Maryland Matters
@marylandmatters.org
Nonpartisan and nonprofit coverage of Maryland Politics and government. Find us at https://marylandmatters.org/
As home prices and rents soar, advocates, lawmakers and administration officials share a goal of protecting families in an unstable housing market. Balancing all their competing demands will be a challenge, but advocates say it must be done.
marylandmatters.org/2026/01/01/i...
marylandmatters.org/2026/01/01/i...
In 2026, affordable housing is needed 'now more than ever,' but getting there is the challenge - Maryland Matters
As home prices and rents soar, advocates, lawmakers and administration officials share a goal of protecting families in an unstable housing market. Balancing all their competing demands will be a chal...
marylandmatters.org
January 1, 2026 at 8:48 PM
As home prices and rents soar, advocates, lawmakers and administration officials share a goal of protecting families in an unstable housing market. Balancing all their competing demands will be a challenge, but advocates say it must be done.
marylandmatters.org/2026/01/01/i...
marylandmatters.org/2026/01/01/i...
The year started with one House speaker and ended with another. It showed that President Donald Trump was all he said he was going to be, and then some, and spawned protests: No Kings, no ICE, Good Trouble and more. The year in pictures.
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/31/s...
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/31/s...
Shutdowns, shakeups, budget fights, chromite: Looking back on 2025 through our camera lens - Maryland Matters
The year started with one House speaker and ended with another. It showed that President Donald Trump was all he said he was going to be, and then some, and spawned protests: No Kings, no ICE, Good Tr...
marylandmatters.org
January 1, 2026 at 8:47 PM
The year started with one House speaker and ended with another. It showed that President Donald Trump was all he said he was going to be, and then some, and spawned protests: No Kings, no ICE, Good Trouble and more. The year in pictures.
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/31/s...
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/31/s...
President Donald Trump's second term and the resistance to it played out over a year that brought a seemingly endless array of history-making events and policy change, to immigration, tariffs, the Education Department, federal health care and more.
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/31/d...
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/31/d...
Deportations, tariffs, court clashes, record shutdown mark a historic year in Washington, D.C. - Maryland Matters
President Donald Trump's second term and the resistance to it played out over a year that brought a seemingly endless array of history-making events and policy change, to immigration, tariffs, the Edu...
marylandmatters.org
January 1, 2026 at 8:46 PM
President Donald Trump's second term and the resistance to it played out over a year that brought a seemingly endless array of history-making events and policy change, to immigration, tariffs, the Education Department, federal health care and more.
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/31/d...
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/31/d...
States, including Maryland, must now provide “justification” that federal child care funds they receive are spent on “legitimate” providers in order to get those dollars, President Donald Trump’s administration announced.
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/31/p...
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/31/p...
Priced out at College Park: Graduate students struggle with high rents - Maryland Matters
University of Maryland graduate students are being priced out of College Park rentals, forcing them farther from campus and cutting into time for teaching, research and coursework. Campus and city off...
marylandmatters.org
January 1, 2026 at 8:36 PM
States, including Maryland, must now provide “justification” that federal child care funds they receive are spent on “legitimate” providers in order to get those dollars, President Donald Trump’s administration announced.
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/31/p...
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/31/p...
States, including Maryland, must now provide “justification” that federal child care funds they receive are spent on “legitimate” providers in order to get those dollars, President Donald Trump’s administration announced.
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/31/r...
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/31/r...
After Minnesota fraud allegations, HHS orders states to justify child care spending - Maryland Matters
States must now provide “justification” that federal child care funds they receive are spent on “legitimate” providers in order to get those dollars, President Donald Trump’s administration announced.
marylandmatters.org
January 1, 2026 at 8:35 PM
States, including Maryland, must now provide “justification” that federal child care funds they receive are spent on “legitimate” providers in order to get those dollars, President Donald Trump’s administration announced.
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/31/r...
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/31/r...
