AGP Executive Report

FBI HQ Fight in Court: A federal judge blocked the Trump administration from scrapping the FBI headquarters move to Maryland, keeping the Greenbelt plan alive after earlier rulings. Digital Advertising: Maryland’s first-in-the-nation digital ad tax was struck down by the state tax court, with refunds ordered for major tech firms including Apple and Google—another hit to state revenue plans. Cybercrime Crackdown: A new presidential memorandum would let vetted private companies support law enforcement against cyber-enabled transnational criminal organizations, aiming to tackle $20.8B in 2025 losses. Tech & Consumer Money: A multistate antitrust settlement approved by a federal court would send about $700M in refunds tied to Google Play app distribution and billing practices. Housing & Local Pressure: Calvert County approved a six-month moratorium on data centers amid mounting opposition, while Maryland’s housing agencies continue reporting steady HUD-assisted unit counts in multiple jurisdictions. Business & Finance: Apple rolled out “Apple Upgrade” monthly leasing via Klarna, and a new report highlights how housing affordability remains out of reach despite massive federal spending.

FBI HQ Fight: A federal judge permanently blocked the Trump administration’s “unlawful” plan to cancel and divert funds for the FBI headquarters move to Greenbelt, clearing the path for the Maryland project and a major win for Maryland and Prince George’s County. Food Safety: FDA opened a two-day public meeting on Listeria after a decade of flat infection rates, focusing on how to prevent listeriosis as demographics and diets shift. Housing & Local Budgets: Maryland’s Task Force to Modernize County and Municipal Revenue Structures set its next meeting for Aug. 31 to review local fiscal pressures and revenue options. Digital Tax Ruling: Maryland’s court struck down the state’s first-in-the-nation digital ad tax, ordering refunds to major tech firms—an immediate hit to state revenue plans. Business Growth: Cloudforce is expanding at National Harbor, adding 250 jobs as it doubles its Maryland headquarters footprint. Tech & Privacy: A new report highlights the surveillance risks of license plate readers that track phones, adding to Maryland’s ongoing privacy debate. STEM Pipeline: Society for Science selected 100 educators for its 2026–2027 Advocate Program, awarding $326,000 to expand student research and competitions. Baltimore Economy: Baltimore sued Kalshi and Polymarket over alleged illegal sports betting, pulling Coinbase into the legal fight.

Food Safety Recall: Kettle Cuisine LLC recalled 3,240 packs of Walmart’s Marketside Tomato Bisque Soup Kit in 29 states, including Maryland, after routine testing flagged possible listeria contamination; no illnesses were confirmed. Health Policy & Courts: A federal judge blocked the Trump administration’s plan to move the FBI headquarters from its current site to the Ronald Reagan Building area, a win Maryland AG Anthony Brown says clears the way for the previously approved Greenbelt plan. State Tax & Tech: Maryland’s court struck down the state’s first-of-its-kind digital advertising tax, ordering refunds to major tech firms. Local Governance & Data Centers: Baltimore City data center permitting faces backlash after activists criticized a proposed conditional-use pathway and health equity assessment requirements. Consumer Fraud Watch: Maryland’s broader scam landscape remains a concern as BBB Scam Tracker reports continue to show losses tied to online and impersonation schemes. Public Services & Economy: Maryland reported 1,092,693 Social Security beneficiaries in December 2024, up 2.3% from the prior year. Business & Jobs: Cloudforce is expanding at National Harbor, adding new AI-related jobs in Prince George’s County.

Maryland Tax Policy: The Maryland Tax Court struck down the state’s 2021 digital advertising tax, ordering refunds to Apple, Google and Peacock—an early test for how far states can go taxing online ad sales. Local Business & Jobs: Cloudforce will expand in Prince George’s County with a major AI platform buildout, bringing 250 new jobs to Maryland. Sports Betting & Consumer Protection: Baltimore sued prediction-market operators Kalshi and Polymarket over alleged illegal sports betting, as federal court action also moves against the firms. Energy & Utilities: Maryland residents reported heat-related strain after multiple blackouts, while the state also faces ongoing utility-rate pressure. Education & Workforce: Charles County Public Schools won additional grant funding for its “Grow Your Own” teacher pipeline, supporting accelerated licensure for hard-to-fill subjects. Community Banking: Woodsboro Bank named Brian Ropp as CFO, signaling continued growth and balance-sheet focus. Health & Biotech: United Therapeutics announced full enrollment in its TETON-PPF inhaled treprostinil study for progressive pulmonary fibrosis.

