Last Chance: See the General Assembly in Action

The Maryland General Assembly passes a state budget and a number of laws that affect our everyday lives in ways we don't often think about — or realize.

It's been said that passing legislation is like making sausage (though the Maryland businessman interviewed in this New York Times piece would disagree). Otto von Bismarck said that “you should never watch either one being made."

People often complain about the "sausage" churned out during a 90-day session in Annapolis at the beginning of each year. But how many have ever seen the sausage being made?

You have one last chance on Monday to see it happen. The General Assembly meets for the 90th, and final, day of the legislative calendar for 2012 (barring a special legislative session later in the year, occasionally called to take up a specific issue, such as taxes).

At midnight on Monday, the majority leaders in the House of Delegates and the Senate will call "Sine Die"— Latin for "without day" or "without assigning a day for further meeting or hearing." In the final moments legislation will pass, legislation will fail and, finally, confetti will fall. Then your elected officials will go party.

Monday is the final day of spring break for county public schools. If you're looking for a great day trip, and perhaps a way to ease your kids back into a mindset of learning after a week off, the is just 45 miles — about an hour drive — from Gaithersburg. Why not take a drive east and see what the legislative process is all about?

You'll see lawmakers huddling in conference committees, working out the final details on complex legislation. You'll see lawmakers pitching legislation to their colleagues, trying to find the votes needed to push their bill to passage. You'll see a flurry of activity that might restore your faith in the democratic process. Or maybe you'll just be left wondering how our state legislature ever gets anything done.

Click here to learn more about the Maryland General Assembly.

Click here to learn more about visiting Annapolis, including all there is to do besides visiting the State House.

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