WEEK IN REVIEW

Oct. 21-27

Expanding? Imam Daud Ahmad Hanif leads prayer at the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community's mosque in Silver Spring. The group wants to build a retreat on a farm in Walkersville, and the town Board of Appeals will vote on it Thursday. (By Kevin Clark -- The Washington Post)

100,000 Poor Adults May Get InsuranceO'Malley's Plan to Be Weighed in Special Session

---

Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) and Democratic legislative leaders proposed providing health insurance to 100,000 poor, uninsured adults in Maryland and subsidizing small businesses that offer coverage to their employees. The General Assembly will consider the plan during a special legislative session that begins tomorrow. The state offers children from poor and low-income families some of the most generous benefits in the country. But Maryland's coverage for adults is among the worst, limiting benefits to those earning less than half of the federal poverty rate.

Most Md. Residents Back Legalized SlotsMajority Also Oppose Proposed Sales-Tax Increase

---

A Washington Post poll found that seven in 10 Maryland residents favor legalizing slot-machine gambling, but just as many oppose a sales-tax increase that Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) is pushing to close a looming $1.7 billion budget shortfall. The poll also found that a narrow majority of residents is satisfied with O'Malley's deficit-reduction plan. Although his proposal to raise the sales tax from 5 to 6 percent is unpopular, other proposals, including raising the cigarette tax, have received support.

Knapp Wants to Scrap Tax in ClarksburgSpecial Levy Is Meant to Offset Developers' Costs

---

Montgomery County Council member Michael Knapp proposed that the council abolish a controversial special tax on residents in three new Clarksburg developments, aimed at repaying developers for roads, green space and other amenities. Knapp (D-Upcounty) represents the area where residents oppose the proposed tax, which could start at about $1,200 per home and increase annually for 30 years. His proposal has divided the council, with some members concerned that the general taxpayer could end up picking up a tab of $35 million to $60 million.

Staph Cases in Montgomery, D.C. SchoolsMore Than 50 Area Students, Educators Affected

---

More cases of drug-resistant staph infections were reported in public schools in Montgomery County and in two charter schools in the District, bringing the number of cases among students and educators in the region to more than 50. That figure includes cases in Anne Arundel, Howard and Charles counties in Maryland and in Alexandria and Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties in Virginia. Concern about methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus has been mounting since a student from Northern Virginia died of the infection.

Hornsby Jurors See Video of PaymentCorruption Trial of Pr. George's Schools Ex-Chief

---

Jurors in the federal corruption trial of Andre J. Hornsby saw a video showing the former Prince George's County schools chief accepting a cash payment -- a kickback, prosecutors say -- from an associate in a Bowie hotel in 2004. The video of the encounter at a Comfort Inn shows Cynthia Joffrion placing bills on a table in front of Hornsby. Hornsby is accused of steering a consulting contact to Joffrion to help the school system secure funds under a federal program. Prosecutors say the agreement was designed to provide Hornsby $145,000 in kickbacks.

Around the RegionMetro Subway Fares Could Increase by 30 Cents

---

Minimum rush-hour subway fares could rise as much as 30 cents, bus fares could go up a dime and parking fees could increase by $1.15 under a plan agreed to by Metro board members. Public hearings will be held before a decision is made.