Baltimore Checkbook

As General Assembly wraps, Hogan is 'most...

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Gov. Larry Hogan talked taxes Monday morning as the Maryland General Assembly started the last day of its 2016 session, saying he was disappointed tax breaks for manufacturers stalled but that he was hopeful income tax cuts could still pass. “The tax relief package is the thing we’re most focused on,” Hogan said. “The thing that the people of Maryland want to see the most are two things: nonpartisan redistricting and tax relief.” Democratic leaders do not seem interested in redistricting, Hogan…

New Starbucks rewards program starts Tuesday

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Despite customer outcry, Starbucks is gearing up to launch its new rewards program on Tuesday.



from http://www.wbaltv.com/money/new-starbucks-rewards-program-starts-tomorrow/38967586

D.C. Council wants decision from top insurance...

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For months, D.C.’s top insurance regulator has been deliberating over whether to reverse a previous order for CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield to spend down $56 million of a surplus — or to enforce it. Last week, D.C. Council decided his time is up. On Tuesday, the council unanimously passed an emergency resolution giving a deadline to Stephen Taylor, commissioner of D.C.’s Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking. At issue is a motion to reconsider a December 2014 order given by his…

Baltimore-area home sales continued to rise in...

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Baltimore-area home sales rose in March for the 20th straight month, driven by large increases in townhomes and condos. During the month, 2,816 homes sold in Greater Baltimore, up 11.2 percent from March 2015, according to research released Monday by Rockville-based RealEstate Business Intelligence based on MRIS data. The number of sales marked the best March since 2007 when 2,956 homes sold. With a narrow 0.2 percent drop, Baltimore City posted the only decline in home sales, while all other jurisdictions…

Yahoo is for sale, accepting offers

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Yahoo is for sale and bidders are lining up to grab their own, ever-shrinking piece of Internet history.



from http://www.wbaltv.com/money/yahoo-is-for-sale-bidders-line-up-marissa-mayer-is-toast/38966716

Happy when it pours: Milan's umbrella man

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With his white hair, tweed jacket, a pince-nez and sharp wit, he’s clearly a sophisticated man of the world.



from http://www.wbaltv.com/money/travel/happy-when-it-pours-milans-umbrella-man/38965382

$10 million gift largest ever Johns Hopkins has...

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Johns Hopkins University will establish an institute for the humanities with a $10 million gift, the largest the school has ever received for humanities and education. The Alexander Grass Humanities Institute will support programming for 10 humanities departments at Hopkins’ Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, as well as other humanities-related social science programs. The gift comes from philanthropist Elizabeth Grass Weese and her brother Roger Grass, through their Alexander Grass Foundation. The…

Atlas Group's Loch Bar brings speakeasy vibe to...

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Construction was ongoing at Harbor East’s Loch Bar for months, but with all the bronze accents in place and hanging light bulbs providing the ambiance, the Atlas Restaurant Group’s newest restaurant opened to the public April 7 on the bottom floor of the Four Seasons Baltimore. Loch Bar replaces Lamill Coffee, which was operated by celebrity chef Michael Mina until it closed June 2014 along with Mina’s Japanese restaurant, Pabu, also in the Four Seasons. Wit & Wisdom is the only eatery still operated…

Maryland State Fairgrounds' restaurant changes to...

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A restaurant at the Maryland State Fairgrounds has made some changes to incorporate a new off-track betting facility at the Timonium venue. Located on the second floor of the old grandstand at the fairgrounds, the Grandstand Grille has expanded its hours and menu to better serve customers coming to use the OTB, which is made up of about 90 video screens and teller windows. The Grandstand Grille has been around for seven years and is owned by Jimmy Bell, who also owns Hightopps Backstage Grille…

Get two-for-one tickets for Baltimore Cocktail...

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Celebrate Baltimore Cocktail Week on Thursday night with two-for-one tickets to a showing of the documentary “Hey Bartender” at Landmark Theatre in Harbor East.

In addition to the documentary, there will be a Q&A with Sailor Jerry brand ambassador Daniel “Gravy” Thomas and film subject Steve “Carpi”…