Independent oversight of Maryland’s state and local agencies.
Maryland’s public agencies wield enormous authority over residents’ daily lives—shaping everything from transportation and public safety to child welfare, licensing, healthcare, taxation, and housing. Yet these institutions often operate with limited transparency and even less accountability.
Agency Watch is MDBayNews’ dedicated oversight desk, tracking the performance, failures, and hidden dynamics inside Maryland’s government agencies. Using public records, whistleblower reports, audits, inspector general findings, and on-the-ground investigation, we expose what taxpayers deserve to know but rarely hear.
Our coverage includes:
- Mismanagement, corruption, and internal breakdowns
- Child welfare and CPS/CINA failures
- Public safety and law-enforcement agency oversight
- Health, housing, education, and transportation systems
- Procurement problems and contract waste
- Staffing crises, backlogs, and operational failures
- Administrative decisions affecting due process and civil rights
Whether it’s a statewide scandal, a small county agency causing big harm, or a slow-moving bureaucratic failure that affects thousands, Agency Watch delivers the scrutiny Maryland institutions seldom receive elsewhere.
Open government. Real accountability. No excuses.
Two Bills. One Week. Opposite Visions of Who Draws Maryland’s Maps
Maryland’s Senate Bill 2100 aims to eliminate constitutional limits on congressional district drawing, while Del. Christopher Bouchat’s LR3744 proposes transferring this power to a convention of 188 elected citizens. Both bills target the November 2026 ballot, reflecting conflicting approaches to redistricting and limiting gerrymandering, with varying legislative support.
DeMarinis Walks Back Bettor Threat, Refers Prediction Markets for Investigation Anyway
Maryland’s State Elections Administrator, Jared DeMarinis, formally referred a potential criminal investigation into prediction market platforms Kalshi and Polymarket for allegedly violating state election wagering laws. Initially considering actions against individual bettors, DeMarinis narrowed the focus solely to the platforms. This move comes amidst broader national scrutiny of election-related betting practices.
Green Party Nominee Calls for Four-Way Debates as Moore, Cox Stay Quiet
Green Party gubernatorial nominee Andy Ellis is advocating for a series of four regional debates in Maryland to include all certified candidates for the November election. Citing legal mandates, he argues that limiting debates to major party candidates undermines voter representation, as many voters are unaffiliated with either party.
The Amendment Written to Undo a Judge’s Ruling
Maryland lawmakers will consider a constitutional amendment during a special session aimed at countering a 2022 court ruling that deemed the state’s congressional map unconstitutional gerrymandering. The proposed bill clarifies that compactness and contiguity standards only apply to state legislative districts, potentially allowing more flexibility in drawing future congressional maps.
The GOP Says This Bill Proves Hypocrisy. The Bill Itself Tells a Messier Story.
The Maryland Republican Party criticized Democratic leadership for introducing House Bill 2101 during a redistricting-only special session, claiming it was hypocritical. The bill aims to withdraw a duplicate constitutional amendment on collective bargaining for state employees to prevent ballot confusion in the upcoming November election.
Here’s What Senate Bill 2100 Actually Does — And Why It’s Drafted Like a Legal Shield
Maryland’s Senate Bill 2100 aims to amend the state constitution concerning congressional redistricting, specifically clarifying that existing districting standards apply only to state legislative districts. The bill, introduced amid a special session, has raised concerns about limited public input and its potential to facilitate partisan gerrymandering, prompting criticism from Republican lawmakers.
Robin Ficker Won the GOP Primary With $401 Left in the Bank. Now What?
Robin Ficker, the Republican nominee for Maryland’s 6th District, faces significant financial challenges in the upcoming election, having only $401 left after a costly primary. His Democratic opponent, April McClain Delaney, boasts a $307,000 advantage and a robust campaign infrastructure, raising doubts about Ficker’s competitiveness against a well-funded incumbent.
Two Maryland Schools Cut Staff. Two Cut Tuition Instead. Only One Strategy Is Working.
Maryland’s public university system faces a $222 million budget cut over three years, prompting layoffs at College Park and Bowie State. Meanwhile, Coppin State and Frostburg State have reduced tuition to attract more students, resulting in enrollment growth. The strategies differ, but both aim to address financial challenges facing higher education in the state.
The $9 Million Everyone’s Talking About: What Maryland’s Dream Act Actually Costs — and Doesn’t
The $9 million figure in the recent Justice Department lawsuit against Maryland’s Dream Act is misunderstood. It represents the difference in tuition costs for undocumented students, not direct taxpayer spending. The number reflects foregone revenue, indicating the state’s non-collection from students, rather than actual expenditures. Debates continue over the policy’s implications.
