State House

What is the big deal about what is going on in Annapolis ("After breakdown, what?" April 11)? We all know what's going to happen. The ringmaster ( Gov.Martin O'Malley) will call the circus back to Annapolis. They will then pass new tax laws that will hurt the people of Maryland. The clowns will pat each other on the back and adjourn. They will go home and think how to do it again next year. Ed Forsht, Glen Burnie

Maryland officials agreed Wednesday to buy the historic Annapolis post office building from the U.S. Postal Service for use as part of the government complex surrounding the State House. Without dissent, the three-member Board of Public Works agreed to pay $3.2 million for the 13,000-square-foot building on Church Circle. Built in 1901, the structure is listed on the Maryland Historical Trust inventory of historic properties. Under the deal, the state will lease space back to the Postal Service to continue services for eight to 20 months until it relocates.

Who was that affable older gentleman who was asked to show his identification in order to enter the State House Monday? It was Paul S. Sarbanes, the longest-serving United States senator in Maryland history. Sarbanes, who retired in 2007 after 30 years in the Senate, was in Annapolis for a meeting of the War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission, on which he serves. After that meeting, he went to the State House to view an historical exhibit on the war, where he cheerfully complied with a request to show his ID -- smiling at a reporter's offer to vouch for him. The police officer couldn't be faulted for not recognizing the former senator.

Kenni Patrick, a student at St. Vincent Pallotti High School, served as a page for the North Carolina House of Representatives, in Raleigh, N.C. The daughter of Kenneth and Tanya Patrick, of Laurel, she was sponsored by Rep. Julia Howard (Republican-Davie, Forsyth). Pages spend a week at the General Assembly assisting members and their staff and learning about the structure of North Carolina government.

Wow! Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller was unhappy that his hero, President Barack Obama, did not bother to pay a visit to his loyal Maryland government adulators ("Miller laments not seeing president," Feb. 7). Well, Mike, the election is over and he's in his final term. You can't do much more for him. Draw your own conclusions so I won't have to write another letter of further explanation. F. Cordell Text NEWS to 70701 to get Baltimore Sun local news text alerts

First lady Michelle Obama, 9-year-old daughter Sasha and other presidential relatives toured Maryland's historic State House on Tuesday during a day trip to Annapolis that included a stop at the U.S. Naval Academy. Gov. Martin O'Malley and House Speaker Michael E. Busch, both Democrats, greeted the first family, who then took a 45-minute private tour of the Capitol and grounds. The Secret Service restricted access to the building during the midday visit and kept news media and passers-by at a distance.

Gov. William Donald Schaefer has announced that the 1990 State House by Candlelight celebration will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. on Dec. 7 and 8.The governor is scheduled to welcome visitors on Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m.State House by Candlelight is a traditional holiday event that began in 1976 as a part of the bicentennial celebration. The program for both nights includes musical entertainment and candlelight tours of the State House.The program for the event includes:Friday, Dec. 7*7 p.m. -- Performance by the Angus Violin Studio *7:30 p.m. -- Welcoming ceremony *7:45 p.m. -- Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church Choir *8:15 p.m. -- Maryland Youth Symphony Orchestra.

Slowly but surely, State House leaders are maneuvering toward a joint committee on congressional and legislative redistricting. If it comes to pass, it would be a welcome development.The governor is mandated by the state constitution to draw up redistricting plans -- one for congressional seats and one for General Assembly seats -- in line with the 1990 census. The legislators then have 45 days to accept the plans or to come up with plans of their own. All this activity must take place by next spring.

As the General Assembly commences its 90-day session today at noon, the delicate balance between the two chambers of the state legislature has shifted. Thomas V. Mike Miller remains in firm command in the Senate, but a new speaker, Casper R. Taylor, takes over the House of Delegates. For the moment, the two leaders are not co-equals.All eyes in the State House will be focused on Mr. Taylor. In the past, the House has been the more influential of the two chambers because of the strong committee system that gives the House a more unified voice than the proudly individualistic Senate.

Yesterday's unexpected resignation of House Speaker R. Clayton Mitchell -- apparently for personal reasons -- removes from the State House scene a much-needed stabilizing force at the highest levels of Maryland government. The battle over succession -- especially the behind-the-scenes maneuvering that is sure to follow -- could leave the House of Delegates in turmoil for the coming General Assembly session.Even if House leaders are able to reach agreement on a caretaker speaker for the 90-day meeting that starts in January, the jockeying for position will be hot and heavy as delegates shore up support in preparation for the post-election balloting for speaker late next year.

