In Session - Jan. 23, 2020

It’s week three of the Annapolis session. Delegates and senators are finalizing bills they hope to submit. But there are two legislative issues facing that aren’t exactly bill related.

The first is $5 million that was once meant for a hotel and conference center. With it no longer going there, Sens. Michael Hough (R-Carroll and Frederick) and Ron Young (D-Frederick) have proposed different options, including water improvements in Brunswick and money for a new shelter. Mongilio, who has covered some of the proposed areas the money could go, and Bohnel talk about the different options and when it will be decided.

The second is the 287(g) program. The controversial program has been the topic of much discussion in the county. Del. Karen Lewis Young and Young sent letters to the Attorney General’s Office about the program. Bohnel and Mongilio discuss the answers, potential next steps and what this means for the county.

And always looking to end a long day in Annapolis on a good note, Bohnel mentions a resolution that announced the Catoctin Cougars as football champs.

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In Session - Jan 16, 2020

In the first episode of In Session for 2020, host Heather Mongilio speaks with county government and statehouse reporter Steve Bohnel about the Kirwan Commission, a well-known statewide initiative to improve public education.

The two discuss how some of the current members of the Frederick County delegation view the issue, and what possible funding sources could be used.

Later, they discuss Sen. Ron Young's assault weapons buyback program bill, which was recently withdrawn due to state police stating the bill would be costly. The episode wraps up with discussion of a bill which would make "The Land Mary-Land" by Tom Wisner the state song for children.

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In Session - Sine Die marks the end of the 2019 General Assemby

The 2019 legislative session came to a close on Monday with sad news that Michael Busch, speaker of the House of Delegates for 16 years, had died at age 72 from complications of pneumonia the day before.

State house reporter and host Allen Etzler wrap-up this season of In Session by reviewing what bills made it through the General Assembly, a possible legal battle over prescription drug pricing and what freshman delegate impressed her most with his approach to legislation. Thanks for listening. 

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In Session - March 29, 2019

Gov. Larry Hogan (R) issues his first veto on three bills this session, and lawmakers turn around to override him within 24-to-48 hours.

In this episode of In Session, state house reporter Samantha Hogan and host Allen Etzler discuss the surprise defeat of the medical aid-in-dying bill in the state Senate and gerrymandering as the U.S. Supreme Court hears the Maryland's second appeal to the highest court. They also hone in on what's still left to be done with just one more week left in the 2019 session.

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In Session - March 22, 2019

In this special two-week update edition of In Session, state house reporter Samantha Hogan and host Allen Etzler discuss what bills are headed to the desk of Gov. Larry Hogan (R) and which ones are racing the clock.

With approximately 17 days left in the General Assembly session, the House and Senate are making tough calls on what will bills to bring to a vote. The two chambers also hash out details on an operating and capital budget for the state. Listen to this episode to catch up on the minimum wage, tanning, redistricting and whether soy milk might someday not be able to call itself "milk" in Maryland.

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In Session - March 8, 2019

The Maryland House of Delegates makes a landmark decision to pass a medical aid-in-dying bill by a slim majority this week in Annapolis. State house reporter Samantha Hogan and host Allen Etzler discuss what's next for this bill in the Senate, how legislation to ban plastic foam is moving in the House and the fate of the Handgun Permit Review Board. In this episode of In Session, we also hear about new legal grounds for divorce being considered by the House Judiciary Committee, and how men and women are differing in their reaction to it.

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In Session - March 4, 2019

Leaders in Annapolis made so many decisions last week, we had to wait until Monday to tell you about it.

Catch up with state house reporter Samantha Hogan and host Allen Etzler on the House of Delegates vote to approve a $15 minimum wage, end-of-life options leaving committee for the first time, surprising turns in the redistricting decision and what can be expected this week in the state capital.

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In Session - Feb. 22. 2019

Maryland lawmakers consider alcohol and gun laws this week in Annapolis. State house reporter Samantha Hogan and guest host Allen Etzler discuss the probability of local and state brewery bills passing and why the gun debate has already become complicated in this week’s edition of In Session. They also catch up on redistricting proposals for the 6th Congressional District, which could mean big changes for Frederick County.

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In Session - Feb. 15, 2019

News-Post city editor Allen Etzler is joined by state government reporter Samantha Hogan, who calls in from Annapolis to update us on this week’s developments in the General Assembly.

The two discuss a pair of bills that would allow the creation of which would authorize Maryland to establish up to six "overdose and infectious disease prevention sites,” possible bans of Styrofoam/Polystrene and restrictions of single-use straws and several other bills being considered by Maryland lawmakers.

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In Session - Feb. 8, 2019

This week on In Session, guest host Allen Etzler and state house reporter Samantha Hogan discuss CREST — a regional higher education center in Frederick County designed to offer science and technology degrees to local undergraduate, graduate and Ph.D. students — and why it received zero funding in Governor Larry Hogan's budget. They also take a look at a bill to let school systems again select their start-date, after Hogan issued an executive order in 2016 mandating schools start after Labor Day. Finally, listen to local round-up of upcoming issues including campaign finance, transportation and whether to fund bonds to fix public infrastructure or preserve historic structures in Frederick County.

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In Session - Jan. 30, 2019

Gov. Larry Hogan (R) gave his State of the State address to the General Assembly on Wednesday with calls for tax relief, redistricting legislation and judicial reform.

Guest host Graham Cullen and state house reporter Samantha Hogan also dig into the priorities announced early this week and late last week by the Democratic and Republican caucuses and where potential conflicts exist between the two.

