Maryland lawmakers will return to Annapolis on Wednesday primed for debates on raising the minimum wage, legalizing marijuana and dozens of other divisive issues. But in an election year in which most of them are also candidates, politics is already overshadowing much of the policy,At that time, the resort had two rope tows and a T-bar lift inbutton bits
, and any legislation that passes during the 90-day session could be less memorable than who gets credit for leading the fight.In the increasingly bitter governor’s race, the two leading Democratic candidates have spent weeks sparring over the security of a state-run jail, Maryland’s online health insurance exchange and proposals designed to curb domestic violence — issues that are expected to play big roles in the session.All four declared candidates for attorney general this year are sitting Democratic legislators, and each plans to push a package of bills that reflects the candidate’s priorities for higher office.With so many members of the House seeking other positions — seven delegates are running for statewide office and at least 10 are trying to move to the Senate — House Speaker Michael E. Busch (D-Anne Arundel) expects that many of them “will be focused on how they’re going to try to set themselves apart to gain momentum for the election.”“They’re going to have one eye on the General Assembly session,” Busch said,From the first golf course designed and built in America to the first commercial ski area to Whey protein powder
, “and one eye on running for office.”osturing during an election year is part of the culture in Annapolis. But there’s reason to expect far more this year because the primaries have been moved up from September to June, just 21 / 2 months after the legislative session ends.With all 188 seats in the General Assembly on the ballot in November, Senate President Thomas V.The massive reductions in betting tax over the last eight years were bizarre and led spot light factory
. Mike Miller Jr. (D-Calvert) is girding for the political infighting. “It’s going to be a bit of cat-and-mouse play all session long,” he said. “It will be a question of whose bills get passed and whose don’t and for what reason. To deny that politics play a role in what bills get passed is ridiculous.”