AI Jobs Boost: Gov. Wes Moore announced Cloudforce will expand its National Harbor headquarters, leasing more space and adding 250 jobs over five years. Public Safety: Baltimore police are investigating a Wells Fargo burglary after an excavator was found left behind and the ATM was smashed. Nonprofit Finance: Aberdeen’s Friends Of The Aberdeen B And O Train Station Inc reported government grants making up 97.5% of its 2024 revenue, the highest share among Aberdeen non-profits. Organized Retail Theft: Federal and Prince George’s County prosecutors announced indictments tied to a multi-state organized retail-theft ring affecting Maryland, Delaware and Pennsylvania. Health Policy: Nebraska Gov’t action highlighted Sen. Victor Rountree’s support for pediatric autoimmune insurance coverage and a pathway for internationally trained physicians to get licensed. Sports & Business Mood: The Orioles’ 10-2 win over the Rays moved them into a wild-card tie, keeping Maryland’s sports economy chatter alive. Scam Watch: Maryland cities including Baltimore and Silver Spring ranked highest in BBB Scam Tracker reports for July, underscoring ongoing fraud risk for consumers.

Maryland Tax Court Ruling: Maryland’s digital advertising sales tax has been struck down, with the court ordering refunds to major tech firms including Apple, Google and Peacock—another hit to state efforts to tax online ad revenue. Energy Reliability: After repeated outages, Maryland residents in Reisterstown say they’re seeing frequent blackouts and higher bills, raising pressure on BGE to keep upgrades ahead of harsher weather. Sports & Local Economy: The Orioles are playing “meaningful baseball” in the wild-card chase after a 10-inning win over the Rays, while the Ravens’ preseason opener featured standout rookie tight ends in a 24-7 win over the Eagles. Business & Innovation: Governor Wes Moore announced Cloudforce will expand in Maryland, adding 250 jobs at National Harbor as the state competes for AI and data-center growth. Public Safety: Police say a Maryland man was arrested in Virginia after video helped identify him for peeping and stalking allegations tied to a woman’s window. Community Spotlight: Chesapeake Arts Center will mark 25 years with a fall gala at the Baltimore Museum of Industry, aiming to fund its next chapter of arts education.

Maryland Tax Policy: Maryland’s tax court struck down the state’s digital ad sales tax, ordering refunds to Apple, Google and Peacock—another hit to the state’s attempt to tax big tech. Local Economy & Jobs: Gov. Wes Moore backed a major AI expansion as Cloudforce plans to double its Maryland headquarters and add 250 jobs at National Harbor. Energy & Development: A Maryland conference debate highlighted friction over data centers, with officials weighing power needs, costs and community impacts. Business & Consumer Safety: Walmart recalled more than 3,000 Marketside Tomato Bisque Soup kits in 29 states, including Maryland, after possible listeria contamination. Community Investment: Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland is sending nearly $20 million in FY27 grants back to Anne Arundel County, funding public safety, schools and nonprofits. Workforce Fraud Watch: Experts warned job seekers about fake employer texts and phishing for personal data, urging people not to click links or scan QR codes.

Maryland Tax Fight: The Maryland Tax Court struck down the state’s digital advertising tax under the federal Internet Tax Freedom Act and ordered refunds to Apple, Google and Peacock TV, dealing a blow to a 2021 law meant to raise about $250 million a year for K-12 funding. Local Economy & Growth: Housing and planning officials at the Maryland Association of Counties conference said Maryland’s housing shortage won’t ease without faster permitting and better financing for affordable projects, with state leaders pointing to transparency as a fix for stalled approvals. Data Centers & County Negotiations: Maryland energy officials urged counties with temporary data center moratoriums to build “wish lists” and negotiate for schools, roads and community support while siting new power-hungry projects. Community Business Spotlight: AfriThrive in Montgomery County is expanding a “food as medicine” model that grows culturally familiar produce locally and distributes it weekly to African immigrant communities. Public Safety & Courts: Luigi Mangione pleaded guilty in federal court to stalking charges tied to the 2024 killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, setting up a Dec. 18 sentencing.

