Tom LoBianco The Washington Times - August 18, 2008, 07:17PM

Organizers for the Maryland Association of Counties crab feast Friday delivered a whopping 90 bushels of crabs to more than 1,400 hungry pols, staffers and family members.

The feast started under dark storm clouds before a quick, yet potent, rainstorm blew through. By the end of the conference, Saturday, the sun was shining bright: a possible metaphor for budget troubles which have blanketed the nation?

Here’s my dispatch on the state’s ongoing budget troubles and county worries.

— Tom LoBianco, Maryland political reporter, The Washington Times