Who knew that laws passed by the Maryland General Assembly were merely suggestions? According to Gov. Martin O’Malley’s office, the state will not follow a transparency law passed earlier this year by the General Assembly.

The State Funding Accountability Act, HB 1192/SB556, would finally have brought oversight to the more than $900 million in taxpayer dollars given to nonprofit and for-profit groups each year to fulfill the state’s work. To put that figure in perspective, it is enough to give every person living under the poverty line in Maryland a $2,000 check every year.