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Message From the Chairman:
So Much for Being Better Off Than Most States
New numbers from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show Maryland ranks near the bottom of all states when it comes to job creation.
These numbers indicate what we and the historic number unemployed Marylanders already knew - Governor O'Malley is all talk when it comes to job creation. Instead being better off than other states as O'Malley claims, the truth is, Maryland is floundering at the bottom.
The numbers from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show Maryland has created only 5,400 jobs in the period from March 2010 through March 2011. The numbers when compared to other states puts Maryland at a dismal 44th in percent change from a year ago. When compared to neighboring states, Maryland ranks below all but West Virginia in total jobs created over the last year and dead last in the percent change in new jobs. Maryland is loosing the battle with our neighbors to compete for jobs and grow our economy. O'Malley and the Democrat controlled legislature continue put tax hikes and more bureaucratic red tape over job creation, and these dismal job numbers are the result.
O'Malley's jobs rhetoric, out-of-touch with reality:
"February's jobs report shows that Maryland employers continue to outperform the rest of the nation." (Governor O'Malley, "Statement from Governor Martin O'Malley on the Gain of 8,100 Jobs in February," Press Release, 3/25/11)
"Last month's jobs report shows Maryland continues to add jobs at twice the rate of the rest of the nation.... we continue to see signs of job creation and economic growth that indicate we are coming through this national recession more quickly than other states." (Governor O'Malley, "Statement from Governor Martin O'Malley on the Gain of 2,100 Jobs in November," Press Release, 12/17/10)
"Since January, as many other states have struggled to come through this national recession, Maryland employers have added 40,600 jobs to the payrolls." (Governor O'Malley, "Statement from Governor Martin O'Malley on the Addition of Nearly 6,000 Jobs in Maryland Last Month," Press Release, 11/23/10)
"Our ability to sustain job growth, which is now triple the rate of the rest of the nation." (Governor O'Malley, Statement from Governor Martin O'Malley on Hundreds of Additional Jobs Gained, Press Release, 8/20/10)
But Governor O'Malley is right about one thing:
"In this fight, there will be some states that lose, and some states that win... (Governor O'Malley, "Governor Martin O'Malley Convenes Forum on Jobs and the New Economy," Press Release, 12/20/10)
And Maryland is losing jobs to other states: Maryland ranks 44th in the nation for percent change in job growth from March 2010 through March 2011; last among neighboring states. Pennsylvania (1.37%), Delaware (1.37%), Virginia, (1.02%), WashingtonD.C. (0.76%), West Virginia (0.71%), Maryland (0.22%). (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov, Accessed 4/25/11) Maryland ranked 38th in the nation for annual employment gains through the end of the first quarter. (G. Scott Thomas, "Maryland adds 5,400 jobs in the past year," Baltimore Business Journal, 4/25/11) Maryland ranks 38th in the nation for jobs created from March 2010 through March 2011, second to last among neighboring states. Jobs created: Pennsylvania (76,500), Virginia (37,000), Delaware (5,600), WashingtonD.C. (5,400), Maryland (5,400), West Virginia (5,300). (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov, Accessed 4/25/11)
Marylanders and businesses fleeing Maryland to work in other states:
Employers in the state cut 5,900 jobs in March, but nearly 12,000 more Marylanders were working... That apparent contradiction - fewer jobs, more workers - could be the result of a growing number of people commuting to jobs outside the state. (Jamie Smith Hopkins, "Fewer jobs in Maryland, but more people working," Baltimore Sun, 4/19/11)
Alex Mooney
Maryland State Republican Chairman
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From the Maryland Republican
Senate Caucus: In-State Tuition Referendum
Under the Maryland Constitution, aggrieved citizens are allowed to petition bills passed by the General Assembly under a process known as "the referendum."
Grassroots activists are currently engaged in a petition drive to take Senate Bill 167 to referendum so that citizens can decide whether the state will allow in-state tuition for illegal immigrants. If the petition drive is successful, the bill becomes ineffective until its fate is determined at the ballot box on November 6, 2012.
The Maryland Senate Republican Caucus voted unanimously against Senate Bill 167 that would create taxpayer-subsidized tuition rights for illegal immigrants.
We encourage you to visit the website http://mdpetitions.com and use the "Sign the Petition" link to print out your personalized petition to sign and mail in.
