Maryland General Assembly

Washington Post staff writer Matthew Mosk was online Thursday, Jan. 12, at 2:45 p.m. ET to examine the 2006 Maryland General Assembly, which opened its 421st session on Wednesday.

Post Coverage:

A Frenzied Start Upends Usual Opening Calm (Post, Jan. 12)

Special Report: Maryland Politics

Maryland Moment: News and Notes on Maryland Politics

The transcript follows.

____________________

Matthew Mosk: Good afternoon.

It's day two of Maryland's 90-day General Assembly session, and already it is uncharacteristically busy. Even as we chat, the Maryland Senate is debating the fate of several of the bills vetoed by the governor last year. And the House will be doing the same starting today at 5. All this is happening in the midst of a wild political year, with both a hot U.S. Senate race, and of course, the run for governor. I welcome your questions on any or all of the above.

_______________________

College Park, Md.: First, thanks for hosting this chat. I wish we had more access to people who know what is going on inside our state.

Why haven't the veto override votes occurred?

Matthew Mosk: Happy to be here. The law says the legislature has to take up the governor's vetoes straightaway. But day one is mostly a ceremonial affair. So they're at it today.

_______________________

Bethesda, Md.: The Governor vetoed increasing the minimum wage. How soon do the two chambers plan on attempting to override this veto?

Matthew Mosk: You're right on top of things, Bethesda. The House is expected to take up that vote this evening. The Senate is likely to follow tomorrow. There are strong signs there are the needed votes to override the governor's bill.

_______________________

Hate crimes: I learned from my Minister that 31 delegates have pre-signed onto a bill (#48 I believe) that says marriage is between a man a woman, AND that no civil unions between same sex couples will be allowed in Maryland. To me this bill is a hate crime. It is an injustice, and an abridgement of freedom. This is the same as outlawing marriage between races. Where is the outrage?

Matthew Mosk: This is a tough political issue for many of the lawmakers here in Annapolis--especially those from districts represented by socially conservative Democrats who are expecting challenges in the 2006 elections. It's quite possible, in fact, that the issue could heat up considerably this year, as folks await a court ruling on Maryland's marriage statutes. That could come any day.

_______________________

College Park, Md.: Thanks for hosting this chat. I hope that you come back often. I have a question about the budget surplus. It seems that much of the surplus comes from "unexpected revenues." How can they be $700 million off on how much money they were expecting to take in? Whose job is it (governor or legislature?) and do they use graph paper and a straight edge, or do they just plain guess?

And does this huge surplus mean that the didn't need to cut so much last year?

Thanks.

Matthew Mosk: You're right...they were way off in their projections. The revenue estimates come from the Comptroller's office, and they say the numbers were off for two reasons. One: because they're very conservative with their estimates. And two: because they did not expect the continued real estate boom. The result did mean extensive cuts to state programs. But already we're seeing signs that those austere days are over.

_______________________

Rockville, Md.: Any comment on Michael Olesker's plagiarism, particularly in relation to previous claims that he had lied in his writing about being present at meetings, etc?

Matthew Mosk: I think it's always sad, especially for those of us in the journalism business, to see someone lose their career.

_______________________

NW Washington, D.C.: Governor Ehrlich was called a centrist by the leadership of the Maryland General Assembly, but they seemed to paint that as a negative term. Wouldn't that reflect on how far off they are from the mainstream? It would seem to me that a centrist is exactly what Marylanders want. For the life of me, I can't figure out what the Maryland General Assembly legislators stand for. One day they seem to be deriding Ehrlich for cuts and then the next day they're yelling he has appropriated too much money. Really, they come off to me as a bunch of whining politicians--then again, aren't they all?

Matthew Mosk: Can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em! This is one of the most interesting aspects of having vibrant two-party politics in Maryland. Both the Democrats and Republicans try to shape their agendas to appeal to both their bases, and to those key voters who hover in the middle. Gov. Ehrlich's trick is keeping conservative's happy, while drawing away some of the working class and rural Democrats who are willing to break from their party. What we're watching now, many people suspect, is Ehrlich's effort to grab those voters.

_______________________

Laurel, Md.: I read the editorial in the Post today titled "Beating Up on Wal-Mart." Doesn't the Post consider it irresponsible to characterize sound legislative action that benefits the citizens of Maryland as "legislative mugging"? It amazes me that so many people in this country have adopted a corporate welfare mentality. What exactly is so wrong with expecting the nation's largest retailer to provide adequate benefits to its employees? The answer: Nothing. The Post itself cites three large companies who already do the same. But still I hear so much ballyhooing about the catastrophic consequences of Wal-Mart pulling its business from Maryland and any other state that threatens to make it a more responsible employer. In the State of Maryland, Wal-Mart certainly earns enough of a profit to keep its stores open ... even if it means providing better benefits for its employees.

washingtonpost.com: Editorial: Beating Up on Wal-Mart (Post, Jan. 12)

Matthew Mosk: I've been hearing from a lot of folks in the State House (Democrats in particular) about this editorial. The first I knew about it was when I read it in the paper, like everyone else. And that's as it should be. The editorial position of the paper has no influence on the reporting.

