Maryland lawmakers are scheduled to vote on a bill that would prevent departing governors from buying furniture from the executive mansion at a discount.
The bipartisan measure is scheduled for a vote Friday in the House of Delegates.
The bill was filed after former Gov. Martin O'Malley and his wife paid nearly $10,000 before he left office last year for 54 pieces of furniture that initially cost taxpayers about $62,000 eight years earlier. The Maryland Department of General Services sold the furniture after the pieces were declared "junk.''
The measure would prevent the agency from transferring ownership of state-bought furniture in the mansion, unless the governor participates in an auction open to the public.
The Anne Arundel County state's attorney's office is investigating the purchase by O'Malley.
Md. Bill Would Change Furniture-Buying Rules for Governors
Copyright AP - Associated Press
