase, park grant applications, emergency demolition and $100,000 camera order
On Nov. 25, 2025, the Hagerstown mayor and city council approved an easement purchase for Parcel 973, authorized grant applications for park improvements, withdrew from a stalled state emergency-management grant, approved an emergency demolition, and accepted a $100,000 blanket purchase order for city camera equipment; all motions passed by voice vote.
citizenportal.ai
November 29, 2025 at 8:11 AM
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Baltimore County's innovative co-responder model is achieving a remarkable diversion rate of over 64%, revolutionizing how we handle behavioral health crises.

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#BaltimoreCounty #MD #CitizenPortal #BehavioralHealth #CommunityOutreach #CrisisResponse #BaltimoreCountyMentalHealth
Baltimore County highlights co-responder model, cites high diversion rate and calls for stabilization capacity
County crisis staff described a mobile co-responder model that pairs a clinician with a trained officer, participates in the 988 rollout and reports diversion rates 'higher than a 64 percent' while officers urged better local stabilization capacity and explained police safety responsibilities during emergency petitions.
citizenportal.ai
November 29, 2025 at 8:09 AM
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Baltimore County is shaking up its voting game with 38 new ballot-box locations and 11 early-voting centers to ensure every voice is heard in 2026!

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#BaltimoreCounty #MD #CitizenPortal #ElectionAccess #RedistrictingChallenges #VoterParticipation
Baltimore County elections director outlines 11 early-voting centers, moves ballot box back to Victory Villa
The Baltimore County elections director recommended 11 early voting centers for 2026 and a set of alternates, and the board approved a change moving one ballot box back to Victory Villa; the board also directed staff to request a state waiver for final polling-place assignments because redistricting delays.
citizenportal.ai
November 29, 2025 at 7:57 AM
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Baltimore County is taking major steps to eliminate lead from drinking water, offering free excavations and replacements for service lines that contain lead—are you ready to check your home's water safety?

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#BaltimoreCounty #MD #WaterSafety #CitizenPortal #LeadPipeReplacement
Baltimore County asks residents to complete lead service-line survey; free digs and replacements offered
Baltimore County is asking residents to complete a five‑minute survey to help identify water service‑line materials, offers free meter‑excavation tests for inaccessible lines and says it will replace service lines confirmed to contain lead; survey deadline is March 31, 2026.
citizenportal.ai
November 29, 2025 at 7:54 AM
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State forensic hospitals are facing a crisis with court-ordered patients stuck in limbo due to bed shortages, legal hurdles, and slow benefit processing.

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#BaltimoreCounty #MD #MentalHealthReform #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #CommunitySupport #BaltimoreCountyMentalHealth
State forensic hospitals strained as Baltimore County sends high number of court-ordered patients, official says
Laurie Menino, who oversees five state forensic hospitals, told a Baltimore County mental health committee that triage rules, limited secure beds and slow benefit processing create long waits for court-ordered patients; she cited court guidance requiring risk-mitigation plans for community discharge.
citizenportal.ai
November 29, 2025 at 7:53 AM
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Montgomery County Public Schools is making strides in background checks, having rescreened over half of its staff, but the Inspector General keeps recommendations open as progress continues.

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#MontgomeryCounty #MD #CitizenPortal #BackgroundChecksUpdates
Audit committee: MCPS makes major progress on background checks but IG keeps recommendations open
At a 90-day follow-up, Montgomery County Public Schools told the council it has cleared the DHHS paper backlog, rescreened more than half of school-based staff and published new background-screening regulations; the Inspector General kept all recommendations 'open — in progress' pending finalized procedures and implementation.
citizenportal.ai
November 28, 2025 at 5:13 AM
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Baltimore's liquor board has granted multiple 180-day extensions for struggling bars while cracking down on violations with hefty fines—find out who made the cut and who faced the music!

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#BaltimoreCityBaltimoreCounty #MD #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #BaltimoreCity
Baltimore liquor board grants multiple hardship extensions, levies fines in series of violation hearings
At its Nov. 20 meeting the Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City approved numerous 180‑day hardship extensions and reopening requests while imposing fines ranging from nominal amounts to statutory penalties after finding code and board‑rule violations at several establishments.
citizenportal.ai
November 27, 2025 at 7:19 PM
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Carroll County schools are facing a financial crunch as reserves dwindle and rising costs threaten future budgets.

