Following the money to expose how Maryland spends — and sometimes wastes — taxpayer dollars.
Maryland’s contract and procurement systems control billions in public spending each year. These decisions shape everything from school construction and road projects to IT systems, public safety equipment, and social-service programs. Yet the process is notoriously opaque, and the public rarely sees how awards are made, who benefits, or what goes wrong when oversight fails.
MDBayNews’ Contract & Procurement desk shines a light on:
- Bid processes and competitive fairness
- Conflicts of interest and insider favoritism
- Overruns, delays, and wasteful spending
- Emergency contracts and no-bid awards
- Vendor performance failures
- Legislative and Board of Public Works scrutiny
- State and county procurement loopholes
Using public records, audits, inspector general findings, and watchdog analysis, we track Maryland’s biggest contracts — and the ones no one else is watching.
When public dollars are at stake, transparency is not optional.
The CDC Paid Baltimore Teens to Sell Vaccines to Their Peers. It Wasn’t Just Baltimore, and Its Own Researchers Couldn’t Show It Worked.
In Baltimore, a initiative named Voices on Vax engaged teenagers to promote COVID-19 vaccinations, funded by a CDC grant. Despite innovative outreach tactics, including paying teens for content creation, the program struggled to engage its target audience and show a significant impact on vaccination rates, raising concerns and scrutiny over its effectiveness and funding.
Germantown Service Dog Hit by Car, Now Recovering After Three Days in the ICU
A Germantown service dog named Saint is recovering at home after being struck by a car and spending three days in intensive care. His owner says veterinary expenses have reached nearly $9,000 as police responsibility for the crash remains unclear.
Maryland Crews Answered the Call: The First Responders Who Deployed After 9/11
In response to the September 11 attacks, Maryland’s emergency responders rapidly mobilized to the Pentagon, with Maryland Task Force 1 being among the first teams on site. Various local units supported search operations and fire control, while some responders faced long-term health issues linked to their service. The federal health program covering responders has expanded…
Three Bills to Require 9/11 Education in Maryland Schools Have Died. None Has Been Reintroduced.
As the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks approaches, Maryland lacks a law mandating public schools to teach about it. Past attempts to establish a curriculum requirement have failed. Currently, the state has only a symbolic resolution, leaving instruction on the attacks inconsistent and largely dependent on local decisions.
Green Party’s Ellis Releases MPT Records, Presses for a Seat at the Oct. 6 Debate
Green Party nominee Andy Ellis has released Maryland Public Television records, urging the network to include all four candidates in the upcoming October debate. He claims MPT’s own rules support this inclusion, citing previous discrepancies in candidate invitations. The ongoing debate centers on transparency and access for all electoral choices in Maryland.
Eight Days, Ten Announcements: What Moore’s Late-Summer Sprint Actually Delivers
During a busy week from Sept. 1 to 8, Governor Wes Moore’s office issued 10 press releases concerning economic initiatives, including a minimum wage order and job announcements. A review revealed mixed effectiveness in claims, with some genuine accomplishments but many announcements repackaging older initiatives, raising questions amid a looming election and ongoing budget concerns.
From Tragedy to Statute: How 9/11 Reshaped Maryland’s Security Apparatus
Twenty-five years after 9/11, Maryland’s homeland security framework, established post-attacks, remains integral to its emergency response. Key institutions include the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security, the Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center, and an elevated Department of Emergency Management. This all-hazards structure now oversees terrorism, public health, and traditional disaster responses.
Remembering Maryland’s Own: The 68 Marylanders Lost on 9/11
Sixty-eight Marylanders were lost in the Sept. 11 attacks. Behind that number were teachers, sailors, flight attendants, parents, scientists and public servants whose lives remain part of communities across the state.
Maryland Republicans Went Quiet on the One Day They Should Have Been Loudest, With a Few Notable Exceptions
On Labor Day 2026, Maryland Republicans largely missed an opportunity to engage voters with messages about affordability and work, while Democrats actively promoted union events. Delegate Matt Morgan was a notable exception, sharing content about tax policies driving families away. His proactive approach illustrates a need for Republicans to set the agenda rather than react.
