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Wednesday, March 04, 2020

Chief Justice Roberts issues rare rebuke to Schumer's 'dangerous' and 'irresponsible' comments; Schumer fires back

Chief Justice of the United States John Roberts on Wednesday issued a highly unusual and forceful rebuke to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., calling his threatening remarks directed at Associate Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh "irresponsible" and "dangerous" -- prompting Schumer's office to slam Roberts and accuse him of bias.

The extraordinary back-and-forth began hours earlier at a pro-choice rally hosted by the Center for Reproductive Rights, when Schumer ominously singled out President Trump's two Supreme Court picks: "I want to tell you, Gorsuch. I want to tell you, Kavanaugh. You have released the whirlwind and you will pay the price!" Schumer warned. "You won’t know what hit you if you go forward with these awful decisions."

Roberts replied in his remarkable written statement, obtained by Fox News: "This morning, Senator Schumer spoke at a rally in front of the Supreme Court while a case was being argued inside. Senator Schumer referred to two Members of the Court by name and said he wanted to tell them that 'You have released the whirlwind, and you will pay the price. You will not know what hit you if you go forward with these awful decisions.'"

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/chief-justice-roberts-rare-rebuke-schumer-calling-comments-kavanaugh-gorsuch-dangerous?

Governor Hogan Submits Emergency Legislation to Advance Coronavirus Response

Maryland Emergency Management Agency Raising Activation Level to Enhanced

ANNAPOLIS, MD—At today’s Board of Public Works meeting, Governor Larry Hogan announced that he is introducing emergency legislation granting him the authority to transfer resources from the state’s rainy day fund for Maryland’s novel coronavirus response.

The governor also announced that the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is raising its activation level to Enhanced in order to mobilize additional resources across state government.

“We are submitting emergency legislation which will allow us to transfer any necessary resources from the rainy day fund for costs associated with the state’s coronavirus response,” said Governor Hogan. “Given the rapidly evolving nature of this threat to public health, it is critical that we have the flexibility to immediately access these resources. I want to continue to assure Marylanders that our state is taking every precaution when it comes to the coronavirus.”

The emergency legislation allows the governor to transfer up to $50 million from the Revenue Stabilization Account to fund costs associated with the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The legislation notes that “this Act is an emergency measure, is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public health or safety.” Read the bill here.

Later this week, Governor Hogan will submit a $10 million emergency appropriation request as part of a supplemental budget. This request will be based on the Maryland Department of Health’s (MDH) contingency planning.

At this time, Maryland has no confirmed cases of coronavirus. On Tuesday, Governor Hogan announced that Maryland’s State Public Health Laboratory has been approved for testing for coronavirus, and detailed the additional steps the state is taking as part of its coordinated response. Information and updates about COVID-19 in Maryland—including up-to-date testing and confirmed case count information—are available at health.maryland.gov/coronavirus.

Daily Prevention and Preparedness

There is currently no vaccine for COVID-19. Prevention of COVID-19 centers on frequent hand-washing, covering coughs and sneezes, and separating people who have respiratory symptoms.

Treatment for COVID-19, as with any coronavirus infection like the common cold, includes the use of over-the-counter fever-relievers, drinking plenty of fluids, and resting at home to help relieve symptoms. Those with more severe symptoms may be hospitalized to provide additional support.

While much remains unknown about COVID-19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that people who are elderly and who have chronic health conditions appear to be at higher risk for infection. These chronic conditions may include cancer, diabetes, heart disease, or any issue that lowers the body’s immunity to germs.

Additional information about COVID-19, including the latest CDC travel advisories, can be found at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html

Paid Mourners Weep As Bloomberg Exits Primary

NEW YORK, NY—Moments after Mike Bloomberg announced he was suspending his campaign, the Bloomberg campaign office was filled with inconsolable mourners, who were compensated handsomely.

"No, Mike, don't drop out -- please!" screamed one woman as she sobbed uncontrollably for the nice sum of $2,500. "We need you! America needs you! We love you, Mike!"

One mourner was seen rolling around on the ground screaming. Another was quieter and more reflective, as he was only paid $50. A high-ranking campaign staffer was reportedly paid over $50,000 to commit seppuku to restore honor to his name after failing the great Mike Bloomberg.