Digital Tax Ruling: Maryland’s tax on digital advertising was struck down by the state Tax Court, which ordered refunds to Apple, Google and Peacock TV and cited conflicts with the federal Internet Tax Freedom Act and the U.S. Constitution. Food Safety Recalls: A Maryland-made Walmart Marketside tomato bisque soup kit was recalled in 29 states (including Maryland) over possible listeria contamination, and a separate Lidl spice mix recall flagged potential salmonella risk in Maryland and other states. Local Business & Growth: The Ravens unveiled major upgrades at M&T Bank Stadium, including new hospitality spaces and a revamped Flock Yard, ahead of the preseason opener. Housing & Tenants: A Howard County storm drain complaint in Columbia is under investigation after residents reported a hose from a lawn-care truck entering the system. Healthcare Policy: A Baltimore-based healthcare strategist argues value-based care adoption remains stuck due to structural incentives and administrative burden. Sports & Entertainment: The Women’s Lacrosse League heads into its first championship with Maryland’s Charm facing California Palms after a record-setting inaugural season.

Privacy & Consumer Protection: Michigan AG Dana Nessel and a coalition of 20 states sued the Trump administration over demands that the AAMVA hand over sensitive driver data for a federal database, arguing the move violates privacy laws and threatens federal funding. Local Real Estate: A Maryland investor bought the former Premier Health downtown building for $1M, after it was purchased for $5.5M in 2023—another sign of how quickly commercial property values can swing. Food Safety: Walmart recalled a refrigerated Marketside Tomato Bisque soup kit in 29 states due to possible Listeria contamination, with a use-by date still ahead—meaning some product may still be in fridges. AI & Jobs: Cloudforce is expanding its National Harbor headquarters, adding 15,000 square feet and 250 jobs tied to growth of its nebulaONE AI platform. Sports Betting Crackdown: Baltimore sued prediction market operators Kalshi and Polymarket, arguing their sports wagering is illegal and violates the city’s consumer protection rules. Transit Update: Baltimore is rolling out new east-west bus lanes and signal upgrades to speed key routes while the Red Line waits. Healthcare Rates Watch: CareFirst warned that Maryland’s AHEAD hospital rate-setting transition could destabilize the system if policymakers pull the wrong “block.” Business & Tech: Samsung hired AI specialists to push AI deeper into semiconductor research and manufacturing.

Maryland Mortgage Relief: Maryland joined a $15.5 million multistate settlement with mortgage servicer NewRez over force-placed insurance charges, with about $400,000 tied to Maryland borrowers and nearly $98,000 in restitution for 109 affected consumers. Heat & Health Costs: Maryland logged a new record for heat-related deaths, with 52 deaths reported since May as of Aug. 12—an issue that’s hitting older residents hardest and raising pressure on employers and health systems. Local Infrastructure: The US 40 bridge over Conococheague Creek in Maryland is set to reopen Friday after rehabilitation work, with traffic returning by mid-day and remaining work shifting to nearby kayak launch improvements. Maritime Jobs: The U.S. Maritime Administration awarded $35.18 million to 45 small shipyards across 24 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands, aiming to boost equipment, infrastructure, and workforce training. Baltimore Gambling Fight: Baltimore sued prediction-market operators Kalshi and Polymarket, arguing they’re running sports betting without complying with Maryland gambling laws. Workforce & Training: Gov. Moore highlighted aviation maintenance technician training at UMES, pointing to workforce pipelines tied to Maryland’s regional aviation network. Agriculture Hit: Milburn Orchards said April freezes cut its apple crop by more than 90%, ending its usual U-Pick apple events for the first time in 30+ years. Education Staffing: Queen Anne’s County Public Schools approved its FY27 special education staffing plan, citing rising caseloads and ongoing shortages in special educator hiring.

Local Economy & Tourism: Ocean Downs owner Churchill Downs is weighing a sale of the Berlin, Md. casino and racetrack as part of a broader review of regional gaming assets, with no timetable or guarantee of a deal. Community Development: Snow Hill is deciding what its Main Street identity should be—arts and entertainment or an outdoor-and-tourism focus—as it works toward full Main Street designation in 2027. Energy & Cost Pressure: BGE is seeking a $156 million electric rate increase, and local leaders are pushing back as residents worry about higher bills. Business & Jobs: Cloudforce plans to expand its Maryland footprint at National Harbor, adding 250 jobs. Public Safety & Accountability: A North Carolina man was arrested in connection with an alleged urination incident involving concertgoers at M&T Bank Stadium during Morgan Wallen’s show. Tech & Privacy: A new tool maps how ad auctions can funnel location and device data to the federal government without a warrant, raising fresh surveillance concerns. Sports Business: The Orioles’ late-season push hit another snag, leaving Baltimore further behind in the AL wild-card race.