In addition, we have posted below a column written by Senator Joe Getty (R-Baltimore and Carroll) and published in today's edition of the Northern News that describes substantive policy reasons in opposition to Senate Bill 167:
A Petition to Stop a Nightmare
By Joe Getty
Published in the Northern News, May 5, 2011
A petition drive is underway to require a ballot referendum for the recently-passed bill (Senate Bill 167) allowing illegal immigrants to qualify for reduced tuition rates at Maryland's public universities.
Under the state constitution, citizens may take bills passed by the General Assembly to referendum under a petition process that requires gathering over 55,000 signatures from registered voters throughout the state. If the petition process is successful, the bill does not take effect unless it is approved by voters in the 2012 election.
Over the course of recent elections, petition drives to take bills to referendum are rarely successful. The threshold for certifying the petitions is just too high.
First, the time-frame for gathering signatures is too short. One-third of the signatures must be collected by May 31. The remainder must be turned in to the State Board of Elections by the end of June.
In addition, the technical requirements to certify the signatures are difficult. The names must be registered voters who sign on "approved" petition sheets separated in a county-by-county basis. The printed name and signature of the registered voter must strictly match (full middle name or middle initial, etc.) the name under which they registered to vote.
The strict validation process means that many of the signatures will be rejected. Combined with the high number of signatures required and the short time frame for collecting, organizers of the petition drive face a tough challenge.
Therefore, your help is strongly encouraged. If you wish to support this effort, the easiest way is to use the automated form at the website http://mdpetitions.com.
After you fill in the information, you need to print out the petition, sign it and mail it to Del. Neil C. Parrott (one of the lead organizers of the petition drive).
As a member of the State Senate, I voted against Senate Bill 167. Part of my opposition to the bill was based upon my experience in working with local residents when I served in the House of Delegates, 1995 - 2003.
As a delegate, I was surprised at how frequently I heard from parents of students about the difficulty in achieving admission to a state college or university. During the senate floor debate on March 14, I explained my opposition to the bill based upon the rationale that illegal immigrants will take away limited admission slots.
Our state rations higher education in Maryland. There are only a certain number of spots available at each institution. For many campuses, there is a stiff competition for incoming freshman admission slots.
With only a certain number of admission slots available, I would frequently receive a phone call from constituents questioning why their child was rejected from admission to a specific state college or university. The student typically had an outstanding academic record in local public schools. The student also displayed leadership qualities in varsity sports, student government and other organizations.
They may have been the first student from their family attempting to go to college. Moreover, the family had paid taxes their entire life to support the Maryland college and university system. Regardless, with a limited number of incoming slots, sometimes the best local students just don't make the cut to their top choice in higher education.
This realization is particularly hard to fathom for long-time Maryland residents. When my grandfather from New Windsor served on the board of trustees at College Park, the school was known as the Maryland Agricultural College and catered to "ag students."
When my father was applying to colleges, all that was needed was a high school diploma and you were accepted to University of Maryland College Park. For my generation of high school graduates, you only needed a "C average" in order to be accepted at College Park and it typically was your "backup" plan if you were not accepted to your first choices.
Thus, it is ironic for today's students that our families have paid taxes to make Maryland's university system one of the top-ranked in the nation while at the same time making it harder for their own children and other local students to gain admission.
The in-state tuition bill is known as the "Dream Act" for illegal immigrants based upon a similar bill in the U.S. Congress. As I explained to my senate colleagues during the floor debate, my constituents in Baltimore and Carroll counties have dreams too.
In this economic recession, many families are struggling financially while still trying to provide a college education for their children. They might desire go to a private school, in-state or out of state, but with the state of the current economy, the University of Maryland system is their best prospect financially.
Providing scarce admission slots to illegal immigrants is just not fair to the families of long-time law-abiding and tax-paying citizens of this state. Although amendments were added to the bill that would supposedly prevent the loss of in-state slots to illegal immigrants, many are skeptical that such slots can be preserved under the university system's budgetary constraints.
A similar bill for in-state tuition for illegal immigrants was passed eight years ago by the Maryland General Assembly. Immediately after the 2003 legislative session, it was vetoed by Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.
As policy director in Ehrlich's office, I coordinated the writing of the veto message for that bill. In addition to the fact that in-state slots would be taken from legal Maryland residents, we offered several other policy reasons for the governor's veto.
Foremost, was the conflict that existed with federal law. Granting in-state status to illegal immigrants is a direct violation of the federal Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996.
