Baltimore mayoral candidate Sheila Dixon speaks on endorsement from State’s Attorney Ivan Bates

Former Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon, the Democratic candidate for mayor, appeared with T.J. Smith on Wednesday afternoon, days after she received an endorsement from City State’s Attorney Ivan Bates.

Dixon said she is humbled by the endorsement and that she is happy that he has the confidence in her.

“I’m humbled that the state’s attorney has confidence in me being a great partner with the state’s attorney’s office,” Dixon said. “I know it’s taken a lot for him to come to this decision.”

Dixon noted that her predecessor as mayor, Martin O’Malley, had a tense relationship with then-State’s Attorney Patricia Jessamy. Dixon said as mayor, she worked to improve that relationship.

Dixon would not say if she would keep Richard Worley as the city’s police commissioner if she was elected, saying she would have to meet with him first.

“Ten years from now, my hope is our crime will be so low that other cities will come to Baltimore to look at the collaborations and partnerships,” Dixon said.

The full interview can be watched above.

Maryland U.S. Senate debate canceled after David Trone refuses to commit

WBAL-TV partnered with NBC Washington, “Meet the Press,” and Maryland Public Television to bring Maryland voters a televised debate featuring the Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate.

That debate was scheduled for April 23.

Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks accepted WBAL-TV’s invitation, but U.S. Rep. David Trone’s campaign refused to commit to the debate. So, at this time, that debate has been called off.

Statement from Angela Alsobrooks’ campaign

Alsobrooks’ campaign manager, Sheila O’Connell, released a statement, saying: “Angela is committed to ensuring voters across Maryland have the opportunity to see the choice they have on the ballot in May. Angela continues to gain momentum as we approach the primary, earning key endorsements and growing her grassroots movement in Maryland. Voters know she’ll best represent us in the Senate.”

Statement from David Trone‘s campaign

“David has already participated in or committed to more than a dozen public forums and a televised debate. We look forward to continuing to campaign in every county in Maryland to talk about the issues that matter with the people who matter most: Marylanders.”

Baltimore City races

WBAL-TV is pleased to report that it and Maryland Public Television will bring voters a debate featuring the top Democratic candidates for Baltimore mayor at 7 p.m. on April 17. WBAL-TV is also hosting a debate featuring the candidates for Baltimore City Council president that will stream on April 18 on WBALTV.com and the WBAL-TV app, as well as the Very Local app.

Sen. Ben Cardin talks Baltimore Key Bridge replacement commitment

“We need to make sure that we have the commitment moving forward to replace the bridge with the type of bridge befitting of our community,” Sen. Ben Cardin said as he plans to meet this week with the Office of Management and Budget.

There’s a limit to how much money is appropriated for these types of projects, and Cardin says Congress has to appropriate those funds.

“The Congress has come together to make sure the resources are there so that infrastructure can be replaced,” Cardin said.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday that the federal government will pick up the lion’s share of the cost of a new key bridge.

“There are pots of dollars that are unleashed under emergency declarations, and those funds are flowing,” Cardin added.

Source: WBAL

Trump’s lawyers push for recusal of Judge Juan Merchan in hush money case

Donald Trump’s lawyers are again asking Judge Juan Merchan to recuse himself from the former president’s New York hush money trial, seven months after the judge declined a similar request by defense lawyers. Defense lawyers filed a letter Monday arguing that Merchan’s daughter’s work for the digital consulting firm Authentic Campaigns creates an “ongoing financial interest” tied to the former president’s criminal trial.

“Under these circumstances, Your Honor has an interest in this case that warrants recusal, there is an unacceptable risk that the Court’s family relationships will influence judicial conduct, and the Court’s impartiality ‘might reasonably be questioned,’” defense lawyer Todd Blanche wrote, asking for permission to file a motion in support of recusal.

Responding in a filing Tuesday, prosecutors with the Manhattan district attorney’s office argued that the defense request for Merchan’s recusal was factually flawed, failed to provide new information, and should be immediately denied.

“There is simply nothing new here that would alter this Court’s prior conclusion that nothing about this proceeding will directly benefit Authentic or this Court’s family member, let alone this Court,” prosecutor Matthew Colangelo said.

Trump’s lawyers made a similar effort to have Merchan recused from the case last year based on $35 in political contributions he made to Democrats in 2020 — including a $15 donation to Joe Biden — as well as his role overseeing the 2022 Trump Organization trial, and his daughter’s work as a political consultant.

Merchan declined to recuse himself in an August 2023 ruling, writing that “this Court has examined its conscience and is certain in its ability to be fair and impartial.”

“Defendant has failed to demonstrate that there exists concrete, or even realistic reasons for recusal to be appropriate, much less required on these grounds. The speculative and hypothetical scenarios offered by Defendant fall well short of the legal standard,” Merchan said about the allegations related to his daughter’s work.

