Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
August 21, 2025
Maryland Seeks FEMA Aid After Floods; Vaccine Exemptions Rise Amid Policy Shifts
TLDR
- Maryland's new 2% capital gains surcharge creates tax planning opportunities for investors to optimize returns through strategic asset management.
- Maryland families can opt out of school vaccination requirements through religious exemptions, a process documented over four years of increasing usage.
- Increased vaccination efforts and blood donor recruitment aim to protect community health and save lives across Maryland.
- A former PTA president allegedly embezzled $900,000 for luxury trips, gambling, and Voodoo sex spells, including curses on a lover's marriage.
Impact - Why it Matters
These developments have significant implications for Maryland residents. The increase in religious exemptions for school vaccinations could lead to lower herd immunity, potentially increasing the risk of preventable disease outbreaks in communities. The denial of FEMA aid for flood damage means slower recovery for Western Maryland residents and businesses, potentially leaving families without necessary resources to rebuild. The new capital gains tax surcharge may affect investors and retirees relying on investment income, while the chamber of commerce consolidation could change how local businesses access support and advocacy. These issues collectively represent important policy directions affecting public health, disaster response, economic policy, and business infrastructure in the state.
Summary
In Maryland, a significant trend is emerging as more families are utilizing religious exemptions to opt out of required school vaccinations, despite the state's historically high vaccination rates and recent legislation ensuring insurance coverage continuity. Officials remain concerned about public health risks, holding clinics and promoting the benefits of immunizations, including extra ones for flu and Covid, to combat this growing reliance on exemptions. This development highlights ongoing tensions between public health mandates and individual freedoms in the post-pandemic era.
Meanwhile, Western Maryland is grappling with the aftermath of devastating flash floods in May, which caused the worst flooding in three decades and resulted in damage estimates soaring to $33.7 million across Allegany and Garrett counties. Governor Wes Moore has appealed President Donald Trump's denial of federal FEMA aid, arguing that the doubled cost easily justifies the need for emergency assistance to support recovery efforts in the affected regions.
On the economic front, Maryland under Governor Moore's leadership has implemented a uniform 2% surcharge on capital gains taxes, moving in the opposite direction of states like Missouri that are eliminating such taxes. This fiscal policy shift aims to generate additional revenue for the state budget but may impact investors and those with significant investment income. Additionally, the Greater Baltimore Chamber of Commerce is expanding its reach to all of Baltimore County following the sudden closure of the Baltimore County Chamber of Commerce, signaling consolidation in local business advocacy organizations.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content disributed by citybiz. Read the original source here, Maryland Seeks FEMA Aid After Floods; Vaccine Exemptions Rise Amid Policy Shifts
