Excerpts from the Daily News Clips - April 8, 2005
Maryland Democratic Party (democrat@mddems.org)

Decision Time Baltimore Sun April 8, 2005

BEFORE THE START of the General Assembly session, aides to Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. warned that this would not be a year of monumental legislation. Well, mission accomplished. So far there's not much to brag about. And with just days left before the 90-day session concludes Monday night, legislators will have to scramble to get some important measures passed - or else have 2005 remembered as a year of monumental inaction. [Complete article]

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Ehrlich trims goals as session winds down
by Steven T. Dennis and Thomas Dennison
Gazette Staff Writers Apr. 8, 2005

ANNAPOLIS -- With much of his agenda struggling in legislative limbo this week, Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. has lowered his sights in the face of a hostile legislature. Six weeks after he celebrated the House of Delegates' razor-thin passage of slot machine legislation with a snowball fight outside his mansion, the slots bill, medical malpractice reform and other key initiatives appear dead or dying. [Complete article]

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Medicaid Cuts Would Unfairly Punish Legal Immigrants
Thomas Perez, Special to the Gazette April 8, 2005

Gov. Robert Ehrlich has a plan to reward legal immigrants for their immense contributions to our country and our community. His proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year kicks all legal immigrants off the Medicaid rolls (emphasis added). [Complete article]

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Budget deficit estimated for juvenile agency
By Lynn Anderson Sun Staff April 8, 2005

Still reeling from recent reports of child abuse at two detention centers, Maryland Department of Juvenile Services Secretary Kenneth C. Montague Jr. faces a new round of criticism from legislators and advocates for a fiscal crisis that threatens to further destabilize the juvenile corrections system. [Complete article]

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Hiring, firing probe comes into focus
Ehrlich also wants look into predecessor's moves
by Thomas Dennison Gazette Staff Writer Apr. 8, 2005

ANNAPOLIS -- A legislative probe into the Ehrlich administration's hiring and firing practices is beginning to take shape, with leading Democrats talking about who will be on the commission and the areas the investigation will cover. [Complete article]

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Medmal reform sinks out of sight
by Catherine Dolinski Gazette Staff Writer Apr. 8, 2005

ANNAPOLIS -- On Jan. 10, Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. stood next to a giant plaster cast signed by hundreds of doctors and promised to propose a stronger package of tort reforms than the one he was about to veto. [Complete article]