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Pennsylvania man captures all walks of life crossing log bridge

Scoping of Possible Regulations: Feedback Needed

PUBLIC NOTICE
Maryland Department of Natural Resources 

Fishing and Boating Services 
Scoping of Possible Regulations (Ideas Being Considered): Feedback Needed by March 18, 2020

Scoping of Possible Regulations (Ideas Being Considered)
During the scoping process, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources gathers suggestions and ideas from stakeholders and others about how to solve a fishery problem or address a need. The goal of scoping is to identify issues, potential impacts, and reasonable alternatives so that management actions can be developed.
Please submit feedback by 11:59 p.m. on March 18, 2020 for the following scoping ideas:
  • Blue Crabs – Poplar Island Crab Pot Line
  • Striped Bass – Recreational Summer and Fall Fishery
Please visit our Changes to Fishing Regulations page for detailed information about what is being considered and options for submitting comments.

USA: Trump mocks "mini" Bloomberg by crouching behind podium at CPAC

Baltimore Attorney Christos Vasiliades Pleads Guilty to Obstruction of Justice


BALTIMORE, MD (March 5, 2020) – Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh today announced that Baltimore attorney Christos George Vasiliades, 41, pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City. The Honorable Philip S. Jackson scheduled sentencing for April 3, 2020. The maximum penalty for obstruction of justice is 5 years in jail and a $10,000 fine. The investigation was led by the Maryland Office of the Attorney General’s Organized Crime Unit and the Baltimore Police Department (BPD).

On April 11, 2017, a rape victim and her husband were approached by attorney Christos Vasiliades, who represented the man accused of the rape. Vasiliades warned that immigration authorities would likely be in the courthouse and that the couple could be deported if they showed up to testify. He also offered to pay them if they did not appear. Instead of accepting Vasiliades’ offer, the couple notified authorities.

On May 18, 2017, the BPD undercover squad supplied the victim and her husband with covert audio and video recording equipment in advance of a second meeting with Vasiliades. During this meeting, Vasiliades again offered to pay the couple if they did not attend the hearing. Specifically, Vasiliades offered $3,000, which would be paid to them in cash outside the courthouse. He indicated that after the case was dismissed due to their failure to appear, someone would give a “thumbs up” sign. They would then be handed the cash. He instructed them that if the assistant state’s attorney assigned to the case called them, they should tell him that they were not interested in coming to court. He again cautioned them about the risk of deportation if they showed up to testify.

“Vasiliades attempted to intimidate the victim with threats of deportation, and he tried to pay her off in order to clear his client of a serious crime,” said Attorney General Frosh. “Actions like these are a threat to public safety and to the rule of law. I appreciate the courage it took for the victim to expose Vasiliades. That courage enabled us to hold him accountable.”

In making today’s announcement, Attorney General Frosh thanked Organized Crime Chief Katie Dorian, former Assistant Attorney General Dennis Clark, Jr., and Assistant Attorney General Jared Albert, who prosecuted this case. Attorney General Frosh also thanked BPD Commissioner Michael Harrison for his Department’s work on this case, and Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby.

Poll puts Sheila Dixon in lead of Baltimore mayoral race

BALTIMORE —A new poll is breaking down Baltimore's mayoral race, putting a familiar face in the lead.

The Baltimore Sun released a new poll with the University of Baltimore and WYPR, which shows that former mayor Sheila Dixon has the most support of any candidate at 14%. City Council President Brandon Scott and Thiru Vignarajah are second with 9%, followed by T.J. Smith, Mary Miller and current Mayor Jack Young

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Mike Pence shook hands with classmates of a Florida schoolboy who is now in quarantine with mother after she 'came into contact' with a coronavirus patient

Vice President Mike Pence shook hands with the classmates of a Florida school boy who may have been exposed to coronavirus through his mother's work at a hospital.

Pence was in Sarasota for a campaign event last week when he met students from the Sarasota Military Academy.

They met on the tarmac of an airport and he did not visit the school.

He had been and gone by the time it was announced that the boy - who was not one of the students he met - had been quarantined along with his mother as a precaution.

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Trump: Biden will be 'in a home' and letting 'superleft radical crazies' run the country if elected

President Trump joked that 2020 Democrat Joe Biden, if elected, would spend his presidency in a senior citizen care facility.

Trump spoke at a Monday rally in Charlotte, North Carolina, after Biden won a decisive victory in the South Carolina primary on Saturday. The president targeted Biden for commonly making misstatements on the campaign trail.

"For sleepy Joe, he doesn’t even know where he is, what he is doing, or what office he is running for," he said.

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San Francisco University opens clinic for transgender students to change voice

San Francisco State University created a clinic to help transgender students alter their voices to match their gender identity.

The clinic's program, spearheaded by Assistant Professor of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences Anusha Sundarrajan, will provide resources to nonbinary and transgender students with exercises and consultation to achieve their preferred voice tonality. According to the university, exercises include having students hum through a straw.

