Republicans scored a recent victory in the House, twice blocking a bill on the verge of final passage.
The bill was a constitutional amendment that would have required elected judges in the Maryland Orphans’ Courts to be attorneys. Bills rarely come to the floor for a third and final reading unless members of leadership believe they have the votes to pass them.
Del. Pat McDonough, Republican of Baltimore and Harford counties, took credit for the bill’s failure in news release issued Friday. McDonough thinks an accountant would probably be the best profession for the Orphans’ Court job because those judges mainly handle estate issues
A constitutional amendment needs the support of three-fifths of both legislative chambers, but it failed by five votes on Thursday. The House reconsidered the measure Friday but it failed by one vote.
But the issue may not be dead. The Senate will bring the bill to the floor for a second reading next week.
