ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - The Latest on Gov. Larry Hogan’s State of the State speech (all times local):
12:45 p.m.
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan is calling on lawmakers to put politics aside and come together for all state residents.
The Republican governor underscored bipartisanship in his fourth State of the State speech on Wednesday to the General Assembly, which is controlled by Democrats.
He also highlighted some of his legislative priorities, including measures to fight violent crime by passing tougher minimum sentences. He also urged lawmakers to pass reform legislation on how the state draws its congressional and state legislative maps.
Hogan says he’ll sign legislation that is advancing in the legislature to end parental rights of rapists over children conceived through rape.
The governor also emphasized the importance of continuing the fight against opioid addiction.
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11:10 a.m.
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan is calling for bipartisan cooperation in his fourth State of the State speech.
The Republican governor is also focusing on economic issues, as he has done in previous speeches to the General Assembly. In excerpts released before his scheduled noon speech, Hogan says “Maryland is truly open for business.”
Hogan also plans to highlight his legislative agenda, including a measure to increase accountability in how Maryland schools are managed.
The governor also is noting efforts to rebuild Maryland’s transportation infrastructure, saying the state is making record investments in traffic relief.
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3:41 a.m.
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan is giving his fourth and final State of the State speech of his first term.
Hogan, who hopes to become the first Republican governor to be re-elected in Maryland since 1954, has focused on economic concerns in previous speeches.
He also has taken the opportunity in past years to outline his legislative agenda to the 188 members of the Maryland General Assembly, which is controlled by Democrats.
A top issue for both the governor and legislators is how to adjust Maryland taxes that are affected by the federal overhaul approve last month in Washington. Health care is another major issue confronting Maryland officials.
Last week, Hogan announced he has assigned top officials in his administration to negotiate with lawmakers on those two challenges.
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