Maryland ends the year with almost 15,000 fewer federal jobs than it had at the start of the year, according to the latest estimates from the Maryland Labor Department, which said the drop from 163,100 to 148,500 was steepest among states.
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/31/m...
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/31/m...
Maryland lost almost 15,000 federal jobs in 2025, a 9% drop in the workforce, state data shows - Maryland Matters
Maryland ends the year with almost 15,000 fewer federal jobs than it had at the start of the year, according to the latest estimates from the Maryland Labor Department, which said the drop from 163,10...
marylandmatters.org
December 31, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Maryland ends the year with almost 15,000 fewer federal jobs than it had at the start of the year, according to the latest estimates from the Maryland Labor Department, which said the drop from 163,100 to 148,500 was steepest among states.
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/31/m...
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/31/m...
The Prince George’s County Democratic Central Committee chose one of its own Tuesday, Darrell Odom Sr., to fill the vacant District 27A seat left by Kevin Harris, whom the committee selected last month for the state Senate seat from District 27.
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/31/p...
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/31/p...
Prince George’s Democrats choose one of their own to fill vacant District 27A seat - Maryland Matters
The Prince George’s County Democratic Central Committee chose one of its own Tuesday, Darrell Odom Sr., to fill the vacant District 27A seat left by Kevin Harris, whom the committee selected last mont...
marylandmatters.org
December 31, 2025 at 5:42 PM
The Prince George’s County Democratic Central Committee chose one of its own Tuesday, Darrell Odom Sr., to fill the vacant District 27A seat left by Kevin Harris, whom the committee selected last month for the state Senate seat from District 27.
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/31/p...
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/31/p...
The Public Service Commission gave an initial green light Tuesday to a Constellation Energy proposal for a new natural gas plant in Perryman, moving it to an expedited review approved last year by lawmakers anxious to boost in-state energy production.
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/30/n...
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/30/n...
Natural gas plant proposed for Harford County can get expedited review, commission says - Maryland Matters
The Public Service Commission gave an initial green light Tuesday to a Constellation Energy proposal for a new natural gas plant in Perryman, moving it to an expedited review approved last year by law...
marylandmatters.org
December 31, 2025 at 5:40 PM
The Public Service Commission gave an initial green light Tuesday to a Constellation Energy proposal for a new natural gas plant in Perryman, moving it to an expedited review approved last year by lawmakers anxious to boost in-state energy production.
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/30/n...
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/30/n...
After being sued by 16 states, including Maryland, the Trump administration has agreed to review frozen grants to universities without using controversial standards that discouraged gender, race and sexual orientation initiatives and vaccine research.
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/30/t...
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/30/t...
Trump administration agrees to drop anti-DEI criteria for stalled health research grants - Maryland Matters
After being sued by 16 states, including Maryland, the Trump administration has agreed to review frozen grants to universities without using controversial standards that discouraged gender, race and s...
marylandmatters.org
December 31, 2025 at 5:39 PM
After being sued by 16 states, including Maryland, the Trump administration has agreed to review frozen grants to universities without using controversial standards that discouraged gender, race and sexual orientation initiatives and vaccine research.
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/30/t...
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/30/t...
A federal judge in Tennessee is ordering federal prosecutors to turn over some documents to lawyers for Kilmar Abrego Garcia as they try to show his indictment on human smuggling charges was the product of vindictive prosecution.
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/30/f...
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/30/f...
Federal judge orders release of some records for Abrego Garcia's vindictive prosecution claim - Maryland Matters
A federal judge in Tennessee is ordering federal prosecutors to turn over some documents to lawyers for Kilmar Abrego Garcia as they try to show his indictment on human smuggling charges was the produ...
marylandmatters.org
December 31, 2025 at 5:34 PM
A federal judge in Tennessee is ordering federal prosecutors to turn over some documents to lawyers for Kilmar Abrego Garcia as they try to show his indictment on human smuggling charges was the product of vindictive prosecution.
