And recent emergency legislation passed by the Maryland General Assembly, will have little effect on Maryland's tide of foreclosures. Now, the state's hands are tied, said Comptroller Peter Franchot.

Franchot said he applauds efforts by Gov. Martin O'Malley and the legislature, but that it is too little too late.

"It's not their fault," Franchot said during a recent visit to The Frederick News-Post. "The responsibility for the foreclosure crisis rests with Washington. The last several years of Washington have been like the Wild West. Anything goes. And that lack of regulation has a price that we're going to pay for years to come."

The bill O'Malley signed will lengthen the foreclosure process from 15 to 150 days, and require a lender to wait 90 days before filing a foreclosure action. It also strengthens prohibitions on mortgage fraud

According to the governor's office, in the fourth quarter of 2007, Prince George's, Montgomery, Washington and Worcester counties saw foreclosures double from previous quarter.

In other counties, such as Kent, Garrett and Somerset, numbers almost tripled.

Maryland saw 9,722 foreclosures, compared to 7,001 in the previous quarter, an increase of 2,721 foreclosure events statewide.

Local revenue will be particularly hit in 2009 and 2010, Franchot said.

"We're in a real mess," he said.

SUBPRIME LENDING & FORECLOSURES Homeowners around the nation are struggling to make mortgage payments, and Frederick County is no exception. The map below show the area with the lowest and highest concentration of subprime mortgage loans. Click the map for a larger image. SEARCHABLE DATABASE Search the list of foreclosures filed in Frederick County Circuit Court from Jan. 1 to March 18, 2008. BIZ BLOG Business editor Cliff Cumber blogs about the project. Click here to check out his blog. THE ECONOMY & ME This new online-only section houses all sorts of stories that come our way on the economy, as well as tips consumers can use to stretch their dollar a little bit further. Click the graphic to go to the section. RELATED STORIES Foreclosure: A far-reaching problem Published on May 04, 2008 Ellen Scrivens reminisces about the house that she lost due to foreclosure last August that is located off Burning Bush Drive.more » Getting hit from all sides Published on May 04, 2008 In 2006, 455 foreclosures were filed in Frederick County Circuit Court. In 2007, that number more than doubled to 1,025. more » Officials seek to help foreclosure victims Published on May 04, 2008 People facing foreclosure, or who know someone who is, will have the opportunity Monday night to hear from someone who can help. more » Comptroller: state efforts to stem Published on May 04, 2008 The effect of the foreclosure crisis will hit hardest at local budgets, according to the state's chief tax official. more » Borrowers' euphoria clouded subprime risks Published on May 04, 2008 People were so happy to be in a home that the risks of the subprime loans they signed up for went right over their heads. more » Budgeting measures may protect county from foreclosure trouble Published on May 04, 2008 With conservative budgeting, Frederick County is prepared financially for effect from the local economy caused by the foreclosure crisis. more » Signs of trouble Auctioneers saw dangers of subprime loans coming Published on May 04, 2008 Auctioneers saw it coming. They knew the subprime loan frenzy would cause many homeowners to mortgage their futures. more »