Ehrlich to detail disability agenda

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ANNAPOLIS -- Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. today in his State of the State address will reiterate his administration's agenda and explain why the proposed Department of Disabilities is needed.

"I will make a case for our five pillars [fiscal responsibility, education, health and environment, public safety and commerce] and how we intend to strengthen the pillars of our administration," said Mr. Ehrlich, a Republican.

His proposed Department of Disabilities would regulate other state agencies that deal with persons with disabilities. It would be headed by Kristen Cox, currently the director of the governor's Office for Individuals with Disabilities, and would have a $3 million budget and a staff of 21.

Republican strategist Kevin Igoe said Mr. Ehrlich likely would not offer new initiatives in his speech because the governor must "live with fiscal reality."

"And the reality is that there is not a lot of money to do a lot of new things with," Mr. Igoe said.

Gaining approval for the new Cabinet-level position may prove a daunting task for Mr. Ehrlich, who will face a Democratic-led General Assembly when he stands behind the lectern in the House of Delegates chamber today at noon.

Democratic delegates and senators this session have overridden four of his vetoes from last year -- the first overrides of a veto since 1989.

"It is obviously a relevant speech," Mr. Ehrlich said. "But probably not as anticipated and analyzed as last year's. It is another chapter of making the case to the General Assembly and the general public."

Another key issue will be legislation that would establish slot machines in Maryland.