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MD Governor Clashes with State Treasurer Over School Start Date

Don Rush & msa.maryland.gov

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Gov. Larry Hogan and Treasurer Nancy Kopp are sparring over Hogan's executive order to start school after Labor Day.

The two clashed verbally during the start of the Board of Public Works meeting Wednesday, after Comptroller Peter Franchot praised the governor's decision.

Kopp, a Democrat, called it an "abuse of executive authority." She says Maryland has had a long history of local school governance. She says she looks forward to an attorney general's opinion on the governor's decision.

Hogan, a Republican, says most people in the state want the later start. He told the treasurer:  "I appreciate your opinion. It just happens to be wrong."

Franchot, a Democrat, quipped: "Gosh, I'm sorry I brought the subject up."

The three officials make up the Board of Public Works.

Don Rush is the News Director and Senior Producer of News and Public Affairs at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.