A recent column on new leadership at Maryland Business for Responsive Government suggested that the historically pro-free-markets, anti-Democrat business group had lost its edge in an attempt to cozy up the Gov. O'Malley.

However its legislative postmortem interview pitch to reporters suggests it's finding its old voice. Whatever you think of the group's positions, perhaps you would agreed that two-party government is better than one. From the media pitch:

Highlights of this legislative session:

1. Offshore wind: the Governor's legislative proposal would have added untold thousands of dollars per month in higher utility bills to energy-intensive businesses and would have all but obliterated other alternative energy providers' ability to compete in the marketplace.

2. Septic tank ban: the Governor's legislative proposal to ban septic tanks would have essentially halted new residential development in rural areas of Maryland.

3. Taxes / fees: legislation to raise the fuel tax, institute "combined reporting" and reinstate the millionaire's tax would have further damaged Maryland's business climate. An alcohol tax is problematic because there is no guarantee that programs will continue to get funded through this levy. Fees ranging from car titling to birth certificates will take affect, and a new hospital assessment amounts to a nearly $300 million tax.

4. Fiscal management: Maryland continues to increase spending, while other states' Governors, including Ohio, New Jersey, New York and Wisconsin take the political fallout from public sector unions to get control of state budgets.