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.
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.
Seven Stops, Five States, Three Weeks: Where Wes Moore Has Been While Maryland Waits on Affordability
Maryland Governor Wes Moore has been actively campaigning across multiple states while facing criticism for limiting the upcoming legislative special session to redistricting, excluding affordability issues. His travels have provoked mixed reactions, with Republicans condemning his record on taxes and questioning the disconnect between his national message on affordability and state legislative actions.
One Signature, No Judge: How Maryland Lets a Single Accusation Freeze a Custody Case
In Maryland, commissioners can issue protective orders based solely on one party’s word, potentially disrupting custody cases. Recent examples highlight concerns about misuse of this system in ongoing disputes. While lawmakers are addressing related issues with criminal warrants, protective orders remain largely unexamined, raising questions about the need for reform.
The Memo That Locked Everyone Else Out Just Let Bouchat In
Christopher Bouchat has criticized Maryland’s legislature for prioritizing established agendas, claiming it only allows his bill while sidelining others. After facing scrutiny and a lack of support from both parties, he announced he wouldn’t seek re-election and expressed frustration with the system’s dysfunction and his colleagues’ inaction.
Republicans Say They Warned Leadership — Then Got Shut Out Anyway
Maryland’s legislative leaders are limiting the agenda for the upcoming special session to focus solely on congressional redistricting. Republican leaders criticized this decision, emphasizing the need to address pressing issues like rising energy costs. The unusual restriction is seen as a departure from previous practices, raising concerns about transparency and priorities.
Wes Moore Told Randi Weingarten He Was “Humbled” to Follow Her. His Own Biography Argues Against Her.
Governor Wes Moore closed the AFT national convention, expressing admiration for President Randi Weingarten, a vocal opponent of the ECCA federal school-choice program. Critics highlight Moore’s ambiguous stance on the program, noting his private school background and connections to union support while awaiting clarity on potential participation in the initiative.
The Data Center Fight Isn’t Just Frederick’s Anymore — Here’s Where Maryland’s Counties Stand
The data center controversy in Maryland has intensified, with multiple counties implementing bans or moratoriums. Frederick County’s high-profile zoning referendum faced legal challenges, while counties like Harford enacted permanent bans. Despite economic benefits like tax revenue, various jurisdictions are grappling with impacts on land use, jobs, and utilities, leading to ongoing regulatory changes.
Maryland Named Twice by DHS — State Signals It Won’t Comply, as Federal Funding and Legal Threats Escalate
Maryland is highlighted in a federal intelligence review claiming foreign access to voter registration data, specifically from China. State officials are divided on the issue, with the Governor dismissing claims as political. Noncompliance with federal security measures may lead to funding penalties and legal consequences for election officials, increasing scrutiny on Maryland’s voting integrity.