AGP Executive Report

Medicaid Fight in Federal Courts: Maryland AG Kwame Raoul joined a coalition of 24 attorneys general opposing a proposed CMS rule that could threaten Medicaid funding and limit state oversight of health insurance and exchange operations. Baltimore Transparency: A judge ordered Baltimore City to restore the inspector general’s access to records and city computer systems, set deadlines for document production, and rejected the city’s attorney-client privilege arguments. SNAP Penalties Blocked: A federal judge permanently blocked the Trump administration from illegally penalizing states over SNAP fines tied to lawful permanent residents. Local Tax Fight: Baltimore condo owners sued over how units are counted for a Downtown Management Authority surcharge on property-tax bills. Public Safety & Courts: The family of Pava LaPere is seeking an extension of the statute of limitations after alleging errors by city and state agencies contributed to her death. Housing Regulation Challenge: Cambridge landlords sued to block new city ordinances tightening rules on rentals and vacant properties. Prince George’s Child Exploitation Case: Maryland State Police charged a College Park man, a teacher, with child pornography offenses. Election Integrity Push: A religious leaders’ call urged churches to help protect midterm voting by volunteering as poll workers and watchers. Transportation Tech: The FAA rolled out an AI air-traffic management tool in the Washington area, aiming to reduce delays and cancellations. NFL in Rio: The NFL field director said there are “no concerns” about Maracanã turf despite heavy rainfall, as Ravens and Cowboys prepare for Sunday’s game.

Elections & Voting Access: Maryland’s State Board of Elections says 590,922 voters have requested mail-in ballots for the 2026 gubernatorial general election, and voters can still apply by Oct. 27 (mail/fax/online) or Oct. 30 (email), with ballots returning by an Election Day postmark. Civic Engagement: The Maryland Student Voter Registration Challenge is back, pushing high school students to lead registration drives with statewide recognition. Federal Privacy Fight: Maryland AG Brown joined a coalition winning a preliminary injunction blocking the Trump administration from obtaining CDL drivers’ personal data from AAMVA, arguing federal overreach on sensitive records. Chesapeake Bay Policy: Trump rescinded Obama’s Chesapeake Bay restoration order, shifting federal focus toward “on-the-ground” water quality projects and urging repeal of municipal “rain taxes,” drawing sharp pushback. Infrastructure in Maryland: Maryland lawmakers announced $33M+ in federal airport upgrades, including $5.23M for Hagerstown Regional Airport. Space & Defense Industry: Syntec Optics says it landed its biggest-ever order tied to U.S. Space Force infrastructure and reconnaissance. Local Governance & Oversight: Baltimore’s inspector general scored a court win against the mayor over access to city records.

Middle East Escalation: The U.S. warned fighting between Saudi Arabia and Iran-backed Houthis could “escalate rapidly” after a missile attack targeted Riyadh for the first time since the Yemen conflict resumed, prompting Trump to cut short his Camp David trip in Maryland and travel alerts for Americans. Baltimore Courts & Faith: The Baltimore-Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church filed a federal lawsuit over a “Trust Clause” dispute, arguing a newly created corporation wrongly claims successor control of Calvary UMC property. Local Governance & Policing: Milwaukee’s community policing commission is looking to Baltimore’s “Community Policing Plan” as it drafts its own framework for resident-led public safety. Public Safety: Baltimore County held a vigil for a Dundalk man killed in a shooting; police say a suspect was arrested in Pennsylvania and extradition is sought. Maryland Politics: State Del. Kathy Szeliga amplified posts alleging fraud and pushing deportation themes. Sports Discipline (National, Maryland-linked): Colts WR Keenan Allen faces a minimum three-game NFL suspension after a drunk-driving arrest, with reports citing a .224 blood-alcohol level.

Middle East & U.S. Foreign Policy: The U.S. warned that fighting between Saudi Arabia and Iran-backed Houthis could “escalate rapidly” after a missile attack targeted Riyadh, as President Trump cut short a weekend at Camp David in rural Maryland and returned to the White House early. White House Press Access: Trump’s administration barred CNN, MS NOW, and Politico reporters from White House access, escalating a long-running fight over coverage. Maryland Public Safety: Montgomery County police arrested a man from Lanham in connection with the rape and kidnapping of a 17-year-old in a Silver Spring area parking lot, with investigators saying there may be other victims. Maryland Governance & Courts: A judge blocked Trump administration SNAP penalties against Maryland, keeping benefits protections in place. Local Government: Baltimore County councilman David Marks is pushing for a road safety review on Northwind Road in Perry Hall after a fatal pedestrian crash. Maryland Environment: Maryland regulators expect more utility rate hike requests even as RELIEF Act savings begin.

