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Gov. Larry Hogan. (The Daily Record / Maximilian Franz)
Some of the winners and losers from the 2016 Maryland legislative session:
WINNERS
Gov. Larry Hogan — He took the high road on redistricting and redefined the budget terms of debate. Democrats grumbled about his aloof style, but there wasn’t much they could do about it.
Gun advocates — Several measures, including one to restrict guns on public college campuses, failed.
Business lobbyists — They united to kill the paid sick leave legislation and neutered private retirement proposals.
Drunken-driving foes — They won on two fronts – a measure to stiffen punishments for adults hosting youth drinking parties and expanded rules for ignition locks for drunken drivers.
Northrop Grumman — When you get a $37.5 million tax break, you’re a winner.
Environmentalists — Winning an expansion of greenhouse gas limits and renewable energy goals is a two-fer.
Sen. Robert A. “Bobby” Zirkin — He shepherded through to passage the Justice Reinvestment Act, the session’s signal legislative achievement.
Roger B. Taney — His statue remains on the State House grounds despite calls for its removal.
Senate Pres. Thomas V. “Mike” Miller. (File)
LOSERS
State President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. — He’s not used to losing on much, but one of his priorities – campus gun limits – bit the dust.
Howard County Schools Superintendent Renee Foose — Driven by a parents’ uprising, the legislature overwhelmingly approved a measure ordering the state’s public records ombudsman to investigate the district’s practices.
Fantasy sports leagues — Armed with the best lobbyists money could buy, the online sites pushed for a law establishing a modest regulatory regime. The status quo is a loss for them, given what might come next.
Death with Dignity Act — Sponsors spent the last year attempting to assuage the concerns of religious groups and others. The measure went nowhere.
Revisionists — This was supposed to be the year that “Maryland, My Maryland’’ was dumped, or at least given less objectionable lyrics. So, too, with the state motto: “Manly deeds, womanly words.” Neither happened.
Tax cuts — The governor wanted them. The speaker of the House did, too. Ditto for the Senate president. A case of the devil being in the details.
Paid sick leave — Another proposal whose advocates thought they had softened it to make it palatable to opponents. They hadn’t.
