The Week Ahead

MBTPI’s blog has a new name!  I hope everybody had a restful holiday, storing up energy for the impending legislative session. 

Wednesday

• The Bureau of Labor Statistics will release November 2011 unemployment numbers for metropolitan areas.

Thursday

• The Health Care Reform Coordinating Council meets at 1pm in the Joint Hearing Room of the Legislative Services building, 90 State Circle, Annapolis.

And next Monday

• Maryland Nonprofits’ 2012 Legislative Preview is from 8:30 to 12:30 at the Doubletree Inn, Annapolis.  Once again they have a great lineup of speakers, including our own Neil Bergsman.  Don’t forget to register!  Tomorrow (January 4^th) is the last day for regular registration.

Last Week’s Highlights

The big highlight of last week (other than the name change) was that our office moved!  We’re now located at 1500 Union Avenue, Suite 2500, Baltimore, MD 21211.  We will have limited access to phones and email today, but feel free to drop us a line and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

Welcome to Maryland's Money Matters

The people have spoken. The blog of the Maryland Budget and Tax Policy Institute is now "Maryland's Money Matters." Congratulations to Bonnie Braun at the University of Maryland - College Park. And thanks to everyone who nominated names and voted.

Name the blog nominations are coming in fast

There are still a few days left for YOU to nominate a new name for “Maryland Budget Items” the blog of the Maryland Budget and Tax Policy Institute.

Here are a few of the many suggestions we have received so far:

• Balancing Acts in Maryland
• Maryland’s Budget Matters
• Maryland Dollars and Sense
• Rational Exuberance
• The Red Ink

And, perhaps most descriptively: Budget Blog Md.

I still like “Maryland Budget Items.” However, I will have to respect the will of the voters. You still have until Friday to submit your nomination. Then we’ll send you instructions on how to vote. The winner* gets lunch with me at a trendy spot in Baltimore's Federal Hill or beautiful Annapolis, and a keepsake mug (*unless you’re a state elected official; then we can’t give you anything because of the ethics laws, and the prize will go to the runner-up).

To suggest a name, simply comment to this blog post (or email me if you're shy).

Name the Blog!

We are looking for your input on the name of this blog. 

When we started it, I decided to call it “Maryland Budget Items.” I thought this was a particularly clever choice, because “items” refers to news items as well as line items in a budget. 

I've heard from some people, however, who do not love this name like I do.

Okay, I can take it. And maybe we can do better? So...

I’m asking you to suggest a new name. In fact, we’re holding a contest! The winner will get not only satisfaction, but a few freebies... a good thing in this economy! 

Of course, you might vote to keep the blog title the same... if “Maryland Budget Items” wins, we'll draw one of your names out of a hat. Either way, the winner* gets lunch with me at a trendy spot in Federal Hill or beautiful Annapolis, and a keepsake mug (*unless you’re a state elected official; then we can’t give you anything because of the ethics laws, and the prize will go to the runner-up).

We’ll accept your nominations through December 9, and then we’ll send you instructions on how to vote. To suggest a name, simply comment to this blog post (or email me if you're shy).

Thank you!