Between hosting his own biotechnology summit, leading the crusade against the legalization of slot machines and pushing for a new elementary school in Towson, Comptroller Peter Franchot appears to be squeezing in time for an activity his critics don't expect: his job.
State law sets out a relatively narrow role for the comptroller: chiefly to collect taxes on income, sales, gas, alcohol and other items, and to sit on the Board of Public Works. Franchot, a former state delegate from Montgomery County, came into office promising a much broader policy agenda dealing with the environment, minority contracting and anything related to state finances - which is pretty much everything.
But behind the scenes, he's been tackling issues that are within the traditional purview of comptroller. He has begun holding discussions with oil companies such as Exxon Mobil Corp. and Royal Dutch Shell PLC about the differences in gas prices from one jurisdiction to another, and he recently said he might consider using his subpoena power to get more information. He also is building on his predecessor's efforts to take big businesses to court over unpaid corporate income taxes, and is now litigating two dozen cases.
"To the extent I get visibility because something is a controversial issue, some of these other issues fall below the radar screen," Franchot said in an interview.
While Franchot has issued news releases and held news conferences about many of his initiatives, he has garnered the most attention for his high-profile opposition to slots and other issues that directly pit him against Gov. Martin O'Malley, a fellow Democrat and political rival. Franchot's efforts to win publicity have been derided by lawmakers and were the basis of a skit at last year's Legislative Follies, an annual variety show that pokes fun at Annapolis power brokers.
"Some people are in the business of sending out press releases, no matter how outrageous they might be," said Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, a frequent critic of Franchot.
Franchot sent a letter to his political supporters recently seeking contributions. The comptroller has said he would not run for governor in 2010 but that he wants to run for re-election to his current office. In the letter he listed his achievements, among them his fight to bring down the cost of gas and to crack down on "tax cheats."
"As Maryland's chief financial officer, I understand the pain families are feeling," Franchot wrote.
