State Roundup, November 30, 2017

BATTLE OVER SICK LEAVE: Maryland’s debate over paid sick leave has devolved into a series of accusations and counteraccusations between Gov. Larry Hogan (R) and Democratic legislative leaders, Josh Hicks of the Post reports. When Hogan unveiled his latest sick-leave proposal at a Tuesday news conference, he devoted much of his time to criticizing the legislature for the sick-leave bill it passed early this year. He also accused top Democrats of spurning invitations to negotiate a compromise plan. Democratic leaders, in turn, issued a lengthy statement on Wednesday saying the governor’s claims of outreach were false.

PG HOSPITAL GROUNDBREAKING: Arelis R. Hernández of the Post reports that the University of Maryland Medical System will break ground today on a long-awaited regional medical center in Prince George’s County. The $543 million project waited years for approval from the state’s health-care commission, in part because of concerns the hospital was too large, too expensive and unsustainable in a rapidly changing health care market. Both the state and county are contributing more than $400 million to construct the 205-bed facility in Largo, which was cleared for construction 13 months ago.

METRO REPORT: Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe said Wednesday that the report on Metro he commissioned from former U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood will be officially released Tuesday. Robert McCartney of the Post reports that his publication obtained and published the study this month, but the formal rollout will include supporting documents explaining why LaHood believes his proposal to replace the Metro board with a smaller “reform board” is legally possible without amending the Metro Compact. The compact spells out how the agency is governed and financed. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) supports the reform board in principle but has said it….

 

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