The industries spending most heavily to influence decision-makers in Annapolis haven’t changed much in the last three years. But the amount they are spending jumped by almost $2 million this year, according to research by Common Cause Maryland.

The Montgomery County Council held public hearings this week on the proposed FY16 budget. Concerned citizens testified at each hearing, calling on the County Council to put $2 million into the budget to fund fair elections (Public Election Fund).

In a highly contentious session, the bipartisan nature of good government shone through as a suite of important good government bills were passed into law in the final hours.

(Annapolis, MD) - Good government organizations, newspaper editors, public health groups, environmental organizations, consumer advocates, social justice organizations and other advocates applauded the actions of the Senate Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee today.

In a highly contentious session, the bipartisan nature of good government shone through as a suite of important good government bills were passed into law in the final hours.

Gov. Hogan’s decision to make campaign finance and elections a priority in his first State of the State speech gets his administration off to an encouraging start, Common Cause Maryland said today.