“With our clinic, we provide a nonjudgmental space where our participants can find a voice that defines who they are,” Sundarrajan said. “We want to create a safe and open environment for all our participants.”

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Democrats have benefited from Russia more than Republicans

Political consultants on both the Left and the Right actually know very little about politics, and there’s no one who demonstrates that better than former Obama White House adviser David Plouffe.

Tuesday on MSNBC, Plouffe actually said with a straight face that Democrats are at a disadvantage going into the election because, “We don't have Fox, Sinclair, or the Russians.”

Who knew Republicans were so lucky? They’ve got Chris Wallace, a handful of local TV stations and, naturally, the Russians!

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Trump campaign sues Washington Post for libel

President Trump's campaign has filed a multimillion-dollar libel lawsuit against The Washington Post, claiming the newspaper knowingly published false claims that Trump engaged in a conspiracy with Russia concerning U.S. presidential elections.

The lawsuit, filed Monday in a Washington, D.C., federal court, comes a week after the Trump campaign filed a similar suit against The New York Times.

The lawsuit cites two Washington Post opinion pieces from June 2019, one which said that then-special counsel Robert Mueller concluded that the Trump campaign “tried to conspire with” a “sweeping and systematic” attack by Russia in the 2016 election.

A second article stated “who knows what sort of aid Russia and North Korea will give to the Trump campaign, now that he has invited them to offer their assistance?”

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'Coup’: Sanders supporters fume over disappointing Super Tuesday showing

Super Tuesday did not go the way Sen. Bernie Sanders hoped it would, leaving his supporters to lash out helplessly at all the people, places, and things they blame for the 2020 candidate’s disappointing showing.

Former Democratic 2020 candidate-turned-Sanders surrogate Marianne Williamson, for example, accused the Democratic Party of staging a “coup” against the Vermont lawmaker.

“[CNN’s] Jake Tapper referred to the ‘resurrection’ of Joe Biden’s campaign,” she said in a since-deleted tweet, referring to the former vice president’s electoral success Tuesday evening. “This was not a resurrection; it was a coup. Russiagate was not a coup. Mueller was not a coup. Impeachment was not a coup. What happened [on Super Tuesday] was a coup. And we will push it back.”

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Donald Trump Donates Fourth Quarter Salary to Health and Human Services to Fight Coronavirus

President Donald Trump on Tuesday donated his fourth-quarter salary to the Depaetment of Heath and Human Services on Tuesday to help fight coronavirus.

The news was announced by White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham on Twitter.

“President Donald Trump made a commitment to donate his salary while in office,” she wrote, sharing an image of the check for $100,000.

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Denver Democrat faces backlash after tweeting ‘solidarity’ for spreading coronavirus at Trump rallies

Democratic Denver City Councilwoman Candi CdeBaca faced conservative criticism Tuesday after sharing a meme on Twitter suggesting she stands in “solidarity” with the idea of spreading coronavirus at President Trump’s campaign rallies.

"These people are sick," Donald Trump Jr. tweeted.
Whoops! We couldn't access this Tweet.

CdeBaca, apparently posting in jest, had retweeted a meme that said: “For the record, if I do get the coronavirus I’m attending every MAGA rally I can.”

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https://www.foxnews.com/politics/denver-democrat-faces-backlash-after-tweeting-solidarity-for-spreading-coronavirus-at-trump-rallies

Distressing bodycam video shows ER star Vanessa Marquez pulling out a replica gun and shouting 'kill me' before being shot dead by cops who found piles of hoarded junk at her home

Distressing bodycam video has shown the moment ER star Vanessa Marquez was shot dead by cops after pulling out a replica gun and shouting 'kill me' during a welfare check at her home.

Marquez, 49, can be seen sitting in her bedroom in cluttered 'hoarding conditions' after police officers were called to the property in South Pasadena, California, by a concerned friend on August 30, 2018.

'I'm not going,' the actress tells the pair of officers after they tell her is being taken into custody for her own safety. She is then seeing drawing a pair of scissors from a handbag, followed by pistol, which was later found to be BB gun.

One of the officers says: 'Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, s**t, she's got a gun. She's got a gun. Gun! Gun! Gun!' And the police immediately back out of the apartment.

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Do You Remember?


Dr. Drew: Media-driven panic over coronavirus is a bigger problem than the virus

Addiction specialist Dr. Drew Pinsky panned the media's response to the coronavirus outbreak, telling "The Ingraham Angle" on Monday that the root of the larger problem domestically has been the panic being spread by the mainstream media.

