This past Tuesday, I took over as host of Capital Caucus on WNAV (1430AM) in Annapolis. Joining me for my first show is House Speaker Michael Busch (D-Dist. 30) and Len Lazarick from MarylandReporter.com. I also speak with Senate Minority Leader Allan Kittleman (R-Dist. 9) and House Minority Leader Anthony O’Donnell (R-Dist. 29C) in regards to the joint hearing held by the House Appropriations Committee and the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee to hear budget ideas from the GOP.
Capital Caucus: February 23, 2010 [26:04m]:
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The House Judicial Proceedings Committee heard 30 bills on legislation dealing with sex offenders.
WNAV Radio Report for Ferbuary 23, 2010 [1:03m]:
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The House GOP Caucus presented it’s ideas to a joint committee between the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee and the House Appropriations Committee. The presentation was 45 minutes and proposed a number of ideas on how to save over $800 million dollars.
WNAV/WTTR Radio Report for Ferbuary 24, 2010 [1:00m]:
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Attorney General Doug Gansler issued his opinion on whether or not gay marriage can be recognized in the free state; despite the fact that performing such nuptials is illegal in Maryland because of a law that has been on the book for four decades. In 45-pages, Gansler said that the state could recognize the marriages. While groups like Equality Maryland lauded the opinion, Baltimore County Del. Emmett Burns (D-Dist. 10) who tried to close the loophole earlier this session with his proposal, which failed to get out of committee, was shocked. Anne Arundel Delegate Don Dwyer (R-Dist. 31) said that he would be issuing articles of impeachment against Gansler before the session is through. Gansler said that if Dwyer wants to have his “moment,” he is certainly welcomed to.
WNAV/WTTR Radio Report for Ferbuary 24, 2010 [1:05m]:
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The House Appropriations Committee with join the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee on Tuesday as they listen to ideas on how to cut the budget.
While the House GOP Caucus said that they welcome the opportunity to participate; the Senate GOP Caucus said they would not.
Also in my radio report for WNAV (1430AM) and WTTR (1470AM), House Minority Leader Anthony O’Donnell (R-Dist. 29C) gives an example of what’s on the GOP’s idea list.
WNAV/WTTR Radio Report for Ferbuary 19, 2010 [0:59m]:
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Governor Martin O’Malley (D) and U.S. Rep Elijah Cummings (D-7th)went before the House Environmental Committee to push legislation aimed at stemming the tide of foreclosures.
WNAV/WTTR Radio Report for Ferbuary 16, 2010 [1:08m]:
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Catching up on stories from last week that I didn’t get to because of the double shot snow storms that occured.
U.S. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-5th) paid a visit to the chamber that he was once apart of during the 70s. He first visited the House to talk about the economy; then he visited the Senate to talking about partisanship.
WNAV/WTTR Radio Report for Ferbuary 12, 2010 [1:09m]:
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I talked with former Delegate and current candidate for Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker (D) about how he feels about his chances in the race and commented on a picture in the Washington Post from 2008.
Rushern Baker on his campaign [0:59m]:
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Former Governor Parris Glendening (D) said that Governor Martin O’Malley’s state of the state speech was very good. He thought that O’Malley (D) going into the speech had to really show compassion because “people are hurting” and the former chief said that he did just that. “I thought it was a great speech and it was perfect for the times,” he said.
Glendening since leaving office in 2003 has settled in the Annapolis area from Prince George’s County where he served as County Executive from 1982-1994 and on the county council eight years before moving to the executive branch. He is currently President of the Smart Growth Leadership Institute; working on smart growth issues in addition to transportation and sustainability. In fact, he said he just got back from an international conference held in Istanbul, Turkey.
Carroll/Howard Senator Allan Kittleman (R-Dist. 9) delivered the Republican response to Governor Martin O’Malley’s State of the State address.
I had hoped that Governor O’Malley’s State of the State address would offer concrete plans to create jobs and reduce government spending. But his speech leaves me with only one conclusion: Our Governor is out of touch… out of ideas….and out of money.
On the O’Malley Budget Deficit
In 2007, the outgoing Republican governor handed Governor O’Malley a one billion dollar surplus to prepare the state for tough economic times. Sadly, Governor O’Malley ignored warnings of a coming recession and spent that money on a raft of new government programs. The next Governor will have to reconcile over eight billion dollars in deficits caused by Governor O’Malley’s inaction in resolving Maryland’s budget crisis.
On O’Malley’s Budget Management
Governor O’Malley’s four years of budget management are marked by more government spending and more debt which will be saddled on you and future generations of Marylanders.
On Maryland’s Business Climate and Job Creation in Maryland
A $3000 tax credit for new job creation does not reverse the past 3 years of anti-business leadership by Governor O’Malley. Businesses can’t hire new employees when they don’t have work – and Maryland’s business climate has dropped from 24th to 45th in the last 3 years.
On the Rejection of Republican Deficit Reduction Plans
Governor O’Malley and Democrat leaders in Annapolis have rejected commonsense reforms offered by Republicans lawmakers to solve the deficit and encourage job growth. If the Senate Republicans’ plan, known as the “Stoltzfus Amendment,” had passed in 2007, the State’s deficit would be a fraction of what it is today, and you’d be keeping more of your own money to save for your future. Our Republican colleagues in the House of Delegates also offered budget amendments to reduce state spending, but time and time again they were rejected by purely partisan roll call votes by the Democrat majority.
