The Top Stories of 2008, Maryland

Today, we reveal the top statewide political stories picked by our panel of thirty-nine readers. Brace yourselves for their unfettered commentary!

1 (tie). State Budget and Economic Crisis
27 votes

Reader: “Just like with MoCo, the state budget crisis will persist. Cuts beyond expectations will have to be made, and made big. They already raised taxes enormously in the special session, so the option of raising more taxes is not really there. The economic crisis will continue, and what worries me is that it will spill over to the county (especially with the GCEI) and teacher's pension payments. MoCo can’t afford to put more money into things the state is (or should be) covering, yet I see this as a looming reality.”

Reader: “This was pretty easy to see coming. Maybe not so the global scope of the economic crisis, but clearly the tea leaves were there to indicate that the economy would take a step backwards. Which made it all the more irresponsible for O’Malley and Annapolis Democrats to then proceed to raise taxes on the middle and working classes and simultaneously increase discretionary spending. It was a prescription for disaster from the get go, and it led directly to the current economic situation the state finds itself in. Even more infuriating in that O’Malley seems to want to take no responsibility whatsoever for causing this problem...”

Adam: “This is the story that affects all other stories. Martin O’Malley may be the unluckiest Maryland Governor since the Civil War. Nevertheless, the record the state Democrats will be defending in 2010 will be primarily characterized by big tax hikes, big program cuts and passage of slots. The Governor and his party need to find other things to run on.”

1 (tie). Slots Campaign
27 votes

Reader: “Like ‘em or hate ‘em, this truly is a major issue in our state. Okay, the referendum passed. Now the fight truly begins, on actual location and operation of gaming in Maryland. West Virginia and Pennsylvania are competing even more strongly now, and will always be way ahead of Maryland to go after the gambling dollars.”

Reader: “Without the state being in a current financial crisis, I don’t believe slots would have passed.”

Reader: “A result that will haunt Maryland for decades.”

Adam: “This will not have the political impact of the state budget actions in 2010. But if Delaware allows sports betting, does anyone believe that Maryland slot machines will generate anything close to their forecasted revenues?”

3. Frank Kratovil Defeats Andy Harris
23 votes

Reader: “Interesting how politics is changing in a Congressional District drawn to try to ensure a Republican will hold that seat.”

Reader: “There were a lot of conservatives who shed no tears for Andy Harris losing. Harris might be the least popular Republican in Annapolis... among Republicans. The guy has a bad reputation for being an arrogant blowhard, and that seems to be the message that voters took away before casting their vote for Harris. It’ll be interesting to see how the CD-1 GOP Primary plays out for 2010, becuase Kratovil is likely a one-term Congressman if they nominate virtually anybody not named Andy Harris.”

Adam: “The above comment illustrates the reason why Harris lost a seat explicitly designed for Republicans: GOP disunity. If Free State Republicans do not come together, they are looking into the abyss for a long time to come.”

4. Donna Edwards Defeats Al Wynn
22 votes

Reader: “Wynn’s arrogance finally catches up with him.”

Reader: “She has grit and will be one to watch on the regional scene for years to come.”

Adam: “Rushern Baker came close to defeating Jack Johnson in 2006. Donna Edwards blew out a long-standing incumbent two years later. Does this mean that Prince George’s voters are finally fed up with their politicians? Is Edwards willing and able to spread change inside the county’s political establishment? Or are these events blips before an impending return to business as usual?”

5. Franchot vs. the World
21 votes

Reader: “If I only knew what a nut-case Franchot is before I voted for Franchot, I would have crossed party lines and voted for Janet Owens.”

Reader: “Franchot fancies himself as the wizard and the state of Maryland his Oz. But what will we actually see when the curtain gets pulled back?”

Adam: “The more difficult this year gets for the state Democrats, the more harsh Franchot’s criticism is likely to be. This is the year that the Governor and Big Daddy have to decide whether they can tolerate Franchot or whether they will try to get rid of him.”

6. State Police Spying Scandal
20 votes

Reader: “Glad the State Police had their priorities straight. After all, who isn't more concerned with free-range-chicken-egg-loving, poetry reading, bean-curd-chewing peaceniks from Takoma Park than the rapists, drug dealers, murderers and thieves roaming through East Baltimore?”

Reader: “If the police are spying on kumbaya peace-loving activists, what are they doing to rabble-rousing, trouble-making bloggers?”

7. Ulysses Currie Investigation
18 votes

Reader: “It’s a shame; Uly is a nice man who has done many good things for Prince George’s.”

Reader: “The three most visible investigations in Maryland politics [Currie, Senator Nathaniel Exum and Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon] all share common themes, mainly the fact that these are elected Democrats in high positions of governmental authority, continuing a long tradition of Democratic corruption in Maryland. What’s probably more irritating than anything else is the fact that Maryland Democratic leaders refuse to acknowledge, discuss, or deal with the ongoing culture of corruption they have helped to create.”

Adam: “It’s amazing that Mike Miller is apparently going to let Currie continue to head the Senate’s Budget and Taxation panel despite his admission that Currie did not adhere to the state’s ethics laws. It’s even more amazing that this has gone unchallenged by every single member of the Democratic establishment.”

8. Millionaire Tax Replaces Computer Tax
15 votes

Reader: “It is always a good day when the geeks prevail over the rich and famous.”

Adam: “This issue will resurface in 2010 when the General Assembly debates whether to make this three-year surcharge permanent.”

9 (tie). Mike Miller Announces His Return
12 votes

Reader: “Anything related to Big Daddy is big news.”

Adam: “Imagine what the Senate would be like if it was cutting $2 billion in spending at a time when Mike Miller is a lame duck. That’s how huge his return is.”

9 (tie). Transportation Cuts
12 votes

Reader: “The first fallout of the state budget battle, with more to come. It’s easiest to cut the big-bucks initiatives such as transportation over heart-tugging issues like schools, seniors, and health care.”

Adam: “These cuts are just beginning. The legislature could very well divert transportation money to the general fund in the next session. If it does, how on Earth will the state be able to afford contributions to the Red Line, Purple Line or Corridor Cities Transitway?”

11 (tie). Business Climate Rank Falls from 24th to 45th
11 votes

Reader: “Why Maryland hates business revenue, I’ll never know.”

Reader: “This is the one thing that Conservatives saw coming from the get-go. It is amazing that the Governor and his team thought that raising taxes and discretionary spending would do anything but provide a chilling effect on the business climate. I’m actually amazed that the business climate only fell to 45th, and didn't fall lower than this.”

Reader: “Maryland is walking a fine line. Anyone who thinks that these rankings don't matter is wrong. The fact of the matter is that without businesses, there is no job creation. And without jobs, there is no money to fund schools, health care, transportation, or any other type of project essential for a well-functioning state.”

11 (tie). Foreclosures Soar
11 votes

Reader: “A long-term problem that will continue.”

Adam: “The General Assembly spent a lot of time grappling with this issue last year. It may be that their reforms delayed foreclosures without truly stopping them.”

Most Underrated Story: Democratic Party Voter Registration Gains

Adam: “Only five of our readers voted for this story but it’s potentially huge. Maryland Democrats far outstripped Republicans in voter registrations last year. That could have significant implications for 2010 provided that the Democrats can retain these new voters and get them to vote in state and county elections. We will be examining this further in an upcoming series.”

Those are the big stories of 2008. Tomorrow we will offer one last glance at the year that was and then we will look to 2009.