Baltimore Checkbook

State Center developer files countersuit against...

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The developer of the long-delayed State Center redevelopment project in Midtown Baltimore filed a countersuit Tuesday, saying Gov. Larry Hogan is delaying a project that could be shovel-ready in two months. State Center LLC’s lawsuit, filed in the Circuit Court of Maryland in Baltimore, asks the state to maintain its contractual agreement to redevelop the 28-acre state office complex off of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The Board of Public Works, led by Hogan, voted 3-0 in December to rescind…

H&S Bakery completes $15 million Fells Point...

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H&S Bakery has completed a $15 million expansion of its headquarters in Fells Point after months of construction. The 73-year-old family-owned business built the 36,000-square-foot warehouse adjacent to its 600 S. Bond St. manufacturing and distribution site. The project also includes purchasing new equipment and upgrading packaging and shipping operations. In all, its distribution facility in Fells Point is now 72,000 square feet. The upgrades “ensure the facility remains functional and viable…

Federal Hill Crossbar's long quest for liquor...

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Crossbar der Biergarten is finally getting back in front of the Baltimore City Board of Liquor License Commissioners in the hope of putting an end to a nearly four-year battle to open in Federal Hill. Crossbar was originally slated to be on the Jan. 26 liquor board agenda to transfer the ownership of a liquor license from 1015-1019 S. Charles St., which belonged to the defunct Joey B’s Bar & Grille. Stephan Fogleman, who is serving as Crossbar’s lawyer on the liquor board application, said the…

Maryland gains 900 jobs in December

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Maryland added 900 jobs in December, as gains in the private sector offset a loss in government jobs. The overall gain kept the state’s unemployment steady at 4.2 percent for the fourth consecutive month, according to preliminary data released Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. The U.S. unemployment rate is 4.7 percent. Maryland’s private sector added 1,400 jobs in December, the data shows. Government jobs dropped by 500. The state’s trade, transportation, and…

Ciena Corp. COO stepping down

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A top Ciena Corp. executive will step down in March as the computer networking company begins to execute its succession plan. François Locoh-Donou, the company’s chief operating officer, joined Hanover-based Ciena in 2002 and served in several leadership positions before ascending to COO in November 2015. His resignation will become effective March 23. The COO position was a new one created for Locoh-Donou, 44. His promotion came after Ciena’s former senior vice president of worldwide sales and…

8 things you need to know this morning

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Good morning, and happy Tuesday. The sun could finally make a return this afternoon after some lingering clouds fade away. Temperatures will be in the high 40s to low 50s for most of the week, with a cold blast on its way this weekend. Here are eight things to know to get your day started. President Donald Trump signed additional executive orders Monday, his first formal day in office. One stated that the U.S. pulled out of the yet-to-be-ratified Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement, and…

Survey: Most Maryland voters would oppose Medicaid...

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Most Maryland voters say they view cuts to Medicaid and its funds supporting state rehabilitation and nursing facilities as “unacceptable,” according to a new survey. The Health Facilities Association of Maryland sponsored a statewide public opinion survey — of over 800 registered voters — to gauge Marylanders’ views on nursing and rehab centers. The survey’s consensus was that state citizens supported funding for Medicaid and would support lawmakers who opposed cuts to the program, which provides…

Maryland among states where people live paycheck...

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Maryland is one of 10 states where Americans are most likely to live paycheck to paycheck, according to a new study. GOBankingRates, a personal finance website, examined how far a person’s money is likely to go in each state. States were evaluated and ranked according to the percentage of the median paycheck that was left over after subtracting average housing costs, food expenditures, transportation and utilities expenses and health care costs. Maryland is five places higher than lowest-ranked…

Olive Garden kicks off new all-you-can-eat deal

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Stuff yourself with Italian classics with a new never-ending option at Olive Garden.

The Orlando-based restaurant chain is offering a new all-you-can-eat deal with Never Ending Classics. Entrees start at $11.99. Choose from menu favorites including spaghetti with meat sauce, Fettuccine Alfredo,…

Maryland business groups oppose paid sick leave...

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Business advocacy groups gathered Monday in Annapolis to oppose a mandatory paid leave bill introduced by members of the House of Delegates. The bill, which is separate from the one Gov. Larry Hogan proposed in December, passed in the House last year and died in the Senate on the last day of the legislative session. If passed, the legislature’s bill requires businesses with 15 or more employees provide seven days of paid leave a year, while those with fewer than 15 employees are required to provide…