Budget obsession pushes O'Malley's agenda back

Tough economy means little time for other business

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

The 90-day General Assembly session is racing to a close April 13 with the bulk of Gov. Martin O'Malley's agenda still in limbo.

The governor's bills — a slate larger than his two previous years — are part of the hundreds of proposals racing through the legislature.

Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. and House Speaker Michael E. Busch both expressed confidence lawmakers would decide on major issues, including O'Malley's bills, before the gavel falls at midnight April 13.

Delegates passed O'Malley's fiscal 2010 budget last week, clearing the decks to shift their focus to policy initiatives.

"We've put a tremendous amount of concentration on the budget," said Busch (D-Anne Arundel). "We'll [now] concentrate more astutely on the other issues that have been brought forth, not only the governor's office."

The Senate began weighing the spending plan on Tuesday.

Once it passes, it would be sent to conference committee for legislators to iron out differences in each chamber's version.

O'Malley (D) spokesman Rick Abbruzzese said the governor met with legislative leaders last week to address his agenda.

"We're working out the kinks, working with members of the General Assembly and stakeholders, and refining the legislation, coming out with a better product," Abbruzzese said.

The highest-profile bill with O'Malley's name on it, a limitation on the application of the death penalty, reached final passage Thursday in the House of Delegates.

Electricity market reregulation, another of the governor's top priorities, is facing a more difficult road.

The governor's legislation would give the Public Service Commission new powers to force electricity suppliers to construct new generators to lower residential rates.

The Senate Finance Committee held a late-night session Tuesday marking up the bill and sent it to the full Senate, where its future remains in doubt.

Some lawmakers feared that the issue was too complex for lawmakers to give full consideration to in the session's remaining days.

"It's a close vote in the Senate, and I know the House is very concerned," said Miller (D-Calvert, Prince George's).

House Economic Matters Chairman Dereck E. Davis is among those who expressed doubts on the bill.

"I don't think there's enough time in the legislature for us to do our due diligence," said Davis (D-Prince George's).

Several other O'Malley initiatives, including a measure to prohibit the Maryland State Police from spying on political groups and a bill to provide unemployment insurance for part-time workers, are moving towards final passage.

Both chambers have given their approval to a package of O'Malley bills aimed at strengthening the state's domestic violence laws.

The General Assembly also has given its assent to drunk driving bills, while environmental bills moved toward passage in both chambers.

Staff writer Alan Brody contributed to this report.

dtallman@gazette.net