Teacher Prep Grants Win: A federal judge vacated a U.S. Department of Education policy that had canceled about $600M in K-12 educator training and DEI-related grants, calling it “arbitrary and capricious,” a Maryland AG-led coalition victory with national ripple effects. White House Press Access Fight: Trump barred CNN, MS NOW and Politico reporters from White House grounds, escalating a First Amendment showdown as multiple outlets vowed legal action. Maryland Voting Access: Maryland leaders reiterated commitments to protect voting rights as mail-in demand stays high, with about 590,000+ requests reported for the 2026 general election. Space & Defense in Maryland: NORAD intercepted a civilian aircraft near Thurmont after it entered restricted airspace while Trump was at Camp David, and U.S. military leaders kept spotlighting “space warfare” planning. Public Safety & Courts: Maryland-linked criminal cases included a Delaware manslaughter arrest tied to a hunting shooting, and a long-stalled Prince George’s County missing-boy case reportedly moved forward with new charges. Local Recognition: Worcester County Fire Marshal Matthew Owens received a lifetime achievement award for decades of public safety service.

Maryland Elections: The state Board of Elections says 590,922 voters have requested mail-in ballots for the 2026 general election, with mailings set to begin Sept. 19 and return deadlines tied to Election Day Nov. 3. Baltimore Accountability: A WBAL-TV report says a senior Baltimore City official is the subject of multiple inspector general probes, including hostile communications and alleged obstruction of access to her messages, tied to the mayor–OIG court fight. State SNAP/Medicaid: Gov. Wes Moore says Maryland is ramping up help for SNAP and Medicaid members facing new federal work requirements, urging people to use state resources to stay covered. Chesapeake Bay: Maryland lawmakers are pushing back against a Trump move revoking the 2009 Chesapeake Bay restoration order, calling it “bizarre” and vowing to fight. Transportation Tech: The FAA is rolling out a new AI air-traffic tool starting Monday in the Washington region, including BWI and Reagan National. Consumer/Compliance: Maryland begins cracking down on out-of-state license plates starting Oct. 1, with daily fines after a 60-day notice period.

Redistricting Fight: Maryland voters head to the polls in November on a ballot question that could reshape how congressional districts are drawn, with Democrats arguing it limits out-of-state-style GOP gerrymandering and Republicans warning it would “silence” conservative voters. Chesapeake Bay Cleanup: Maryland lawmakers are pushing back after President Trump revoked a 2009 Chesapeake Bay restoration framework, arguing the new approach could sideline long-running cleanup priorities. Elections & Voting Access: The Maryland State Board of Elections says about 590,000 voters have requested mail-in ballots, and it set key dates for when ballots will go out. Education Courts: Federal judges blocked parts of the Trump education agenda, including teacher-prep grant cancellations tied to DEI-related directives—another legal setback for the administration. Local Governance & Public Safety: Baltimore City Council leadership is in flux after a public safety chair ouster, while the city also weighs changes to how 911 calls are handled. Public Safety in the Courts: A judge ordered a man held without bond in a fatal Potomac Woods Plaza shooting, while charges were dropped against a Baltimore officer accused of pulling a shotgun after the victim didn’t appear in court. Land Use & Property Rights: A federal judge ruled that converting a railroad corridor into a Rails-to-Trails path in Dorchester and Caroline counties is a taking that requires compensation to landowners.

Chesapeake Bay Clash: President Trump revoked the 2009 Chesapeake Bay restoration order, prompting Maryland’s full congressional delegation to call it “short-sighted” and warning it could undercut state-led cleanup efforts. ICE in Frederick: Maryland Democrats demanded answers after an ICE operation in Frederick involved protesters being pushed back and reported injuries, with calls for an independent investigation. Baltimore ICE Overcrowding Fight: A lawsuit alleges ICE failed to follow a court order on overcrowding in Baltimore holding rooms, with a judge weighing new calls to prevent repeat problems. Electricity Affordability Pressure: A new Maryland affordability scorecard says recent energy bills raised costs for ratepayers as bills jumped 50.9% over five years; utilities warn reliability risks and possible rolling blackouts by summer 2027. College Sports Overhaul: The U.S. Senate is taking up the Protect College Sports Act, with opponents citing the Matthew Mayich case as a warning about athlete rights and liability. Maryland Elections: Local Senate and delegate candidates answered issue questions ahead of the Nov. 3 general election, with mail ballots set to begin Sept. 19. Public Safety & Transparency: Lawmakers and press groups are pushing back on a bill that would limit police agencies’ ability to release suspects’ names and photos, raising First Amendment concerns.

