Energy, budget and social issues on tap for Md. General Assembly

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) _ Less than two months after a grueling three-week special session over Maryland's budget deficit, lawmakers face more hard choices when the General Assembly convenes Jan. 9, including on energy policy and following through with $550 million in budget cuts.

Divisive social issues could stir things up even more during the 90-day regular session, as lawmakers consider whether to ban capital punishment and debate legal recognition of same-sex couples.

"It's going to be a very, very interesting session," said Sen. Thomas "Mac" Middleton, a Democrat who leads the Senate Finance Committee, where...