Week Ahead

Last week we blogged about Maryland's economic growth in 2012.

Also last week, the Tax Foundation released a study that named Maryland the most generous state, based on percentage of state taxpayers claiming charitable deductions on their 2012 returns.Over forty percent of Marylanders took this deduction last year, with a median charitable donation of $2,969 and an aggregate state contribution of nearly $4 billion. (Note that MBTPI and others have  shown that the Tax Foundation's Business Tax Climate and "Tax Freedom Day" studies are not a good guide to states' tax policies. This data from the the Tax Foundation on charitable deductions is okay).

Additionally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released its monthly employment figures last Friday, showing the nation's private sector added 178,000 jobs in May. Workforce participation and unemployment both grew by 0.1 percent last month as more people sought work.

For the week of June 10th through June 16th:

• On Monday, June 10th, the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission is hosting a public forum with the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene for safety net providers, MCOs, and commercial carriers from 1pm to 3pm at the Todd Performing Arts Center Lobby at 1000 College Circle in Wye Mills.
• On Tuesday, June 11th, the Maryland Commission on Cybersecurity Innovation Excellence meets to report on its activities at 9am in the University of Maryland University College's Salon A at 3501 University Boulevard East in Adelphi.
• Also on Tuesday, the Advisory Council for Alternative Response holds its monthly meeting at 1pm in the Department of Human Resources building's room 1044 at 311 West Saratoga Street in Baltimore.
• On Wednesday, June 12th, Board of Public Works has a general meeting at 1pm in the Governor's Reception Room on the second floor of the State House in Annapolis.
• Also on Wednesday, the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission hosts another public forum with the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene for safety net providers, MCOs, and commercial carriers from 10am to noon at the Howard County Health Department at 7180 Columbia Gateway Drive in Columbia.
• On Thursday, June 13th, the Maryland Health Insurance Plan Board of Directors meets at 9am in 1 Calvert Plaza's suite 630 at 201  E. Baltimore Street in Baltimore.
• Also on Thursday at 9am, the Interagency Committee on School Construction holds its regular meeting in Conference Room 1 on the 8th floor of the Grasmick Education Building at 200 W. Baltimore Street in Baltimore.

The Week Ahead

Last week we blogged about national employment in April. On Thursday we also saw Governor O'Malley sign into law bills repealing the death penalty, combating cyberbullying, expanding access to driver’s licenses, extending early voting, reforming campaign-finance, and legalizing medical marijuana.

For the week of May 6th through May 12th:

• On Wednesday, May 8th, the Maryland Council for Educator Effectiveness meets from 9am to noon in the House Office Building, Annapolis.
• Also on Wednesday, the Interagency Committee on School Construction meets at noon to discuss fiscal year 2014 recommendations to the Board of Public Work. The meeting will be held at 200 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore.
• On Thursday, May 9th, the Payer/Provider Stakeholder Group will discuss the Community Integrated Medical Home initiative from 12:30-5pm, at 201 West Preston Street, Baltimore.
• Also on Thursday, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene will hold a public hearing from 1-3pm on Healthchoice 1115 Waiver Renewal in room 240 of the House Office Building, Annapolis.

The Week Ahead (Tax Day Edition)

Happy Tax Day (really)! We're thankful yet again for all the things our federal and state taxes pay for--like education, healthcare, and public safety.

Last week we published a follow up post to our pre-session discussion of the three big bad wolves threatening Maryland's budget. We also blogged about the important non-budget legislation passed in the 2013 session, and on unfinished business.

MBTPI is co-hosting a Legislative Reception next week on Tuesday, April 23rd, to celebrate the end of the 2013 legislative session and we want you to be part of it. Click through to find out more or to register for this free event.

