Montgomery County should have a fruitful year when it comes to the state legislature, but not so much because of the surge of local voices in the halls of the State House in Annapolis, according to one political expert.
Peter Shapiro, a senior fellow with the University of Maryland’s Academy of Leadership and a big follower of Montgomery County politics, said even without the kind of newfound representation in state government that Montgomery will have, the state’s wealthiest county would still do well compared to other jurisdictions.
“With a Democratic-controlled government, you’ll see success in Montgomery County,” he said. “But I think you’d probably see that kind of success regardless of the exact makeup of the government.”
And, with a majority Democratic government, analysts are predicting a relatively quiet term with more of the fights behind the scenes and fewer hot-button issues.
Shapiro added that Democratic Gov.-elect Martin O’Malley will definitely “want to do right by” Montgomery County, one of the three largest and most politically powerful counties in Maryland. As such, that might — or might not — translate to extra dollars for the county.
“That’s the big question,” Shapiro said. “Montgomery County will probably get more money, yet so will Prince George’s and all the other counties.”
Recently elected Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett has been stressing the fact that his county has traditionally been cheated out of state money because it’s considered too rich to need aid, hence the need for added dollars this go-round.
According to Shapiro, that argument is one made by most county leaders, and it would “astounding” if Leggett wasn’t pleading for state funds.
Outside of the General Assembly, Montgomery County homegrown candidates Doug Gansler and Peter Franchot will step into statewide office as attorney general and comptroller, which also could be relatively good news for Montgomery.
