Bill Ratchford, widely-admired power of Md. budget-writing and lawmaking, dies at 90

An unsung hero of Maryland budget-writing and lawmaking has died. William S. Ratchford II — “Ratch,” to those who knew and loved him — was a behind-the-scenes powerhouse in the State House for almost three decades, then, after officially retiring, served as an adviser to five Baltimore mayors. He influenced dozens of powerful politicians and served as a mentor to many of today’s top-flight fiscal gurus and policy experts in Maryland.