Things may get a whole lot faster in Maryland. A bipartisan bill introduced in the House of Delegates would raise the speed limit on the Intercounty Connector (ICC) from 55 to 70 miles per hour. It would also increase the maximum speed limit on all other interstates and expressways in the state from 65 to 70 mph.
The ICC is a new state toll road connecting Prince George’s and Montgomery counties.
The bill's sponsors said the proposal comes in the wake of increasing pressure from constituents to bump the speed limit, according to Maryland Community News.
But not everyone was okay with the speed. Another Maryland senator, Sen. Jennie Forehand (D-Dist. 17) of Rockville, introduced emergency legislation that would raise the speed limit on the ICC to 60 MPH.
IN OTHER NEWS:
* Joe Scarborough calls out Ken Cuccinelli in his latest Politico column about how hopelessly divided the GOP has become; “[Virginia’s] potential nominee for governor is an unyielding hardliner who complained over the weekend that conservative legal legend Antonin Scalia is too liberal for his tastes.” (Politico)
* Here’s Cuccinelli suggesting that Justice Scalia isn’t conservative enough (Washington Post)
Local
Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia local news, events and information
* A Republican proposed bill that would ensure in the Virginia Constitution that a person’s right to pray on government property cleared a Virginia Senate panel. (Virginian-Pilot)
* A Virginia Senate panel killed a controversial measure that would overhaul the state’s current winner-take-all Electoral College system (NBC 4)
* Democrat Terry McAuliffe hired two top strategists for his gubernatorial campaign. Ellen Qualls, who was director of surrogate communications for Obama’s reelection campaign, and Alan Moore, a Virginia-based consultant, will be joining his team. (Politico)
* A Virginia House subcommittee rejected a measure that would have required voters to present a government-issued photo ID at the poll and proof of citizenship. (Roanoke Times)
* Virginia Senate and House committees advance bills that would require local social services agencies to screen certain welfare recipients for possible drug use (Roanoke Times)
* A number breakdown of some of the more interesting tidbits included in the District’s new Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. 26,233 potholes were repaired this year, up from 6,863 in 2011. (Washington City Paper)
* Mayor Gray says he won’t spend the District’s $417 million budget surplus, disappointing advocates who wanted an immediate infusion into social service programs. (Washington Post)
* Del. Hattie N. Harrison, Maryland House of Delegates’ longest-serving member who was affectionately known as the “Godmother,” died at 84 Monday evening. (Washington Post)
* Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler says that O’Malley’s gun licensing fee proposal is likely constitutional (Baltimore Sun)
* Anne Arundel County Executive John Leopold was found guilty of misconduct for using executive protection officers for political and campaign activities. (NBC4)
* Virginia’s version of the Dream Act cleared a House subcommittee Tuesday with unanimous, bipartisan support. (Washington Post)
