The 426^th session of the General Assembly of Maryland convened at noon and will run for the next 90 calendar days through April 13. This year the major issues are expected to be:

• Budget – $400 million gap in the current year and an estimated $2 billion gap in fiscal 2010;
• Transportation – shrinking funds for improvements and maintenance due to sagging gas tax, titling tax, and toll revenues, REAL ID, and drunk driving;
• Health – health insurance coverage and costs; Public Safety and Courts – death penalty repeal, domestic violence and guns, State Police surveillance, and registration and supervision of sex offenders;
• Environment - examination and enforcement of the State’s Smart Growth policies, greenhouse gas emission reduction, and Chesapeake Bay restoration;
• State Government - early voting implementation, video lottery terminals implementation, and “pay or play” ethics laws.