The Week Ahead

The special session on gambling continues this week. Last Friday the Senate approved Governor O'Malley's bill to allow table games and add a sixth casino in Prince George's County. The House Ways and Means Committee also held a hearing, and may vote on the bill today. The bill to determine dog owner liability without regard to breed (a response to the recent court ruling on pit bulls) is also moving forward.

Last week we blogged about threatened cuts to SNAP, the Thornton gap, a summary of the gambling bill now under consideration, and the sales tax holiday.  

Monday, August 13th

• Southern Maryland Higher Education Council holds a work session. 10am to noon in room 302 of the House Office Building, Annapolis.

Tuesday, August 14th

• Advisory Council for Alternative Response holds its monthly meeting. The Council advises the Department of Human Resources as it develops an alternative response system for certain reports of suspected child abuse or neglect. 1-3pm in room 1044 of the Department of Human Resources, 311 West Saratoga Street, Baltimore.
• Community Services Reimbursement Rate Commission meets. 6-8pm in the conference room of the Maryland Association of Community Services, 8835 Columbia 100 Parkway Unit P, Columbia.
• According to the Baltimore Sun, the Senate hopes to meet at 7pm to vote on changes made in the House version of the gambling bill. If the House actually moves that fast, and the Senate passes the House version, the second special session could close this evening. However, the legislature could take until August 20th, the deadline for putting referenda on the November ballot. Any gambling bill passed after the 20th would have to wait until the 2014 election.

Wednesday, August 15th

• House Environmental Matters Committee is in Baltimore for a site visit to observe public-private partnerships and issues of urban redevelopment, followed by a visit to the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter to discuss the Spay/Neuter Task Force. 1-6pm, meeting in lot A of Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore.

Thursday, August 16th

• Essential Health Benefits Advisory Committee of the Maryland Health Care Reform Coordinating Council meets. 1-4pm in the main seminar room of the Tech Center at UMBC, 1450 Rolling Road, Baltimore.