By Maryland Notebook
Sunday, February 4, 2007
With last week's pressured resignation of Public Service Chairman Kenneth D. Schisler, speculation began mounting at the State House as to whom Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) would name to replace him and to fill another slot on the embattled regulatory panel.
Susanne Brogan, a former PSC member from Anne Arundel County, was among the most talked-about names, with a spotting at the State House fueling the gossip.
Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (D-Calvert) sang Brogan's praises to reporters Friday, calling her "a very competent attorney" and saying he was confident that she is "in the mix." She is a former top aide to former House speaker R. Clayton Mitchell Jr. (D).
Another person mentioned by lawmakers is Lawrence Brenner, a Montgomery County resident who is a judge with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. He was previously recommended for the panel by House Speaker Michael E. Busch (D-Anne Arundel).
O'Malley spokesman Rick Abbruzzese would not comment on specific names but said the governor is eager to fill both slots on the five-member panel, which regulates electricity service, among other utilities.
O'Malley has promised to bring a more consumer-oriented bent to the PSC, which he said became too cozy with the industries it regulates during the Ehrlich administration.
-- John Wagner
Top Ehrlich Aide Goes Retail
Chip DiPaula Jr., who was chief of staff to Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. (R), has landed a job at a retail property development firm.
Annapolis-based Petrie Ross Ventures announced last week that DiPaula had joined the firm as a partner, senior vice president and chief operating officer.
DiPaula was among the most trusted aides to the former governor, running his 2002 campaign and initially serving in his administration as budget secretary.
-- John Wagner
A Swipe at Store Loyalty Cards
Retailers invite their customers to save money on groceries or electronics, as long as they carry the store's preferred customer card.
More and more shoppers are getting the cards, called consumer loyalty cards. But in exchange for discounts, they give stores their name, address and other personal information. Then supermarkets and big-box stores can track their purchasing history -- and learn a lot about them in the process. In the lingo of privacy experts, it's called data-mining.
Del. Saqib Ali, a Montgomery County Democrat, said he plans to file legislation tomorrow that would make Maryland the third state, after California and Connecticut, to curtail the practice.
"I'm frankly very concerned about the information that's out there for commercial interests," said Ali, a freshman and the General Assembly's only software engineer. "I think Maryland should be in a leadership position on this."
His bill would prohibit retailers from sharing or selling personal or marketing information about consumers. Violators would be charged with deceptive trade practices.
-- Lisa Rein
Gansler Wants Law to Prosecute Gangs
Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler (D) has won the backing of the governor and House speaker for legislation that would grant Maryland prosecutors similar powers to target gangs that federal authorities use against the Mafia.
Gansler said Friday that the bill, which will soon be introduced, would allow state's attorneys across Maryland to prosecute entire gangs for certain violent crimes instead of requiring individual prosecutions. The law would be similar to the federal government's Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations law, used to target organized crime.
Gansler said the bill has the support of Gov. Martin O'Malley (D), House Speaker Michael E. Busch (D-Anne Arundel), at least 50 delegates and at least 22 of the state's 24 local prosecutors.
-- John Wagner
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