Annapolis Democrats too eager to change the rules
There has been a disturbing tendency in Annapolis for Democrats to tear up the rulebook when they don't like how the game is going. Last year, during the brouhaha over the 72 percent BGE price increase, the legislature tried to fire the entire Public Service Commission despite a law requiring the governor to appoint the body and despite commissioner terms extending well into the future. Granted, it was not the best PSC ever to preside over Maryland's utilities, but those were the rules. Maryland's Court of Appeals rejected the Assembly's coup, calling it "repugnant to the Maryland Constitution."
Now the legislature is making the same kinds of noises regarding the reappointment of Nancy Grasmick as schools superintendent. Senate President Mike Miller says the appointment is a "sore wound that will fester and will be excised by litigation or legislation." How can Gov. O'Malley be held accountable, he asks, if he can't appoint his own people? That's the same kind of question politicians frustrated with democracy, multi-party systems and the separation of powers have been asking since the days of the Roman Republic. We may not like the people who end up in positions of power in a representative democracy, but there should be a strong presumption to respect the system that put them there.
From today's story by Liz Bowie and Andy Green:
House Speaker Michael E. Busch and Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller had sent a letter to the board Monday urging it not to reappoint Grasmick. Yesterday, they strongly suggested that the Assembly might take up legislation in January to overturn the action or change the appointments process."This board has done the state of Maryland a huge disservice, and Nancy Grasmick has done the state of Maryland a huge disservice," Miller said. "It'll be a very sore wound that will fester and will be excised either by litigation or legislation."
Miller characterized yesterday's vote as a move by "hanger-ons" appointed by former Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. to embarrass Gov. Martin O'Malley. The governor, Miller said, is entitled to have his appointees in place if he is to be held accountable.
O'Malley, who has made it clear that he wants Grasmick out of the job, appoints the board but does not have power to appoint the superintendent. He is charged with appointing three board members to terms that begin July 1 - and issued a statement yesterday that he would announce their names today. When they take their seats in July, O'Malley will have appointed a majority of the board.
Comments
GRASMICK FOR GOVERNOR
Posted by: gerald lichter | December 12, 2007 12:58 PM
Spiro Agnew for Governor
Posted by: Richard Ambrose | December 12, 2007 1:02 PM
Jay--
If we don't like the people in positions of power, we can elect someone else. Some positions are appointees, however. An elected governor should have the power to appoint people he or she wishes to run the government agencies, with approval of the legislature. Why is the education department an exception?
Posted by: Jody M | December 12, 2007 1:12 PM
I bet this governor and his boys get their way one way or another!
The unholy trinity wants to rule this state from head to toe. And us the taxpayers are footing the bill for these idiots. Marylanders wake up! Is this imperialistic government what you voted for?
Posted by: john jackson | December 12, 2007 1:31 PM
It just reminds me of the little boy who is playing a game and when things don't go in his favor saying "I'm gonna take my ball and go home". O'malley seems to be arrogant and incredibly vindictive. The special session along with this type of issue just reminds me that the people of Maryland really have no affect on legislation. I guess we just vote to make our selves feel better.
I get so tired of O'malley talking to everyone like they are 13 years old. I admit this state is obviously full of people who are ignorant and short sited.
Posted by: erick p | December 12, 2007 2:07 PM
I can't believe I am actually agreeing with you Jay! One post questions why the Governor shouldn't have complete power to appoint anyone he wants to run government agencies. The answer is this, we live in a democracy, not a dictatorship. People that we elect to run the show should be respectful and mature enough to work with people that are appointed by board members of various agencies.
I wonder if this poster would write the same thing if Ehrlich was the governor. I would bet the farm that he/she would not.
Posted by: Lisa | December 12, 2007 2:09 PM
I think we can all agree that the Governor is held more accountable for the state of education in the State than Ms. Grasmick. While I don't agree with changing the rules as you go, I do think a fundamental change in how educational leaders are decided would be beneficial to the State of Maryland.
In California, we elect our State Superintendent of Schools. If we don't like the work they are doing, we vote them out. When I lived/worked as a public school teacher in Baltimore, I always found it odd that the main State leader of schools wasn't really accountable to the people she served in a direct way. Only if the Board didn't approve of her work, then they could choose not to renew her contract: but the current state of affairs shows why this is a faulty method. The newest members of the board have not had a chance to evaluate her performance - which means the most appropriate action they could take would be to abstain, in which case the new Governor was given no voice in the choosing of the current leader of education.
During the last election, the voters of Maryland voiced a clear opinion - they wanted new policies from a different Governor. So now, shouldn't that new Governor be given the opportunity to make changes in personnel to effect those changes?
Posted by: Artie | December 12, 2007 2:34 PM
I send my children to private school so they can receive a quality education. I like the way democrats of this state have ruined the public school system. It enables my children to gain an advantage over the publicly educated children for the rest of thier lives. This is just reality, nothing more. Keep voting for the democrats I love it.
Posted by: Glenn Davis | December 12, 2007 3:03 PM
Lisa-- By your reasoning, we should be electing the education superintendent. But we don't. We also don't elect the head of the transportation department, aging, agriculture, budget, general services, health, public safety, etc., etc. The governor makes those appointments. Again, why is the education department different? Oh, and you owe me one farm.
Posted by: Jody M | December 12, 2007 3:30 PM
Those three (O'Malley, Bush & Miller) do the word arrogant no justice. If they don't get their way they simply attempt to change the rules, even if the change violates the MD Constitution or federal law! I hope Santa brings all three of the whining cry-babies pacifiers for Christmas - and they choke on them!!!
Posted by: scott | December 12, 2007 3:57 PM
I remember when MOM got elected, his supporters were so happy. Now I hear them crying out in pain.
Posted by: Mike | December 12, 2007 8:13 PM
O'Malley will NEVER make it on the national stage with this attitude.
Let's hope Hillary makes him her choice as VP candidate...then the wheels will definitely fall of the wagon.
I hope each Marylander responsible for making sure the rest of the nation realizes what they are getting with O'Malley...
...lots of arrogance...and little brains!
Posted by: Frank | December 12, 2007 11:44 PM
True, o'malley is a spoiled brat who likes to ignore rules when he does not agree with the results. Not only that, he seems headed to be a much worse governor than glendenning, the worst maryland has seen in its entire hisstory.
Posted by: steve | December 13, 2007 1:05 AM