Photo above: At Paul’s Place in Baltimore, from left, Anne Maher, Comptroller Peter Franchot, Yumi Hogan, Gov.-elect Larry Hogan. (From Change Maryland Facebook page)
What are Republican Gov.-elect Larry Hogan and Democratic Comptroller Peter Franchot cooking up?
In their second joint outing, the bipartisan duo and their wives dished out lunch Monday at Paul’s Place in the Pigtown neighborhood of Baltimore City, with Hogan commenting on the value of the community organization that emphasizes fostering ‘hope, personal dignity, and growth.’
Hogan continues to work on his relationship with the comptroller, who holds a key vote on the three-member Board of Public Works, which will review all of the major contracts of the Hogan administration.
Hogan has continued to meet with key Democrats, office holders and interest groups throughout the state as he prepares to take office in a month and submit a budget.
Today (Tuesday,) he is scheduled to announce six more cabinet secretaries.
In recent days he has met with outgoing Attorney General Doug Gansler, who lost the Democratic primary for governor, and on Friday, Hogan discussed the budget with Democratic leaders of the legislature. (Story continues below photo.)
Gov.-elect Hogan meets with Attorney General Doug Gansler. (Photos from Change Maryland Facebook page)
On Thursday, Hogan met with officials of the Maryland Association of Counties and the Maryland Municipal League, in what its MACo executive director Michael Sanderson described to members as “a candid and positive meeting.”
The three top MACo officers were Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett, a Democrat who will become president of the MACo in January, Republican Washington County Commissioner John Barr, and Republican Cecil County Executive Tari Moore.
Sanderson said Hogan was “very positive” and reiterated his commitment to work with local governments, citing his appreciation for “all that you do.”
Gov.-elect Hogan and Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett.
Sanderson reported Hogan said: “I’m glad we had this meeting. I promised throughout the campaign that MACo and MML would have a seat at the table on decisions impacting our local governments, and today’s meeting is just the first of many as we work together to restore Maryland’s economy.”
The MACo officers raised the group’s priority policy issues, emphasizing the substantial drop in road funding in recent state budgets. Hogan reiterated his pledge that restoring local highway user revenues “is a priority to me.” MACo also raised issues with drug overdoses.
In a conversation about the state-county fiscal relationship, the governor-elect talked about the importance of locally-delivered public services, and noted “you’re the closest to the people,” Sanderson said.
Hogan had dinner last week with Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.
Hogan has also discussed budget issues with representatives from Maryland Association of Boards of Education, the hospital association, representatives of private universities and colleges, community colleges, and public universities and colleges.
He has met with Prince George’s County contractors and the Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore and other groups. Last week, he had dinner with Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.
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