Senator Ed Kasemeyer, Chairman of the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee, announced he does not intend to seek re-election to another term. His decision would leave yet another member of the powerful fiscal panel uncertain for the next four year term.
From coverage in Maryland Matters, an online site covering state news and politics:
Kasemeyer is a moderate temperamentally and ideologically, who rarely craved publicity and preferred to wield his power behind the scenes. Kasemeyer’s departure means Budget and Tax will be losing its top two leaders: the committee vice chairman, Sen. Richard S. Madaleno (D-Montgomery), is running for governor.
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With Kasemeyer and Madaleno leaving, early speculation focused on Sens. Douglas J.J. Peters (D-Prince George’s), Nancy J. King (D-Montogmery) and Guy J. Guzzone (D-Howard) as the next committee leader.
No matter who winds up as chairman, the budget panel is heading for a major facelift: Sen. Ulysses S. Currie (D-Prince George’s), the former chairman, and Sen. James E. DeGrange (D-Anne Arundel), the chairman of the capital budget subcommittee, are retiring. Sen. Roger Manno (D-Montgomery) is leaving the Senate to run for Congress, while Sen. Nathaniel J. McFadden (D-Baltimore City) faces a tough Democratic primary challenge.