In miniature, November 13

• More on the need to rethink MHEC: “The goal for state leaders in Maryland and around the country should be to ensure that their citizens have unfettered access to the best education possible. Blocking great universities from opening up new programs to reduce the competition will have the opposite effect.” [James Piereson and Naomi Schaefer Riley, City Journal; earlier from me]
• Montgomery County Council’s Office of Legislative Oversight finds council member Will Jawando’s bill to abolish tip credits would harm the county’s economy [Adam Pagnucco, related] Meanwhile, even Marc Elrich is admitting that MoCo is passing new regulations faster than it can implement them;
• Poll commissioned by Common Cause Maryland finds overwhelming support for special elections to fill state legislative vacancies; currently party central committees play lead role [more on poll, via Pagnucco; earlier here and here]
• “Oil companies say Maryland climate change suits reach beyond boundaries” [Daniel Fisher, Legal Newsline; some of my writing over the years on efforts to base damages lawsuits on climate change]
• Slow-motion policy disaster: rent control on the move in Howard County [Hallie Miller and Lillian Reed, Baltimore Banner]
• “Public funding of Camden Yards renovations a bad deal for Baltimore, economists say” [Brenda Wintrode, Baltimore Banner]