Wallops Moon Push: NASA says it’s planning a staged moon base, with Wallops Flight Facility on the hook for more robotic cargo and science missions—potentially boosting jobs on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Education Policy: Queen Anne’s County Public Schools approved “bell-to-bell” restrictions on personal electronics under Maryland’s Phone-Free Schools Act, with AI policy updates also in the works. Energy & Data Centers: Winchester City Council joined regional opposition to the proposed Valley North 765-kilovolt transmission line, arguing it could harm neighboring Virginia localities as data-center demand grows. Public Schools Leadership: Baltimore County Public Schools’ new superintendent Dr. William Heiser laid out priorities on student achievement, financial stability, staff retention, and community engagement amid budget-driven staffing cuts. Local Business: Harford County’s Steelfish Grille abruptly closed after 14 years, leaving customers searching for answers. Health Costs: A new study finds mandatory participation in value-based payment models is linked to higher hospital administrative costs. Food Safety: Lidl US recalled Vitasia Asian Style Wok Spice Mix due to potential Salmonella contamination. Entertainment & Economy: Baltimore’s The 8×10 sold to Rising Sun Presents, with renovations planned and a reopening expected by October.

Mortgage Escrow Fight: Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown joined a multi-state lawsuit challenging a Trump-era federal rule that would let national banks keep interest earned on homeowners’ escrow accounts—arguing it would siphon money from borrowers and disadvantage smaller state banks. Energy Costs & Regulation: Baltimore-area utility BGE is seeking a $156 million rate increase for 1.3 million customers, drawing pushback from city leaders and residents concerned about higher bills. Housing & Local Fees: Prince George’s County faces a lawsuit from a coalition of businesses over a new $5,000 annual fee on liquor, tobacco, gun and storage businesses, which plaintiffs call an unlawful, punitive tax. Shellfish Branding: Worcester County tourism officials are inviting the public to help launch “Maryland’s Coast Shellfish,” a regional brand meant to boost marketing for local oysters, clams and bay scallops. Workforce & Growth: The Center by Lendistry is rolling out a Contractors Accelerator for Climate Resilience nationwide, aiming to help small contractors win more high-growth construction work. Sports Betting: Maryland sports betting topped about $500 million in July, up 36% year over year to $496.4 million. MLB Trade Ripple: Adley Rutschman debuted for the Red Sox after the deadline trade from Baltimore, going 1-for-1 with two walks in a 5-3 loss to the Blue Jays.

Utility Rates & Cost of Living: Baltimore Gas & Electric is seeking a $156 million electric rate increase, with city leaders and consumer advocates pushing back as regulators set testimony and evidence schedules. Local Government & Development: Howard County’s dispute with a developer over a proposed ICE facility in Elkridge is headed back toward construction after a federal judge reinstated permits. Data Centers Under Scrutiny: Talbot County is weighing a one-year moratorium on new data center approvals amid concerns about strain on water and power systems. Maryland Economy & Workforce: The Maryland State Library Agency is investing more than $1 million annually to strengthen the library workforce, including $554,910 in staff development grants. Gaming Revenue: Maryland’s lottery, casinos, sportsbooks and daily fantasy operators contributed $1.637 billion to the state in FY2026, with casinos the biggest driver. Consumer Safety: Maryland’s scam reports remain high in BBB Scam Tracker’s latest state rankings, underscoring ongoing fraud risk for residents.

Affordable Housing Energy Upgrades: Maryland DHCD unveiled a new BEPS Affordable Housing Roadmap with the state environment agency to streamline how affordable multifamily owners apply for funding to meet energy-efficiency standards. Banking Footprint Shift: A new analysis finds U.S. banks have opened more branches than they closed for three straight quarters—first net growth since 2009—signaling a possible reversal after years of branch shrinkage. Cybersecurity for Defense Contractors: DP Solutions, a Maryland managed IT provider, announced it achieved CMMC Level 2, aiming to help compliance-driven clients protect controlled information and win/maintain federal contracts. Small Business M&A Slows: BizBuySell reports Q2 small-business deal volume fell 10% as buyers get pickier, focusing on profitability and clean financials. BTS Boost for Baltimore: With sold-out M&T Bank Stadium shows, Baltimore expects a major tourism and local-spend lift, while DOT urges extra travel time. Weather & Risk: Storms and flash-flood concerns continue across the D.C. region, with damaging winds a key threat. Auto Insurance Costs: Insurify projects full-coverage premiums will rise again by year-end in 32 states, underscoring ongoing affordability pressure.