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/30/f...
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/30/f...
A proposal to ban 287(g) agreements -- which allow local police to cooperate with, and in some cases act in place of, federal immigration agents -- failed at the last-minute in the 2025 General Assembly, but it could be a major topic in 2026.
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/30/a...
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/30/a...
As immigration arrests surge, advocates rue lawmakers' failure to pass protections in 2025 - Maryland Matters
A proposal to ban 287(g) agreements -- which allow local police to cooperate with, and in some cases act in place of, federal immigration agents -- failed at the last-minute in the 2025 General Assemb...
marylandmatters.org
December 31, 2025 at 5:32 PM
A proposal to ban 287(g) agreements -- which allow local police to cooperate with, and in some cases act in place of, federal immigration agents -- failed at the last-minute in the 2025 General Assembly, but it could be a major topic in 2026.
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/30/a...
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/30/a...
New House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk (D-Prince George's and Anne Arundel) unveiled an overhauled leadership team and committee structure Monday, adding a new standing committee and replacing all but a handful of committee chairs.
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/29/p...
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/29/p...
Peña-Melnyk unveils House leadership shake-up, expands standing committees - Maryland Matters
New House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk (D-Prince George's and Anne Arundel) unveiled an overhauled leadership team and committee structure Monday, adding a new standing committee and replacing all but...
marylandmatters.org
December 31, 2025 at 5:31 PM
New House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk (D-Prince George's and Anne Arundel) unveiled an overhauled leadership team and committee structure Monday, adding a new standing committee and replacing all but a handful of committee chairs.
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/29/p...
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/29/p...
The Prince George's County Council wasted no time Monday, tapping District 6 Council member Wala Blegay to fill the at-large council seat vacated just last week by Calvin Hawkins, who stepped down to take a job in the county's administration.
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/29/p...
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/29/p...
Prince George’s Council appoints District 6 member Blegay to vacant at-large seat - Maryland Matters
The Prince George's County Council wasted no time Monday, tapping District 6 Council member Wala Blegay to fill the at-large council seat vacated just last week by Calvin Hawkins, who stepped down to ...
marylandmatters.org
December 31, 2025 at 5:30 PM
The Prince George's County Council wasted no time Monday, tapping District 6 Council member Wala Blegay to fill the at-large council seat vacated just last week by Calvin Hawkins, who stepped down to take a job in the county's administration.
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/29/p...
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/29/p...
New Border Patrol agents can now get up to $60,000 in hiring and retention bonuses with money from the One, Big Beautiful Bill Act, as the Department of Homeland Security touts a record year for job applications at the agency's various arms.
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/29/c...
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/29/c...
Customs and Border Protection increases hiring incentives, amid record DHS recruiting year - Maryland Matters
New Border Patrol agents can now get up to $60,000 in hiring and retention bonuses with money from the One, Big Beautiful Bill Act, as the Department of Homeland Security touts a record year for job a...
marylandmatters.org
December 31, 2025 at 5:28 PM
New Border Patrol agents can now get up to $60,000 in hiring and retention bonuses with money from the One, Big Beautiful Bill Act, as the Department of Homeland Security touts a record year for job applications at the agency's various arms.
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/29/c...
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/29/c...
Maryland will get $168.2 million for rural health care in the first year of a five-year, $50 billion program aimed at offsetting some of the looming cuts to Medicaid spending over the next decade under the Republicans’ “big, beautiful” law.
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/29/m...
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/29/m...
Maryland gets $168.2 million for rural health in first year of program to offset Medicaid cuts - Maryland Matters
Maryland will get $168.2 million for rural health care in the first year of a five-year, $50 billion program aimed at offsetting some of the looming cuts to Medicaid spending over the next decade unde...
marylandmatters.org
December 31, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Maryland will get $168.2 million for rural health care in the first year of a five-year, $50 billion program aimed at offsetting some of the looming cuts to Medicaid spending over the next decade under the Republicans’ “big, beautiful” law.
