Baltimore Checkbook

Merritt rebrands for its future by sticking to the...

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Scott E. Dorsey’s coffee cup is full. So it would be a little messy if he turned it sideways to show how his 50-year-old company’s new logo incorporates a very precious part of its history. On its side, the middle of the new “M” on the cup’s logo is a version of the mansard roof, a style of roof with four sloping sides, prevalent on the Merritt Properties Inc.’s logo for decades. The newer, sophisticated roof now touts the Merritt Cos., the new name that covers all three entities Merritt owns —…

8 things you need to know this morning

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Happy Monday and to the start of the first official five-day work week of 2017. Expect another cold and bitter day, with temperatures in the high 20s. Here are eight things to know. • Maryland lawmakers return to Annapolis this week hoping to give their parties an edge for the 2018 election cycle, while closing a budget gap and keeping a close eye on what happens in Washington under Republican President-elect Donald Trump. [Washington Post] • WBAL-TV 11 and 29 other Hearst Broadcasting stations…

Kane Co. workers file class-action lawsuit over...

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A trio of former Kane Co. employees, including one who worked for Elkridge-based Office Movers for more than 25 years, has filed a class-action complaint stemming from the mover’s abrupt shutdown and subsequent bankruptcy. The three are among more than 900 employees impacted when Kane shut down Dec. 9, according to the lawsuit. The plaintiffs allege in court documents that Kane Co. deliberately violated the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act by failing to give 60-day advance…

Maryland college-goers earn higher salaries than...

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Students who attended a Maryland college or university are making roughly 21 percent more 10 years out of schools compared to the national average. The data from the U.S. Department of Education found that Maryland students who received some kind of federal aid make about $42,192, compared with the $33,400 median average nationally. The Federal College Scorecard looks at the cost of attending college, graduation rates and median salaries for former students who received some kind of federal aid,…

Downtown Baltimore has more residents and...

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Despite increases in the number of people living and working in downtown Baltimore, Downtown Partnership of Baltimore Inc. President Kirby Fowler says more retail is needed to encourage even more people to work here instead of Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania. The Downtown Partnership on Monday released its latest economic impact study, funded by a grant from the Goldseker Foundation. The report found there are more than 14,500 employed downtown residents, up from 13,483 in the last report released…

Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank stresses innovation...

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LAS VEGAS – Under Armour Inc. CEO Kevin Plank’s keynote speech Friday at the Consumer Electronics Show stressed the importance of product innovation and provided another clear sign that this is not your mom and pop’s CES anymore. Sure, audio and video – especially 4K ultra high-definition TVs – still take a prominent role at the massive annual technology showcase. But, now, fitness wearable devices and clothing such as the ones created by Baltimore-based Under Armour and its rivals have…

Doreen's Deals: What to buy in January

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You’ve had a week to rest after the holidays.

Now it’s time to get back out there and shop, shop, shop. January is a great month to score big savings on everything from jewelry to big-screen TVs as stores clear out winter merchandise and hold annual clearance sales.

Here’s a list of this month’s…

Mayor Pugh wants to see more city police officers...

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Mayor Catherine Pugh said Friday she wants to get rid of an existing contract between the city and the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 3 that locks city police officers into working four days and taking three days off every week. Instead, Pugh said at a news conference Friday that she wants Baltimore City Police Commissioner Kevin Davis be in charge of the shift schedules of police officers, specifically to increase the presence of officers on patrol in the city. Over $1.6 million in overtime costs…

Federal Reserve President Lacker: Interest rates...

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Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond President Jeffrey Lacker says interest rates may need to rise at a faster pace than markets currently anticipate due to the possibility of “substantial” changes in regulatory and economic policies under Donald Trump’s administration. “Inflation should continue to converge on 2 percent over the next year,” Lacker said in prepared remarks Friday. “Monetary policy rates are likely to increase, and my view is that they may need to increase more briskly than markets appear…

Maryland medical marijuana growers, processors...

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Maryland’s pre-approved medical marijuana growers and processors have formed a trade association, with a goal of advancing the burgeoning industry. The 20 founding members of Maryland Wholesale Medical Cannabis Trade Association (MedCan) are among those whose growing and processing businesses were selected for the first round preliminary licenses by the Natalie M. LaPrade Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission. The associations is comprised of seven organizations that have received preliminary licenses…