Maryland News by Daniel Reiter

Marylanders have high expectations for President-elect Barack Obama, according to a new poll.
 
According to the survey, paid for and conducted by the Annapolis-based market research firm OpinionWorks, 32 percent of Marylanders think Obama will do a "great" job as president, 34 percent said "good,"  12 percent said "so-so," and 6 percent predicted a "bad job." Seventeen percent were not sure or refused to respond.
 

U.S. Rep. Donna Edwards (D-Fort Washington) said Thursday that if Congress doesn't step in to assist the ailing U.S. auto industry, over 2,000 Maryland workers could face unemployment.

"The collapse of the auto industry would threaten more than 2,400 jobs here in Maryland alone," Edwards said in a statement. "Our faltering economy cannot withstand another devastating blow as we are already in a recession and our unemployment rate is at a 15-year high."

The U.S. House of Congress voted Wednesday night to send $14 billion in emergency loans to Detroit automakers.

The Auto Industry Financing and Restructuring Act passed the House 237 to 170. The Maryland delegation voted 6 to 1 in favor of the bill with outgoing U.S. Rep. Wayne Gilchrest (R-Kennedyville) abstaining from the vote. The bailout measure is backed by the White House, but Senate Republicans have shown little support for the bill and are suggesting alternate solutions.

Baltimore City officials found themselves under fire Wednesday after The Baltimore Sun reported Mayor Sheila Dixon, City Comptroller Joan Pratt and City Council President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake received pay increases amid city hiring freezes and ongoing budget concerns.

The three Democrats received raises without discussion at the Nov. 26 Board of Estimates meeting, which approves all significant city expenditures.