"Essentially the entire problem we are having is due to panic, not the virus," he said. "I was saying this six weeks ago. We have six deaths from the coronavirus, 18,000 from the flu. Why isn't the message, 'Get your flu vaccine'"?

Pinsky, host of "Dr. Drew After Dark," said the coronavirus impact has been milder than initially projected.

"The entirety of the problem now is that people are being pushed into bankruptcy. Travel is down. The supply chain is being interrupted because of panic," he reiterated.

"The flu virus is vastly more consequential and nobody is talking about that."

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https://www.foxnews.com/media/dr-drew-media-panic-about-coronavirus-is-more-problematic-than-the-contagion

SBYNews Forces Salisbury Mayor To Publish More Truthful Flyer

While the Mayor doesn't say Gay Pride or LGBT Pride and Festival, at least they're more forthcoming with at least something. 

However, they have eliminated the Drag Queen Reading at the Pittsville Library on school grounds and there's no mention of the Drag Queen Reading at the Wicomico Library in which the Director has been told, you host this event you lose over ONE MILLION dollars in additional funding from the County. 

So IF the Library Director chooses to move forward with this FREAK event, (reading to impressionable children) then it will cost the Library a million dollars. Pretty damn expensive for such a liberal agenda. 

Dianne Feinstein warns of 'rise in racism toward Asian Americans' due to coronavirus

Sen. Dianne Feinstein warned against racist attitudes stemming from the novel coronavirus’s association with China.

The California Democrat urged officials, organizations, and others to focus on stopping the spread of both the virus and misinformation about the virus in a Monday statement. Feinstein said people should only trust information from official sources such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization.

"Coronavirus has infected more than 90,000 people worldwide and killed more than 3,000, including six in the United States," Feinstein said. "Two things are essential: First that we do everything in our power to prevent the spread of this virus and second that we not allow misinformation to make the situation worse."

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Virginia poised to become the first southern state to ban conversion therapy for LGBTQ children

Virginia is set to become the first state in the US south to ban conversion therapy for LGBTQ minors.

Gov. Ralph Northam signed a bill on Monday, proposed by state Delegate Patrick A. Hope (D-Arlington), that prohibits the discredited treatment which purports to change sexual orientation or gender identity.

The General Assembly has also passed an identical Senate bill, proposed by Senator Scott A. Surovell (D-Fairfax).

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NEW: More Patients Tested in Maryland for Coronavirus

More patients are being tested for the Coronavirus in Maryland. According to the Maryland Department of Health, 11 people are now being tested for the Coronavirus and another 10 have tested negative in the state.

This comes as Maryland gets the green light to start testing for the disease.

The Maryland Department of Health's labs in Baltimore can now test for the Coronavirus. This means they'll be able to catch and treat people with the virus earlier rather than waiting for the test results from the CDC labs in Atlanta, Georgia. People who are suspected to have the virus may be diagnosed faster through the State Public Health labs in Baltimore.

There are no cases reported in Maryland.

Source

Benjamin Netanyahu declares victory in Israeli election as exit poll shows him just short of overall majority and easily ahead of his main rival in country’s third vote in a year

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared victory on Tuesday in the country's third election in less than a year, after television exit polls showed him just a seat short of a governing majority in parliament.

A win for Netanyahu, 70, after inconclusive ballots in April and September, would be testimony to the political durability of Israel's longest-serving leader, who fought the latest campaign under the shadow of a looming corruption trial.

It would also pave the way for the right-wing Netanyahu to make good on his pledge to annex, after the election, Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, and the region's Jordan Valley, under a peace plan presented by U.S. President Donald Trump.

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Maryland Department of Health Approved for Testing for Novel Coronavirus Cases

Maryland Emergency Management Agency Holds Continuity of Operations Planning Workshop

ANNAPOLIS, MDGovernor Larry Hogan today announced that Maryland’s State Public Health Laboratory has been approved for testing for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). This means that rather than waiting for test results from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) labs in Atlanta, Georgia, people who are suspected to have COVID-19 may be diagnosed faster through the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) labs in Baltimore.
At this time, Maryland has no confirmed cases of coronavirus.
Additionally, the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) held a planning workshop today to review continuity of operations plans (COOP) across state government.
“Our highest priority is keeping Marylanders safe, and having the capability to test quickly for potential COVID-19 cases is an important part of that,” said Governor Hogan. “We want our citizens to know that all levels of government are working together proactively and taking every possible precaution to respond to threats of public health.”

