The Maryland General Assembly gave final approval Wednesday to legislation that would allow the five currently licensed casinos in Maryland to hire some employees with criminal records.
Under current law, an individual who has been convicted of "crimes of moral turpitude or gambling" is banned from ever working at a facility with slot machines, the Baltimore Sun reports. This legislation would limit the ban to seven years after a conviction or the end of parole or probation.
About 1.5 million Marylanders have an arrest or criminal conviction on their records.
Gov. Martin O'Malley still has to sign the legislaiton.
IN OTHER NEWS:
* Eight people are retiring from the Virginia House, including record-holder Lacey Putney, an Independent who has served for 52 years. Chesapeake Republican Harry Blevins unexpectedly announced that he would be leaving this summer, two years before his term expires. A special election will be held, and if Democrats pick up the seat, they could regain control of the Senate. (News4)
* The Maryland House passed Gov. O’Malley’s massive gun control legislation Wednesday, which included a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines. (Bloomberg News)
* Make sure to read the Northwest Current’s comprehensive voters' guide for the D.C. special election. (Northwest Current)
* D.C. Council candidate Pat Mara, a Republican, picked up the Current’s endorsement. He already has the Post’s endorsement. That’s huge. (@ChuckThies)
* Mara also got an endorsement from The Washington Blade. (The Washington Blade)
* But despite all the high-profile love, Mara does still face some serious critics in his council bid. (Washington Post)
* Loose Lips writer Alan Suderman is leaving City Paper for the Center for Public Integrity. (Center for Public Integrity)
* Mike DeBonis questions the effectiveness of Mayor Vincent Gray’s Grade D.C. system, which gives District agencies letter grades based on the public’s perception of that agency. (Washington Post)
* Republican Pete Snyder launches his campaign for Virginia lieutenant governor. (Washington Post)
* Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli filed a formal petition to urge a federal appeals court to overturn a decision by a panel of state judges declaring an anti-sodomy law unconstitutional. (NBC)
* Gov. Bob McDonnell amended legislation involving health care reform and abortion, setting off a firestorm with Senate Democrats. (News4)
* The Virginia General Assembly accepts Gov. McDonnell’s changes to the transportation funding legislation. (News4)