Ehrlich also raised concerns about the potentially large fiscal cost to the state. The fiscal note to the bill passed this year stated that there is no way to calculate the number of illegal immigrants that might qualify but estimated that the costs could reach more than $3.5 million a year by 2016.
The identical policy issues outlined in the 2003 veto letter exist today. Legal Maryland taxpayers could find their own children excluded from their higher education institution of choice while at the same time being required to foot the bill for tuition reductions (expected to cost millions of dollars) for illegal immigrants.
Whose dream is that?
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By HERB MCMILLAN
Originally published 04/25/11 in the The Capital-Gazette Newspaper
'Pigs get fed, but hogs get slaughtered," granddaddy used to say. It's a lesson politicians proud of "bringing home the bacon" should remember.
Most of their "bacon" comes from Maryland's $3.1 billion Capital Budget. Capital spending is used for building construction / repair. Every year, Maryland sells bonds (borrows money) to fund the Capital Budget. State property taxes are collected exclusively to pay the principal and interest on this debt.
Many projects funded in the Capital Budget, such as school construction, are critically necessary. Some are nice, but not essential. Some are pure pork. Bundling these projects together always sparks debate, but the biggest issue with this year's Capital Budget is debt. We can't afford the debt it, and past excessive borrowing, have generated.
Debt has grown from $4.7 billion in fiscal 1999, to $9.4 billion in fiscal 2012. Maryland's debt cannot exceed 8 percent of our revenues (income). Currently it's 7.2 percent. Maryland's' Department of Legislative Services states, "Maryland has reached the debt affordability limit." Our credit card is maxed out.
"Bacon" isn't free. DLS notes, "Revised state property tax revenues are insufficient to support Maryland's debt service." Property values have declined. With the General Assembly's inadequate reduction of capital spending this year, DLS projects state property tax rates to increase 18 percent in fiscal 2013, 36 percent in 2014 and 45 percent in 2015. County / city governments, dealing with state funding reductions, also are raising property taxes / fees. Homeowners are in for a property tax double whammy.
The alternative to property tax increases is spending operating funds to supplement our debt payment. That would cost $1.1 billion over four years. Unfortunately, we don't have the cash. Our operating budget projects a $1.2 billion deficit for the next four years.
This year, tax-and-spenders raised taxes and fees $315 million and raided $344 million from Special Funds (Transportation Trust, Program Open Space, etc.) to increase total state spending by $1 billion. They replaced $200 million of Special Funds with borrowed money. They've done this for years.
DLS notes "Much of the capital spending increase is attributable to moving operating spending into the capital budget." How can tax-and-spenders use operating funds to pay our debt, when they're already borrowing money to pay our operating expenses?
Do "pork-barrel" politicians really bring home the bacon? For every dollar Anne Arundel County residents pay in state taxes, our county gets back 23 cents, the fourth lowest return in Maryland. Anne Arundel County receives $4,612 in state education funds per pupil. The state average is $6,542. Baltimore City gets $11,520. The bacon's sizzling in Baltimore. You get a pork rind, served with a side order of big debt and higher taxes, and are told it took "a lot of horsepower'' to secure it.
House Republicans proposed cutting fiscal 2012 capital spending by 10 percent, 5 percent and 1 percent. Each proposal was rejected. We also proposed an operating budget that eliminated the deficit in two years, left special funds intact, increased education funding and reduced taxes in 2014. It was also rejected.
With no significant reductions to either budget bill, all but one Republican delegate voted against them.
Some claim a vote against a budget is a vote against everything in it. It isn't. Fiscal conservatives are for funding education, public safety, transportation, environmental programs and a safety net for the needy. But we're also for balance. The people who fund the budget are as important as the programs in it.
Marylanders are dealing with the fourth highest tax burden, fifth highest cost of living, and fifth worst business climate in America. Every tax but property and gas taxes has increased within the last four years. Within the last three years, 55 percent of us have lost a job or taken a pay cut. We need jobs and higher wages, not unsustainable debt and higher taxes.
The hogs have been at the trough long enough. It's time to replace the slop with a protein shake, and get Maryland into fiscal shape. After all, it isn't really slop they're gobbling. It's your money.
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From the Maryland Public Policy Institute
Progressively Worse Off
![[photo, House Office Building, 6 Bladen St. (from College Ave.), Annapolis, Maryland]](http://www.msa.md.gov/msa/mdmanual/06hse/images/1198-1-4530.jpg)
By Marta Hummel Mossburg
Originally published in the Frederick News-Post
Maryland's elected leaders pride themselves on being "progressive."
