There's a lot for Gov. Martin O'Malley to love about the latest proposal by the Obama administration to require a longitidunal tracking system in order for states to apply for stimulus funds.

The governor's always liked data collection. First there was CitiStat, a computerized tracking system he started when mayor of Baltmore that was designed to make government more efficient. Then came SchoolStat for the Baltimore city schools and then StateStat.

Not surprisingly, state school board president James H. DeGraffenreidt, Jr., stressed several times at the board meeting today how important it was that Nancy Grasmick keep the governor informed of all progress involved wiith getting the state database started. With a smile on his face, DeGraffenreidt described how O'Malley asks him about it right after he says, "Hi, how are you?" and suggested that perhaps he and Grasmick wouldn't get so many calls from the governor if they kept him regularly updated.

So let's see, what could the governor name this new teacher and student database? Any ideas?