Maryland’s college savings plan ranks high
April 18, 2008
Maryland is in the top tier on this report card.
For the second year in a row, Maryland’s College Investment Plan is rated as a top choice by Morningstar Inc. in its report on the best - and worst - college savings plans.
Our state’s plan, managed by T. Rowe Price, earned its top position due to its “solid lineup of actively managed funds.” Low fees also count in its favor: the annual fees range from 0.68% to 0.97%, which is reasonable for actively managed funds.
Also included in the “best” category: Colorado, Illinois, and two plans from our neighbor, Virginia.
If you’re saving for your child’s education, Morningstar says, be glad you’re not in these states: Mississippi, Nebraska, New York and Ohio.
JACKIE SAUTER, Web Editor
Sphere: Related ContentArmy veterinarian from Maryland treats Iraqi donkeys
April 13, 2008
An Iraqi industrial complex has quadrupled its productivity in the last three months, and it has an Army veterinarian from Maryland to thank.
When heavy fuel oil became available to fire the kilns at the Narhwan Brick Factory Complex in Iraq, employment rose from 3,500 to 15,000, according to the Dept. of Defense.
But Army economist Lt. Col. Bruce Baker realized that healthy donkeys were needed for production at full capacity (to haul the fuel oil, straw and mud, without motor vehicles). And the animals on hand were sick and weak.
That’s where Capt. Rory Carolan, of Maryland, came in.
Carolan specializes in treating equine species such as horses, ponies and, indeed, donkeys. After arriving in Narhwan, Carolan held a clinic and treated more than 250.
“Many of the donkeys were malnourished and obviously mistreated,” he told the DOD. “Some suffered from pressure sores, hematomas and neglect. Some collapsed of exhaustion and died before our eyes.”
So, with the help of other soldiers, Carolan examined, wormed, measured and weighed the donkeys.
“That is where we can have the most impact, teaching the owners how to properly feed and care for the animals. Higher production at the factories will be achieved with the improved standards of care employed.”
JACKIE SAUTER, Web Editor
Sphere: Related ContentFilm industry to cameo in Maryland
April 10, 2008
Renee Zellweger will star as a glamorous divorcee in search of a wealthy husband in “My One and Only,” which starts shooting next month - in Maryland. The Baltimore area, to be exact.
Producer Aaron Ryder credited a state film-production incentive program for luring the movie to the Old Line State (Who knew? They work!).
The period romantic comedy will be set in the 1950s and is loosely based on the childhood memories of actor George Hamilton. They’ll film here for eight weeks.
JACKIE SAUTER, Web Editor
Sphere: Related ContentMd. poised to outlaw “inadvertent bear feeding”
March 27, 2008
This’ll teach you not to leave garbage on your front porch in Garrett County.
State wildlife regulators are about to adopt a regulation that would outlaw feeding of black bears — even if you don’t intend to.
The rule would penalize citizens (no report on how) for failing to remove bird feeders, garbage and other “attractants” after one warning has been issued.
DNR says the regulation is vital to reduce situations where bears become threatening to human safety. Last year, there were over 60 complaints that bears were snooping through people’s trash.
JACKIE SAUTER, Web Editor
Sphere: Related ContentThe “B” side of an otherwise somber trial
March 27, 2008
The trial of David Lee Miller, convicted Wednesday of killing Elizabeth Walters and their unborn child, was serious and emotional, with tears shed on the witness stand and in the gallery by family and friends on both sides.
But for a brief moment Wednesday morning there was laughter all around – thanks to Baltimore County Circuit Court Judge Dana M. Levitz’s cassette tape recorder.
It happened as Levitz was near the end of instructing the jury. He had gone through the responsibilities of jurors and thoroughly reviewed and defined the charges Miller faced. The judge reassured the panel that he was following his longstanding practice of recording his instructions in case the jury wanted to hear them again while deliberating.
Just then Levitz, whose voice booms even when he’s not raising it, was stopped silent by a “click” that was audible in the back of the courtroom.
One side of his cassette was full.
The whole courtroom chuckled as a smiling Levitz flipped the tape and continued.
DANNY JACOBS, Legal Affairs Writer
Sphere: Related ContentAre we - finally - in a recession?
