Republican Response: Disappointment
February 2nd, 2010 by Kenneth Burns
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.