LOCAL GOVERNMENTS SEEK MORE TAXING POWER DESPITE HOUSING CRUNCH: Maryland’s housing market is already out of reach for more than half the state’s households. Now, local governments are considering whether they should have more power to raise property-related taxes and fees, a change that housing and construction groups say could make it even harder to afford a home. Tinashe Chingarande/The Baltimore Sun.
SENIORS COULD GET WALLOPED WITH DOUBLED PREMIUMS FOR LONG-TERM CARE: Thousands of Maryland seniors paying for long-term health care could see their annual premiums double, or triple, over the next several years if state officials approve the steep increases requested by four Maryland insurance companies last week. On Thursday, representatives from the insurance companies told state officials that premium rate increases were needed due to greater than anticipated utilization of benefits and lower mortality among participants. Danielle Brown/Maryland Matters.
ED BLUEPRINT HITS A HALFWAY POINT AS LEADERS CONSIDER NEXT STEPS: Implementation of Maryland’s 10-year education overhaul plan known as The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future is at the halfway mark, and program leaders are eyeing legislative recommendations for next year. Sarah Petrowich/WYPR-FM.…