A move to delay controversial new fees to help clean up the Chesapeake Bay failed Monday night, when a Senate-passed measure to postpone the stormwater charges didn't get a vote in the House of Delegates. Earlier Monday evening, the Maryland Senate voted overwhelmingly, 34-13, for a two-year moratorium on collection of stormwater pollution fees in Baltimore City and seven of the state's largest counties. But in an 11th hour session, the House Environmental Matters Committee did not take up the bill.

The Lombardi Trophy will make its first public appearance in Maryland since the Super Bowl parade when some Ravens players visit the Maryland State House Thursday.  Lawmakers will honor the Super Bowl Champions with a resolution presented to team president Dick Cass.  A Ravens official said one or two players will also visit, though he would not identify which players will come. House Speaker Michael E. Busch joked that the team wanted to thank the legislators for their crucial support, which pulled the Ravens to victory.

Who was that affable older gentleman who was asked to show his identification in order to enter the State House Monday? It was Paul S. Sarbanes, the longest-serving United States senator in Maryland history. Sarbanes, who retired in 2007 after 30 years in the Senate, was in Annapolis for a meeting of the War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission, on which he serves. After that meeting, he went to the State House to view an historical exhibit on the war, where he cheerfully complied with a request to show his ID -- smiling at a reporter's offer to vouch for him. The police officer couldn't be faulted for not recognizing the former senator.

Wow! Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller was unhappy that his hero, President Barack Obama, did not bother to pay a visit to his loyal Maryland government adulators ("Miller laments not seeing president," Feb. 7). Well, Mike, the election is over and he's in his final term. You can't do much more for him. Draw your own conclusions so I won't have to write another letter of further explanation. F. Cordell Text NEWS to 70701 to get Baltimore Sun local news text alerts

Farmers and others upset over state-imposed restrictions on septic-based rural development staged a "tractorcade" Tuesday past the State House in Annapolis. The protest comes on the day the Senate Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee is scheduled to hear a bill, SB391 , which would repeal the Sustainable Growth and Agricultural Preservation Act of 2012 . The law, introduced by Gov. Martin O'Malley and passed last year over rural lawmakers' objections, restricts large-scale housing development that would rely on septic systems.

Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. couldn't contain his disappointment Thursday that President Barack Obama didn't stop by the State House when he was in Annapolis the day before. The president met for about two hours Wednesday with U.S. Senate Democrats during their two-day annual retreat at the Westin Annapolis hotel, which is about a mile from the State House. Roads near the hotel were closed during his visit, and he made no public appearances around town. The State House area, meanwhile, was thronged at the time by 1,500 or more people, most of them protesting gun-control legislation being heard that day. But at the end of Thursday's state Senate session, Miller told reporters he thought the White House should have arranged for Obama to pay his respects at the capitol of one of the most Democratic states in the nation.

WHILE Gov. William Donald Schaefer jerks our chain over what he'll do next, his executive staff of 125 and the entire cabinet are updating their resumes.For the next nine months there will be more arrivals and departures at the State House than at Baltimore-Washington International Airport.Already Robert Walker is resigning as agriculture secretary to become a farm consultant in Eastern Europe. Joel Lee is giving up his billet as deputy secretary of economic and community development to become marketing director for the University of Maryland Medical Center.

ANNAPOLIS - Hundreds of gun rights advocates rallied outside the State House on Wednesday in opposition to new gun control measures proposed by Gov. Martin O'Malley. As O'Malley testified in favor of new gun restrictions before the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, protesters outside said his plan to ban assault weapons, limit magazine sizes and strengthen licensing measures would erode their rights. Harry H. Fahl, a photographer from Essex, warmed up the crowd in the morning by leading a group recitation of the Second Amendment, which quickly turned into a chant.

This, according to Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, is how Joe Bryce made his name in state government: Mr. Bryce, who is leaving his job as Gov. Martin O'Malley's chief legislative officer for the lobbying firm Manis Canning and Associates, was hired by Senator Miller right out of Georgetown Law School, where he had been a top student. Mr. Bryce had been friends with Senator Miller's son at the University of Maryland and worked one summer at the Miller family store, and Mr. Miller had been impressed with him. Mr. Bryce had "unbelievable writing skills," Mr. Miller says, and the Senate president was quick to take advantage of them when he got into a dispute with then-Gov.