Jay Hancock: Maryland shipment ban has cigar enthusiasts all fired up

Starting May 1, it became illegal to ship cigars directly to Maryland consumers. As a result, smokers have been bombarding Comptroller Peter Franchot, who asked the General Assembly to make the change, with combustible emails. Maryland has outlawed mailed cigars at precisely the same time that it's starting to allow consumer wine shipments. One sin is restricted, the other abetted.

• 
  Jay Hancock: Md. cigar shipment ban prompts complaints

• 
  O'Malley extends rights to illegal immigrants

• 
  Done and left undone in 2011 legislative session

• 
  Sign up for Baltimore Sun business text alerts

Steep increase in tolls proposed

Tolls in Maryland will more than double — and commuters' prices may triple — under a proposal released Thursday by the Maryland Transportation Authority. The increases would include the Bay Bridge and commuter rates that haven't been touched in 22 years. Among the increases: Bay Bridge fees would hit $8 in 2013 from the current $2.50 and the Fort McHenry tunnel would double to $4.

• 
  Frugal dilemmas: Rising Maryland toll rates, E-ZPass discounts

• 
  Maryland Politics: GOP senator calls toll hikes 'highway robbery'

• 
  Sun editorial: Blame ICC, failed leadership for massive toll increase

• 
  Toll expert: Increase is steep but overdue