Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller has been trying to get Comptroller Peter V.R. Franchot in line for the better part of the last six years and Gov. Martin J. O’Malley’s final State of the State address was no different.
The state Senate and other dignitaries and elected officials were in the House of Delegates waiting for O’Malley to arrive and Miller wanted to take the required attendance of his members.
“The Senate will come to order,” Miller said, before directing his attention to Franchot who was sitting in front of where Miller was standing on the House rostrum.
“That means Comptroller Franchot has got to come to order, too. Heel! Heel, comptroller, heel!” Miller shouted before chuckling.
Despite the jovial nature, Miller probably wouldn’t mind a more obedient state comptroller. The two have butted heads on issues over the last six years.
Some times publicly.
In 2008, Franchot accused Miller of slashing the budget for his office, including the salaries of two senior aides, in retribution for opposing the legalization of slot machines. Miller called the claim “outrageous.”
And in April 2012, Franchot said on WBAL Radio that it was time for Miller to step aside after the session ended without the passage of a state budget.
Franchot said Miller was “a fanatic for gambling and it is getting in the way of protecting Maryland families.”
Instead of heel, maybe Miller would like a muzzle.
Perhaps Cesar Milan, “The Dog Whisperer,” has a thought?