Law on Md. Mortuaries Has Guardian Angel at State House

Other delegates say that over three decades, she has mastered the formula for legislative power: become a reliable vote for House leaders.

She is so reliable that the past two House speakers not only had Harrison on their committees, but also placed her in the chair farthest to the right -- reserved for the most loyal member. The person seated there votes last. On a close call, the chairman could always signal her with a quick thumbs up or down.

In Annapolis, loyalty comes with rewards. So when an issue emerged that Harrison cared deeply about, her colleagues say, she was specially positioned to get her way. And an issue about which she cared deeply was the funeral home law.

Former delegate John A. Hurson (D-Montgomery), who chaired the health committee, said Harrison pressured House leaders to scuttle any measure dealing with caps on funeral licenses. From 1999 to 2004, the health committee voted down the bill nine times.

And not because it was bad legislation, Hurson said. "It just wasn't important enough for you to fall on your sword on."

Lobbyist Devon Doolan, hired by Brown and others, said Harrison also flexed her influence as chairman of the rules committee. In 2003, Donoghue submitted the bill late, meaning it had to go to the rules committee before being assigned to another.

"Hattie Harrison, God love her, she just sat on it all session," Doolan said.

Theories Abound

When Benson introduced the legislation again last year, she said she tried to reach out to Harrison, to understand why the delegate was blocking her proposal.

"If you could answer that question for me, I'd get up and do cartwheels," Benson said.

Lots of people have theories. Brian Chisholm, owner of Chisholm Funeral Services in Baltimore County, said he believes that Harrison has been the target of a sophisticated lobbying campaign from the largest license holders, organized as the Maryland State Funeral Directors Association.

State records show that the association's political action committee contributed $88,000 in the past four years, mostly to state lawmakers, including $4,400 to Harrison. She raised $2,200 more from individual funeral homes.

It's not a staggering amount of money, and Harrison said in an interview that it has not swayed her. What moved her, she said, were arguments made by a longtime friend, the former president of the association, Erich W. March.