Glendening

The campaign of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Douglas M. Duncan confirmed yesterday the selection of former Baltimore prosecutor Stuart O. Simms as running mate, and scheduled an announcement speech for tomorrow at a Baltimore function hall. Duncan campaign manager Scott Arceneaux sent an e-mail message to more than 10,000 supporters of the Montgomery County executive, saying Simms has agreed to join the ticket. "Having served Maryland with distinction as Baltimore City State's Attorney for eight years and as the Secretary of Public Safety and [of]

Politicians facing re-election can generally be counted on to do two things: Spend money whenever possible and grant tax cuts the public can't afford. Thanks to a suddenly accommodating comptroller, Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. has completed his perfecta. Not only was he able to put all kinds of election-year goodies in the state budget, but now he's persuaded the Board of Public Works to roll back his 4.8-cent state property tax increase of 2003 by 2 cents. Looks like somebody has taken a page from the Parris N. Glendening playbook.

Three weeks after Comptroller William Donald Schaefer called Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. the dirtiest name in his book - "Glendening Jr." - the irascible former mayor and governor made nice with his Republican ally, apologizing and complimenting Ehrlich's good looks and well-tanned wife. Schaefer, a Democrat, had a long-running feud with former Gov. Parris N. Glendening, using Board of Public Works meetings to lambaste him and attempt to block his agenda. But for most of their three years in office together, Schaefer and Ehrlich have turned the meetings into a mutual love fest, with the comptroller doling out compliments and fatherly advice and the governor keeping Schaefer happy with a steady stream of cakes and pies, usually delivered by first lady Kendel Ehrlich.

The battle over electric rates provoked bitter political exchanges yesterday as black lawmakers complained that a private meeting between Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.'s top aides and the four Republican appointees on the Public Service Commission excluded the lone black member. Also, Ehrlich was subjected to insults and sarcasm from Comptroller William Donald Schaefer, usually an ally, who decried the governor's failure to cushion a 72 percent boost in electric rates when price caps expire this summer.

Just in case you weren't paying attention - and, with the subject being energy deregulation, that's understandable - here's a reminder of how things came to be. In light of what Maryland consumers face six years after deregulation - a 72 percent increase in electric bills when so-called rate caps end in July - I thought it would be instructive and amusing (in a demented sort of way) to go back and click through this newspaper's extensive coverage of the landmark legislation of 1999. There are some choice quotes and factoids in the morgue.

Five years ago, state government was rolling in an unexpected surplus. Gov. Parris N. Glendening took advantage and spent most every dime. He was condemned by conservatives for exceeding the state's spending affordability limit. And the day after his budget was approved by the General Assembly, we opined that the too-generous level of state spending would lead to "major budget woes" within the year. Well, that collapse came. Surpluses turned into projected budget deficits. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. should remember.

With Maryland preparing to execute its second death row inmate in two months and other states raising questions about the death penalty process, former Gov. Parris N. Glendening said yesterday that Maryland should reinstate the moratorium that he imposed on executions until the state can guarantee a system free from discrimination and doubts about convicted killers' guilt. Glendening expressed disappointment that the issues raised in a University of Maryland study that he commissioned on the state's application of capital punishment have not been addressed by the governor or General Assembly.

Phillip A. Singerman, who guided a quasi-state technology development agency from the dot-com bust into the era of homeland security-related startups, has resigned as its executive director. In his six years leading the Maryland Technology Development Corp., the former assistant secretary of the U.S. Commerce Department in the Clinton administration helped TEDCO support tech companies with everything from promotion to venture capital. TEDCO is considered one of the top early-stage investors in the country.

A leading local business group reported yesterday that capital funding for mass transit in the Baltimore region would decline sharply under a draft six-year transportation spending plan prepared by the Ehrlich administration. The Greater Baltimore Committee analysis of the administration's plan was immediately denounced by Maryland Transportation Secretary Robert L. Flanagan, who accused the authors of using "scare tactics" and distorting the meaning of his department's budget numbers.

Denton -- Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan stood for an hour yesterday as he chatted with Caroline County educators in a downtown school system office here. They stood, too, for that matter - though the room's large conference table surrounded with chairs beckoned. As Duncan, a likely Democratic candidate for governor, concluded his 24-jurisdiction tour of the state yesterday, it was obvious he is not much interested in sitting down. He has work to do as he gears up to launch his campaign this month, and a tough task ahead as he challenges Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley, who announced last week that he also is seeking the party's nomination.