From the Washington Post
Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley urged lawmakers Thursday to back a $100 million venture capital initiative, spur investment in offshore wind farms and ban the installation of septic systems in major new housing developments.
O’Malley (D) used his fifth State of the State speech to pitch several priorities, some of which have already drawn skeptical questions from lawmakers in both parties and could test his political muscle after a convincing reelection in November.
In a 28-minute address to a joint session of the General Assembly, the governor also acknowledged unpopular budget choices ahead but asked for a continued focus on education, job creation and the environment. . . .
One of the only new initiatives mentioned in the speech was a ban on new septic systems in major housing developments – a “damaging trend,” the governor said, because the systems “by their very design are intended to leak sewage into our bay and water tables.”
O’Malley’s call for banning the systems was met by near silence.
Senate Minority Whip E.J. Pipkin, a Republican who represents rural counties on the Eastern Shore, shook his head at hearing the governor’s suggestion.
“It’s a war on rural Maryland and a war on property rights,” Pipkin said.
Pipkin and other lawmakers from rural parts of Maryland said the proposal shows an insensitivity to those who do not have access to public sewer systems and to farmers who might want to build additional homes on their property for children or other tenants.
. . .
The War on Rural Maryland 
I made up a little map this afternoon. I colored in all the legislative districts for the co-sponsors of this legislation. There are two areas colored in. One is directly adjacent to Washington DC and the other is directly adjacent to Baltimore City. I guess it is the usual cast of characters dictating to the rest of the state how to live their lives.