Clayton Mitchell

Now that the state's fiscal shelves have been stripped of all edible goods, will elected leaders get serious about preparing the fields so Annapolis can weather its next revenue drought?So far, everyone in Annapolis has studiously avoided the basiproblem: Maryland's appetite for spending far outstrips its revenue.This led to a cumulative $660 million shortfall this fiscal year, ana projected shortage of $150 million next year. Someone has seriously miscalculated.Both the governor and legislators are to blame.

The governor is said to be saddened. A kind of death rattle is heard across the land, a shudder of community fear: If 1,766 state jobs have been cut, if $450 million must be found, then how safe is anyone?The governor is said to be depressed. He has always prided himself on being a ''people person'' and not a bottom-line guy. But this week's 1,766 job eliminations include exactly no one from William Donald Schaefer's swollen personal staff of 119 people.The governor is said to be sobered.

How 'bout BOTH sides declare victory and go home? Intelligence determined that Iraq had 30 Scud launchers, of which coalition pilots have destroyed 832, leaving only a handful still operational. R. Robert Linowes would rather be right than be governor. R. Clayton Mitchell Jr. is another story.

THE SENATEState HouseAnnapolis, 21401Tel. 841-3700PresidentThomas V. Mike Miller Jr.D-Prince George'sPresident pro temFrederick C. Malkus Jr.D-DorchesterMajority leaderClarence W. BlountD-BaltimoreMajority whipMichael J. WagnerD-Anne Arundel CountyMinority leaderJohn A. CadeR-Anne Arundel CountyMinority whipF. Vernon BoozerR-Baltimore CountyTHE HOUSE OF DELEGATESState HouseAnnapolis, 21401Tel. 841-3800SpeakerR. Clayton Mitchell Jr.D-KentSpeaker pro temNancy K. KoppD-Montgomery CountyMajority leaderD.

House Speaker R. Clayton Mitchell Jr. has introduced legislation to regulate all forms of gambling that don't currently come under the state's purview.The bill would establish a state gambling control board that would issue one-year licenses to any organization running a gambling operation, as well as to firms that manufacture and distribute gambling equipment. It would also conduct audits to insure that an appropriate amount of the gambling proceeds was going to charitable organizations.

Carroll County Farm Bureau members are inviting farmers and other residents to go to Annapolis Tuesday to show their opposition to a bill that would merge the state Department of Agriculture with the Department of Natural Resources.The bill, sponsored by House Speaker R. Clayton Mitchell Jr., would merge the two departments and immediately cut their combined budgets by 20 percent.Carroll residents will be leaving by bus from the Carroll County Agricultural Center at 10 a.m. and return to Westminster by 3 p.m."

Quote of the day"I think we ought to have a right to do the same thing, to sit in on editorial boards and see how they make their public policy decisions. What's good for the goose is good for the gander."R. Clayton Mitchell Jr., House speaker, D-Kent, saying he is considering amending the open-meetings bill to require newspaper editorial boardsto open their meetingsToday10 a.m.: House and Senate convene, State House.1 p.m.: Senate Budget and Taxation Committee considers capital budget requests involving Montgomery County projects, Room 100, Senate Office Building.

The son of former House of Delegates Speaker R. Clayton Mitchell Jr. has received a political appointment to a $44,000-a-year state job.Clayton A. Mitchell will take a seat on the Unemployment Insurance Board of Appeals beginning Monday, said Marilyn Corbett, a spokeswoman for the Maryland Department of Economic and Employment Development.Mr. Mitchell was appointed by the department's chief with the approval of Gov. William Donald Schaefer, an ally of his father. The elder Mr. Mitchell resigned from the state legislature last month.

Wednesday night was legislative appreciation night at the Orioles' first night game, and most of the General Assembly was there.But unless fans attending the game had taken in the day's newspapers or other media, chances are they didn't know their elected leaders were present.Reason? A legislative leader asked the Orioles not to make any announcement. And the ballclub didn't, either by loudspeaker or on its computerized, center field scoreboard -- which, as usual, did note the presence of many other special groups.

Wednesday night was legislative appreciation night at the Orioles' first night game, and most of the General Assembly was there.But unless fans attending the game had taken in the day's newspapers or other media, chances are they didn't know their elected leaders were present.Reason? A legislative leader asked the Orioles not to make any announcement. And the ballclub didn't, either by loudspeaker or on its center field scoreboard -- which, as usual, did note the presence of many other special groups.