The General Assembly hit its halfway mark Friday, but with seven weeks left to go, much more than half the work remains to be done.
No major legislative initiatives have been enacted, though they are moving close on the tougher emission standards for cars. The House Appropriations Committee this week will begin voting on the governor?s budget, which legislators may only cut.
Insiders report those cuts may only amount to $100 million to $200 million, a piddly sum in a $30 billion budget.
Legislators were reassured this week by revenue reports showing sales tax receipts had been strong, meaning there is little trouble ahead for the current budget year.
Unscathed
Fiscal analysts have suggested trims in many budgets, but the governor?s own personal staff has come out unscathed, with no recommended cuts in funding. That?s mainly because he kept to the budget prepared by Gov. Robert Ehrlich?s staff last fall, said Gov. Martin O?Malley?s chief of staff, Michael Enright.
The governor?s staff has only 80 people working in the State House and other nearby buildings, plus 10 people on assignment from other departments. Thirteen of the positions are vacant, Enright said. Total budget for the headquarters staff is $9.4 million.
Freshman Voyage
Unusual applause greeted the final passage of House Bill 220 Friday morning, legislation that generated no debate or controversy, but 42 cosponsors.
The measure simply extends the life of the commemorative license plates for the Chesapeake Bay and farms, a program due to expire next year. Money from the plates goes to the Bay Trust.
Hardly a big deal, but it just happened to be the first statewide legislation sent to the Senate sponsored by any of the 34 freshmen delegates, in this case, Del. Pamela Beidle, an Anne Arundel County Democrat. A fellow delegate suggested the bill to her.
“They want to help you when you?re new here,” said Beidle, a two-term member of the County Council. “Next time, I?ll do something more controversial.”
Girl Scouts, Dog Scout
More than 200 Girl Scouts trooped to Annapolis Thursday. Their lobbying interests included a bond bill for a training center and creation of a scholarship program.
They also wanted to talk about legislation requiring vaccination to prevent cervical cancer ? already withdrawn by its sponsor ? a bill on child sexual abuse, and a ban on artificial trans fat. (Girl Scout cookies no longer contain any.)
A small group of Scouts were strolling by the governor?s mansion when they were accosted by the O?Malleys? barking Airedale terrier, Scout.
The dog spends a lot of its limited outdoor time yapping along the iron fence guarding the block-long perimeter of the residence.
Len Lazarick, the State House bureau chief, can be reached at [email protected]
