March 15, 2011:
Rascovar & Lee Tell It Like It Is... Part 2

The Gazette of Politics and Business has great analysis of the 2011 Session again this week.

Blair Lee offers an "I told you so" voice for former Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich based upon Ehrlich's accurate positions and predictions during the 2010 campaign:

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"Ehrlich warned that Maryland's ongoing, one-party, tax 'n' spend culture would result in more spending fueled by more taxes. Sure enough, the budget emerging from Annapolis increases this year's spending by 10.6 percent ($1.4 billion) while leaving next year's projected spending $1 billion beyond projected revenues (the structural deficit). Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) and the General Assembly balance this year's budget by cutting state aid to the counties, raising reserve accounts, robbing transportation and environmental funds, borrowing into the future at historic levels, relying on accounting gimmicks and raising taxes. Oops, did I say taxes? The Democrats say they aren't raising taxes, just fees. When Gov. Ehrlich raised fees, O'Malley and the media called them taxes. (Remember O'Malley's "fees are really taxes" TV ads?). But now, when the Democrats raise fees, they're just fees, not taxes." (to read the full op-ed, click here)

Barry Rascovar questions why O'Malley has been so disengaged this session and his leadership has been so lame:

"So why is he stumbling so badly, looking weak and ineffective in getting what he wants from the legislature? The House restored local school funds that O'Malley had cut. His pension reforms are being reworked. His plan to give grants to emerging technology companies is stalled. A sweeping land-use plan that eliminates future septic systems is sinking. His subsidy plan for offshore wind farms has run into strong headwinds. It's gotten so bad even O'Malley's bill to stabilize racetracks for a few years is getting a rocky reception. When the governor tried to speak - uninvited - at a rally of teachers and state workers protesting O'Malley's pension reforms, he got heckled. No one seemed to buy his statement that he doesn't like the budget cuts he proposed in January, either." (to read the full op-ed, click here)

For a concluding summary of the 2011 Session, Lee offers this:

"O'Malley crows about 'leading Maryland forward by making tough choices.' But balancing your budget by screwing local governments (cutting state aid), screwing our grandchildren (borrowing beyond future debt limits) and screwing the legislature (leaving the tax hikes to them) isn't 'making tough choices.'"