PJ Hogan Takes the Plunge
It's official. State Sen. Patrick J. "PJ" Hogan, a Montgomery Republican turned Democrat, is resigning to take a $175,000 a year job as the chief lobbyist for the state's university system.
Hogan said today he expects to start his new job in a month. The post previously was held by Joe Bryce, now a top aide to Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) but it was vacant for the past year.
"It will give me an opportunity to work on the state level and federal level for a university system that I think is fantastic," Hogan said.
The system also is facing a range of challenges, including a chronic funding crunch. O'Malley's recent round of budget cuts to help plug a $1.5 billion state budget gap are likely to affect the university system, which includes 11 universities and two research centers.
Once Hogan's resignation from the state Senate is official, the governor and members of the Montgomery Democratic central committee will pick a sucessor.
Hogan, 44, is a former aide to then-Rep. Connie Morella (R), who represented Montgomery County before her defeat in 2002 by Democrat Chris Van Hollen. Hogan switched to the Democratic Party in 2000 after saying the GOP's conservative wing had made him feel like a "pariah." His northern Montgomery district includes Montgomery Village, parts of Germantown, North Potomac and Darnestown.
Hogan spent 13 years in the state Senate, the last seven as a Democrat. He was among several who had hoped to succeed Senate President Mike G.V. Miller (D-Calvert). But when Miller began waffling about plans to step down, Hogan said he decided it wouldn't be worth the wait.
He's also said the money and tuition aid the job offers for his two children, who are a few years away from attending college, were attractive. When he wasn't in the Senate, he tried to make a go of a web designing business with mixed success, he said.
Hogan served as vice-chairman of the Budget and Taxation Committee, and chaired the committee with jurisidiction over education. He also chaired a state commission this year whose assignment was to find new ways to buttress funding for the state's public universities and colleges.
MoCo exec Isiah Leggett (D) said he would miss Hogan's expertise on fiscal matters. "These are big shoes to fill," Leggett said.
By Miranda Spivack |
July 16, 2007; 4:27 PM ET
| Category:
Miranda Spivack
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Posted by: Jane | July 16, 2007 10:27 PM
What corruption has PJ Hogan ever been involved in?
None.
Posted by: Anonymous | July 16, 2007 11:45 PM
"When he wasn't in the Senate, he tried to make a go of a web designing business with mixed success." This man is the opposite of a fiscal expert if he can't even make a go of his own business. The Governor's idea of a "doomsday," budget is to fill a vacant $l75,000 job with a bad businessman instead of eliminating the position.
Posted by: Expertise on fiscal matters? | July 17, 2007 4:49 AM
This story and two others in today's Metro section have to be put into context with the Post's repeated editorial call for increases in the state sales, income, corporate and gasoline taxes as well as their past editorial position that my ballot questions to amend the Montgomery County Charter to limit property taxes increases to the county Charter limit are "folly." Mr. Hogan, a nice guy personally, will now be working at Maryland's think tank, our University, with former County Executive Doug Duncan. Both men initiated and repeatedly supported amendments to the Maryland Constitution to make it very difficult, if not impossible to place charter amendments on the county ballots to limit county spending,and property taxes. If either has ever opposed a tax increase, it is news to me. Thus, unless leopards change their spots, it is difficult to believe that suggestions as to how to find any economies in the state government will come from them. They will be earning a total of $460,000 yearly, plus benefits, including pensions.
The second article in today's paper to be read along the the Post editorials is the one that tells us that the number of foreclosures in Montgomery County has increased 1,430% to 700 in just three months while Prince Georges has over 2,300 foreclosures already this year. Editors, ASK THOSE PEOPLE IF THEY WANT THEIR SALES, INCOME, CORPORATE, AND GASOLINE TAXES RAISED AND THEIR PROPERTY TAXES INCREASED WITHOUT LIMIT!
The third article is the one that tells us that Maryland's chief budget officer, T. Eloise Foster has been charged with DWI. Now I have doubt whether our state's budget is in better hands with Ms. Foster or the Post's editors.
Anyhow, soldier on. Maintain your effete editorial opinions despite the average person's world revolving around you. If George Bush can continue to be wrong about Iraq. You can be mistakenly steadfast about tax increases.
Posted by: Robin Ficker of Robin Realty | July 17, 2007 7:56 AM
Those of us in the Democratic party remember P.J. Hogan for what is was, and is, a turn coat republican. He's moving on to the University of Maryland so that he and El Duncano can turn the system into a haven for illegal aliens. They will be pushing in-state tuition for criminals pushing the citizens further and further out to find their higher education. Why Duncan isn't in jail is beyond me. Hogan became a democrat because he wanted to be elected at any cost. He isn't worth the kind of money he's going to be making. I encourage all middle class families to move out of Montgomery County NOW, and possibly move out of this corrupt state.
Posted by: Turn Coat Republicans | July 17, 2007 8:16 AM
He felt he was a "Pariah"?
Please...R turned D turned lobbyist.
I believe the word he's looking for is "opportunist."
Posted by: ADR | July 17, 2007 9:44 AM
"Mike G.V. Miller" ??!
Come on, can't WaPo reporters covering State politics be bothered to get the name of the President of the Senate correct? For the record, it is Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr. And to avoid future embarrassment, the Speaker of the House of Delegates is Michael E. Busch. Write them down on a Post-It note and stick them to your monitor, please.
Posted by: Rocky Monroe | July 23, 2007 11:30 AM
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University of Maryland has become a dumping ground for corrupt politicians.