By Steve Crane | Editor-in-chief
“I appreciate that the AG [attorney general] has to run this process. I hope that as part of that process, he sees what a great job David Lapp is doing, and chooses to reappoint him.” - Del. Marc Korman (D-Montgomery), on the news that popular People’s Counsel David Lapp will have to compete for his job instead of simply being reappointed to it.
A state official has to reapply for his job, voters are carrying their pocketbook anger into the polls and workers in skilled trades are becoming as rare as civil political discussions. Thank goodness it’s Friday.
David Lapp is the popular — in some quarters — people’s counsel, making the case for ratepayers when utilities seek rate hikes. But he’s going to have to compete for his job, after Attorney General Anthony Brown posted the position. Brown says it’s no reflection on Lapp, but his appointment was up and that’s just the way hiring is supposed to be handled in the state. Christine Condon has that story
Tariffs used to be the dry topic for economists to mull, but it’s become the top item on voters list of peeves this fall. Polls show President Donald Trump’s scattershot tariffs have added billions to household bills across the country, and voters are carrying their anger into the voting booth, as Ashley Murray reports.
Immigration raids, spikes in construction and an aging population have created the perfect storm, writes Tim Henderson, a storm that is threatening the availability of skilled trades workers in the U.S. The shortages are being felt in every state, including Maryland.
Those stories, plus commentary and headlines from the week, are below to help close out this busy week. Enjoy!
Maryland People's Counsel David Lapp speaks at a news conference in February 2025 alongside Attorney General Anthony Brown. (Photo courtesy the Office of Baltimore City Council President Zeke Cohen)
By Christine Condon
Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown is considering new candidates for the role of people’s counsel — the state’s top advocate for ratepayers in regulatory proceedings concerning utility companies.
The current People’s Counsel, David Lapp, who has served in the role since early 2021, says he wants to stay in the role, after his initial five-year term concluded in June. But the attorney general’s office, which appoints the people’s counsel, posted a job opening on its website nonetheless. In a statement, a spokesperson for Brown said it’s nothing personal — and Lapp will be considered for reappointment. A spokesperson for Brown said the posting is not a reflection onLapp’s performance, merely a “fair and equitable process that allows for the broadest possible pool of qualified candidates.”
During his tenure, Lapp has been an outspoken voice, often criticizing utility companies for what he considers overspending on gas and electric infrastructure, which has driven up ratepayer bills. He said he intends to reapply for his job, and Brown said he will be considered.
Voters angry over the rising cost of groceries and other items due to tariffs could be expressing their dissatisfaction in the midterm elections. (Photo by Ming Tang Tung/Getty Images)
By Ashley Murray
A growing number of voters found to be taking their anger about affordability to the polls this midterm election and blaming President Donald Trump’s tariffs as a culprit for rising expenses. Public opinion surveys bear out that out.
“The real top line is that for maybe the first time ever, tariffs are a salient issue at the ballot box,” said Scott Lincicome of the libertarian Cato Institute. “You know, normally trade is a boring issue that nobody really thinks about or cares about.”
In a state-by-state breakdown of tariffs, the conservative National Taxpayers Union Foundation and Trade Partnership Worldwide found the top 10 states most affected by Trump’s tariffs — in the tens of billions of dollars — are California, Texas, Michigan, Georgia, Illinois, New York, New Jersey, Florida, Ohio and Tennessee. Tariffs have cost Maryland businesses and consumers an estimated $6.6 billion, or an average of $2,732 per household.
A construction worker wields a hammer on the job at the Mill Creek Residential project in Paramus, N.J., in May 2026. The supply of skilled workers in construction and other trades is under pressure from aging, immigration enforcement and a rush to build data centers. (Photo by Tim Henderson/Stateline)
By Tim Henderson
A perfect storm of harsh immigration enforcement, aging journeymen and a building boom for data centers is wreaking havoc on the nation’s supply of skilled trade workers.
Automakers and construction contractors say they need more access to workers through accelerated training, steady immigration and a cultural shift to encourage young people to do the hard, dirty work of skilled trades. They’re looking for plumbers, electricians, carpenters, machinists and technicians — specializations increasingly in short supply.
Worker shortages are the top reason for construction project delays, a September survey by the Association of General Contractors of America found. Applicants are there, but half of the contractors who were surveyed said too many job candidates are unqualified and need more training. The association cited both the demand for workers building data centers and tougher immigration enforcement as contributing causes for the shortage.
IN OTHER NEWS
No more flex time for Social Security workers: In a message to employees this week, the Social Security Administration said alternative work scheduling will end starting Nov. 16 and all employees will transition to a standard five-day workweek.
New fines for Gunpowder River builder: Months after reaching a record settlement over mud pollution from a Harford County housing project, environmental regulators have fined the developer $24,000 for continuing to foul a Gunpowder River tributary.
TODAY'S COMMENTARY
Maryland lawmakers are learning how hard it is to control utility rates, writes Randy Altschuler, who says they should instead focus on increasing power generation in the state, and insist that funds intended for energy programs be spent on energy programs.
MATTERS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED
Poll shows sharp opposition to data centers: A majority of Maryland voters are opposed to building data centers in the state and they have a dim view of artificial intelligence, which they believe will have a negative impact on society, a new poll shows.
Legal help for Moore in defamation suit: The Maryland Board of Public Works Wednesday approved a $50,000 contract to hire a powerhouse outside law firm to defend Gov. Wes Moore (D) against a defamation lawsuit filed by the owner of the Baltimore Sun.
US Wind backs off Sparrows Point project: US Wind, the company behind a wind farm planned off the coast of Ocean City, will no longer develop components for wind turbines at Sparrows Point — for now — turning its lease over to Anduril Industries.
Regulators levy fines for government workplace safety: State regulators issued $125,150 in civil penalties to state, county and local governments over eight months for failing to adhere to workplace safety requirements, lawmakers were told Wednesday.
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