On the Priorities of the 2010 Legislative Session
The 2010 legislative session MUST BE ABOUT REDUCING GOVERNMENT SPENDING. We must approach every policy decision with two questions: (1) Will it strengthen Maryland’s economic security? and (2) Will it lessen the financial burden on our citizens? It is critical that the General Assembly pass long-term mandate reform to stop the automatic increases that spur government spending. New programs initiated over the past three years by Governor O’Malley also need to be curtailed.
On A Plan For Maryland’s Future for Business Expansion and Job Growth
This year’s budget must position the state so that in subsequent years, our state’s leaders can focus on restoring a healthy business climate to boost the growth of private sector businesses and jobs. This Program for the Future of Maryland must include:
• Repealing Governor O’Malley’s 20% increase in the sales tax to relieve consumers and small businesses and spur private sector spending in Maryland.
• Rolling back the additional $1 billion in tax increases on personal incomes and small businesses that are hindering job growth.
• Removing government barriers and new regulations that prevent local businesses from investing in jobs and technology.
State Republican Chair Audrey Scott issued a statement on the Governor’s address:
“Governor O’Malley has mismanaged the state budget for three years, but in his speech today he continues to blame everyone except his own administration for the massive deficits facing Maryland citizens. His policy of raising taxes during a recession and increasing state spending has fueled the current budget crisis. It is time for Maryland’s citizens to say ‘enough – stop spending money we do not have, stop bankrupting our children’s future.”
I had hoped that Governor O’Malley’s State of the State address would offer concrete plans to create jobs and reduce government spending. But his speech leaves me with only one conclusion: Our Governor is out of touch…
out of ideas….and out of money.
On the O’Malley Budget Deficit
In 2007, the outgoing Republican governor handed Governor O’Malley a one billion dollar surplus to prepare the state for tough economic times.
Sadly, Governor O’Malley ignored warnings of a coming recession and spent that money on a raft of new government programs. The next Governor will have to reconcile over eight billion dollars in deficits caused by Governor O’Malley’s inaction in resolving Maryland’s budget crisis.
On O’Malley’s Budget Management
Governor O’Malley’s four years of budget management are marked by more government spending and more debt which will be saddled on you and future generations of Marylanders.
On Maryland’s Business Climate and Job Creation in Maryland
A $3000 tax credit for new job creation does not reverse the past 3 years of anti-business leadership by Governor O’Malley. Businesses can’t hire new employees when they don’t have work – and Maryland’s business climate has dropped from 24th to 45th in the last 3 years.
On the Rejection of Republican Deficit Reduction Plans
Governor O’Malley and Democrat leaders in Annapolis have rejected commonsense reforms offered by Republicans lawmakers to solve the deficit and encourage job growth. If the Senate Republicans’ plan, known as the “Stoltzfus Amendment,” had passed in 2007, the State’s deficit would be a fraction of what it is today, and you’d be keeping more of your own money to save for your future. Our Republican colleagues in the House of Delegates also offered budget amendments to reduce state spending, but time and time again they were rejected by purely partisan roll call votes by the Democrat majority.
On the Priorities of the 2010 Legislative Session
The 2010 legislative session MUST BE ABOUT REDUCING GOVERNMENT SPENDING. We must approach every policy decision with two questions: (1) Will it strengthen Maryland’s economic security? and (2) Will it lessen the financial burden on our citizens? It is critical that the General Assembly pass long-term mandate reform to stop the automatic increases that spur government spending. New programs initiated over the past three years by Governor O’Malley also need to be curtailed.
On A Plan For Maryland’s Future for Business Expansion and Job Growth
This year’s budget must position the state so that in subsequent years, our state’s leaders can focus on restoring a healthy business climate to boost the growth of private sector businesses and jobs. This Program for the Future of Maryland must include:
· Repealing Governor O’Malley’s 20% increase in the sales tax to
relieve consumers and small businesses and spur private sector spending in Maryland.
· Rolling back the additional $1 billion in tax increases on
personal incomes and small businesses that are hindering job growth.
· Removing government barriers and new regulations that prevent
local businesses from investing in jobs and technology.
Jobs, Jobs, Jobs was the focus of Governor Martin O’Malley’s State of the State address. He also gave props to President Obama and the stimulus money for “creating or saving 19,000 jobs” in Maryland and pushed for tax credits to for those who take Marylanders off of the unemployment rolls in his state of the state address which was a little bit more than 25 minutes.
WNAV/WTTR Radio Report for February 2, 2010 [1:46m]:
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2010 State of the State Address by Governor Martin O'Malley [27:20m]:
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Governor Martin O’Malley in his legislative plan includes a proposal to deal with sex offenders. Cecil County legislators, Senator Nancy Jacobs (R-Dist. 34) and Delegate Michael Smigiel (R-Dist. 36) have been working on this issue for a long time in their respective chambers and they commented on the Governor’s initiative.
WNAV/WTTR Radio Report for February 1, 2010 [1:01m]:
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