Jawando Hospitalized After Heart Attack, Campaign Says He’s Recovering
Will Jawando, the Democratic nominee for Montgomery County executive, had a heart attack while playing basketball on September 5. After treatment, including a stent placement, he is expected to recover at home. Despite scaling back his activities, his office will continue to provide services. He remains a leading candidate in the upcoming election.
Maryland’s Jobs Are Coming Back. The State’s Own Choices Keep Getting in the Way.
In July, Maryland’s private sector added nearly 11,000 jobs, marking a strong economic recovery after significant federal job losses. The unemployment rate fell to 4.2 percent, outpacing national growth. However, state policies, including tax increases, have drawn criticism and raised concerns about Maryland’s fiscal health and business climate.
Frederick ICE Clash: Neighborhood Calms as Warrant Claim Surfaces, No Arrests Confirmed
A nearly 40-hour ICE stakeout in Frederick’s Taskers Chance neighborhood ended with agents using batons to clear observers near a home — but no arrests. Now a report that agents were serving a warrant is adding a new unanswered question to the confrontation.
The Rideshare Language Fight Has a Federal Bill Behind It. In Maryland, the Machines That Could Sidestep the Whole Argument Are Stuck in Committee.
U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville introduced the UBER Act, which mandates English proficiency for rideshare drivers on federal contracts, addressing public complaints. While legislation struggles in Maryland, Waymo tests vehicles with a safety driver, contrasting Tesla’s Cybercab, which lacks authorization there. The debate over autonomous vehicle regulations continues amid concerns over driver communication and job impacts.
Energy Bill Fight Turns to Who Qualifies for Maryland’s New Utility Aid Program
The Utility RELIEF Act, signed by Governor Wes Moore, adjusts Maryland’s electric bill assistance program to include low-income households ineligible for federal heating aid, including those without legal immigration status. This eligibility change has sparked a public debate among state delegates amidst rising electric rates and bipartisan support for the bill.
ICE Detainer and a Delegate Feud Add a New Chapter to the I-270 Crash Story
ICE has lodged a detainer for the driver charged in the fatal I-270 wrong-way crash, adding a new immigration-policy dispute as Maryland delegates Mark Fisher and Joe Vogel clash over the state’s restrictions on cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
Tonya Sweat Lost Her Ballot Case in Circuit Court. She’s Not Giving Up Yet.
Moisette “Tonya” Sweat’s independent candidacy for Prince George’s County Executive faces legal challenges after her signatures were invalidated by the Board of Elections. A circuit court dismissed her case, and she has appealed to the Maryland Supreme Court, exploring options for a write-in campaign if unsuccessful.
The Union That Always Picked Brown Just Picked His Opponent
The Maryland State Fraternal Order of Police endorsed Republican James B. Rutledge III for attorney general, breaking a longstanding support for Democrat Anthony Brown. This shift signals a significant change, as the union historically backed Democratic candidates. Rutledge aims to address public safety issues, contrasting with Brown’s focus on consumer protection.
Redistricting Case Not Over: Emergency Motion Filed as Circuit Courts Face Friday Deadline to Implement Supreme Court Order
The Maryland Supreme Court remanded two redistricting cases back to lower courts without a direct ruling, affirming some errors and ordering new ballot language. Dissenting justices questioned the court’s role in drafting ballot language. Both circuit courts must act by September 4, 2026, before elections proceed.
Supreme Court Rules Redistricting Question Stays on Ballot, Orders Ballot Language Rewritten
The Maryland Supreme Court’s recent ruling allows Question 3, concerning congressional redistricting, to appear on the November ballot, despite circuit court objections about misleading language. The court mandated clearer wording while dissenting justices argued that the revision still misled voters regarding the amendment’s implications. Both parties plan vigorous campaigns through November.
Two Weapons Incidents at Magruder in One Morning Reopen Montgomery County’s SRO Fight
Two unrelated weapons incidents at Magruder High School ended without injuries Thursday, but they quickly revived Montgomery County’s five-year fight over whether police officers should return to MCPS buildings.