Tobacco, Slots, Death Penalty And Beyond

O'Malley and Legislators Seem United, but Thorny Issues Await

Gov.-elect Martin O'Malley and Maryland's top Democratic lawmakers huddled for more than three hours in Annapolis last month to discuss their priorities for the upcoming legislative session, emerging with universally upbeat assessments.

"It was love feast," said Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (D-Calvert).

The question is whether it will stay that way.

After a four-year hiatus, one-party rule is returning to Annapolis. A Democrat is replacing Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. (R), and Democrats will have strengthened their control of the Maryland General Assembly when the session opens Wednesday.

Despite forecasts of a tight budget, there is much that unites O'Malley and his party's legislative leaders, including a desire to boost spending on school construction, keep college tuition reasonable, replace the state's utility regulators, preserve open spaces and devote more attention to cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay.

Lawmakers are also poised to take up several prickly issues on which there is less agreement among Democrats, not to mention the views of the 51 Republicans in the 188-member legislature.

Among the issues they will debate in the 90-day session: Has the time come to pass a statewide ban on smoking in bars and restaurants? Should slots be legalized at Maryland's racetracks? Is it time to put a hold on the death penalty or even abolish it? Is a $1 increase in the tobacco tax the best way to expand access to health care? Can the state afford to give paper receipts to voters who cast ballots electronically?

Lawmakers are also eager to tackle several emerging issues -- among them gang violence, identity theft, automobile emissions and affordable housing -- that could become part of the annual agenda for years to come. And a pending court ruling on same-sex marriage has the potential to throw the session into chaos.

All that will unfold against a backdrop of projected budget deficits that could curtail some agendas. O'Malley is inheriting a $400 million shortfall, according to legislative analysts, in a budget that he must present to lawmakers Jan. 19, two days after he takes office. The gap between projected revenue and spending grows to more than $1 billion a year by his second year in office.

A new governor also means a new team of Cabinet secretaries whose appointments will require Senate approval. None of O'Malley's early picks is likely to generate much controversy.

Here's a look at some of the issues that could generate intense debate as the session unfolds.

Smoking Ban

Four Maryland counties -- Montgomery, Prince George's, Howard and Talbot -- have local prohibitions against lighting up in bars and restaurants. A fifth jurisdiction, Baltimore, is seriously considering one.