Merchan relied on a May 2023 opinion issued by New York’s Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics, which determined that his “impartiality cannot reasonably be questioned” based on his daughter’s work.

Source: WBAL

President Biden to visit Baltimore following last week’s collapse of Key Bridge

President Joe Biden is scheduled to visit Baltimore on Friday after last week’s collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

The president plans to meet with state and local officials and get an “on-the-ground look” at federal response efforts. Details on the exact time were not immediately available.

Also on Monday, the U.S. Coast Guard established a temporary, alternate channel for commercially essential vessels near the fallen Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, part of a phased approach to opening the main channel leading to the vital port, officials said.

Mayor Scott: 2025 budget is balanced without raising taxes or cutting services

ONFIRE-TV.com – Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott released details of his $3.4 billion 2025 operating budget on Monday, saying he has closed a $61.9 million budget gap without raising taxes or cutting services.

The mayor cited some strategic moves and good economic timing for a balanced budget proposal.

“We are putting forth a budget that completely covers the gap without furloughing employees, closing fire stations or rec centers, and without cutting city services or turning our back on the priorities of Baltimore while moving forward,” Scott said. “It takes into consideration both the financial health of the city and the very real needs that we all have ahead of us.”

According to the mayor, the next fiscal year’s budget is smaller than this year’s spending plan by 3.4%. The mayor said he instructed agencies to find 5% savings.

As part of the plan, 89 vacant city positions have been frozen, education funding is not as high as expected, property tax assessments have increased by 6.7%, income tax receipts are up by 4.2%, investment earnings increased by 59.8%, and there is a 21.3% jump in state highway user fees.

The mayor said it’s too early to tell what kind of impact last week’s collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge could have on the city’s budget.

“At this point, it is still too early to tell fully how the bridge collapse will impact our overall financial outlook,” Scott said.

The administration took 55 vacant positions at the Baltimore Police Department off the books. There is no reduction in the force, and civilians will fill in, when necessary, with the help of a state grant.

Additionally, several other city departments have lost positions, they include:

– Departments of Public Works and Recreation and Parks: eight

– Enoch-Pratt Free Library: seven

– Baltimore Housing: five

– Department of Transportation: three

– Baltimore City Office of Equity and Civil Rights: two

– Department of Human resources: one

The mayor and city officials said the balanced budget proposal comes, in part, through savings and higher-than-anticipated property tax revenues, singling out south Baltimore as an area of growth.

“The good news that we are seeing on the residential side is that property, even though we are in this marketplace because of inflation, things have cooled, those properties are holding their value. That is really good news for the city’s overall property tax assessable base,” said Laura Larsen, the city’s budget director under the Bureau of the Budget and Management Research.

The mayor is also relying on future revenue-generating proposals.

After the city made a $650,000 investment in license plate readers, the mayor plans to establish a pilot initiative to enforce residential permit parking using the license plate readers.

Parking penalties that were waived during COVID-19 will return, and the mayor plans to introduce new parking tax legislation to close loopholes used by online brokers and apps. The mayor will seek an overall increase in parking fines and fees through the city’s Board of Estimates.

“What we are really trying to do there is to ensure that we are maximizing existing revenue streams into the general fund,” Larsen said.

The public will have some say in the budget, and the City Council has the authority to make changes. The lawmakers have until June 26 to adopt the plan.

Source: WBAL

ONFIRE-TV’s voters guide for the 2024 general election

The 2024 presidential primary elections take place in all 50 states and territories between January and June. While Maryland’s primary elections are not until May, ONFIRE-TV is getting you prepared to vote. Here’s a comprehensive guide to voting in Maryland.

How can I register to vote?

You can register to vote online, by mail, or in person.  

Registration instructions are available on the Maryland State Board of Elections website.  

Voter Registration Deadlines

  • Online registration deadline: 21 days before Election Day
  • Register by mail deadline: Must be postmarked 21 days before Election Day
  • In person registration deadline: Available up to and including on Election Day by 5:00 p.m.

You can check your voter registration status here. 

What deadlines do I need to know about?

Maryland Primaries

  • Both the Maryland Presidential Primary, and the Maryland State Primary will take place on Tuesday, May 14, 2024.

Requesting an absentee ballot

  • If you want to receive your ballot by mail, your request must be made by Tuesday, May 7, 2024.
  • If you submitted your ballot request by mail, but want to receive your ballot online, your request must be submitted by Friday, May 10 at 11:59 p.m.
  • If you submitted your ballot request online, and want to receive your ballot online, you must submit your request by Friday, May 10 at 5:00 p.m.

You can request an absentee ballot online here. 

Submitting your absentee ballot 

Completed ballots must be delivered by hand or by mail. 

If you’re submitting your ballot by mail, it must be postmarked on or before Mary 14.  Your ballot must be received by your local board of elections by 10 a.m. on May 24. 

You can find your local board of elections here. 

