Michael E. Busch

Senate President Mike Miller: Politicker PhotoANNAPOLIS-- Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller (D-Chesapeake Beach), the longest serving president in the state's history, announced that he will seek re-election in 2010 during a press conference in Annapolis, this afternoon.

Fighting back tears, the Senate president said, "I am indicating today that if the people have me I will run for state legislator in the 27th District."

ANNAPOLIS – The most important issues facing the state were addressed during the 2008 legislative session, which concludes today, according to a spokeswoman for House Speaker Michael E. Busch (D-Annapolis), Alexandra Hughes.

“Off the top of my head—I can’t think of one,” Hughes said when asked to name an important topic that did not come up during the session.

She then added, “Assuming everything is passed in the next eight hours.”

ANNAPOLIS -- Alexandra Hughes, a spokeswoman for House Speaker Michael E. Busch (D-Annapolis), said the speaker did not have a position on Gov. Martin O’Malley’s proposal to hold a special general election in Maryland’s 4th Congressional District, while bypassing a special primary election.

“In the last days of the session, until we see a bill—I don’t think he’s given much thought to it,” Hughes said.

The General Assembly will adjourn on Monday.

ANNAPOLIS- The legislative office of House Speaker Michael E. Busch (D-Annapolis) issued a statement when asked to respond to a report by Progressive Maryland and Common Cause Maryland that said Busch has received the fourth highest amount in campaign contributions from the utility industry among members of the current General Assembly since voting for a bill to deregulate the electricity industry in 1999. The speaker’s office also referred to his record on campaign finance reform, as Progressive Maryland and Common Cause push for the passage of Senate Bill 593, a campaign finance law that would lead to publicly funded elections.

“The speaker's record is clear on both issues: campaign finance reform and issues impacting Maryland electricity ratepayers,” Alexandra Hughes, a spokesperson for the delegate, said. “In 2006, Speaker Busch shepherded the clean campaign bill through the House of Delegates. That same year, he pressed the state's largest electricity company to provide rate relief for millions of consumers. Utility companies represent less than 2% of contributions to the speaker's campaign committee.”

According to data provided by Ryan O’Donnell, the executive director of Common Cause Maryland, Busch has received $13,725 in campaign contributions from the utility industry since the passage of the deregulation bill.

ANNAPOLIS- On Friday, we reported the findings of a study conducted by the advocacy groups Progressive Maryland and Common Cause Maryland. In that report, the organizations reported that those members of the General Assembly who voted to deregulate the electricity industry nine years ago and who remain in office are still receiving much of their campaign contributions from the utility industry.

The report specifically named Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr. (D-Clinton) as receiving at least $39,000 in contributions from the utility industry since 1998, the most of any legislator, while Sen. Thomas Middleton (D-Waldorf), the chair of the finance committee, has received at least $23,600, the second highest.

Since that time, Ryan O’Donnell, the executive director of Common Cause Maryland, has provided PolitickerMD.com with more detailed information that was not present in the study. The data below includes current legislators who voted in favor of the 1999 bill to deregulate the electricity industry, and the contribution amounts that they have received from the utility industry, according to O’Donnell, since that time.

PolitickerMD.com contacted the offices of the ten lawmakers who have received the highest contribution totals. To this point, Sen. George Edwards (R-Grantsville), listed as having received the tenth highest amount in contributions, and the office of House Speaker Michael E. Busch (D-Annapolis), listed as having received the fourth highest contributions, have responded to our questions. Those responses will be printed shortly.

Del. Saqib Ali (D-Montgomery County) is the lead sponsor of House Bill 347, The Special Legislative Session Campaign Finance Reform Act, which would prohibit elected officials from accepting campaign contributions during special legislative sessions.

Fundraising is banned during the regular 90-day session of the General Assembly, which meets every year beginning in January. This year, session runs through April 7.

During a special session, as the state saw last fall, elected officials are allowed to fundraise, and many did so in late 2007.