EDITOR'S NOTE: Political Notes is a weekly look at government and political news. Send items to rhutzell@mdgazette.com.

Maryland's revenue slide continues to slow, spurring both optimism and caution in government officials who see either the beginning of a recovery or just the realization of low expectations.

The state Board of Revenue Estimates this week projected a further decline of $66 million for fiscal 2010 but had no revisions for its fiscal 2011 numbers - a major difference from meetings in the past few years that were marked by tumbling estimates.

State officials attributed most of the latest...