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#MD #CitizenPortal #MarylandPublicSchools #InfrastructureRenewal #BudgetAccountability #EducationFunding
Low fund balance, exhausted infrastructure account and rising costs leave Carroll schools with limited flexibility
Staff told the board FY25 year‑end fund balance is about $7.2 million (below target), the local infrastructure renewal account has been largely spent, and rising costs for utilities, insurance, devices and charter start‑ups combine with Blueprint reporting to tighten FY27 choices.
citizenportal.ai
November 27, 2025 at 5:43 PM
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Carroll County has just approved a new operational stability reserve policy aimed at providing financial flexibility during unexpected challenges, but not everyone is on board with the decision!

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#CarrollCounty #MD #CarrollCountyBudget #CitizenPortal #GovernmentTransparency
Carroll County adopts operational stability reserve to hold one-time funds for unexpected needs
After public comment and debate, the Board of Carroll County Commissioners approved a policy to hold a one‑time operational reserve (5% of ongoing operating revenues) in fund balance to provide short‑term flexibility for unanticipated costs; commissioners cited bond‑rating and budget tradeoffs.
citizenportal.ai
November 27, 2025 at 5:36 PM
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Carroll County is at a crossroads with $2 million in cannabis tax revenue, as public debate heats up over how to allocate funds for housing, health, and youth services.

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#CarrollCounty #MD #CitizenPortal #CarrollCountyHousing #BehavioralHealth #CommunityReinvestment
Commissioners hear hours of public comment on cannabis‑tax CRRF program; decision deferred to Dec. 4
Carroll County grants staff recommended prioritizing housing, behavioral health and youth/after‑school services for $2 million in state Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund revenue; public commenters debated whether adult cannabis education should be eligible and whether the county should accept the funds at all. Commissioners agreed to revisit the matter Dec. 4 after further review.
citizenportal.ai
November 27, 2025 at 5:35 PM
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Montgomery County officials revealed critical gaps in after-school and summer programs that leave thousands of students underserved and in need of support.

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#MontgomeryCounty #MD #MontgomeryCountyOutOfSchoolTime #CitizenPortal #CommunitySupport #ProgramQuality
County agencies outline scale and gaps in after‑school and summer programs
Presenters from MCPS, HHS, Recreation and the Collaboration Council described the county’s OST program portfolio — Excel Beyond the Bell, community schools, rec camps and nonprofit providers — and flagged workforce shortages, inconsistent data and acute summer and middle‑school gaps.
citizenportal.ai
November 27, 2025 at 5:20 PM
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Montgomery County leaders are demanding a concrete plan to track participation in out-of-school programs as a crucial MOU awaits final signatures—will they finally get the data they need?

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#MontgomeryCounty #MD #MontgomeryCountyOutOfSchoolTime #CitizenPortal
Montgomery County council presses agencies for a clear data plan as OST MOU awaits final signatures
County leaders were told a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Montgomery County Public Schools and Recreation is at signature routing but stalled on background‑check language; councilmembers demanded a concrete plan, a staffed data coordinator, and shared metrics to link program enrollment and outcomes across the county’s out‑of‑school‑time system.
citizenportal.ai
November 27, 2025 at 4:35 PM
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Carroll County schools are navigating a complex FY27 budget landscape, grappling with declining enrollment and new state requirements that could reshape funding and programs.

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#MD #BudgetTransparency #CitizenPortal #MarylandPublicSchools #EnrollmentChallenges #EducationFunding
Carroll County schools face complex FY27 revenue picture as Blueprint rules reshape spending
At a work session, Carroll County Public Schools staff told the board that enrollment declines, Blueprint program accounting and uncertain state revenue will constrain FY27 choices; staff said consultant methodology and a county funding increase provide relief but many details remain until the governor's January budget.
citizenportal.ai
November 27, 2025 at 3:16 PM
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The Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners is diving deep into a new agreement that could reshape local development, balancing growth with community interests.

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#BelAirHarfordCounty #MD #PublicPolicy #CitizenPortal #CommunityEngagement #BelAirDevelopment #UrbanPlanning
Bel Air reviews draft development-rights agreement; town counsel to clarify negotiation and approval steps
Board members debated a draft Development Rights and Responsibilities Agreement (DRRA) and asked town counsel to make clear that the planning commission reviews land-use findings while the board approves the final agreement; staff will revise the draft and circulate it to commissioners.
citizenportal.ai
November 27, 2025 at 7:19 AM
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Bel Air's police chief is sounding the alarm on safety risks from high-speed e-bikes, urging state action to redefine regulations before more incidents occur.

