Annapolis

Reading is fundamental ANNAPOLIS - The debate over the fate of the state's Office of Children, Youth and Family led House Minority Whip Anthony O'Donnell to lead the charge against Democrats who he said "gutted" proposed legislation from Gov. Robert Ehrlich to replace the current office with a Cabinet-level office. The Democrats' plan, approved by the House last week, cuts needed offices and personnel, Republicans said. Before the vote, O'Donnell offered an amendment to the bill that would remove the administration from sponsoring it, saying there had been so many changes that "the administration no longer supports it. " But Del. Sheila Hixson, chairwoman of the House Ways and Means Committee, replied that such changes to legislation are hardly unusual.