All in all, he’d rather have stayed in Baltimore.
William Donald Schaefer returned to the State House on Monday in the first stage of his three-day funeral. It was a place he never really wanted to be, but that’s where the politicians wanted him to be.
As we continue to mine the life and times of William Donald Schaefer, a look at the ’60s that destroyed the city but set the stage for renewal in the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s; how Schaefer treated citizens as partners in efforts to gets things done; more funny and poignant memories and editorial tributes; and, expect traffic tie-ups in Baltimore city today as the former mayor is given one last ride around his beloved hometown; In other news, a bill awaiting O’Malley’s signature would force disclosure of outside funding in elections and referendums; Senate Prez Mike Miller said he’d retire with O’Malley, but he’s mum on that; petitions out there to repeal MD Dream Act; O’Malley touts electric cars; Prince George’s ethics panel recommends tip hotline, more whistleblower protection; counties continue budgeting work; and Montgomery County government sees hike in take-home vehicles.
Four-digit tabs for dinner parties are common because of ethics reform passed in 1999 that requires lobbyists to invite an entire legislative “unit,” such as a committee or delegation – an attempt to snuff out the perception of lobbyists peddling inappropriate influence by taking individual lawmakers to dinners.
While bringing greater transparency, it also gives influential lobbyists and their wealthy clients what observers say is an apparent upper hand over smaller lobbying shops and nonprofit groups whose clients lack deep pockets to fund receptions.
Still more Schaefer tributes. Motorcade route planned to take him to special places in Baltimore; his legacy could be honored by working toward another Baltimore renaissance; Mfume, members of the press share his memories. In other news, O’Malley leading an Asian trade mission; pension return rate of 7.75% may not be realistic; Kasemeyer says tax hikes are the way to end persistent structural deficit; Van Hollen sues FEC for more disclosure.
Widening Maryland’s sales tax to include more services is “the place to go” in fixing the state’s persistent structural deficit, the chairman of the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee said Thursday. Sen. Edward Kasemeyer, D-Howard, also said, “I’m assuming some kind of revenue increase” will be part of a transportation package Gov. Martin O’Malley will sponsor in the fall special session of the legislature that he will call to deal with congressional redistricting.
Funeral plans for the late William Donald Schaefer are firming up; his lying in state at State House will delay bill signing; more remembrances and tributes from all over, including Michael Olesker’s recalling seeing Schaefer just three weeks before his death; state Comptroller’s employees recall their former boss; also links to Dan Rodricks’ famous Don Dinaldo operatic Ring Cycle and MPT’s documentary “Citizen Schaefer;” and Pam Kelly, for years a close aide to Schaefer, died just hours before him. In other news, freshman Del. Neil Parrott leads petition effort to send in-state tuition law to voters; O’Malley seeks to strengthen fiscal ties with Asian countries; Baker wants to scrap union contract; and rumors fly that Mfume may run for Baltimore mayor.
The Crownsville headquarters of the Department of Housing and Community Development was formally declared surplus on Wednesday, meaning the state is free to sell it and move forward with plans to relocate the agency to Prince George’s County.
Wednesday’s resolution, passed unanimously by the Board of Public Works, is the next step in the long process to jump-start transit-oriented development in Prince George’s County by relocating the agency to a new location near a Metro station.
Wednesday’s Board of Public Works meeting started with a tribute to one of the people who had been a fixture on the board for 16 years: Gov. William Donald Schaefer, who died on Monday.
Schaefer sat on the board when he was governor, from 1987 to 1995, and when he was comptroller, from 1999 to 2007.
Not unexpected or undeserved, more remembrances of William Donald Schaefer, including details of his last weeks and those with him as he died; County Exec Kamenetz recalls working for him, as do others; West Baltimore neighbors remember their friend; a reprint of the famous Esquire article; journalists give their takes — not always flattering, but still with admiration; funeral arrangements coming together; the never finished Konterra project nearer to settlement; crab numbers down but state says there is reason for optimism; Montgomery wrestles with federal deportation program; and Arundel and Wicomico county budgets aired.
Maryland made strides toward getting more of its government information easily accessible to the public during the last General Assembly session, but transparency advocates say there is still a long way for the state to go. “There is always room to improve the transparency of government,” said Jack Murphy, executive director of the Maryland-DC Press Association.
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