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/29/m...
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/29/m...
After being "blindsided" in 2025 by legislative proposals aimed at easing utility bills that ate into the state's ambitious clean-energy goals, advocates say they are prepared to fight back in 2026 and make climate change part of the discussion again.
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/29/c...
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/29/c...
After being 'blindsided' in 2025, advocates look to make climate part of the 2026 conversation - Maryland Matters
After being "blindsided" in 2025 by legislative proposals aimed at easing utility bills that ate into the state's ambitious clean-energy goals, advocates say they are prepared to fight back in 2026 an...
marylandmatters.org
December 31, 2025 at 5:25 PM
After being "blindsided" in 2025 by legislative proposals aimed at easing utility bills that ate into the state's ambitious clean-energy goals, advocates say they are prepared to fight back in 2026 and make climate change part of the discussion again.
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/29/c...
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/29/c...
As some states engage in an extraordinary redraw of congressional districts ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, state courts may decide the fate of the new maps after the U.S. Supreme Court has largely taken federal courts out of the fight.
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/29/a...
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/29/a...
As Supreme Court pulls back on gerrymandering, state courts may decide fate of maps - Maryland Matters
As some states engage in an extraordinary redraw of congressional districts ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, state courts may decide the fate of the new maps after the U.S. Supreme Court has large...
marylandmatters.org
December 31, 2025 at 5:24 PM
As some states engage in an extraordinary redraw of congressional districts ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, state courts may decide the fate of the new maps after the U.S. Supreme Court has largely taken federal courts out of the fight.
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/29/a...
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/29/a...
Gunpowder Riverkeeper Theaux Le Gardeur pays meticulous attention to the health of the waterway and is often called the voice of Gunpowder River. But Le Gardeau believes the river can speak for itself, and it's his job to remind people to listen to it.
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/28/t...
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/28/t...
The life of Theaux Le Gardeur, guardian of the Gunpowder River - Maryland Matters
Gunpowder Riverkeeper Theaux Le Gardeur pays meticulous attention to the health of the waterway and is often called the voice of Gunpowder River. But Le Gardeau believes the river can speak for itself...
marylandmatters.org
December 31, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Gunpowder Riverkeeper Theaux Le Gardeur pays meticulous attention to the health of the waterway and is often called the voice of Gunpowder River. But Le Gardeau believes the river can speak for itself, and it's his job to remind people to listen to it.
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/28/t...
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/28/t...
There's been a lot of talk about SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recently, but one voice has been noticeably absent, writes Stephanie Archer-Smith -- the older Marylanders for whom the program can mean so much.
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/28/o...
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/28/o...
Older adults are missing from Maryland's SNAP conversation - Maryland Matters
There's been a lot of talk about SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recently, but one voice has been noticeably absent, writes Stephanie Archer-Smith -- the older Marylanders for whom...
marylandmatters.org
December 31, 2025 at 5:17 PM
There's been a lot of talk about SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recently, but one voice has been noticeably absent, writes Stephanie Archer-Smith -- the older Marylanders for whom the program can mean so much.
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/28/o...
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/28/o...
After 50 years as FBI headquarters, the J. Edgar Hoover Building in Washington, D.C., is closing permanently, Director Kash Patel said Friday, and employees will move into the nearby Ronald Reagan Building, reversing a long-planned move to Greenbelt.
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/28/j...
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/28/j...
J. Edgar Hoover Building to close for good as FBI relocates its HQ, Patel says - Maryland Matters
After 50 years as FBI headquarters, the J. Edgar Hoover Building in Washington, D.C., is closing permanently, Director Kash Patel said Friday, and employees will move into the nearby Ronald Reagan Bui...
marylandmatters.org
December 31, 2025 at 5:16 PM
After 50 years as FBI headquarters, the J. Edgar Hoover Building in Washington, D.C., is closing permanently, Director Kash Patel said Friday, and employees will move into the nearby Ronald Reagan Building, reversing a long-planned move to Greenbelt.