Maryland is one of the worst places to live -- and die -- wealthy, thanks to an onerous estate tax and one of the top tax burdens in the country. Elected officials heavily tax cigarettes, just upped the alcohol tax and routinely increase the power of unions. This year the legislature codified collective bargaining rights for home health care workers as other states around the nation tried to curtail union rights.
And Gov. Martin O'Malley recently launched with Alaska Sen. Mark Begich the NewDEAL, "committed to highlighting and connecting pro-growth progressive state and local elected leaders from across the country."
But it is run by people who share a lot more in common with Donald Trump than Mother Teresa.
Trump, the follicle-challenged, sometimes hundred-times-over millionaire, sometimes bankrupt developer who may run for president, puts his name on everything and creates his own rules.
Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller (D) is still alive and already has a building named after himself.
And then there is House Speaker Michael Busch (D), who flouts the legislative process he oversees to dole out millions to Annapolis. Usually pet projects are allegedly "vetted" through the bond bill process. But that must have been too, what's the word, legal?
Instead, he shoveled $600,000 to the Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, on whose board his wife sits, $1 million to Bates Middle School and $400,000 for Annapolis High School, among other projects, by adding them to a joint House-Senate conference committee on the capital budget.
He told The Capital in Annapolis that "Being the presiding officer gives me a little more input in the capital budget."
He added, "I'm proud to support these projects. You can write that with a capital 'P.'" Three of the recipients of his largess are within a mile of his home, according to the paper.
Maybe next year he can add a line item in the budget for walking-around money for his constituents. The only difference would be that he could not control how it was used.
In the scheme of things, a few million dollars is pennies in light of the size of the state budget. But the fact that the leader of the House would brag about circumventing the legislative process speaks to his leadership. The fact that he would do so when the only way to balance the budget is to raise taxes, fees, steal from funds devoted to fixing roads and underfund the retirement accounts of state workers makes it even worse. Maybe he doesn't care that the outlook from Standard & Poor's on the United States' AAA debt went from stable to negative because of massive deficits. That could never happen to Maryland. Besides, he wouldn't care.
When the rest of the state is crumbling around him, the 1-mile radius around his house will stay plowed in winter, leafy green in summer, and artistically fulfilling.
He should realize it's not charitable to give other people's money. In the private sector it is called theft. For him and for us, unfortunately, it is business as usual.
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Chevy Chase Club Luncheon Honors Caregivers of Wounded Soldiers
The Chevy Chase Women's Republican Club had a very special April luncheon, at the lovely home of Jayne Plank in Kensington, honoring the caregivers of our wounded soldiers who are in Walter Reed Army Hospital and Bethesda Naval Hospital. The club women invited the military wives for a special treat to give them a break from their stressful daily lives in caring for their loved ones with multiple war injuries.
Carol Bowis, Caring for America Chair for the club, proposed the idea and partnered with The Yellow Ribbon Fund to invite the caretakers. She and other club members sought donations from local merchants to assemble a gift bag for each of the caregivers to take home. Hearing of their need for food, several club members made generous donations to buy Giant Food gift cards for each individual gift bag.
The guests enjoyed the delicious luncheon in a lovely springtime garden setting and shared their stories of grief and healing and hope and pride. The Chevy Chase Women's Republican Club members gained a deeper understanding and compassion for the difficulties of our military families. Those who were privileged to attend, also heard from Carol Trawick whose remarks of hope and courage were inspirational, and from Marie Wood of The Yellow Ribbon Fund, who spoke about the mission of this local non-profit to make life easier for those military families dealing with the uncertainties of caring for our wounded soldiers. This very meaningful luncheon made a lasting impact on all those who attended.
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ICYMI: Montgomery County Residents Respond to Wasteful Spending
Employees Still Get Perks as County Drowns in Debt
Re: "Use of taxpayer-funded vehicles jumps in MontCo," April, 24
Examiner reporter Brian Hughes' informative article highlights just how much our county government takes from the citizenry. In the last three years, 87 more Montgomery County employees have permanently been assigned take-home vehicles. Union employees have done particularly well, gaining use of 70 additional taxpayer-funded vehicles in the same time frame.
With the county facing a budget shortfall of over $300 million, and with public safety services threatened, rising gasoline prices, and unknown costs for vehicle maintenance, the decision to provide employment perks of this magnitude to county employees is irresponsible.