Plus, freshman Del. Ken Kerr turns crimson after a funny prank during his first bill hearing.

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In Session - Jan. 25, 2019

Is it time for Maryland to move from a "may carry" to a "right to carry" state? Should people seeking medical care expect to receive a Patient's Bill of Rights when they arrive at a hospital? How much beer is the right amount for Frederick breweries to make and sell? 

The Frederick County delegation ask these questions and more as it files legislation for the 2019 session. Guest host and News-Post city editor Allen Etzler is joined by state house reporter Samantha Hogan as they dive into new bills and more during this week's episode of In Session.

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In Session- Jan. 18, 2019

The first week of the 2019 General Assembly session concludes with the release of Gov. Larry Hogan's $46.6 billion budget. State house reporter Samantha Hogan and host Colin McGuire talk budget priorities for Frederick County, legislation in front of the county delegation, a plan to move Baltimore City toward ranked-choice voting and calls for bipartisanship on Inauguration Day.

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In Session- Jan. 11, 2019

The General Assembly is only three days into it's 90-day session, but already there's much to discuss. State house reporter Samantha Hogan and host Colin McGuire talk redistricting, education, renewable energy and other topics that are expected to be debated in 2019. Details of a surprise cancer announcement from State Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr. is also included in this week's episode of In Session. 

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In the Booth with Liz Barrett, candidate for Board of Education

Candidates for the Frederick County Board of Education sat down with Editor Allen Etzler and Education Reporter Emma Kerr to talk county-wide redistricting, Frederick High School's LYNX program, the recruitment of diverse teachers, school safety and more. 

Eight candidates, including three incumbents, remain in this non-partisan race: Karen Yoho, Cindy Rose, April Miller, Brad Young, Camden Raynor, Liz Barrett, Jay Mason and Kim Williams. Early voting begins Oct. 25, and Election Day is Nov. 6. Voters will select four candidates who each serve four-year terms.

Williams did not respond to multiple requests for her participation in this podcast. Rose declined to participate. 

In the Booth with Jay Mason, candidate for Board of Education

Candidates for the Frederick County Board of Education sat down with Editor Allen Etzler and Education Reporter Emma Kerr to talk county-wide redistricting, Frederick High School's LYNX program, the recruitment of diverse teachers, school safety and more. 

Eight candidates, including three incumbents, remain in this non-partisan race: Karen Yoho, Cindy Rose, April Miller, Brad Young, Camden Raynor, Liz Barrett, Jay Mason and Kim Williams. Early voting begins Oct. 25, and Election Day is Nov. 6. Voters will select four candidates who each serve four-year terms.

Williams did not respond to multiple requests for her participation in this podcast. Rose declined to participate. 

In the Booth with April Miller, candidate for Board of Education

Candidates for the Frederick County Board of Education sat down with Editor Allen Etzler and Education Reporter Emma Kerr to talk county-wide redistricting, Frederick High School's LYNX program, the recruitment of diverse teachers, school safety and more. 

Eight candidates, including three incumbents, remain in this non-partisan race: Karen Yoho, Cindy Rose, April Miller, Brad Young, Camden Raynor, Liz Barrett, Jay Mason and Kim Williams. Early voting begins Oct. 25, and Election Day is Nov. 6. Voters will select four candidates who each serve four-year terms.

Williams did not respond to multiple requests for her participation in this podcast. Rose declined to participate. 

In the Booth with Camden Raynor, candidate for Board of Education

Candidates for the Frederick County Board of Education sat down with Editor Allen Etzler and Education Reporter Emma Kerr to talk county-wide redistricting, Frederick High School's LYNX program, the recruitment of diverse teachers, school safety and more. 

Eight candidates, including three incumbents, remain in this non-partisan race: Karen Yoho, Cindy Rose, April Miller, Brad Young, Camden Raynor, Liz Barrett, Jay Mason and Kim Williams. Early voting begins Oct. 25, and Election Day is Nov. 6. Voters will select four candidates who each serve four-year terms.

Williams did not respond to multiple requests for her participation in this podcast. Rose declined to participate. 

In the Booth with Karen Yoho, candidate for Board of Education

Candidates for the Frederick County Board of Education sat down with Editor Allen Etzler and Education Reporter Emma Kerr to talk county-wide redistricting, Frederick High School's LYNX program, the recruitment of diverse teachers, school safety and more. 

Eight candidates, including three incumbents, remain in this non-partisan race: Karen Yoho, Cindy Rose, April Miller, Brad Young, Camden Raynor, Liz Barrett, Jay Mason and Kim Williams. Early voting begins Oct. 25, and Election Day is Nov. 6. Voters will select four candidates who each serve four-year terms.

Williams did not respond to multiple requests for her participation in this podcast. Rose declined to participate. 

In the Booth with Brad Young, candidate for Board of Education

Candidates for the Frederick County Board of Education sat down with Editor Allen Etzler and Education Reporter Emma Kerr to talk county-wide redistricting, Frederick High School's LYNX program, the recruitment of diverse teachers, school safety and more. 

Eight candidates, including three incumbents, remain in this non-partisan race: Karen Yoho, Cindy Rose, April Miller, Brad Young, Camden Raynor, Liz Barrett, Jay Mason and Kim Williams. Early voting begins Oct. 25, and Election Day is Nov. 6. Voters will select four candidates who each serve four-year terms.

Williams did not respond to multiple requests for her participation in this podcast. Rose declined to participate.