Regents Fundraising Ban

Legislation that would prohibit members of the university system's board of regents from political fundraising moved swiftly through the House of Delegates this week.

Supporters have made no secret that one of their aims is to force Richard Hug, Ehrlich's campaign finance chairman off the board. Many Democrats openly refer to it as the "Dick Hug bill." The measure would also prevent board members from seeking elected office.

Republicans could not halt the bill Friday, but they stopped the measure on the House floor briefly in an attempt to turn the tables. Del. Susan W. Krebs (R-Carroll) offered an amendment that would apply the same rules to the regents at Morgan State University and St. Mary's College of Maryland, where are separately governed.

Seated on the St. Mary's board are, among others, Comptroller William Donald Schaefer (D), U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.). And on Morgan's board is U.S. Senate candidate Kweisi Mfume (D).
The amendment failed on a mostly party-line vote, 48 to 89.

Matthew Mosk