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Saturday, July 31, 2010
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April 14, 2009 - Maryland's General Assembly wrapped up its legislative session amid an economic downturn that led to major budget cuts. Governor Martin O'Malley speaks with WAMU host Matt McCleskey about funding choices, immigration policy, the future of Preakness Stakes and his priorities moving forward.
April 14, 2009 - Tax Day is tomorrow, and Maryland's comptroller is using shame in hopes of getting delinquents to pay up.
Matt Bush reports....
April 14, 2009 - Planners have chosen the design for a new museum on the National Mall from among models by the world's leading architects.
Stephanie Kaye reports...
April 14, 2009 - Less than one percent of houses in Maryland are estimated to have gone through an energy audit. That's where professionals test and recommend what homeowners can do to save energy. And officials are hoping to encourage residents through financial incentives.
Congressman Chris Van Hollen says there's a lot of talk about renewable energy sources but people need to also save energy. None of the elected officials present had had energy audits conducted in their own homes. But Van Hollen says the upfront costs associated with improving energy efficiency can discourage people, which is exactly why he's trying to push for a federal fund that would offer homeowners no-interest loans of up to $10,000 payable over 15 years through property taxes. He says that way even if people move, the costs and future savings in increased efficiency would stay with the house.
Kavitha Cardoza reports...
April 14, 2009 - Two major egg events competed for the attention of parents and kids around the region.
Stephanie Kaye visited one taking place among the animals at the National Zoo...
Easter Monday at the National Zoo, circa 1900s.
Courtesy of: Smithsonian Archives
April 14, 2009 - Federal law requires licensed gun dealers to perform background checks on buyers. That does not apply to private or individual sellers at Gun Shows. Omar Semaha lost his sister in the Virginia Tech Massacre 2 years ago. He called attention to the loophole by buying 10 guns in under an hour without any background check at a Gun Show in Richmond.
According to ATF, 30 percent of illegally trafficked guns come from gun shows, and Virginia is the fourth largest supplier of guns nationally. Semaha joined other family members, survivors and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg in urging Virginia to change the law. They unveiled an ad specifically targeting Virginia gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell, the only candidate to oppose legislation that would close the loophole. Neither the NRA nor the McDonnell campaign returned calls seeking comment, but in published reports, the campaign said McDonnell supports background checks by dealers. What McDonnell opposes, they said, was expanding government regulation into the private affairs of law abiding citizens, including gun sales between individuals.
Sabri Ben-Achour reports...
April 14, 2009 - A public hearing is set this week in Spotsylvania County, Va., over living with bears. The black bear population continues to spread throughout the commonwealth, including Spotsylvania County. On Wednesday, officials with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries will be at the Chancellor Community Center to talk about the issue. Also on hand will be members of the county Sheriff's Office as well as a bear biologist. The meeting will focus on how best to peacefully live with black bears. More information is on the county's Web site.
Pat Brogan reports...
April 14, 2009 - For a handful of the Washington region's most creative teachers and their students, the Washington Wizards last home game served as the backdrop to honor success in a more important challenge.
David Klatt reports...
April 14, 2009 - A timely forum on maritime security, a cost analysis of rental housing and the kick-off of a two-day Bed Bug Summit -- Elizabeth Wynn Johnson has a preview of today's highlights.
April 14, 2009 - (April 15) NATURE WALK The Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum leads a walking and talking tour along the George Washington Carver Nature Trail tomorrow morning, starting at 10. You can learn how the principles of Kwanzaa are applied to explain the benefits of natural recycling, the insect community, medicinal plants and other outdoor offerings.
(April 15) iPod JUKEBOX iPod Jukebox is almost always on the second Wednesday of the month, but in April these musical spinners decided to play the tax season blues tonight at Café Saint-Ex along D.C.’s 14th and U Street corridor. You’re invited to bring your own MP3 player, no matter whether it holds Ginger Rogers singing “We’re in the Money” or Notorious B.I.G.’s “Mo’ Money Mo’ Problems”.
(April 16) GRAPES & APES Grapes with the Apes brings out the animal in every wine-lover, with a tasting event at the National Zoo](http://nationalzoo.si.edu/ActivitiesAndEvents/YoungProfessionals/AfterHours/default.cfm?fonzref=afterhours.htm) Thursday night from 6 to 9. You can make a toast to the zoo’s wildlife conservation efforts and join Friends of the National Zoo for sample tipples, live music and cheers for the new baby gorilla.
(April 16-May 9) THE BREAD OF WINTER The world premiere of a play that’s been raked over the coals in workshop for five years is now ready for the stage. The Bread of Winter opens Thursday at the H Street Playhouse and runs through May 9th. This haunting tale captures the cold of winter and the even colder people inhabiting it.
April 14, 2009 - Election officials in Montgomery County, Md., are gearing up for next weeks special primary contests. The winners will square off to fill the open seat on the county council. Making laws has often been compared to making sausages because the end result is often a lot prettier than the process. Making democracy work that is, ensuring each vote is counted in an election, is more like preparing for a space shuttle launch. Even the smallest details are double and triple checked.
Patrick Madden has more...
April 14, 2009 - Maryland's General Assembly has approved a $13.8 billion state budget. It maintains spending priorities for education and health care, but Republicans are criticizing its reliance on $1.5 billion in federal funding. They say that's setting up the state for bigger problems if the economy doesn't turn around before aid runs out.
Speaking on WAMU's "Morning Edition," Gov. Martin O'Malley said federal help is necessary to pay for priorities such as education.
"We've used the stimulus dollars for the purpose for which they were intended," he said. "I make no apoology about it, and I'm glad we have a president that's actually going to use our federal government for the purposes for which it was intended."
O'Malley said he was optimistic that Maryland will recover more quickly than other states. He said that's because of job opportunities in the federal government and the bio-tech industry and because the state invests so much in education.
Rebecca Blatt reports...
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