Fur Flies (and Fur Bill Dies): A Look at the Extremes of The General Assembly Session

By Annapolis Notebook
Sunday, April 13, 2008

The 2008 session of Maryland's General Assembly came to a close last week. Although the agenda might not have been as ambitious as others in recent years, the 90-day session had its share of memorable moments and achievements. Several stood out for Washington Post reporters Lisa Rein, Philip Rucker and John Wagner:

· Bill that went most quickly from zero to 60: Repeal of the computer services tax.

The propeller heads were pushing for repeal from the outset, but the idea didn't fly until the closing days, when Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) got on board. A bill then cleared both chambers by comfortable margins, ending collection of the least popular tax increase from last year's special session before it started.

· Bill that went most quickly from 60 to zero: Authorization of speed cameras statewide.

An O'Malley administration priority was dashed in the final minutes. The bill would have authorized counties to use speed cameras near schools, in residential areas and in work zones. House and Senate leaders struck a deal with plenty of time for passage, but a filibuster threat kept the legislation from clearing the Senate.

· Most awkward handshake: O'Malley and State Schools Superintendent Nancy S. Grasmick.

A bill had been drafted to effectively allow O'Malley to oust Grasmick from office. But at the last minute, O'Malley pulled it back, instead appearing with the long-serving superintendent at a news conference. Both arrived wearing forced smiles and pledged to work together in the months to come.

· Most failed amendment attempts: House Minority Leader Anthony J. O'Donnell (R-Calvert).

The House's top Republican offered at least 22 floor amendments. Delegates listened to O'Donnell explain each, but the chamber, controlled overwhelmingly by Democrats, soundly rejected every one.

· O'Malley Cabinet secretary most eager to remember the session: Labor, Licensing and Regulation Secretary Thomas E. Perez.

Perez was the brains behind one of O'Malley's signature accomplishments this session: a sweeping package of emergency legislation to help homeowners facing foreclosure. Perez co-chaired the governor's Homeownership Preservation Task Force, which studied the housing crisis last year and offered remedies. Testifying before lawmakers, Perez helped build consensus around O'Malley's package, which sailed through the General Assembly.

· O'Malley Cabinet secretary most eager to forget the session: Transportation Secretary John D. Porcari.

Porcari lost the speed cameras bill on the final day, and it was a rough session for his department's budget. To make room for repeal of the computer services tax, $50 million a year in transportation projects was cut. Lawmakers fiddled with the financing of the intercounty connector over Porcari's objections, and he might get stuck with much of the tab for the state's new helicopters.

· Boldest political move: Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler (D).

By testifying in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage, Gansler has stuck his neck out further on the issue than any other statewide elected official in Maryland. Check back in 2014. By the time Gansler is expected to be running for governor, the rest of the state might have caught up with him on this one.

· Biggest preemptive strike: Comptroller Peter Franchot (D).

The ever-visible tax collector had so alienated Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr., a fellow Democrat, that Franchot heard rumblings in February that the Senate might cut his budget request. Worse, the comptroller feared his two top advisers' jobs were slated for elimination. Franchot held a news conference to give voice to the rumblings, accusing Miller of "ruthless political meddling." Miller shot back with his own news conference, in which he called Franchot an "embarrassment to the state of Maryland."

Budget committees wrangled over the comptroller's spending request. By the time the budget passed, the aides' jobs were intact, and several auditing positions had been created.

· Most unfashionable bill: Fur coats.

Not even a rack of designer jackets trimmed with the hair of Chinese dogs could sway members of the House Economic Matters Committee. After pulling out all the stops -- er, coats -- Del. Tom Hucker (D-Montgomery) failed to change the coat-labeling rules in Maryland. The committee rejected his bill to require manufacturers and retailers to identify the species and country of origin on their labels, regardless of value.

· Most visible feud: Sens. Nancy Jacobs (R-Harford) and E.J. Pipkin (R-Queen Anne's).

The strong-willed conservatives could barely hide their mutual dislike on the Senate floor. Jacobs endorsed Sen. Andrew P. Harris (R-Baltimore County), a Pipkin rival in the GOP primary for the 1st District congressional seat, which Harris won in February.

In the session's final days, Pipkin and Jacobs were on opposite sides of a bill to allow Cecil County officials to create a business taxing district (he against, she in favor). The controversy prompted the bill's sponsor, Sen. Donald F. Munson (R-Washington), to apologize to his colleagues on the floor.

"I'm afraid I've gotten in the middle of a family feud," he said.