Energy Costs & Grid Risk: Maryland electricity bills are up 50.9% over five years, now about 24% above the national average, as Gov. Wes Moore blames utility “double dipping” and data center demand while critics argue state decarbonization rules are forcing Maryland to import 43% of its power—raising fears of voltage collapse and rolling blackouts by summer 2027. ICE Oversight Fight (Baltimore): A federal judge is weighing whether ICE violated a March order limiting overcrowding in downtown holding rooms, while Maryland lawmakers demand answers after an ICE clash in Frederick and state police will investigate a suspended Baltimore Police deputy commissioner. Empire Towers Relief: Moore asked the U.S. Small Business Administration for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan declaration for Anne Arundel County businesses hit by the Empire Towers shutdown. Chesapeake Bay Reversal: Trump repealed a 2009 Obama-era Chesapeake Bay restoration order, alarming Maryland environmental advocates. Cybersecurity & Health Data: Patients filed a class-action over the Luminis Health/AAMC cyberattack, alleging unencrypted exposure of medical information. Gov. Moore & Redistricting: Moore says Marylanders will “overwhelmingly” back Question 3 on congressional redistricting. Local Governance: Baltimore’s inspector general records access fight got a boost after a judge ruling praised by the Association of Inspectors General.

Maryland Energy Costs: A new scorecard says Maryland electricity bills jumped 50.9% over five years and now sit about 24% above the national average, as Gov. Wes Moore blames utility “profiteering” and data-center demand while critics argue state decarbonization rules are squeezing reliable power and raising blackout risk. Election 2026 (Maryland): The Herald-Mail asked Washington County House delegate candidates issue questions ahead of the Nov. 3 general election, with mail-in ballots starting Sept. 19. Local Public Safety & Courts: Calvert County charged a Waldorf man after an undercover cocaine deal allegedly netted about 9.4 grams of cocaine and 7.5 grams of fentanyl. Consumer Protection: Maryland scam alerts warn about bank-impersonation fraud that pressures people to move money fast. St. Mary’s County Governance: Commissioners approved a free permit process for certain charitable gaming devices under a new state law, and marked September as Senior Center Month. Unclaimed Money: Maryland’s unclaimed property total climbed to $3.2 billion across 16.4 million accounts, with more claims in the pipeline. Anne Arundel Leadership: Leadership Anne Arundel launched its Flagship Class of 2027 with 51 participants from across the county.

Energy Costs & Grid Risk: Maryland electricity bills are up 50.9% over five years, now about 24% above the national average, as Gov. Wes Moore blames utility profiteering and data-center demand while critics argue state decarbonization rules are forcing more imports and raising the odds of voltage collapse and rolling blackouts by summer 2027. Gun Violence Funding: Moore and the Maryland Department of Health announced $1.36 million in grants to 17 groups for gun-violence prevention, victim support, and firearm-safety and suicide-prevention efforts. Inspector General Fight: A Baltimore judge ordered the city to turn over subpoenaed records and restore the Inspector General’s access to city systems, rejecting City Hall’s efforts to restrict the watchdog. Tax Enforcement Lapse: A state audit says the comptroller’s office failed to pursue more than $600 million in delinquent taxes and didn’t investigate thousands of questionable returns. Cyberattack Fallout: Luminis Health faces a lawsuit from Anne Arundel patients alleging inadequate protection of medical data after a Sept. 4 breach. Defense & Space: The Space Force stood up a new surveillance squadron ahead of moving-target indication satellite launches, while the Air Force and contractors pitched next-gen aircraft and electronic warfare.

Energy Costs in the Spotlight: Maryland electricity bills are up 50.9% over five years, now about 24% above the national average, as Gov. Wes Moore blames utility “double dipping” and data-center demand while critics argue state decarbonization rules are forcing heavy power imports and raising blackout fears by summer 2027. Space Force Expansion: STARCOM is emerging as a key hub for Space Force growth, with plans to rapidly hire hundreds and train “guardians” for future space conflict as the U.S. confirms weapons in orbit. Election Integrity & Voting: Federal prosecutors in Texas charged green card holders and a removed Mexican national in an illegal voting crackdown tied to the 2026 midterms. Local Accountability: A Maryland lawmaker prefiles the Back River Wastewater Odor Accountability Act, pushing for monitoring, independent testing, public results, and faster complaint response. Baltimore Church Abuse Fallout: A bankruptcy ruling limits what archdiocese property sales can pay abuse survivors, leaving many claims in limbo. Public Safety Updates: Speed-detection cameras are going live in front of a Polk County elementary school after a warning period.