March 25, 2008
I’ve tried not to casually throw around the word “recession” on this blog, but it’s time we discussed the possibility.
Obviously, there’s been a rising number of home foreclosures nationwide, and yes, gas is up to almost $4 per gallon (it’s there already in Hawaii and parts of Calif.). Never mind the cost of food.
Well, this report hits close to home.
A group of churches in Frederick says there’s been a 30 percent jump in the number of people who’ve asked for help to make ends meet this year.
The Religious Coalition for Emergency Human Needs says more than 500 people asked for emergency aid in each of the first two months of this year. The group’s director says some of the requests are coming from people strapped by foreclosures on their homes, the high prices of home heating oil and gas.
Is this just the beginning of a recession’s impact on Maryland?
Or can the state get away relatively unscathed, thanks to our stable industries?
JACKIE SAUTER, Web Editor
Sphere: Related ContentSmith Island cake wins over Senate
March 18, 2008
Smith Island layer cake got a sweet deal from the Maryland Senate on Monday; the body voted 44-1 to make the Eastern Shore’s creation our official state dessert.
The only senator to vote against the cake was Republican Sen. Alex Mooney, who told the AP he voted in jest because his county, Frederick, grows apples and he prefers the fruit pie.
Now, on to the House…
JACKIE SAUTER, Web Editor
Sphere: Related ContentRaffle winner takes grand prize: a Hagerstown home
March 14, 2008
Remember that four-bedroom farmhouse that was to be raffled off by its frustrated owners, after languishing on the market?
Well, a lucky winner was drawn last night: Court clerk Dennis Weaver of Hagerstown, who bought only one ticket.
The raffle raised about $200,000 for the San Mar Children’s Home, the charity that partnered with the home’s owners to coordinate the raffle, reports the Hagerstown Herald-Mail.
More than 6,200 tickets were sold at $100 apiece; the charity kept profits made on the raffle above the home’s appraised value.
In last-minute legal maneuvering to clear the raffle with the state, the home was appraised at $380,000 on Wednesday and sold to the charity on Thursday, which then raffled it away hours later.
JACKIE SAUTER, Web Editor
Sphere: Related ContentShould Maryland have a state stimulus plan?
March 5, 2008
Some states aren’t waiting for the federal government’s economic stimulus package to try to boost their economies - they’re taking matters into their own hands, the AP reports.
Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell proposed a one-time tax rebate for lower-income working families and is thinking about increasing job-creation tax credits for businesses. In Illinois, Gov. Blagojevich wants to sell off sources of future revenue - such at the state’s share in a tobacco settlement - to give families tax breaks. And in Connecticut, rebate checks, rental and heating assistance are on the table.
Now, these proposals may not become reality, and funding a state stimulus plan could mean less dough for the state’s operating budget; based on news from Annapolis today, Maryland’s is already in dire straights.
Regardless, do you think lawmakers in Maryland should be floating some of these proposals?
JACKIE SAUTER, Web Editor
Sphere: Related ContentUpping the price to practice law
March 5, 2008
Would-be lawyers in Maryland could be paying a lot more to take the bar exam, the Associated Press reports.
Tucked into S.B. 514, extending the lifespan of the State Board of Law Examiners, is a measure to raise the cap on the bar exam fee from $150 to $400.
“Fiery” debate on the bill will resume Thursday in the Senate, the AP said.
Opponents point out that most exam-takers are fresh out of school and don’t have hundreds of extra dollars lying around. Proponents counter that current fees don’t even cover expenses, leaving the General Fund on the hook for about $500,000 each year. Raising the fee to $325 could solve that, according to the fiscal note on the bill (PDF).
The unspoken argument, though, surely centers on what economists call inelasticity of demand. To wit: How high would fees have to go before lawyers-to-be would shake their heads, say “never mind” and walk away?
Considering all they’ve invested to get to that point — for most of them, roughly a quarter of their lives (four years of college, three of law school), not to mention tuition, books, room, board and an “interview suit” or two — I’m guessing they’ll come up with the extra coin somehow or other.
Whether that’s fair or not is another matter. What do you think?
BARBARA GRZINCIC, Managing Editor/Law
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