By: Alexander Pyles

Another of Gov. Martin O’Malley’s top aides is leaving the State House, marking the second such departure in a little over a month.

Here’s some other government and politics news for Wednesday morning:

• The Washington Post reports O’Malley will meet with House of Delegates Speaker Michael E. Busch, D-Anne Arundel, and Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr., D-Calvert and Prince George’s, to discuss transportation funding issues.
• Patch.com reports Sen. Bobby Zirkin, D-Baltimore County, is not giving up his quest for a partially-elected school board in his county, despite opposition from County Executive Kevin Kamenetz.
• The Annapolis Capital reports Anne Arundel County planners insist a new bus route is not catering to the Maryland Live Casino.
• Capital News Service and others report that the federal government has denied aid to residents on Maryland’s Eastern Shore affected by Superstorm Sandy.
• The Herald-Mail reports that the prospects of Hagerstown getting a partially state-funded multiuse stadium are fading.
• MarylandReporter.com reports that Maryland Department of Transportation is working on fixing contract award problems identified in a recent audit.
• The Baltimore Sun reports lawmakers are looking at how they can help with a drug shortage.