For the week of April 15th through April 21st:

• Our friends at Maryland Hunger Solutions are holding a conference call for organizations interested in or engaged in food stamp outreach from 9:30-10:30am on Wednesday, April 17th. The call will focus on the benefits of joining the Maryland Food Supplement Program State Outreach Plan, including the potential for federal reimbursement for staff time and marketing activities related to these efforts. Click here to register.
• That same morning the Board of Public Works meets at 10am.
• The Interagency Committee on School Construction holds their regular meeting at 9am on Thursday, April 18th in Baltimore. School construction, particularly in Baltimore City, was an important issue in the 2013 session.
• Also on Thursday, the Maryland Health Care Commission meets at 1pm.
• On Friday, April 19th, the Bureau of Labor Statistics releases state-level employment figures for March.

The Week Ahead

Quite a few meetings related to health care and health care reform this week.

Monday, July 16th

• Commission to Study Campaign Finance Law meets. 10am in room 130, House Office Building, Annapolis.
• Maryland Health Benefit Exchange Board, Exchange Financing and Sustainability Advisory Committee meets. 2-3:30pm in the Tech Center UMBC Main Seminar Room, 1450 Rolling Road, Baltimore.

Tuesday, July 17th

• Work-group on Lead Liability Protection for Rental Property meets. 10am on the 24th Floor Hearing Room, Maryland Insurance Administration, 200 St. Paul Place, Baltimore.
• Maryland Advisory Committee on Manufacturing Competitiveness holds a board meeting. 10am to noon at Marquip-Ward United, 10615 Beaver Dam Road, Cockeysville.
• Maryland Health Care Reform Coordinating Council meets. 1-3pm in the Joint Hearing Room at the Department of Legislative Services, Annapolis.
• Joint Committee on Health Benefit Exchange Financing of the Maryland Health Care Reform Coordinating Council holds its first meeting. 3-4pm in the Joint Hearing Room at the Department of Legislative Services, Annapolis.
• Maryland Nonprofits is holding a training on financial leadership.

Wednesday, July 18th

• Joint Committee on Children, Youth and Families meets for an update on the Race to the Top Early LEarning Challenge Grant and a presentation on after school programs. 10am in room 130, House Office Building, Annapolis.
• Joint Committee on Transparency and Open Government meets for a design update on the General Assembly website. Public testimony will be accepted. 1pm in room 130, House Office Building, Annapolis.
• Essential Health Care Benefits Advisory Committee of the Maryland Health Care Reform Coordinating Council meets. 9am to noon in the Tech Center UMBC Main Seminar Room, 1450 Rolling Road, Baltimore.
• Maryland Nonprofits is holding a webinar on developing a conflict of interest policy.

Thursday, July 19th

• Maryland Health Care Commission meets. 1pm in room 100, Maryland Health Care Commission, 4160 Patterson Avenue, Baltimore.
• Inter-agency Committee on School Construction meets to discuss fiscal year 2013 energy efficiency improvement procedures. 10-10:30 in the 2nd floor conference room, 200 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore.

Friday, July 20th

• Maryland Health Care Reform Coordinating Council meets. 2-4pm in the Main Conference Room, Maryland Health Care Commission, 4160 Patterson Avenue Baltimore.
• Bureau of Labor Statistics releases state employment figures for June 2012.  In May Maryland's unemployment rate rose for the third straight month, to 6.8 percent.

The Week Ahead

We've added a new section to our website, called Maryland 101. Here we'll provide answers to common questions about the state's budget, legislative process, and state services. Last week we added a budget glossary and a guide to the budget process.

Tuesday, June 12th

• Commission to Study Campaign Finance Law holds hearings to receive testimony from experts and advocates. 10am to 4pm in room 130 of the House Office Building, Annapolis.
• Community Services Reimbursement Rate Commission holds their regular bimonthly meeting. The commission is concerned with issues regarding community services for individuals with developmental or psychiatric disabilities. 6pm to 8pm in the Conference Room of the Maryland Association Community Services, 8835 Columbia 100 Parkway, Unit P Columbia.
• The Workgroup to Consider Gaming Expansion meets for a presentation by the Department of Legislative Services and PricewaterhouseCoopers on the findings of the study of video lottery terminals and table games in Maryland and additional invited testimony. 10am in room 101, House Office Building, Annapolis. 
• Maryland Nonprofits offers "Budgeting Basics" a training session for nonprofit staff who need to understand and use budgets.  The session will cover basic accounting principles and how to use these to develop an accurate annual budget for a nonprofit organization. This is not a training class in Quickbooks or Maryland's state budget. 1pm to 4pm at our Baltimore office, 1500 Union Ave. 

