June 27, 2001
 
 THE DEPARTURE of Ronald A. Guns from the Maryland House of Delegates may seem like an arcane -- even uninteresting -- turn of events.
 
 But here's a reason his departure could have deeper meaning: a potential shift leftward in capital politics.
 
 That's one possible conclusion from the game of musical chairs that took place in Annapolis last week. Mr. Guns, who has run the House Environmental Matters Committee for 10 years, won a plum appointment from Gov. Parris N. Glendening as a member of the Public Service Commission.
 
 The conservative Mr. Guns has been a thorn in the side of environmental groups. He represents rural Cecil County, where government mandates from Annapolis aren't popular.
 
 He was put in that post by another rural lawmaker, House Speaker Casper R. Taylor of Cumberland, who has sought to preserve a conservative counterweight in the legislature.
 
 Mr. Taylor replaced Mr. Guns with a liberal from Montgomery County, John Adams Hurson, the current majority leader. Mr. Hurson is an ardent environmentalist and a promoter of health care reforms that don't always please health care providers.
 
 House committee chairmen, though, don't fully control their agendas. Mr. Taylor remains in overall command, along with his key leaders, who tend to be cautious politicians. Those expecting radical change when Mr. Hurson takes over could be disappointed.
 
 Replacing Mr. Hurson as majority leader will be Maggie L. McIntosh, a savvy political insider whose district takes in Northwest Baltimore and Baltimore County. She is well suited to the task, which often involves doing the speaker's bidding and lining up votes.
 
 Ms. McIntosh's ascendancy is good news for the city, and for Baltimore County, since it enhances her leverage on legislative redistricting. That could be critical as the Baltimore region attempts to retain its voting strength.
 
 Her appointment underlines the growing importance of women and liberal activists within the Democratic Party. After next year's election, population shifts could lead to similar moves that give a larger voice to legislators such as Mr. Hurson and Ms. McIntosh and diminished roles to rural lawmakers like Mr. Guns.
 
 
 
 
 
 Copyright (c) 2001, The Baltimore Sun