Warren struggles in Massachusetts as Biden beats Sanders

Elizabeth Warren never called it a must-win state for her Democratic presidential campaign, but she suffered an embarrassing defeat in her home state of Massachusetts on Super Tuesday.

Joe Biden, the two-term vice president, had 33.4% of the vote and 19-plus delegates of the state's 91 available delegates on her home turf, with 48% of precincts reporting after polls closed at 8 p.m. EST. Bernie Sanders, the senator from neighboring Vermont, had 26.2% and 11-plus delegates, while Warren had 21.4% and five-plus delegates.

Warren, 70, whose presidential bid hangs in the balance after soft performances in the first four early nominating states, was coy on her expectations in the state, spending Election Night in Detroit, which doesn't vote on Super Tuesday.

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Philosophical Debate Ensues Over Ocean City’s Growing Reserve Fund Balance

OCEAN CITY — Just how much reserve fund balance is the right amount and at what point should some of the town’s reserve be returned to the taxpayers was the subject of a philosophical debate among resort leaders this week.

The Mayor and Council had before them on Monday a rather routine vote on a proposed fiscal year 2020 budget amendment, an essential process during a budget cycle when funds are reallocated due to projected revenues or expenditures changing slightly during the course of the year. Before the vote was taken, however, former City Councilman Vince Gisriel, as he done often in the past, raised the issue of the town’s growing reserve fund balance.

It has been the town’s stated policy for years to maintain a reserve fund balance, or a rainy-day fund of sorts, of 15% of the general fund balance. However, during recent strategic planning sessions, the stated goal was to increase fund balance to 20%, which provides a nest egg in the event of an emergency such as a major storm, for example, to ensure the town can continue to operate and provide essential services.

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Donna Brazile Tells RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel To "Go To Hell" For Saying DNC Convention Would Be Rigged Against Sanders

Former DNC Chair Donna Brazile got heated Tuesday in response to RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel on FOX News, telling the Republican Party leader to "go to hell" for suggesting the DNC convention would be rigged against Bernie Sanders.
RONNA MCDANIEL: It does depend on how big a lead that Sanders takes out of California is.

If he picks up a huge proportion of delegates. I don’t see anybody getting out soon. It is leading towards a brokered convention, which will be rigged against Bernie if those superdelegates have their way on that second vote.

DONNA BRAZILE: First of all, I want to talk to my Republicans. First of all, stay the hell out of our race. Stay the hell out of our race.
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'Does your life matter more than mine?': Town hall audience member confronts Bloomberg on gun control

2020 Democrat Michael Bloomberg was put on the spot when a town hall audience member asked him how he can call for more gun control when his security detail is armed.

“How do you justify pushing for more gun control when you have an armed security detail that’s likely equipped with the same firearms and magazines that you seek to ban the common citizen from owning?” the man asked during Monday's Fox News town hall. “Does your life matter more than mine or my family’s or these peoples’?”

Bloomberg responded by saying he “probably” gets death threats at least “40 or 50 times a week.”

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Legislation Allows Support Dogs To Help Children In Court

BERLIN – Legislation passed in the Maryland General Assembly this year could allow a local facility dog to accompany children as they testify in court.

During this year’s General Assembly session, legislators in Annapolis introduced cross-filed bills – House Bill 311 and Senate Bill 101 – establishing a program to provide a facility dog or therapy dog to a child witness in any circuit court proceeding in the state. The bill introduced in the Senate passed unanimously in January, and the bill introduced in the House of Delegates passed unanimously in February.

At the Cricket Center – Worcester County’s only child advocacy center – the legislation could provide its facility dog, Josiah, an opportunity to further assist child abuse victims.

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Hogan Fights For Hardworking Marylanders As Democrats Revive Failed Policies Of Tax King Martin O’Malley

Democrats in the Maryland General Assembly are clearly nostalgic for the days of tax-and-spend liberal Martin O’Malley, but Governor Larry Hogan and the people of Maryland are fighting back.

O’Malley presided over more than 40 tax increases during his two terms as governor, becoming so toxic that a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans two-to-one elected GOP Governor Larry Hogan in 2014 and reelected him by a double-digit margin in 2018. But the state’s few remaining O’Malley fans – a handful of partisan state legislators – are trying to revive his legacy by proposing the biggest tax increase in state history.

Under Governor Hogan, Maryland has experienced an economic revival including 149,000 new jobs and a near record low unemployment rate. But Democrats are trying to undo that progress with a $2.9 billion sales tax increase that would impact every man, woman, and child in Maryland – and even visitors and tourists – by taxing routine items like haircuts, lawn care, and dry cleaning.

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Dr. Peter Lin: Corona Virus

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