Wednesday, June 13th

• Commission to Study Campaign Finance Law holds hearings to receive testimony of experts and advocates. 10am to 4pm in room 130, House Office Building, Annapolis.

Thursday, June 14th

• InvestMaryland holds a public forum. InvestMaryland is a relatively new program that sells tax credits to raise funds to support startup companies in high tech fields. 10am to noon at the Johns Hopkins University to Montgomery County campus, room 121 of the 9605 Building, 9601 Medical Center Drive, Rockville. Contact Michelle Jackson if you wish to attend.
• The Board of Directors of the Maryland Health Insurance Plan hold their regular meeting. 9am in the 6th floor conference room, 201 E. Baltimore Street, Baltimore.
• Interagency Committee on School Construction holds their regular meeting. 9am to noon in the 8th Floor conference room # 1, 200 W. Baltimore Street, Baltimore.

Friday, June 15th

• The Bureau of Labor Statistics releases May employment figures for states. Maryland's unemployment rate was 6.7% in April, up two tenths of a percentage point since February due mostly to growth in the labor force. The May number will be somewhat affected by the shuttering of Big Huge Games in Timonium, after former Orioles pitcher Curt Schilling's 38 Studios-which owns Big Huge Games-imploded. 
• Friday is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Our friends at the Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition will be taking part in a rally and seminar in Baltimore County on protecting seniors and other vulnerable adults from financial exploitation.  The rally starts at noon, followed by the seminar at 1:15; both at Towson Library, 320 York Road, Towson.

The Week Ahead

Last Monday the legislative session ended in a train wreck, as the General Assembly failed to pass a revenue package, thus enacting the doomsday budget for the next fiscal year.  Whether or not the governor will call a special session to fix the budget remains to be seen, as the two chambers appear to still be divided.  MBTPI is hopeful that state officials will do the right thing, but the situation remains very unsettled (and unsettling).

Monday, April 16th

•  Monday is Emancipation Day in the District of Columbia, which means that...

Tuesday, April 17th

• ...Tuesday is Tax Day.  As we file our taxes we are thankful for all the important things they pay for like public safety, education, and healthcare.

Wednesday, April 18th

• The Board of Public Works (BPW) meets at 10am in the State House.  The Board - which is made up of the Governor, Comptroller, and Treasurer - may start to discuss responses to the doomsday budget currently in place.  BPW oversees the state's capital budget (except for highway spending) and borrowing expenditures.  It also has the authority to modify the budget in the intersession as necessary, up to 25 percent.
• The Interagency Committee on School Construction meets from 9am to noon in Baltimore City.  8th floor, conference room #1, 200 W. Baltimore Street.

Thursday, April 19th

• Health Care Commission meets at 1pm in room 100 at 4160 Patterson Avenue in Baltimore City.
• Maryland Nonprofits - which MBTPI is a project of - is hosting an open house at our new offices (RSVP).  This is a great chance to meet MBTPI and Maryland Nonprofits staff, and mingle with colleagues from other nonprofits.  The open house is from 4:30pm to 7:30pm, with a presentation about Maryland Nonprofits member benefits at 6pm.    Please note that the Jones Falls Expressway is under construction.  If you are joining us, you should plan on some extra travel time, or consider taking the light rail to the Woodberry station.  Our office (1500 Union Ave, Baltimore City) is an easy five minute walk from the station.

Friday, April 20th

• Bureau of Labor Statistics releases state employment figures for March 2012.  Maryland added almost 3,000 jobs in February, but the unemployment rate remained steady at 6.5 percent as more than 4,600 individuals joined (or rejoined) the labor force.