No Hard Feelings After End-of-Session Squabble

Apparently, state Sen. C. Anthony Muse (D-Prince George's) has patched up any lingering tension with Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) and Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (D-Calvert).

Muse clashed with the state's two most powerful politicians in the waning hours of the legislative session in April over a bill that would have provided new liquor licenses for the National Harbor development.

Muse, who was sponsoring the bill, pushed for amendments opposed by the project's developers, who ultimately asked that the bill be shelved. Negotiations over the details became heated as County Executive Jack B. Johnson (D), Miller and O'Malley encouraged Muse to drop the amendments, saying they would hurt the massive project.

Along the way, one confrontation between Muse and Miller became so animated it briefly attracted the attention of a state trooper, an observer said at the time.

At a contentious closed-door meeting with Johnson, Prince George's state senators and O'Malley, participants have said that the governor told Muse he was concerned that the senator's actions might be perceived as a "shakedown." To which Muse shot back, "are you calling me a crook?"

But all is forgiven, apparently.

Muse held a fundraiser at Woodmore country club in Mitchellville last week. According to an invitation, which suggested donations from $250 to $1,000, the event was hosted by seven of Muse's elected colleagues. They included O'Malley and Miller.

Roomful of Lobbyists Pick Over Legislation

Council member Thomas E. Dernoga (D-Laurel) could not help but notice the makeup of the audience that filled the County Council chamber on the body's final legislative day.

"This room is packed with people who are paid to be here," Dernoga said before withdrawing his bill to create a land-use plan that would have permitted the sale and purchase of transferable development rights.

Anyone who lobbies in Prince George's or represents a developer probably was in the crammed chamber last week, as the council took up several controversial pieces of legislation.

The audience was a who's who of lobbyists and lawyers.

Included in the crowd were Marva Jo Camp and Bruce Bereano, who were representing tobacco interests and lobbying against a bill to ban the sale of single cigars.