An encore for the 'Fat Lady'

by David Grand
April 15, 2004

Just like last year she sang the same melancholy song when Maryland's legislators left Annapolis with their tails between their legs, the only difference being that her encore sounded more like a gurgling water pipe and with her high notes resembling a parrot's scream.

However, she might as well refrained from straining her vocal cords reaching for the "high notes," for there were hardly any in this session, except for providing funding for education, the Chesapeake Restoration plan, the Transportation Trust Fund (only partially) and closing corporate tax loopholes. And, oh yes, making lacrosse the state's team sport and the Patuxent River stone the state gem.

But barring some unforeseen miracle to increase Maryland's revenues for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2005- projected to be $830 million short of spending- I don't imagine she'd consent to make another stage appearance out of sheer boredom in having to sing the same woeful song yet another time. What a shame that'd be, for normally her voice is as sweet and rich as a nightingale's on joyous occasions.

And I wonder how in the world a party could've been held in the Senate office building on the last day of the session, with drinking and dancing lasting into the early morning hours? What reason could the legislators possibly have to celebrate, other than the ending of a grueling 90 days in the trenches? But no one I'm sure dared to propose a toast to their time having been well spent in earning their fat paychecks except in jest. Better that they "turned into pumpkins" when the clock struck midnight officially ending that sorry session and left to rot for once again "sticking" it to the counties, the taxpayers and the near-moribund racing industry.

While that may sound hardhearted on my part, it's borne out of years of frustration over all the jawboning and gamesmanship in Annapolis over whether or not to join the surrounding states in reaping huge profits from slots, or to stand idly by as countless millions are siphoned out of the state each year. And with Charles Town slated to install 2,000 more slot machines, and the Keystone State having approved placing slots at 12 racetracks, the hemorrhaging will increase all the more.

Now, while I've always believed in having a balance of power between the executive and legislative branches of the state's government, I'm now of the mind that one-party control at least as pertains to Maryland is the only proven way of getting important legislation passed with a minimum of "sound and fury." I say that mainly because partisanship is at an all-time high in Annapolis, much as it is in Washington. And that when the "chips are down," voting the straight, party lines trumps any other considerations. A sad commentary indeed on our two-party system of government. But it's as true as the sky is blue.

But I must say, that never before in my memory have I seen the Democrats so united and bound and determined to undermine the plans of the first Republican governor in the last 39 years, and that the very thought of having other than one of their own sleeping and eating in the Governor's Mansion had them ricocheting off the walls in revulsion. And shame on those Democrats for marching in lockstep behind Busch, like the rats who followed the Pied Piper's piping to the river where they drowned. Not that I consider them to be long-tailed rodents rather than his sheep.

The only glimmer of hope I saw for possibly avoiding another Mexican standoff next year would be if Busch followed through on his last minute idea of pushing for a vote in the House and Ways Committee and on the House floor for a November referendum that would legalize slots by a constitutional amendment. But alas, he didn't. Much to my regret and the regret of the majority of Marylanders who support Ehrlich's plan for authorizing slots at specific locations, the same as they did last year and in Glendening's second term.

But lets hope he'll bring it up again at, say, a special session or at the start of the next session, albeit that Ehrlich opposes "passing the ball" to the voters. However, no doubt the biggest obstacle would be in obtaining a "super" majority in both houses to pass such an amendment. Ah, but like they say, "hope springs eternal," even if it takes an eternity to be fulfilled.