Peter Franchot

Independent candidate for Wicomico County Executive Jack Heath has endorsed Republican Governor Larry Hogan in his re-election bid this year.

In addition, Heath gave his blessing to Comptroller Peter Franchot a Democrat who is running for re-election.

He said the two have given a voice in Annapolis to the concerns of the Eastern Shore.

Heath is challenging Republican incumbent Bob Culver.

Heath is currently the president of the Salisbury City Council and has been endorsed by the local Democratic Club.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan and other state officials have accused upstream states of failing to take responsibility for pollution that is pouring into the Chesapeake Bay, after last week's record rainfall.

The Republican governor noted the trees, tires and other garbage now floating in the nation's largest estuary. He called the situation "an economic and ecological crisis."

Comptroller Peter Franchot, a Democrat, says, "We're literally drowning in Pennsylvania's trash."

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - The Maryland Senate has approved a measure to change how school-construction funding decisions are made.

The Senate voted 29-14 Thursday for the bill, which Gov. Larry Hogan has pledged to veto. The House passed the bill earlier this week 92-48.

The measure carried both chambers with enough votes to override a veto.

BALTIMORE (AP) - A bill introduced by two Maryland delegates seeks to roll back how much beer small breweries in the state can serve in their taprooms while allowing larger facilities to maintain existing limits.

The Baltimore Sun reported Monday that Maryland Dels. Talmadge Branch and Dereck Davis introduced House Bill 1052.

The bill calls for reducing annual limits from the existing 2,000 barrels to 500 barrels at small breweries while allowing larger facilities to continue to sell 2,000 barrels of beer. 

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - A Maryland panel will consider Gov. Larry Hogan's proposal to cut $68 million from the state's $43.5 billion budget.

The Baltimore Sun reports that the Board of Public Works will vote on the governor's request on Wednesday.

It’s Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week when qualifying apparel and footwear that cost $100 or less can be purchased without paying the 6 percent sale tax.

Accessories items are not included.

But the first $40 towards a book bag or backpack is discounted.

The tax free week is aimed at giving parents a break as they prepare their children for going back to school in the fall.

The tax free week ends on Saturday.

Comptroller Peter Franchot will be stopping by Salisbury to give the program a boost.

Beginning Sunday, it’s Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week.

Shoppers can purchase everything from clothing to footwear costing a hundred dollars or less and won’t have to pay the 6 percent state sales tax.

For the first time this year the first $40 for a backpack purchase will be tax free.

On line purchases will also fall under the program if the items are purchased and delivered during tax free week.  

The program runs from Sunday August 13th to the following the Saturday August 19th.

The state of Maryland will buy a tract 16-hundred acre tract of forest and wetlands in Somerset County.

The narrow decision by the Board of Public Works will mean the state will spend $3.4 million.

It’s located west of Route 13 just north of Princess Anne.

But the Salisbury Daily Times reports it was a narrow 2-to-1 vote with Comptroller Peter Franchot saying that he was not satisfied the land needed to be purchased to preserve it.   

He noted that much of the tract is swamp and is not expected to be developed even within the next hundred years.

Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot says he’s going to fight a bill that he says puts a knife into the backs of local craft brewers.

The Maryland official was on the Eastern Shore yesterday visiting local craft brewers during the Maryland Municipal League.

The legislation would force local brewers to buy back their own products from wholesalers as well as force them to close their doors as early as 10 p.m.

WBOC reports that Franchot says the measure would cost the Eastern Shore economy billions of dollars each year.

It is baseball and craft beer.

That’s the theme of the latest efforts by the Maryland Department of Tourism.

Officially called the Maryland Baseball and Brew Scorecard the summertime promotion is aimed at encouraging travel across the state.

The scorecards can be picked up at participating breweries and Maryland Welcome Centers.

And when they are all filled out there are prizes.

Comptroller Peter Franchot says it is a way to celebrate to great Maryland traditions.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - A Maryland board has approved a large contract for the lottery's central monitoring and control system.

The Board of Public Works voted 2-1 Wednesday for the contract, which could run as high as $341 million over 11 years. Gov. Larry Hogan and Treasurer Nancy Kopp voted for the contract for Scientific Games International. Comptroller Peter Franchot voted against it.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Gov. Larry Hogan has signed a measure to create greater protections for Maryland taxpayers from tax fraud and identity theft.

It was one of the 207 bills the governor signed on Thursday.

The measure strengthens the ability of the comptroller's office to stop tax fraud, protect taxpayer information and hold fraudulent filers and tax preparers accountable.

Comptroller Peter Franchot says: "It's the missing piece of the puzzle for fighting tax fraud."

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - The state of Maryland has processed more than one million tax returns so far this tax season.

The office of Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot said in a statement Monday that the one millionth return was submitted by a tax filer in Calvert County.

The office says that last year it processed 3.2 million personal income tax returns. About 84 percent of those filings were filed electronically.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Maryland's top tax collector says his office accidentally misdirected $21.4 million of local income tax payments for years.

In September, auditors reported that the comptroller's office sent $8.7 million to the wrong Montgomery County municipalities. But media outlets report that Comptroller Peter Franchot told lawmakers Wednesday that his office found another $12.7 million has been misdirected since 2010 and the problem affects nearly every municipality in the state.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Gov. Larry Hogan signed an executive order Wednesday to start Maryland public schools after Labor Day.

As he stood on the boardwalk in Ocean City Hogan said that this would help extend the tourist season for Marylanders and local businesses.

In addition, he said that it would help schools avoid the hot weather of August – especially for those without air conditioning and would save on energy costs.

The change is set to take effect next year. It requires public schools to complete the 180 days required under state law.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Gov. Larry Hogan and Comptroller Peter Franchot will be in Ocean City to make an announcement about the starting date of Maryland schools in future years.

A news conference is scheduled for Wednesday. The governor declined to discuss details about the announcement when asked Tuesday, and a spokesman for the comptroller also wouldn't elaborate. However, both officials have supported starting school after Labor Day.

Franchot released a YouTube video on Monday with Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan talking about the positive aspects of a later school start.

BALTIMORE (AP) - Maryland has reached a settlement with the family of a Frostburg State University football player who died from a head injury he suffered in practice.

The agenda for the Board of Public Works' meeting set for Wednesday shows Maryland's attorney general is seeking approval for a payment of $50,000 to settle a wrongful death lawsuit brought by the family of fullback Derek Sheely.

Sheely's parents alleged negligence by three football staff members, the NCAA and others.

SYKESVILLE, Md. (AP) - Comptroller Peter Franchot is taking a walking tour of Sykesville.

The comptroller's visit on Friday comes after the town was named "Coolest Small Town in America" by Budget Travel magazine.

Franchot will visit several local businesses.

Mayor Ian Shaw, Town Manager Dawn Ashbacher and Economic Development Director Steven Colella will join Franchot at all stops.

It's the second time in three years that a Maryland town has won the magazine's "Coolest Small Town" contest. Berlin on the Eastern Shore won in 2014.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - The state of Maryland will be holding a bond sale.

The sale is scheduled for Wednesday in Annapolis during the state's Board of Public Works meeting.

During the competitive sale, bids will be transmitted electronically by underwriting syndicates.

The winning bid will be ratified at the meeting. Final pricing is incorporated in the bond purchasing agreement, which must be approved by the board, which is made up of Gov. Larry Hogan, Treasurer Nancy Kopp and Comptroller Peter Franchot.