Martin O’Malley

Gov. Martin O’Malley signed an Executive Order on Tuesday establishing the new Maryland Drug and Alcohol Council. Although the council was originally established via Executive Order in 2004, the new council will include the Department of Transportation and the Department of Housing and Community Development as voting members, among other changes.

O’Malley was joined by Secretary of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene John M. Colmers and Baltimore County’s acting Health Officer Dr. Greg Branch.

ANNAPOLIS – Gov. Martin O’Malley swore in Judge Sally Adkins to the Court of Appeals Wednesday, Maryland’s highest court. Also attending the ceremony were state House Speaker Michael E. Busch (D-Annapolis), Comptroller Peter Franchot (D-Takoma Park) and state's Attorney Frank Kratovil (D-Stevensville). Kratovil is currently running for congress in MD-1.

Gov. O’Malley praised Adkins. “I know that you will carry the high standards with you that you established at the Court of Special Appeals, and take that to the Court of Appeals,” he said.

House Minority Leader Anthony J. O’Donnell (R-Lusby) called on Rep. Al Wynn (D-Mitchellville) to “fulfill his obligation” and stay in office through his current term, which is set to expire Jan. 3.

Saying it was “very important” for the residents of Maryland’s Fourth Congressional District to “have representation in the United States House of Representatives,” O’Donnell told PolitickerMD.com that a special election would cost “hundreds of thousands if not millions of dollars.”

“I think we should minimize the burden on the citizens of Maryland,” O’Donnell said.