Governor Hogan has moved Acting Secretary of Planning Wendi Peters into a new role, as a state coordinator of Smart Growth efforts. The move, into a position that does not require Senate confirmation, provides at least a temporary respite in an ongoing struggle between the executive and legislative branches over the Governor’s appointment authority. Ms. Peters had been serving without pay since July due to a dispute over the propriety of her continued appointment.

From coverage in the Baltimore Sun:

Hogan spokesman Doug Mayer said Friday that Planning Secretary Wendi Peters, whose pay was cut off July 1 in a tug-of-war between the governor and the General Assembly, was reassigned as special secretary for smart growth.

Unlike the planning secretary job, Peters’ new role does not require Senate confirmation. The Senate refused to confirm Peters’ nomination to the planning role this spring amid complaints from Democratic leaders that she was unqualified and had mismanaged the department while serving as acting secretary.

Mayer said Peters would continue to attend Hogan’s Cabinet meetings in her new role.