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/28/j...
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/28/j...
Health care advocates and state officials called the past year “stressful,” “frustrating” and “crazy” -- from jarring shifts in federal policies to ongoing budget problems. They're ready to leave 2025 behind, but fear 2026 may be more of the same.
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/27/h...
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/27/h...
Health care advocates ready to leave 2025 behind, but many issues will reemerge in 2026 - Maryland Matters
Health care advocates and state officials called the past year “stressful,” “frustrating” and “crazy” -- from jarring shifts in federal policies to ongoing budget problems. They're ready to leave 2025...
marylandmatters.org
December 27, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Health care advocates and state officials called the past year “stressful,” “frustrating” and “crazy” -- from jarring shifts in federal policies to ongoing budget problems. They're ready to leave 2025 behind, but fear 2026 may be more of the same.
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/27/h...
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/27/h...
Around Maryland, churches with large Latino congregations are trying to figure out ways to help, and comfort, families staying away for fear of immigration sweeps. They help where they can, but just as often "ask God for wisdom and ...strength" to help.
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/26/r...
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/26/r...
Religious leaders say they see strength in the face of deportation fear - Maryland Matters
Around Maryland, churches with large Latino congregations are trying to figure out ways to help, and comfort, families staying away for fear of immigration sweeps. They help where they can, but just a...
marylandmatters.org
December 27, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Around Maryland, churches with large Latino congregations are trying to figure out ways to help, and comfort, families staying away for fear of immigration sweeps. They help where they can, but just as often "ask God for wisdom and ...strength" to help.
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/26/r...
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/26/r...
Since his second inauguration, President Donald Trump has revoked Temporary Protected Status for more than 1.5 million immigrants, including work authorizations and deportation protections, the most rapid loss in legal status in recent U.S. history.
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/26/r...
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/26/r...
Trump canceled temporary legal status for more than 1.5 million immigrants in 2025 - Maryland Matters
Since his second inauguration, President Donald Trump has revoked Temporary Protected Status for more than 1.5 million immigrants, including work authorizations and deportation protections, the most r...
marylandmatters.org
December 27, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Since his second inauguration, President Donald Trump has revoked Temporary Protected Status for more than 1.5 million immigrants, including work authorizations and deportation protections, the most rapid loss in legal status in recent U.S. history.
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/26/r...
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/26/r...
A legislative task force studying the "efficiency, uniformity and quality" of Maryland's estate system needs to take a step back and look at the broader issue of a system designed to favor lawyers over families, writes J.H. Snider.
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/27/f...
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/27/f...
Forget the judges: Maryland's estate system is rigged against families - Maryland Matters
A legislative task force studying the "efficiency, uniformity and quality" of Maryland's estate system needs to take a step back and look at the broader issue of a system designed to favor lawyers ove...
marylandmatters.org
December 27, 2025 at 6:49 PM
A legislative task force studying the "efficiency, uniformity and quality" of Maryland's estate system needs to take a step back and look at the broader issue of a system designed to favor lawyers over families, writes J.H. Snider.
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/27/f...
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/27/f...
Maryland universities lost at least 449 international students in the past year, likely more, as Trump administration travel bans, visa interview pauses and revocations, and a lack of support have those students considering other options, experts said.
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/26/m...
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/26/m...
Maryland universities saw international student enrollment decline over past year - Maryland Matters
Maryland universities lost at least 449 international students in the past year, likely more, as Trump administration travel bans, visa interview pauses and revocations, and a lack of support have tho...
marylandmatters.org
December 26, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Maryland universities lost at least 449 international students in the past year, likely more, as Trump administration travel bans, visa interview pauses and revocations, and a lack of support have those students considering other options, experts said.
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/26/m...
marylandmatters.org/2025/12/26/m...