http://www.washingtontimes.com/article/20071017/METRO/110170067&SearchID=73296728695174

O'Malley sojourn prompts criticism

October 17, 2007

By Tom LoBianco

 Gov. Martin O'Malley is traveling to Ireland today on a three-day trip that has lawmakers raising questions about whether he can build consensus for the budget plan he hopes to pass during a special General Assembly session.

Mr. O'Malley's trip significantly cuts the time he has to lobby lawmakers before they return to Annapolis on Oct. 29 and begin debating his plan to legalize slot machines and raise taxes.

Legislative leaders who will vet the governor's budget package have said that Mr. O'Malley, a Democrat, has not built a consensus.

"I didn't even know he was going," said House Speaker Michael E. Busch, Anne Arundel Democrat. "I know he's been meeting members. ... I think he's doing his due diligence."

Mr. O'Malley will speak at the Dublin Chamber of Commerce's annual dinner tomorrow and attend a luncheon Friday honoring AIDS researcher Dr. Robert Gallo.

The Dublin chamber will be paying Mr. O'Malley's way in his second trip to Ireland since becoming governor.

Mr. O'Malley, who continues to head an Irish rock band and was featured recently on the cover of Irish America magazine, visited Ireland in April with Boston College.

His trip was announced late Monday, just hours after he ordered lawmakers to return to Annapolis to consider his budget plan.

A spokesman said the trip had been planned for months.

"He'll be in touch and working from Ireland, and he'll be returning a full week before the session starts," said O'Malley spokesman Rick Abbruzzese. "We'll continue to talk to leadership in the House and Senate over the weekend."

Republicans said yesterday they understood why the governor wanted to get out of town.

"Had I announced the policy prescription that he's announced over the last couple of weeks, I suppose it would make sense to get out of the country as soon as possible," said House Minority Leader Anthony J. O'Donnell, Southern Maryland Republican.

Mr. O'Malley's plan to close the state's $1.7 billion budget shortfall has not produced the consensus among lawmakers that he would need to be successful, and lawmakers cautioned him against charging into a special session.

Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr., Southern Maryland Democrat, said he advised Mr. O'Malley against calling a special session because he does not have the support he needs.

Mr. Busch said yesterday that he still advised against calling the special session but that House members will be ready when it starts in two weeks.