Senators Complain About Agency Officials Not Showing Up

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- Maryland lawmakers are complaining that officials in government agencies in Gov. Larry Hogan's administration are not attending hearings on legislation.

Sen. Paul Pinsky, a Prince George's Democrat, said Wednesday that he doesn't know why they don't "put on their big-boy pants or big-girl pants" and take a position on legislation. Pinsky says he thinks it's "disrespectful" for the Republican administration to only send letters of information to committee hearings.

Other senators say state agencies have expertise that lawmakers need to make decisions about measures that come before them.

Sen. Robert Cassilly, a Harford County Republican, says he finds it refreshing that the governor "actually understands the concept of separation of powers." Cassilly says he rejects the idea that lawmakers should expect the administration "to chime in on everything."

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