  • You can also submit your ballot by taking it to a drop box.  When you receive your ballot, you will also receive a list of ballot drop box locations in your county.  
  • If you’re hand-delivering your ballot, you must deliver it to your local board of elections by 8:00 p.m. on May 14.
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – OCTOBER 26: Residents of Baltimore City cast votes as early voting begins in the state of Maryland at Edmondson High School on October 26, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. In addition to the Presidential race, the congressional seat held by the late Rep. Elijah Cummings’s (D-MD) is on the ballot with Kweisi Mfume (D-MD) running against GOP candidate, Kimberly Klacik (R-MD). (Photo by J. Countess/Getty Images)

Early Voting Dates

  • Early voting is available from Thursday, May 2, 2024, to Thursday, May 9, 2024.

Other Voting Tips 

  • Keep an eye on Maryland’s key races for the 2024 elections

White House encourages House Republicans to ‘move on’ from their Biden impeachment effort

President Joe Biden’s top White House lawyer is encouraging House Speaker Mike Johnson to end his chamber’s efforts to impeach the president over unproven claims that he benefited from the business dealings of his son and brother. White House counsel Ed Siskel wrote in a Friday letter to Johnson, R-La., that testimony and records turned over to the House Oversight and Judiciary committees have failed to establish any wrongdoing and that even Republican witnesses have poured cold water on the impeachment effort. It comes a month after federal prosecutors charged an ex-FBI informant who was the source of some of the most explosive allegations with lying about the Bidens and undisclosed Russian intelligence contacts.

“It is obviously time to move on, Mr. Speaker,” Siskel wrote. “This impeachment is over. There is too much important work to be done for the American people to continue wasting time on this charade.”

The rare communique from the White House counsel’s office comes as Republicans, their House majority shrinking ever further with early departures, have come to a near-standstill in their Biden impeachment inquiry. Johnson has acknowledged that it’s unclear if the Biden probe will disclose impeachable offenses and that “people have gotten frustrated” that it has dragged on this long. But he insisted as he opened a House Republican retreat late Wednesday in West Virginia that the “slow and deliberate” process is by design as investigators do the work.

( L to R) Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Rep. James Comer (R-Ky), chairman of the House Oversight Committee and Rep. Jason Smith (R-MO) during a House Committee on Oversight and Accountability hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on September 28, 2023. The hearing is the first formal hearing regarding the US House impeachment inquiry into US President Joe Biden. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP) (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)

“Does it reach the ‘treason, high crimes and misdemeanor’ standard?” Johnson said, referring to the Constitution’s high bar for impeachment. “Everyone will have to make that evaluation when we pull all the evidence together.”

Without the support from their narrow ranks to impeach the Democratic president, the Republican leaders are increasingly eyeing criminal referrals to the Justice Department of those they say may have committed potential crimes for prosecution. It is unclear to whom they are referring.

Still, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer is marching ahead with a planned hearing next week despite Hunter Biden’s decision not to appear . Instead, the panel will hear public testimony from several former business partners of the president’s son.

Georgia judge dismisses some charges in Trump 2020 election case

The judge overseeing former President Trump’s Georgia election subversion case on Wednesday dismissed six counts in the indictment, including three against the former president. Judge Scott McAfee’s order said prosecutors could seek to refile the quashed charges. It comes ahead of a highly anticipated decision over whether to remove Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis from the case. It’s a win for the former president, who has not seen any of his charges across his four criminal cases dismissed.

Trump still faces more than half a dozen counts in the Georgia case. The former president and presumptive GOP presidential nominee originally faced 13 counts related to his alleged efforts to subvert 2020 election results in Georgia. Driving the news: McAfee in his Wednesday filing wrote that the six counts he’s dismissing against Trump and some of his co-defendants “contain all the essential elements of the crimes” but “fail to allege sufficient detail regarding the nature of their commission.” “They do not give the Defendants enough information to prepare their defenses intelligently, as the Defendants could have violated the Constitutions and thus the statute in dozens, if not hundreds, of distinct ways.” The counts that McAfee tossed relate to allegations that Trump and some of the co-defendants solicited the violation of oath by a public officer.

Mayor Brandon Scott adds insight on police plans to address rise in traffic violators

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott is discussing a plan to increase traffic enforcement across Baltimore City. Appearing on WBAL Radio this Wednesday, the mayor said a directive to pay closer attention to traffic violators came from him, the police commissioner, and demands from the community.

“When people are not obeying traffic laws, when they’re speeding, when they’re blowing through stop signs, they will be pulled over,” Scott said. “People are driving like maniacs.”

As far as having enough cops to do it, the mayor said they’re continuing to work on recruiting and retaining officers, but that they must enforce the basic laws.

Scott explained that authorities were stopping violators, but that it wasn’t a big focus, and that things have changed to allow police to shift that focus.

“As we continue to drive down homicides and shootings in the city, they also have a responsibility to be helping keeping people safe in every way,” Scott said.