Peter Franchot

Maryland businesses and residents will get a 90-day extension to file their income tax.

There will be no interest or penalty payments if tax forms are filed by July 15th.

WBOC reports that Comptroller Peter Franchot said it was time for residents and businesses to focus on their health and keeping the lights on.

He said that this will keep the cash flowing through the economy and into employee’s bank accounts.

The move follows a similar action announced by the White House.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan is ordering the closure of bars, restaurants, gyms and movie theaters across the state in response to coronavirus.

Hogan announced his order would go into effect Monday at 5 p.m.

Hogan says drive-thru, carryout and delivery service will still be allowed.

Hogan also announced a prohibition on social, community, recreational or religious gatherings of more than 50 people in close proximity.

He also says the state is planning to make up to 6,000 more hospital beds available.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — A Maryland official who regulates tobacco is announcing a ban on disposable flavored electronic cigarettes in the state.

Comptroller Peter Franchot said Monday federal regulations that took effect last week don't cover flavored disposable e-cigarettes that are popular among children.

He says he's directed his Field Enforcement Division to take more aggressive action by prohibiting the sale of disposable electronic smoking devices with flavors other than tobacco or menthol.

It’s tax season.

And the Maryland Comptroller’s office is now processing personal returns.

The office began the processing earlier this week.

Comptroller Peter Franchot says, “We process more than 3 million tax returns. We give almost $3 billion in refunds back to Marylanders. So we encourage everyone who believes they are owed a refund to file early electronically.”

Franchot also boasts of his revamped website which he says makes filing much easier.

In addition, he also warns against scams that would steal your return.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot says he's running for governor in 2022. Franchot, a Democrat, confirmed his plan to run in a telephone interview Thursday.

Franchot is in his fourth four-year term as the state's tax collector.

He was re-elected in 2018 with more than 1.6 million votes in the statewide race, or about 72% of the vote.

He says he would govern in a similar way to how he has run the comptoller's office and focus on bringing respect, responsibility and results to taxpayers.

If you visit the old Maryland tax website it will be looking a bit different.

The Maryland Comptroller’s office announced that it has been redesigned to make it more user friendly especially for mobile devices such as laps tops and tablets.

This range from the latest technological advances and new compliance features to integrated social media to help navigate the site more easily.

BALTIMORE (AP) - Congressman and civil rights champion Elijah Cummings is set to receive a final farewell in his beloved Baltimore.

Former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton are among the scheduled speakers for the funeral Friday at New Psalmist Baptist Church, where Cummings worshipped for nearly four decades.

Bishop Walter S. Thomas Jr., the church's pastor, will deliver the eulogy.

Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot will be attending the Baltimore service.

Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot says he is creating a task force to look at the health risks from electronic cigarettes.

The state health department says there have been 38 deaths associated with lung injury related to vaping.

Franchot says little is known about the effects… calling it a Wild West situation.

Last Friday’s backup on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge caused by deck work on the west bound span drew the skeptical eyes of the Maryland Board of Public Works.

It was the kick off of a $27 million construction project that could take two years to complete.

With travelers stuck in traffic that reached back 12 miles on Route 50 toll fees were suspended to ease the flow of traffic.

But Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot grilled Maryland Transportation Secretary Pete Rahn as to the lack of planning as a result of the deck work.

The Maryland Comptroller’s office has a new study which find that starting school after Labor Day generates significant additional economic activity.

The study found that the net economic impact for the additional six days of summer brought in $58 million dollars.

But the benefit could jump to $115 million for 12 days depending when Labor Day falls on the calendar.

A battle has broken out between Wicomico County Executive Bob Culver and Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot.

Culver sent a letter to state Senate President Mike Miller charging that the alcohol license approved by the Comptroller’s office for the National Folk Festival in Salisbury was illegal.

Specifically, the county executive said that decision should have been left to the local alcohol commission.

In addition, he wrote that the comptroller’s nonprofit beer and wine festival permits were not proper.

The September 15th deadline looms for those struggling with student debt to get some relief from Maryland.

Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot says the Student Loan Debt Relief Tax Credit is open to any state resident who has at least $5-thousand to pay on their student loans.

He said, “This is a new program and it’s obviously not a cure all. But it’s something that says the state of Maryland wants young people to know who have a lot of college debt that we’re on their side and we’d like to help them out.”

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Maryland's new House speaker says she will "most likely" push to protect abortion rights in the state's constitution next year, as her predecessor sought to do this year.

House Speaker Adrienne Jones said Thursday she expects the issue to come back before Maryland lawmakers, especially after Alabama's governor signed the strictest-in-the-nation abortion ban.

BALTIMORE (AP) - At least one Baltimore City Council member is calling for Mayor Catherine Pugh to resign as a scandal intensifies over allegations of "self-dealing" arrangements to sell her children's book series.

Councilman Zeke Cohen says Pugh has "lost the moral mandate to govern and the public's trust." Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot has also urged her to resign. Cohen, Franchot and Pugh are Democrats.

Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot denounced the veto override of a measure that removes the authority over alcohol, tobacco and gasoline from his office.

He said, “I salute Governor Hogan for doing the right thing in vetoing this disappointing piece of legislation. It’s going to cost the taxpayers fifty million dollars over five years. It’s a crazy bill.”

He added, “The governor described it as a solution in search of a problem.”