Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Married same-sex couples who reside in Maryland can file jointly in 2014.
Same-sex married couples in Maryland will be able to file joint tax returns but they'll have to wait a year to do so. Comptroller Peter Franchot said Wednesday in a statement that "same-sex couples in the State of Maryland – whether married in this state or in other states – will have the opportunity to file joint tax returns for Tax Year 2013, and will receive the same state tax treatment as any married couple." The comptroller issued the statement a day after a Washington Times story reported that same-sex couples in Maryland would not be eligible to file jointly. Franchot said the story "contained significant misinformation regarding the tax filing status of same-sex couples in Maryland." That story raises questions about Maryland's tax…
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
The next gubernatorial election in 2014 could draw a crowded primary field.
Comptroller Peter Franchot, who was expected to run for governor in 2014, announced Tuesday he would not seek the post. Franchot, whose criticism of Gov. Martin O’Malley lead many to believe he would run, instead announced he would seek to retain his current position. But just because Franchot won’t run, doesn’t mean there won’t be a crowded primary field. Other Democrats who may seek the office include: Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown, Del. Heather Mizeur, Attorney General Doug Gansler and Howard County Executive Ken Ulman. See related coverage: What Democrat would you like to see make a run for the state’s top office? Tell us in the comments why you would like to see that person campaign for the office.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Democrat says he will seek re-election to the state comptroller's post he's held since 2006.
State Comptroller Peter Franchot told supporters Tuesday that he will seek re-election to the position he's held since 2006. The state's top tax collector was rumored to be eyeing a run for governor in 2014. In emails and calls to supporters, Franchot said he has decided to forego that campaign. Stay with Patch for updates on this story.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
How will you vote on the Congressional redistricting plan on Nov. 6?
In addition to more notable referendum questions such as same-sex marriage, DREAM Act and expanded gambling, Maryland voters will also be asked to decide the fate of the state's recently redrawn congressional districts. Earlier this week, Comptroller Peter Franchot announced he intends to vote against the maps and asked voters to do the same. The comptroller said the recent maps drawn by Gov. Martin O'Malley and approved by the General Assembly are unfair and make Maryland "the poster child for gerrymandering." A spokeswoman for the governor noted that the maps have survived a number of challenges in the courts and that the process used to create them is legally sound. Voters on Nov. 6 will be asked to vote for the referred law or against …
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Comptroller says Maryland "is the poster child for gerrymandering" and urges voters to vote no on Question 5.
Democratic Comptroller Peter Franchot said Monday he supports his party's candidates but that recent redistricting of Maryland's congressional is too heavy-handed. "This map is way over the edge in terms of bare-knuckle politics," said Franchot. "I'm a proud Democrat. I support Democrats. I just want it to be fair and not fixed," Franchot said, comparing the redistricting process to "Boss Tweed-style Chicago politics." Franchot Tuesday called for an independent, non-partisan commission that would redraw the congressional and state legislative districts. The change would help restore faith in the political system, he said. The comptroller said the districts should be more compact in order to provide voters with better representation. He …
Sunday, October 14, 2012
The suspected door-kick burglars posted bail, Main Street parking issues and Wegmans reveals what they're going to use that second-floor space for.
Two Killed in Oct. 7 Fatal Collision, 8-Year-Old Seriously Injured More information about the deadly collision was released Tuesday by state police. Suspected Door Kick-in Burglars Released on $15,000 Bail Police said the duo stole more than $22,000 in firearms, jewelry and electronics, but were able to post bail of $15,000 each the day after their Oct. 4 arrest. Take a Look: Randy & Steve's The New General Store After 125 years, Yates Market is gone but Randy and Steve - former owners of The Good Life Market - are back. Their new store offers something that's been missing from Main Street: A place to buy milk and bread. And a whole lot more. Missing Columbia Woman Last Seen Oct. 1. Friends and family are worried about the whereabouts of …
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Several Main Street merchants ask the state's comptroller for help in fight against metered parking.
Maryland’s comptroller has been thinking about a run for governor, and Main Street merchants in Ellicott City think they may be able to use that to their advantage. Peter Franchot made a stop on Main Street last week to present Phoenix Emporium owner Mark Hemmis with a certificate recognizing the support the restaurateur gave to local county workers and CSX staff during the aftermath of the Ellicott City train derailment. After the last picture of Hemmis and Franchot shaking hands was snapped, business owners turned to other subjects. Sherry Fackler-Berkowitz, co-owner of Great Panes Stained Glass, asked Franchot if he was considering a run for governor, something which Howard County Executive Ken Ulman has not ruled out, either, when …
39.26769
-76.79548
Phoenix Emporium
8049 Main St, Ellicott City, MD
/articles/franchot-says-he-ll-communicate-with-ulman-about-meters
1508913
/locations/7983066
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Peter Franchot said that all of the Main Street merchants made recovery from the CSX train derailment easier.
The Maryland Comptroller Friday thanked Phoenix Emporium owner Mark Hemmis for providing "delicious food" and support during the aftermath of the CSX train derailment. Peter Franchot said that all of the Main Street businesses came together to support county, state and CSX workers to help make the recovery process easier for everyone in the Historic District. Main Street was closed to traffic from about midnight on the morning of Tuesday, Aug. 21 until 7 p.m. that Friday after which local bloggers, merchants and even Ray Rice called for residents to shop in the Historic District and help businesses that had suffered during the clean-up. Hemmis opened his restaurant to workers while they assessed and cleaned up the damage caused by the …
39.26769
-76.79548
Phoenix Emporium
8049 Main St, Ellicott City, MD
/articles/comptroller-thanks-phoenix-emporium-for-support-after-derailment
1508913
/locations/7969574
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Comptroller says the November referendum will not be about legalization of slots but "will be about the type of government Marylanders want, and the kind of state we wish to leave to our kids."
Comptroller Peter Franchot said expanded gaming legislation scheduled to be signed into law Wednesday won't generate the revenue state officials promise. "There never was a fiscal or an economic rationale for reconvening the Maryland General Assembly for its third special session in less than a year," said Franchot in a statement released Wednesday. "Any revenues that will be generated by a new casino in Prince George’s County will take several years to materialize and, if the past is any indication, have been drastically overestimated by gambling supporters and legislative analysts." Gov. Martin O'Malley is expected to sign the bill into law after 10 a.m. Wednesday, just hours after the Senate passed a final version amended by the House …
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Inspections help ensure consumers are buying the type of gas advertised, officials said.
When you head to the gas station to fuel up this holiday weekend, will you be purchasing the type of gas that’s advertised? Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot hopes so. Thursday, ahead of Memorial Day, Franchot joined state field enforcers during a routine inspection of a Bethesda Exxon station near the Westfield Montgomery Mall. State inspectors regularly perform tests at Maryland stations to determine whether the gasoline grade that’s advertised matches the fuel’s octane level, Franchot said. “We want to make sure when someone comes into a gas station in Maryland and pays money for high octane gas, that it is in fact high octane gas,” Franchot told reporters. Of the 2,300 gas stations in Maryland, more than 2,000 have been inspected …
bystander
10:42 am on Monday, December 24, 2012
I would bet most gay folks are against the idea (and even legislation) of several people entering into a marriage. Most Patch commentators proclaiming their homosexual partnership have been silent on defending this idea. Maryland should make people partnerships the same as corporate partnerships...any number of people and any gender. It removes the religion from the subject, which seems to have … more ›