The State House is closed for renovation, most lawmakers have gone back to their districts and their day jobs, and I’ve headed back to Baltimore.

This was my first session covering the General Assembly for The Daily Record, and I enjoyed it quite a bit. I was glad there was so much levity in the legislature to pass on to you, and I hope the tidbits of information in my blog helped you get a better grasp on what went on during those 90 action-packed days. Now that the session is over, we’re going to suspend Eye on Annapolis until we begin the preparations for next year’s session.

It’s sure to be a good one in 2009, and in the meantime we’ll have to keep our eyes on this slot machine referendum coming in November. Check out my story from Friday, because if you think the budget trouble is over, wait until you see what happens if the state doesn’t get the gambling revenue it’s counting on.

The Maryland government doesn’t stop just because the session does, and I’ll still be covering the policy decisions that affect your business. I’ll be blogging about it for On the Record. You know it and love it.

So just look for my smiling face to return to this space as 2008 draws to a close. We’ll be back. Thanks for reading!

During an afternoon visit yesterday to Baltimore’s State Center, Gov. Martin O’Malley touted a new law that encourages “transit-oriented development” around commuter trains, buses stops and other public transportation outposts.

State Center, home to 3,500 Maryland employees, right on the Light Rail and Baltimore Metro, is targeted for an office, residential and retail project. O’Malley wants to see more of this.

The O’Malley-backed law drew relatively-little opposition during the just-concluded legislative session, probably because it didn’t cost anything. It establishes transit oriented development as a transportation goal, but that’s about it. Some Republicans had fun with that in the Senate, trying to get an explanation for how exactly it would achieve anything.

But putting the goal in policy can open up funding opportunities, and also clears up legal confusion over whether train and bus stations can be part of development plans.

When I saw legislative staffers wheeling a TV into the House lounge Monday night, I thought I knew what was coming. Serious as our solons are, they have been known to sneak out to watch big sporting events during a floor session or two. I figured the NCAA men’s basketball championship would be a cool sideshow (and excellent fodder for this blog).

But lo and behold, as Kansas and Memphis battled to a thrilling overtime decision, Delegates were sparring over whether to outlaw video bingo machines. “Such discipline,” I thought.

Alas, we live in the age of laptop computers and streaming video. I couldn’t see this, but photo expert Max Franz found out as he walked the floor: everybody was watching cbssports.com.

You got me. (I may or may not have caught the end of the game on a colleague’s computer in the press pit.)

It took until the final day of the session, but it’s finally happened.

Smith Island Cake appears headed for designation as our state dessert. The House passed a measure to award the many-layered, chocolate-frosted yellow cake with the state’s highest honor (for a cake). The Senate has already passed a similar bill, so it seems a done deal.

The House dawdled on voting for the designation, seeming averse to passing laws with too much levity during a time when the state is having so much budget trouble. But Eastern Shore lawmakers fought hard for their beloved cake, and won.

Even before the vote, delegates cheered the bill when it came up on the chamber’s agenda. Apparently, they were moved by their many chances to try Smith Island Cake. I’ve seen half-eaten cake remnants all around State Circle during the course of the session. I guess you could say the best way to a General Assembly’s heart is through its collective stomach.

Also Monday, the House voted to designate walking as the state exercise. A similar proposal has passed the Senate as well. I’ll try to remember as I stroll over to the House office building for a hearing to do so with a newfound sense of pride.

Wall Street is keeping a close eye on State Circle today as the General Assembly continues to work through a bill that would finalize a proposed settlement between the state and Constellation Energy Group Inc.

The deal is in trouble because the Senate’s version of the bill includes requirements for new power plants in Maryland to be regulated by the Public Service Commission. The Senate gave final passage to its version of the bill Friday morning, but must still agree with the House on a bill to send to Gov. O’Malley.

Constellation is distributing copies of analyst research Friday morning, and from what I’ve seen, investors don’t like the look of the move by the Senate.

