Maryland officials complain of shabby Capitol grounds

(AP) – The grounds of Maryland’s Capitol have become so shabby that state officials are thinking about forming a nonprofit foundation to raise money to better maintain them.

Members of the State House Trust discussed the possibility Friday.
    
House Speaker Michael Busch, who is on the panel, says he has never seen the Capitol grounds “look as shabbily as they look today.” He says it’s “embarrassing.”
    
Lt. Gov. Boyd Rutherford says budget constraints have strained staffing and resources at the Department of General Services, which maintains the grounds.
    
The Maryland State House is a national historic landmark. It is the nation’s oldest statehouse in continuous legislative use. George Washington resigned his commission as commander in chief of the Continental Army in the building in 1783.