Four leaders on Harleys, humor and hobbies.

• Position: TAKING THE FLOOR - Michael Busch, Robert Gilligan, and Jack Kibbie - Interview

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REPRESENTATIVE

MICHAEL BUSCH

Maryland Speaker of the House

State Legislatures: In working on the budget, what was your top priority?

Maryland Speaker Michael Busch: In Maryland, we have had to cut services and raise taxes to balance the budget and protect education funding--our top priority. This year, we focused on addressing the state's structural deficit, ensuring the long-term viability of the retiree benefit system and funding education programs to ensure a strong future for the state's knowledge-based economy. As a result of our work, the state's structural deficit has been reduced by more than 42 percent. Maryland now has over $730 million in cash reserves, including the rainy day fund. We eliminated over $6.5 billion in long-term retiree health care liability over the next 10 years and fully funded education programs.

SL: Has the influx of new members to your chamber made your job easier or more difficult?

Busch: In 2010, Democrats lost six delegates. While this may not seem like a significant shift, the House Democratic Caucus is made up of a wide spectrum of views, from very conservative to very progressive. This made some social issues more difficult to pass out of the House during the first year of this four-year term.

SL: How do you work with the other party?

Busch: I have respect for the minority leader and the job that he has to do. We meet weekly during the legislative session. I think we have had the benefit of not taking political arguments too personally, so we are able to work together on a number of policy areas without the same level of acrimony seen at the national level. Often, through debate with our own party and the other party, legislation is strengthened, for a better end product.

SL: How do you think members in your party would describe you? And the other party?

Busch: I would hope members of both parties would describe me as fair. I work hard to ensure that every member has a say on an issue--whether in formal debate on the House floor, in committee or in caucus meetings. The majority of our work, contrary to the current public view based on media reports, is nonpartisan. We very often find common ground on legislation. We were all elected to serve the people of our communities and of our state, and I believe it is a responsibility we all take seriously.

SL: In your spare time, what do you read, what are your hobbies?

Busch: I enjoy coaching my daughters' recreational basketball and...