Summer is always slow (hence a lack of recent posts) but here are some things to watch in the coming weeks and months:

·        Del. James King, R-Gambrills, was confident he was on track for the appointment to retiring Sen. Janet Greenip’s seat, but things didn’t work out. The central committee picked Sen. Ed Reilly, R-Crofton, instead. King told me recently he hasn’t made a decision about whether to challenge Reilly in next year’s primary and will wait to see how the 2010 session goes.

·        Speaking of Republicans, the party’s executive committee is going to meet Saturday to discuss some recent issues with Dr. James Pelura, the state chairman. Both House and Senate Republican leaders have basically registered “no confidence” complaints, so it will be interesting to see whether internal divisions hurt the quest to gain some ground in 2010.

·        On a related note, state revenues remain in terrible shape, with this year’s deficit now at $700 million (keep in mind the fiscal year only began on July 1). Some high-ranking legislators told me earlier this week more furloughs for state employees are likely, which will not win any fans in labor.