Speaker Michael Busch told C4 today on WBAL radio that there will be no tax increases by the legislature in 2010. From the interview:

“We’ve spent pretty responsibly down here in Annapolis,” said Busch.

Maryland Politics Watch concludes, based on voter registration by party, that Bob Ehrlich would not have a chance to defeat Martin O’Malley in 2010.

Mike Spellings is out as campaign manager for the candidacy of Andy Harris. Reports indicate that there was a personality conflict between Spellings and the candidate.

The Baltimore Sun has called on Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon to step aside at least temporarily.

Len Lazarick of Maryland Reporter has taken an in-depth look at all the perks and benefits given to members of the Maryland legislature – including all the per diem money they take home in questionable circumstances at best.

Douglas Tallman reports that rumors of the erection of a statue of Senate President Mike Miller are not true, according to Miller’s chief of staff. Adam Pagnucco has a bit of fun with the rumors.

Inside Charm City blogged about a Bryan Sears article on possible influence-buying in Baltimore County Council races being facilitated by Jim Smith’s son and a former Smith law clerk.

Baltimore City Council has been criticized for not reviewing budget information the resulted in the approval of $24K worth of uniforms for employees of the city’s 311 call center.

Laura Smitherman is the newly-announced business editor of The Baltimore Sun. This will obviously take her off the political beat.

Maryland Reporter has other government news from over the weekend.