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#BelAirHarfordCounty #MD #BelAirPublicSafety #CitizenPortal #YouthSafety #CivicAccountability #TransportationRegulation
Police urge state action on throttle e-bikes after local incidents; propose age, classification changes
Bel Air police described multiple incidents involving throttle-driven Class II e-bikes and recommended state-level changes to Maryland's transportation definitions, including tighter limits on Class II vehicles, age minimums for operation on public roadways and clearer categories to aid enforcement.
citizenportal.ai
November 27, 2025 at 7:17 AM
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Students and parents passionately pleaded with the Board of Education to reconsider redistricting plans that could uproot their academic and social lives.

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#MD #CitizenPortal #MarylandEducation #RedistrictingStrategy #AcademicSupport #StudentWellbeing
Students and parents urge Board of Education to grandfather current high-schoolers amid redistricting plans
Multiple students and family members urged the board to adopt a grandfathering or phased approach to redistricting to avoid disrupting academics, extracurriculars, sports and student mental health; speakers asked for mitigation strategies and exceptions processes.
citizenportal.ai
November 27, 2025 at 2:35 AM
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Worcester County Public Schools has achieved an impressive milestone, with every eligible school earning a top 4- or 5-star ESSA rating, showcasing their commitment to academic excellence!

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#MD #CitizenPortal #StudentGrowth #MarylandPublicSchools #AcademicExcellence
Worcester County schools post statewide 4- and 5-star ESSA ratings; district officials present data on why
Superintendent Annette Wallace and curriculum director Tom Hamill presented ESSA star ratings showing every eligible Worcester County Public School received a 4- or 5-star rating, described school-level percentages and offered analysis controlling for poverty, staffing and per-pupil spending.
citizenportal.ai
November 26, 2025 at 7:03 PM
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Baltimore's committee is diving into a pivotal proposal that could reshape parking revenue management—will legal constraints allow for a new funding model?

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#BaltimoreCityBaltimoreCounty #MD #PublicFunding #CitizenPortal #LocalGovernance #BaltimoreCity #CommunityDevelopment
Committee weighs parking benefits districts and legal limits on non‑lapsing funds
Members examined a proposal to let meter revenue remain on main‑street corridors and debated whether such funds must be created by charter (non‑lapsing funds) or could be established by ordinance; legal staff were asked to identify charter language and court precedent (baby‑bonus case) that constrain council authority.
citizenportal.ai
November 26, 2025 at 12:50 PM
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A high-school student has sparked a heated debate in Baltimore by proposing a vacant-property ordinance aimed at transforming the city’s housing landscape for the better.

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#BaltimoreCityBaltimoreCounty #MD #CitizenPortal #ClimateResilience #BaltimoreHousing
Public testimony: youth, housing groups and developers weigh in on whole-block strategy
At the committee hearing, a high-school student urged a vacant-property registry and reinvestment fund; housing nonprofits supported neighborhood-scale approaches; some residents criticized the plan for favoring developers and urged climate-resilient, community-led solutions.
citizenportal.ai
November 26, 2025 at 11:57 AM
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Baltimore City is shaking things up with seven bold proposals aimed at overhauling the charter, including guaranteed floor votes and a recall process for the council president!

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#BaltimoreCityBaltimoreCounty #MD #CitizenPortal #GovernmentReform #BaltimoreCity
Committee logs seven new charter proposals including guaranteed floor votes and recall process
The committee recorded seven new public or committee proposals: eliminate two mayoral BOE appointees; guarantee floor votes for committee‑stalled bills after 90 days; return draft budget powers to council; consolidate offices under a city administrator; recall process for council president; restructure city administrator accountability; repeal of Question K term limits.
citizenportal.ai
November 26, 2025 at 11:48 AM
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Baltimore has made significant strides with its federal funding, having spent 83% of its $641 million ARPA allocation, bringing transformative projects to neighborhoods across the city.

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#BaltimoreCityBaltimoreCounty #MD #CitizenPortal #BaltimoreCity #CommunityDevelopment
City reports $533 million spent of $641 million ARPA allocation; recovery office lists timelines and program wins
Acting chief recovery officer Elizabeth Tatum told the council the city has spent $533 million (83%) of its ARPA allocation and outlined program achievements, agencies lagging on spend, and deadlines and constraints for modifying grant scopes.
citizenportal.ai
November 26, 2025 at 10:33 AM