_______________________

WalMartville: I agreed largely today with the Post editorial, but I'm curious if you could offer any insight into how they came to that stance? I know editors and writers don't mix. I just figured you may have some more insight than the rest of us. Please pass my kudos to the editorial board for a wise editorial (hit the different points very well).

Matthew Mosk: You'll have to give me directions to your town! As for how the editorial board reached their opinion, I would not have the first idea.

_______________________

Annapolis, Md.: When will Mike Miller lose his cool? Has he ever done it with you on the phone/in person?

Matthew Mosk: Senator Miller just started his 20th year as senate president, which should give you some sense of his political skill. (He is, I believe, the longest serving senate president in the country). I'm a little out of my area to say so, but I'd guess there are few senate presidents with so much control of their chamber.

_______________________

Maryland: Any indications on how Senators DeGrange, Jimeno, Astle and Dyson will vote on the veto overturns? Particularly on DeGrange and Jimeno. And could their votes to overturn veto be political suicide for them?

Matthew Mosk: Sens. DeGrange, Astle and Jimeno voted with Gov. Ehrlich on the Wal-Mart bill, just a few moments ago. Sen. Dyson voted to overturn the governor's veto in that instance, and was on the prevailing side of the debate.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: Is there any movement to change the way districts are drawn in Maryland. The current congressional map is a disgrace (look at the 2nd district). Other states have nonpartisan commissions, does anyone in the legislature favor such a change.

Matthew Mosk: Democrats controling redistricting last time around had the aid of some pretty sophisticated technology that enabled them to draw districts in such a way that they would pick up as many votes as possible. It helped lead to the turnover of District 8, formerly held by Connie Morella (R), and now held by Chris Van Hollen (D). But the real move towards change in redistricting took place during a court fight over state legislative lines. And Republicans are planning to push for more changes there, including the elimination of three-member house legislative districts.

_______________________

Maryland voter: If we read the paper, we know that higher education, teacher pensions and stem cells are high profile issues. Can you list a few less visible things that matter to the lives of regular and not so regular people, but that we should pay attention to?

Matthew Mosk: You're right that we tend to focus on the most contentious issues, where there is drama and uncertainty. But even among the override votes, there are important questions dealing with the fate of juvenile offenders, of how our elections are run, and of the rights of unmarried couples. Over the course of the next 89 days, the legislature will probably hear more than 2,000 bills, so some will get missed.

But we do try to come back and revisit those issues over the course of the year. An example would be a story I did a few weeks back about a legislative battle over how funeral homes are regulated, which helps explain why it's so expensive in Maryland to bury a loved one.

_______________________

washingtonpost.com: Law on Md. Mortuaries Has Guardian Angel at State House (Post, Jan. 4)

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: If any delegates or senators mention negative statistics about Baltimore City during session, do you think they'll be called "Baltimore bashers?" Do you think this characterization is even fair?

Matthew Mosk: That's a great question. As the battle lines are drawn for the 2006 governor's race, it's already clear that supporters of Mayor O'Malley will be extremely sensitive to criticism of the city. But this is not an issue that breaks along party lines. Doug Duncan, the Montgomery County Executive who is running for govenror, says he believes conditions in Baltimore deserve scrutiny. We have three executives in the race for governor, so we have a lot to look at to evaluate how they perform as leaders.

_______________________

Baltimore, Md.: When Mike Miller starts off a caucus meeting on the first day of the General Assembly session with words like "shooting down" and "putting them in the ground" regarding Republicans, why isn't your paper, or any others, taking him to task for the blatant partisanship and lack of interest in good policy?

Matthew Mosk: Our role here is to make sure readers know when a politician here in Annapolis says something inflamatory. That way you can judge whether they need to be taken to task.

_______________________

Wisconsin Avenue, Washington, D.C.: Governor Ehrlich was rather vocal about veterans tax relief last year. The MGA failed to act on this measure. Will they stop it again? Do they have something against veterans?

Matthew Mosk: That's going to be an interesting debate. Both the governor and the Democrats in the legislature have plans to give tax breaks and other benefits to veterans, and to families of those in active service overseas. It may be that the political battle will be waged over who gets credit for the resulting legislation.

_______________________

Germantown, Md.: Matthew- What sparked your interest to write on the funeral home ("Law on Md. Mortuaries Has Guardian Angel at State House")issue in Maryland?

washingtonpost.com: Law on Md. Mortuaries Has Guardian Angel at State House (Post, Jan. 4)

Matthew Mosk: Thanks for your question. I wanted to write something that gave folks a better sense of how things really work in Annapolis. Truth is, it could have been about many subjects. What I hoped to show was the way power is weilded, and the way the leadership structure here at time can work to defeat bills that a range of interests support.

_______________________

Silver Spring, Md.: Speaker Busch and President Miller appear more and more out of the mainstream these days and moving to the left. Do you think this will hurt their own re-election chances like it did to Casper Taylor?

