Dear Friend:

Here is a quick rundown on the budget and several other matters that came before the General Assembly during the legislative session that ended Monday.

This was the first session in the 2007-2011 legislative cycle, and it brought a new governor and many new legislators to the state capital. The Senate’s freshman class has been widely recognized as one of the most talented in a generation. It includes a former ambassador, a former editor of the Harvard Law Review, and several former delegates. Relations between Governor Martin O’Malley and the Legislature got off to a good start; the tone in Annapolis showed marked improvement over recent years.

Budget: The General Assembly approved a $30 billion budget on the session’s last day. Even though Maryland’s books are balanced right now, the state faces a deficit in FY 2009 estimated at $1.2 -$1.5 billion. Governor O’Malley asked that the General Assembly delay addressing the deficit until he had time to review programs for cuts and evaluate ways to bring in additional revenue. A lot of folks in Annapolis feel a special session devoted to the budget is likely this summer or fall.

Several important pieces of legislation failed because of their high cost and a policy decision that no new taxes be implemented this session, pending development of a plan to address next year’s deficit. Among the casualties were two bills I cosponsored: the Healthy Maryland Initiative, which would have given many uninsured Marylanders access to health insurance, and the Chesapeake Bay Green Fund creating a special fund to clean up the Bay.

The Environment: A session highpoint was passage of the Clean Cars Act, legislation I sponsored that will reduce auto emissions in Maryland beginning with the 2009 model year. Once signed by the governor, the new law will cut emissions of toxic gases and greenhouse gases; it will also help reduce smog and cut airborne nutrients deposited in the Bay. This bill adds Maryland to the 11 other states that are moving aggressively to curb tailpipe emissions.

Also securing passage this year was a bill I sponsored banning phosphates in dishwashing detergents. Phosphates add to the nutrient load in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, which can lead ultimately to oxygen-starved water incapable of supporting life.

Smoking Ban: Years of effort finally yielded victory in the campaign to establish a statewide smoking ban in public spaces, including bars and restaurants. I cosponsored the legislation and was delighted to see this public health initiative come to a successful conclusion.

Elections: The General Assembly has at last required paper voting records that will permit election audits and allow voters and election officials to verify the accuracy of every ballot cast. In a move to give Maryland a bigger role in presidential elections, the General Assembly advanced the state’s primary to February 12. Also winning approval was a constitutional amendment allowing early voting; voters must approve the amendment for it to take effect.

Other Actions: Good news for thousands of students and their families came in the form of a tuition freeze at public colleges and universities, and good news for some workers arrived with passage of a Living Wage Act that will require state contractors in urban counties to pay workers at least $ll.30 an hour, in rural counties $8.50. On the local front, I was pleased that Delegates Bronrott, Goldwater, Lee and I were able to secure state bond funding for Glen Echo Park and the Imagination Stage.

Every day during the session, I appreciate the people who take time to contact me about issues before the Legislature. I hope you will continue to share your views with me now that the session is over.

All the best for a good spring and summer.

Sincerely,

Brian E. Frosh