Spying Admission Rankles Civil Liberties, Good Government Groups

As of January, the last time fundraising reports were due, O'Malley and Brown reported almost $1.2 million in three accounts: two that they maintain separately and a third joint account.

-- John Wagner

Franchot Fundraising

Comptroller Peter Franchot (D) recently sent out two fundraising solicitations: one for his campaign committee, the other for Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.), the presumed Democratic presidential nominee, and two U.S. House candidates from Maryland.

Franchot, the state's chief tax collector, highlights his commitment to education in his solicitation, citing public school construction dollars approved by the Board of Public Works, a three-member panel on which he sits. Franchot also cites his work to bring more technology to Eastern Shore classrooms and expand awareness of the College Savings Plan of Maryland.

"I can't do it alone," Franchot writes in the e-mail solicitation. "I need your help to continue my work on behalf of Maryland's children."

In the other solicitation, Franchot writes that "after two disastrous terms with President Bush, we desperately need new leadership in the White House, along with more Democrats in Congress."

Besides Obama, Franchot asks his supporters to help Democrats Frank Kratovil in the 1st District and Jennifer Dougherty in the 6th District.

-- John Wagner

Brown to Hold the Purse

Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown (D) has been elected treasurer of the National Lieutenant Governors Association.

Brown nabbed the year-long post Friday at the organization's meeting in Buffalo.

In a statement, Brown said he is excited to work with what he called "an important fraternity of bipartisan public servants."

-- John Wagner