Frederick County commissioners have rejected a proposal to consider seceding from Maryland. The panel voted 4-1 Tuesday against Republican Commissioner Lennie Thompson's resolution. Board President Jan Gardner called it outlandish and Commissioner Kai Hagen labeled it a public relations gimmick. But all the commissioners sympathized with Thompson's frustration at the increasing cost of state government. Thompson said a proposal recently floated by state lawmakers to shift some teacher pension costs to the counties illustrates the General Assembly's financial irresponsibility. He said he had hoped the threat of Frederick County secession would make state lawmakers "sit up and take notice."

- Associated Press