Gov. Martin O?Malley called it a “successful session,” and like governors before him, he expanded his success by embracing the legislative initiatives of others.
O?Malley congratulated legislators and his press office issued a news release listing 15 items on which “Governor O?Malley and the General Assembly worked together.” But five of the initiatives came from lawmakers and environmental groups. Republicans sponsored two of them.
O?Malley early and enthusiastically signed on to the Clean Cars Act?s increased emissions standards, a bill co-sponsored by scores of delegates. It was the first bill he personally testified on.
O?Malley in February jumped on board an effort to correct all the problems with Baltimore ground rents. Baltimore City delegates and senators did the heavy lifting on the bills, with O?Malley?s full support.
In listing eight bills in which the governor and legislature “improved public safety and stood up for working families,” O?Malley?s staff highlighted one “ending parole for child sex offenders with Jessica?s Law.” Republicans began work on this bill last year, with limited Democratic support, but it picked up momentum this year and finally got out of the House Judiciary Committee.
O?Malley?s staff also mentioned “passing a tough anti-gang law,” but this was an initiative started by Sen. Nancy Jacobs, R-Harford, working with state?s attorneys. The local prosecutors were so upset with what the Judiciary Committee did to the bill they refused to support the amended measure O?Malley is touting.
The administration also takes credit for “investing $2 million in monitoring child sex predators,” but this was funding for a measure passed last year with broad support and signed by Gov. Robert Ehrlich. Of course, O?Malley could have chosen not to fund the mandate.
Regardless where the ideas might have originated, O?Malley has the last and most important single vote on every potential law, except for constitutional amendments and resolutions.
Without his signature or with his veto, these measures would be like the vast majority of bills introduced this year that are now dead.
