We've almost made it to the end of another legislative session, dear Maryland Politics readers.
The atmosphere in Annapolis is jubilant, thanks to the sunny weather and impending conclusion of legislative work. But as we barrel toward the midnight confetti drop, it's important to remember that many weighty -- and progressive -- issues remain.
Among them: a 50 percent hike to the sales tax on alcohol, in-state tuition for undocumented students, decriminalizing marijuana for the sick, a transgender discrimination ban and assistance for the cash-strapped horse racing industry.
Gov. Martin O'Malley has his fingers crossed that the Invest Maryland venture capital legislation makes it to his desk, especially because several of his signature proposals this year have been converted to studies.
The 188 lawmakers are eager to conclude their first chunk of work, though they'll be coming back this fall for a special session on redistricting and more. Lobbyists crowded the State House entry this morning for one last push (pictured: photo by Annie Linskey).
This morning, we examined some of the projected winners and losers for the session, with an eye toward the seemingly conflicting messages the legislature sometimes sends.
Lawmakers largely avoided new taxes, though they had no problem imposing millions of dollars in new fees.
They tightened up a prohibition on texting while driving, but shied away from letting officers pull over drivers who are chatting away on their handheld cell phones.
And while legislators decried the use of bisphenol A in plastic materials, they decided they needed more time to explore the harm caused by trace amounts of arsenic in chickens.
Additional winners and losers will be minted by midnight. House Speaker Michael E. Busch and Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller (pictured during 2010 confetti drop) wield extra power today.
The Democratic leaders set the schedule, determining which issues to vet first, and which to hold for "later."
Already in the Senate this morning, jokes are being made about taking up issues after the in-state tuition debate, which could take up a considerable amount of time today.
Leaders in both chambers also are bracing for a long haul on the alcohol tax. The House and Senate have approved different plans, and each much take up the politically freighted issue again before midnight.
Follow @annielinskey and @bykowicz on Twitter for news from the legislative floors.