“The amendment, if passed by the full legislature, would kill the deal. It would also put power plant investments planned in the state by CEG (a new nuclear plant at Calvert Cliffs) and others in doubt, worsening the supply/demand backdrop,” Citigroup Global Markets wrote in a research note issued Friday.

I’m sitting in a hearing room, listening to a discussion of whether to repeal the computer services sales tax with an income tax and a package of budget cuts.

Senators are complaining that the press has not given enough play to the magnitude of the budget cuts that the state has made over the past two years.

The nonpartisan Department of Legislative Services estimates that Maryland has cut more than $1 billion over that period of time.

There. I wrote it.

Minors who want to use an indoor tanning salon would have to bring a parent with them, under a bill that is nearing final approval in the General Assembly. That prospect brought out some spirited discussion and some strong opinions in the Senate Tuesday.

The bill made its way toward final passage in the Senate, and has already cleared the House. But many wondered if the state should extend its reach into the world of tanning.

Sen. James Brochin, a Baltimore County Democrat, said he knows from previous experience as a tennis pro that the sun can be just as harmful as indoor tanning. Others, who supported the bill, said they were looking for less anecdotal evidence.

Minority Leader David Brinkley asked floor leader John Astle how the parental consent rules stack up to the state’s parental notification laws on abortion.

“I didn’t see anything in the bill about that,” Astle said, eliciting laughter throughout the chamber.

But Astle, in response to another question, outlined some comparable laws in states such as California, Florida, and Connecticut. He said the law would probably have the most significant effect in the arctic climes of southern New England, where there’s little sunlight and the days are short.

“The tanning [beds] are probably somewhat important up there, if you’re concerned about that look,” he said.

Find out here.

The Comptroller’s office has released its list of Maryland’s top delinquent taxpayers. At the top is Remote Surveillance Tech Solutions Inc., based in Temple Hills, which allegedly owes $430,262 in withholding. One corporate officer, Alphonso A. Tillman, owes the state $136,468.90, according to the Comptroller’s list.

From the list:

“No one is above the tax laws. If you don’t want to see your name posted on our site along with other tax delinquents, be sure to keep up with your tax obligations.”

This is definitely one list you don’t want to make. To see who is on it, check out the link.

A bill that would change the definition of beer to include flavored malt beverages has created a little bit of controversy.

It’s all about the taxes. Malt beverages, like Smirnoff Ice, are taxed as spirits, while beer is taxed at a lower rate. Opponents of the bill — who call these “youth-targeted alcopops” don’t want to reduce the price of those drinks because they think they appeal to an underage audience.

The bill has passed the Senate and is awaiting House action.

I called a few Annapolis-area liquor stores to check how these things compare. It’s actually pretty substantial, though I don’t profess to have done any scientific surveying.

Smirnoff Ice ranges around $8 per six pack, while Budweiser is generally less than $6.

Now about the argument … I can’t tell if it’s true that flavored malt beverages really are a bigger draw for younger drinkers. I would never drink one because they are revolting and they give me heartburn, and I’ve known that for years.

The Senate Finance Committee resolved a brouhaha over energy efficiency programs late Wednesday, directing some money from the sale of greenhouse gas emission credits toward programs to cut power use, and sending some back to ratepayers to reduce bills.

A bill that creates a “Strategic Energy Investment Fund” originally would have sent money to the Maryland Energy Administration to help renters and low income electric customers reduce their power use. That money would come from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a multi-state compact that would see Maryland sell carbon allowances to power plants.

But Eastern Shore Republican E.J. Pipkin passed a committee amendment Tuesday that would have sent the money directly back to ratepayers. At the last second, Sen. Rob Garagiola, a Montgomery Democrat, succeeded in suspending the discussion. Environmental groups cried foul, and on Wednesday, the committee agreed to split the difference between bill credits and efficiency programs.

One Senate estimate projects that the combined programs could save residential ratepayers around $9.35 per month. The credits were projected in the $5 range, but the efficiency programs may take longer to phase in.

So what’s better? Spending on efficiency programs or sending it all back to ratepayers? Or do you like the combo?