Reverting D.C. to Maryland?

The idea of reverting all of Washington, D.C. or at least its residential sections to Maryland is not new; there used to be a southern portion of D.C. across the Potomac that reverted to Virginia long ago, which in no way has prevented the Pentagon and similar installations from functioning as federal buildings just like those housing other cabinet departments. Whatever the idea’s logic, however, it would seem to be a political non-starter. “According to an April 2016 poll, only 28% of Marylanders support annexing DC, while 44% are opposed.” [Chad Hughes, Greater Greater Washington]

“Why Maryland lawmakers should not ban fracking”

“In fact, fracking has massive environmental benefits. The rapid expansion of natural gas production has prompted power plants all over the country to switch from coal to gas, which is both cheaper and burns much cleaner. Last year, largely thanks to this mass migration, American carbon emissions hit a 25-year low. Given its own grand green ambitions, Maryland ought to be embracing fracking.” [Chris Summers, Maryland Public Policy Institute]

In miniature, February 7

• “Maryland’s Medical Malpractice Landscape After McQuitty” [Elizabeth Hafey, Miles & Stockbridge]
• A skeptical view of state intervention on pharmaceutical pricing [Marc Kilmer/MPPI, related: Dan Menefee/Maryland Reporter]
• Bad ideas, getting closer: “DC’s Paid Family Leave Bucks the Trend—and Economics” [Ike Brannon, Cato]
• Maryland should adopt the idea of an executive agency to analyze and review regulation, along lines of federal OIRA [Randolph May, Free State Foundation]
• Yet another Maryland shaken-baby case seems awfully dependent on autopsy inferences [Washington Post, background on Washington Post series; more background]
• “Here are some easy changes. Maryland is now the only state to have both estate and inheritance taxes.” [Dee Hodges, Maryland Reporter]