Matthew Mosk: I have not heard much about resistence to Senator Miller. But there is a fairly lively effort by Republicans to come after Speaker Busch in the next election. Presiding over a legislative chamber can be tricky, as Cas Taylor's defeat showed us. They must balance the desires of the members against those of their constituents. Cas fell into the trap you describe. But Busch's district is not as conservative as Taylor's was.

_______________________

Bethesda, Md.: With Montgomery County banning smoking in resturants/bars/clubs, will there be any statewide legislation to the same effect? Also, where do the various Gubernatorial candidates stand on this issue?

Matthew Mosk: There are a number of advocacy groups that will be pushing hard to extend the ban on smoking in restaurants statewide. But this is not a popular idea with the two presiding officers, so it's unclear how much energy the effort will gather. Right now, the sense is it will take more time for it to gain support.

_______________________

Silver Spring, Md.: County Executive Duncan has not announced a running mate, but I seem to recall your paper mentioning that he was avoiding doing so for a reason--could this be that his intended running mate is in session?

Matthew Mosk: We'd love to know why County Executive Duncan has not named a running mate yet--his campaign manager had said publicly he expected to name one before the legislature convened. Whether his reason to hold off are strategic, or whether he has been unable to settle on somone, we don't know. One thing we do see from both Democrats is an effort to get a lot of input into the selection process. This is a marked contrast from four years ago, when Kathleen Kennedy Townsend shrouded her selection process in almost total secrecy (and paid for it later.)

_______________________

Salisbury, Md: Thanks for the chat, I hope it continues thru the elections!

What are your thoughts on a tuition freeze for next year like some people have asked for?

Matthew Mosk: University tuition is shaping up to be a very hot issue. I suspect the Democrats will push for a freeze. They see Gov. Ehrlich as vulnerable on the issue, because early on in his term he had advisors pushing for substantial hikes in tuition at the University of Maryland. Just recently, the governor announced he would be budgeting $117 million to hold a tuition increase down below 5 percent.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: Is tort reform dead?

Matthew Mosk: The governor has said he is not optimistic he'll have much success with his efforts this year.

_______________________

Comptroller: You mentioned the Comptroller in an earlier answer. Is that guy ever going to retire? Or get a serious challenge from someone?

Matthew Mosk: William Donald Schaefer is a political legend in Maryland, so there have not been many folks interested in taking him on. Especially in a downticket race like the one for Comptroller, name recognition is a huge factor, and he's very, very well known (after serving as Baltimore mayor and governor). But he is getting a challenge this year from Montgomery Del. Peter Franchot. It's too early to tell whether Franchot will be able to break through.

_______________________

Duncan running mate: Why would it matter if Duncan's running mate was in the General Assembly? Wouldn't announcing now give that person an opportunity to raise their profile during the session?

Matthew Mosk: Having a running mate in the General Assembly can cut both ways. You're right that there are plenty of opportunities for Anthony Brown (O'Malley's running mate) to raise his profile. But he also will have to cast hundreds of votes, he is prohibited from raising money during the 90-day session, and he will have to confront issues where he and O'Malley disagree (such as slot machine gambling). So it's a complicated issue.

_______________________

McLean, Va.: re: Wal-Mart & Md. General Assembly "threats"

As a stockholder of Wal-Mart and someone who works in Md., I say Wal-Mart move out of Md and let the Md. GA "socialists" wallow in their self-deprecating slop. Id the Md. citizens don't have the gumption to vote out these GA blow-hards, they get what they deserve- more Landover Shopping Malls along with the murder-for-any-item Annapolis Mall.

Matthew Mosk: Whew. Those are strong views. Which gives an idea of why this was such a contentious debate. In the senate today, before the governor's veto was overridden, Republicans attempted a filibuster. But it didn't stick.Those aren't unheard of, but they're still fairly rare.

_______________________

washingtonpost.com: Md. Senate Overrides Veto on 'Wal-Mart Bill'

Matthew Mosk: You can read more about what just happened in the senate at this link. The House will have it's own version of the drama this evening, in about 90 minutes.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: Will the O'Malley-Brown ticket fundraise during session? If I understood the election laws correctly then the funds can only go to O'Malleys campaign account and not the joint account? How often will the Mayor ignore his duties in Baltimore to visit Annapolis and whine about the Governor?

Matthew Mosk: As for your first question, the rule say Del. Anthony Brown can't raise money. So it will be worth watching to see how he handles himself.

On your second point, I would just say that we don't typically refer to any candidate as whining. One of the great aspects of the 2006 elections is that it involves candidates with strong, differing views. If we can get through all the noise, we'll learn a lot about the wants and wishes of Maryland voters come November.

_______________________

Matthew Mosk: With such an active day in the State House, I'm going to have to wrap it up. But thanks for all those terrific questions. And stay tuned-- 2006 will be a great political drama!

_______________________

washingtonpost.com:

Maryland Moment: News and Notes on Maryland Politics

_______________________

Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.