First Click -- Maryland

Maryland to buy clean energy, a battle brewing over the Montgomery schools, budget cuts force service cutbacks at state rest stops; Audit finds safeguards must be curtailed Medicaid payments; F a delay in opening of first slots casino, and swine flu vaccine opened to all.

Maryland to buy wind, solar energy

Maryland officials announced plans Tuesday aimed at filling nearly a quarter of the government's annual electricity needs with power supplied by clean energy projects within 10 years, reports The AP's David Dishneau. "Maryland Energy Administration Director Malcolm Woolf, said the contracts will cover 23 percent of the electricity used annually by state agencies and institutions, including the University System of Maryland. Woolf would not discuss the dollar value of the contracts, since they have not been signed. "

Some of the power could be available as early as next year, reports The Sun's Tim Wheeler. "In a statement, Gov.. Martin O'Malley (D) of Maryland, declared" a leader in clean energy "and said the deals would 'bring more green jobs to our communities, use public resources more efficiently, and lead by example for other states '. "

Budget battle brewing over the Montgomery schools

"The Montgomery County school system might be forced to increase class sizes and eliminate hundreds of teaching and staff positions if schools do not receive the minimum funding set by Maryland law next year, Superintendent Jerry D. Weast warned at the beginning of what is Likely to be a bitter budget battle, "reports The Post's Nelson Hernandez. "Under the economic circumstances, the proposal is austere but not terribly painful. However, its foundation rests must be Whether cash-strapped state and county authorities waive the state's" maintenance of effort "law that sets a minimum level of education spending."

Hold it, Md. budget cut could leave drivers squirming

A little-noticed state budget cut approved last month has shades of tough cuts seen this year in Virginia. State officials say they are permanently closing the bathrooms at one western Maryland rest area and eliminating counter workers at three "welcome centers" - including the heavily visited Chesapeake House is Interstate 95 "The most painful effects may be felt this winter by travelers is Interstate 68," according to The AP. "Bathrooms are closed for good at the Cove Overlook Rest Area near Keyser's Ridge, and will be unavailable from January through April at Sideling Hill."

This comes as Virginia Gov.-elect Robert F. McDonnell (R) is pledging to re-open shuttered rest stops in his state, reports our colleague Roz Helderman.