The Board of Public Works is a “unique animal” without parallel in other state governments, Gov. Robert Ehrlich said Wednesday. When it meets again on Jan. 24, it will be a brand new ball game as the incoming governor and comptroller, Martin O?Malley and Peter Franchot, join the powerful watchdog of billions in state spending.
The third member, State Treasurer Nancy Kopp, who is elected by the members of the General Assembly, likely will keep her job for another four years, despite some efforts by Prince George?s County delegates to gain more clout for Maryland?s second-largest county.
Kopp told The Examiner on Tuesday her position is secure, though “there are still some rumblings in Prince George?s County.”
“I have the strong support of the speaker and of The Baltimore Sun,” said Kopp, a former Montgomery County delegate from Bethesda who served in many leadership positions during 27 years in the House and is an acknowledged expert on education funding.
Former Delegate Rushern Baker, who ran unsuccessfully for Prince George?s county executive last year, was being suggested as an alternative to Kopp.
Busch said he?s on the record supporting Kopp and believes “a majority of the legislature will return her to her seat.”
Senate President Thomas Mike Miller agreed.
“I think she?s OK” to keep her job, said Miller, who has represented parts of Prince George?s County in the Assembly for 36 years. “I?ve supported her my entire career.”
There was talk of finding her an appropriate Cabinet post in the O?Malley administration, but “she?s got to want to make the move,” Miller said. Kopp has shown no inclination to leave what Miller called “the greatest job in state government.”
The treasurer oversees the state?s debt and the sale of the bonds. But she also represents the interest of the General Assembly on the three-member board where any two members can approve large state contracts, construct buildings, buy and sell land, or cut the state budget.
“It?s good that she?ll be back,” Comptroller William Donald Schaefer said, calling her one of the smartest women he?s ever met.
