WAMU 88.5 : News

Filed Under:

Respect Sought During Maryland Legislative Session

By: Matt Bush // January 13, 2011
Play associated audio
comments

Education funding will headline the first hearing of the Maryland General Assembly in Annapolis Thursday.

State Superintendent of Schools Nancy Grasmick will address a Senate committee Thursday afternoon, as work begins to close a more than $1.3-billion budget deficit. Picking which priorities get cut is likely to spark contentious debate.

In addressing his colleagues shortly after they were sworn-in Wednesday, speaker of the House, Mike Busch, echoed the national sentiment following last weekend's shooting in Arizona: that lawmakers need to be respectful, even as they disagree.

"There's 141 different philosophies out there. And I expect vibrant debate throughout this chamber. But I will ask and demand from each and every person, the respect of the institution that we represent and the office that we hold," Busch says.

While several bills have already been introduced, hearings on them will not start until after the second inauguration of Gov. Martin O'Malley, which takes place Jan. 19.

Arts & Culture

NPR

Brooks: 'I'm An EGOT; I Don't Need Any More'

The screenwriter, producer, director and actor, whose name has become synonymous with American comedy, talks about his penchant for spoofs and his decades-long friendship with Carl Reiner. Brooks is the subject of a new American Masters documentary on PBS.

Food

NPR

Washington State Butcher Spikes Pig Feed With Weed

Despite its name, the "pot pig" experiment isn't an attempt to develop a new meaty treat for stoners. Instead, a Seattle butcher is feeding marijuana seeds, stems and root bulbs to swine as a cheeky money-saving measure.

Politics

NPR

Turnabout Is Fair Play: Senators Have Many Questions For IRS

The IRS gave some conservative groups extra, improper scrutiny. Now there's a bipartisan request for the IRS to answer dozens of questions. Read the queries and demands for information from the top Democrat and top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee.

Technology

NPR

Tweets Capture 'Shock And Awe' At Tornado's Deadly Power

Twitter captures firsthand accounts and reaction from the massive tornado that swept through central Oklahoma.

Leave a Comment

Help keep the conversation civil. Please refer to our Terms of Use and Code of Conduct before posting your comments.