Politics & Government

From Silly Laws to Public Prayers: Government Stories that Matter to You

In this week's collection of Patch government stories, you'll learn about the latest attempt by Maryland to save local money.

Patch takes seriously the journalists’ credo to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. Read all about what your elected leaders are doing in the community, and how it affects you, in the Week in Regional Government.


Using foul language or swearing within the city limits of Baltimore may not just be a manners “no-no,” but a legal one as well. Check out the laundry list of fine-able infractions, (including playing professional croquet before 2 p.m. on Sunday), on Catonsville Patch.

Meanwhile, gypsies who used to steer clear of Caroline County, where it's a $100 fine or six months in the can for "forecasting or pretending to foretell the future," may soon be able to hang a shingle on their caravan now that a Bill to Repeal Ban on Fortune-Telling in Carroll County Makes it Through Senate. Read more on Eldersburg Patch.


The Howard County Council is considering legislation that would permit wineries to operate on land designated for Rural Conservation or Rural Residential use, allowing special events of up to 500 attendees. But several opponents of the bill said although they welcomed vineyards in the bucolic west, such events did not fit in with the character of their communities. Ellicott City Patch has the story.


After reports surfaced claiming Eric Brown had been suspended from his job as head of the housing authority in 1993 and later fired from his job as deputy director of housing in Alabama, advocacy groups say Brown should not be “rubber stamped” as the leader of the Prince George’s Housing Authority. Find out more on Laurel Patch.


Despite Anne Arundel County spending $4.5 million on BRAC-related transportation improvements, and the state offering an additional $135 million, a top BRAC official said nearly $5 billion in transportation money is still needed to comfortably accommodate all the growth coming to the Fort Meade area. You can read the testimony to members of the West Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce on Savage-Guilford Patch.

Find out what's happening in Laurelwith free, real-time updates from Patch.


Upon being sworn into office 100 days ago, the Carroll County Board of Commissioners unveiled its 10 philosophies, including decreasing the size of government, setting term limits and lowering property taxes. Item no. 6 was probably among the easiest to implement, and the commissioners did so immediately. It reads: “Affirmation of Our Values: This Board of County Commissioners will open its meetings with the Pledge of Allegiance followed by a prayer." The action has drawn harsh reaction from some citizens.Learn more about the backlash on Westminster Patch.


About 250 Montgomery County residents gathered for a forum sponsored by mental health organizations on the effects of state and local funding cuts for county mental health services. Together the families relayed stories of private pain over mental health issues and demanded an end to plans to cut county services. To find out more, visit Colesville Patch

Find out what's happening in Laurelwith free, real-time updates from Patch.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here