Electricity Affordability Fight: Maryland electricity bills are up 50.9% over five years, now about 24% above the national average, as Gov. Wes Moore blames utility profiteering and data-center demand while critics argue state decarbonization rules are squeezing reliable in-state power and forcing imports. Baltimore Police Accountability: A shakeup on the City Council’s Public Safety Committee removed Councilman Mark Conway as chair, with the Accountability Board pushing for stronger oversight as Inspector General Isabel Cumming’s record-access fight continues. Space & Defense: The Air Force publicly acknowledged U.S. on-orbit “space control weapons,” while the Space Force is set to award follow-on Resilient-GPS contracts after Congress kept the program funded. Immigration & Voting Rules: Maryland joined a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s public charge rule that would penalize green-card applicants using public benefits, and the Supreme Court blocked efforts to disrupt vote-by-mail ahead of the midterms. State Budget Pressure: Maryland’s 2027 budget gap is projected around $3 billion, setting up another round of tax-and-fee fights in Annapolis. Local Environment: Delegate Bob Long filed a Back River odor accountability bill to require odor-control plans, monitoring, independent testing, and public reporting.

Electricity Costs Fight: Maryland electricity bills jumped 50.9% over five years, now about 24% above the national average, as Gov. Wes Moore blames utility profiteering and data center demand while critics argue state decarbonization rules are forcing Maryland to import 43% of its power—raising fears of voltage collapse or rolling blackouts by summer 2027. Space Weapons Disclosure: In a first public admission, Air Force Secretary Troy Meink confirmed the U.S. has “on-orbit space control weapons” to defend against hostile action, drawing China warnings about an arms race. Elections in the Courts: The Supreme Court rejected Trump mail-ballot restrictions, keeping states on existing vote-by-mail processes for the fall midterms. Gun Safety Push: Anne Arundel state Sen. Clarence Lam is pressing tougher gun storage laws after a child brought a loaded gun to school, arguing Jaelynn’s Law needs stronger enforcement. Baltimore Watchdog Fight: Maryland’s appellate court denied Baltimore’s bid to pause the inspector general lawsuit, clearing the way for a hearing this week. Local Governance: Prince George’s County council is set to “clarify” a controversial $39 million budget transfer tied to a parks agency lawsuit. Southern Maryland Jobs: Calvert County seeks a single developer to buy and build out the remaining 10 lots at Patuxent Business Park.

Baltimore Governance Fight: Maryland’s appellate court denied the city’s bid to pause proceedings in its Inspector General dispute, keeping the legal fight moving as Mayor Brandon Scott signals the city will press on. Public Safety Overhaul: Baltimore unveiled a plan for a new Department of Neighborhood Safety to route nonviolent 911 calls to mental health professionals and expand “alternative response,” aiming to cut police involvement in tens of thousands of calls. County Oversight: Howard County’s inspector general says she’s still struggling to get access to the records and systems needed for investigations, raising concerns about delays during a leadership transition. State Transportation Funding: Gov. Wes Moore announced $14.5 million in federal highway safety grants for local agencies to target impaired, distracted, and aggressive driving, plus seat belt and pedestrian safety. Gun Policy: An Anne Arundel lawmaker is pushing tighter gun storage rules after a school incident highlighted gaps in enforcement under Jaelynn’s Law. Immigration & Courts: A Supreme Court mail-voting win for AG Bonta keeps USPS changes blocked for November, while separate lawsuits challenge Trump-era green card rules tied to public benefits. Federal Policy Clash: EPA moves to roll back greenhouse gas limits on power plants, drawing sharp criticism including from Maryland officials. Tech & Privacy: OpenAI’s new personal finance feature is rolling out, but privacy and account-security concerns are front and center.

Maryland Energy Costs: A new scorecard says Maryland electricity bills are up 50.9% over five years, with Gov. Wes Moore blaming utility profiteering and data center demand while critics argue state decarbonization rules are forcing more power imports and raising reliability fears. Public Safety Overhaul: Baltimore lawmakers are weighing a new Department of Neighborhood Safety to handle certain 911 calls with social workers and peer specialists, aiming to reduce police involvement in non-life-threatening situations. Election Administration: Maryland’s state health guidance and voting logistics are in focus as mail-in ballots begin Sept. 19 and local election guides highlight how and where to vote in Washington County. Calvert Cliffs Emergency Drill: FEMA will evaluate a biennial radiological emergency preparedness exercise at Calvert Cliffs, with preliminary findings set for a public meeting Sept. 18. Reparations Commission: Maryland’s Reparations Commission is set to convene after members were selected, with Del. Aletheia McCaskill calling it a long-awaited start. Campaign Finance Watch: A Daily Record review finds law firms poured more than $1.8M into Maryland elections, often backing Democrats and incumbents. Vaccine Policy Shift: Maryland released its own 2026-27 vaccine schedules under the new Vax Act, changing what families can expect for coverage and recommendations.