Two Regulators, One Gas Company: DC and Maryland Both Weigh Washington Gas Pipe Spending This Week
Washington Gas is under scrutiny from regulators in DC and Maryland over proposed rate increases. The DC Attorney General argues against a costly pipe replacement plan, while Maryland faces an $82.5 million increase request. Both jurisdictions question whether the spending enhances safety or merely serves as a cost-recovery mechanism, impacting residential customers.
Anne Arundel Schools Face Federal Investigation Over Policy That Let Staff Withhold a Student’s Gender Transition From Her Parents
Anne Arundel County Public Schools is under federal investigation due to its regulation allowing staff to withhold transgender students’ identity information from parents. The Department of Education and DOJ are assessing whether this practice violates the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, amid a related lawsuit by parents claiming constitutional rights violations.
On Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Full-Time Work Isn’t Enough — And It’s Not Just Baltimore City Anymore
A recent report reveals that 39% of Maryland households struggle to meet basic living costs, with five of the ten hardest-hit counties located on the Eastern Shore. Notably, even full-time jobs like nursing assistants and cashiers often pay insufficient wages to cover essential expenses, indicating a persistent economic hardship in the state.
Republicans Won’t Boycott the Special Session. They’ll Just Talk About Everything Else.
Maryland Senate Minority Leader Steve Hershey confirmed that Senate Republicans will actively participate in the upcoming special session despite restrictions on bill drafting. He emphasized their commitment to discussing key issues like energy costs and taxes. The Democrats argue these topics will be addressed in the next session, showcasing differing priorities.
Maryland Democrats Answer DHS With a Lawsuit — While a Small Town Sits on a Records Request Nine Months Overdue
Maryland’s Democratic leadership, led by Attorney General Anthony Brown, has opted to sue the Trump administration over new election security conditions rather than comply. This lawsuit, involving 21 states, challenges requirements for election security investments and audits, illustrating Maryland’s rejection of federally mandated measures while also raising questions about its own voter roll verification processes.
Live-Wire Testing Begins on the Purple Line. MTA’s Own Filing Says Nothing Changed — While Disclosing That It Did.
The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) reports a 78-day delay for the Purple Line project, now set for March 2028. Despite this, their official milestone chart still lists a December 2027 completion. The contradiction highlights ongoing project mismanagement, even as live-wire testing progresses. Future filings will reveal if updates are made.
The Count Behind the Count: Maryland’s Homelessness Numbers Are Getting Worse, Not Better
In January 2025, Maryland experienced a 17.3 percent increase in homelessness, with 7,120 individuals affected, primarily due to rising rents and reduced eviction prevention funding. Despite expanded shelter services, the state’s homeless population, particularly families with children, grew, underscoring ongoing challenges in effectively addressing homelessness.
Who Authorized This? A Private Nonprofit Is Now Appointing Attorneys in Maryland Custody Cases
The Child’s Voice Project, a Seattle-based nonprofit, is expanding its role in Maryland custody proceedings without legislative authorization or independent oversight. By providing “child advocate attorneys,” it circumvents traditional best-interest attorney practices, raising concerns about accountability and the implications of its ideological framework on children’s representation in court.
Gun Rights Coalition Asks Maryland’s Top Court to Hear Reciprocity Case — But the Argument They’re Pushing Was Never Actually Ruled On
A coalition of Second Amendment groups is urging the Maryland Supreme Court to reconsider Darius Duvall’s case, involving his conviction for carrying a handgun with a D.C. permit not recognized in Maryland. The appeal focuses on historical arguments about travelers’ rights, which the appellate court did not address thoroughly.
Montgomery County Bought Half a Ferry. It Won’t Say What Happens If the Other Half Never Comes.
Montgomery County has reached an agreement with White’s Ferry owner Chuck Kuhn to acquire the Maryland-side facilities while Kuhn donates the ferry operation. Despite this advancement, negotiations with Virginia landowner Libby Devlin remain unresolved, as she was unaware of the deal. The ferry’s future relies on cooperation from Virginia authorities or potential eminent domain actions.
What Maryland Actually Gets — and Gives Up — By Saying No to Data Centers
The Maryland analysis presents a comprehensive view of data centers’ economic impact, highlighting substantial tax revenues but low permanent job creation. While concerns about power costs and water usage are valid, Maryland has enacted measures to mitigate these issues. Ultimately, rejecting data centers may not affect national security but rather shift projects to neighboring areas.