ANNAPOLIS, Md. — This week in Maryland politics… Governor Larry Hogan[R] announced more COVID relief measures and an expansion of vaccination sites. The General Assembly continued to introduce a steady stream of new legislation as we reach the one-month mark of the 2021 session.
Stories of the week
- Governor Hogan announced the expansion of mass vaccination sites in the state. This plan announced that six more mass vaccination sites would be opened starting next week and pharmacies such as Rite Aid and Safeway would also begin distributing vaccines. Governor Hogan also announced that additional Maryland National Guard troops would be assigned to the vaccination sites.
- Governor Hogan also allocated an additional $400 million in rental relief for Marylanders, $258 million of that going to eight of Maryland’s largest counties including Prince George’s, Montgomery, and Baltimore City and County.
- Reform to the Maryland Environmental Service came into the spotlight. Governor Hogan introduced reforms that would aim to make the agency more transparent and promote more ethical practices.
Bills to watch
- HB0875/SB0065 — Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard — this would remove “Black Liquor,” which is a fuel made from wastepaper, from the Maryland renewable energy portfolio. This bill has been cross filled in the House and Senate.
- HB0745 — Early Voting Centers — This creates new guidelines for the establishment of early voting centers all across the state. This bill has been introduced in the House.