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The Towson-based AAA Mid-Atlantic says 56 percent of drivers responding to a national survey of pet owners said they have driven with their dog at least once a month in the past year - and more than half said they've had some physical contact with the dog while driving, either petting it, holding it on their lap or using their hands to keep it out of the front seat - or even taking the pet's photo. In a statement on the survey, AAA said the results indicate "drivers not only love to bring Fido in the car, but often engage in risky behaviors when man's best friend is along for the ride.

"Staycations" will rule this Fourth of July, according to AAAMid Atlantic. The group for motorists predicts that about 760,000 Marylanders will travel this coming weekend, a 2.9 percent decrease from last year. Ragina C. Averella, spokeswoman for AAA Mid-Atlantic, said that although travel by Marylanders is down from last year, the numbers are still promising overall. "Despite what may appear to be less than a stellar forecast for the July 4 holiday, overall travel is robust, reflecting the second consecutive year of healthy travel figures after declines for the 2008 and 2009 holidays," Averella said.

In meetings with members of Congress and their staffs this month, I was very clear about my reason for being there: AAA Mid-Atlantic is strongly opposed, on behalf of its members and all motorists, to any increase in the size and weight of tractor-trailer trucks. The trucks we see every day on I-95 and the Baltimore Beltway are plenty big already. I am supported in this position by a December 2010 Maryland public opinion poll, commissioned by AAA Mid-Atlantic. The poll showed 85 percent of Maryland drivers opposing any increase to the size or weight of tractor-trailer trucks, with 70 percent of respondents stating they are "strongly opposed" to any such move.

Even with gasoline prices at near-record levels, Marylanders are expected to travel during Memorial Day weekend in the same robust numbers as last year, AAA Mid-Atlantic predicts. But to make sure potential visitors aren't discouraged by the price at the pumps, some Ocean City hotels are offering vouchers good for up to $50 in gas for guests who book for multiple days. Judging by its forecast Tuesday, AAA doesn't think Marylanders will need much of a push to get on the road. AAA predicts that 719,400 Marylanders will go on vacation this holiday weekend, roughly the same number as last Memorial Day. Of those expected to travel 50 miles or more, 644,000 people will be on the road, a decline of 0.7 percent, attributed largely to gasoline prices.

I was happy to read in the Feb. 23 Sun, that Maryland is one of only eight states with a coveted AAA credit ranking. ("Maryland maintains highest rating ahead of bond sale. ") Then, because I am retired and seriously ill, I went back to working on my complicated graph of which medicines I can afford to take and which I must discontinue come July 1. As part of what Governor O'Malley touts as his strong stand on "fiscal responsibility," he supports Senate Bill 87 and House Bill 72 (currently under consideration by the legislature)

AAA Mid-Atlantic is predicting a big jump in the number of Marylanders who will travel for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend this year, with state residents taking to the road at a rate slightly higher than the national average. The group projects that almost 850,000 Marylanders will travel 50 miles or more between Wednesday and the following Sunday. That represents an 11.8 percent increase over 2009, compared with an expected national average of 11.4 percent. The difference apparently reflects the employment market, which has been more robust in Maryland than most other states.

The three top rating agencies have affirmed Maryland's long-held triple-AAA bond status, though analysts from two of the firms signaled concern about the state's depleted retirement system. Moody's called the state's $33 billion system a "credit challenge" and reported ominously that it is funded "at a lower level" than the retirement funds of most other AAA-rated states. The system has 65 percent of the money needed to meet future obligations. The analysts' concerns echo a sentiment raised in February by the Pew Center on the States, which issued a report saying Maryland "has failed to make" significant progress toward properly funding the system.

Buoyed by signs of economic recovery and affordable gas prices, Marylanders will increase their Memorial Day travel by a "robust" 6.4 percent over last year, AAA Mid-Atlantic predicted Wednesday. At a news conference set beside the Chesapeake Bay, AAA officials expressed confidence that the weekend will be the start of a travel-filled summer. "It's clear that we're shedding that recession mentality," said AAA spokesman Mahlon G. "Lon" Anderson. He said Maryland's expected increase compares with an expected 5.4 percent gain nationwide.

Whether it's by plane, train or automobile, AAA is projecting a sizable 5.4 percent increase in U.S. travelers over Memorial Day weekend, according to the group's national forecast issued Thursday. AAA expects more than 32 million people to take a trip away from home, with 28 million reaching their destination by driving. Trips by automobile are expected to be more popular than last year, increasing 5.8 percent, as gas prices are not expected to rise above $3 per gallon for the Memorial Day holiday, according to the auto group.

Howard County's coveted AAA bond credit rating was renewed for the 13th consecutive year by the three New York bond rating houses, county officials announced last week. The rating means the county can borrow money at the lowest available interest rates because investing in county bonds is considered to have the lowest risk for purchasers. Fewer than 30 jurisdictions nationwide out of about 3,000 receive the rating each year. County Executive Ken Ulman, a Democrat who is planning to run for re-election this year, said the rating shows that he runs a "disciplined government that is conservative when it comes to spending and pro-active when it comes to cutting costs."