With such a "laissez-faire" attitude, it is not surprising that the iron triangle of the single-party-dominated county executive, County Council, and organized labor continues to find ways to prosper at taxpayer expense.
Kurt S. Osuch
Chevy Chase
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Let the Voters Decide on
In-State Tuition
Sign the Petition
This link:
http://mdpetitions.com/default/signpetition
Lets you download and Sign the In-State Tuition Referendum Petition.
After you fill in the information, you need to print out the petition, sign it and mail it to Del. Neil C. Parrott (one of the lead organizers of the petition drive).
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Renew Your Republican Party Membership for 2011
Online
MCRP MEMBERSHIP LEVELS:
SUSTAINING MEMBER -$25 per year
BUILDER MEMBER -$50 per year
CENTURY CLUB MEMBER -$100 per year
LEADERSHIP COUNCIL - $250 per year
FINANCE COUNCIL -$500 per year
TRUSTEE COUNCIL -$1000 per year
CHAIRMAN'S CLUB -$2500 per year
( ) OTHER AMOUNT -___
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Upcoming Events
Details at
Montgomery County GOP Website
Friday May 06, 2011
3:00 PM
Maryland Republican Party 2011 Spring Convention & Training Seminar
Saturday May 07, 2011
10:00 AM
Precinct Training
Montgomery County GOP
Tuesday May 10, 2011
6:30 PM
Let's Talk Politics
Chevy Chase Women`s Republican Club
Tuesday May 10, 2011
7:00 PM
Montgomery County Central Committee Executive Board Meeting
Montgomery County GOP
Thursday May 12, 2011
7:00 PM
District 18 Monthly Meeting
Montgomery County GOP
Monday May 16, 2011
10:00 AM
Rural Women's Republican Club Monthly Meeting w/ Mark Uncapher, County GOP Chairman
Rural Women`s Republican Club
Monday May 16, 201
11:30 PM
Meeting w/ Tony Blankley
Leisure World Republican Club
Tuesday May 17, 2011
5:30 PM
MCYR HAPPY HOUR AND MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Montgomery County Young Republicans
Tuesday May 17, 2011
6:00 PM
Potomac Women's Republican Club Fundraiser w/ Andrew Card, Chief of Staff to President G.W. Bush
Potomac Women`s Club
Tuesday May 24, 2011
11:00 AM
Rock Creek Women's Club Monthly Meeting
Tuesday May 24, 2011
7:30 PM
Montgomery County Central Committee Executive Committee Meeting
Montgomery County GOP
Thursday May 26, 2011
11:30 PM
The Political Lunch Bunch Meeting
Chevy Chase Women`s Republican Club
Friday Jun 03, 2011
6:30 PM
Howard County Central Committee - 2011 Lincoln Day Dinner w/ Guest Speaker Herman Cain
Saturday Jun 04, 2011
10:00 AM
2011 Maryland Young Republicans Convention
Maryland Young Republicans
Saturday Jun 04, 2011
10:00 AM
Precinct Training and Volunteer Orientation
Montgomery County GOP
Tuesday Jun 07, 2011
7:00 PM
Montgomery Republican Men's Club Monthly Meeting
Montgomery County GOP
Friday Jun 10, 2011
6:00 PM
Olney Women's Republican Club Annual Fundraiser
Olney Women`s Republican Club
Tuesday Jun 14, 2011
7:00 PM
Montgomery County Central Committee Executive Board Meeting
Montgomery County GOP
Thursday Jun 16, 2011
6:30 PM
Evening with Ambassador John Bolton, Former US Ambassador to the United Nations
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Quote of the week
Nancy Pelosi from a press conference on September 7, 2006:
[E]ven if [Osama bin Laden] is caught tomorrow, it is five years too late. He has done more damage the longer he has been out there. But, in fact, the damage that he has done . . . is done. And even to capture him now I don't think makes us any safer.
And here's Nancy Pelosi this week:
The death of Osama bin Laden marks the most significant development in our fight against al-Qaida. . . . I salute President Obama, his national security team, Director Panetta, our men and women in the intelligence community and military, and other nations who supported this effort for their leadership in achieving this major accomplishment. . . . [T]he death of Osama bin Laden is historic. . .
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Also: We are looking to fill these volunteer positions:
Republican Team Leader Chairman-
Lead the party's person to person campaign to contact Montgomery County's Republican voters
Send a letter and resume to mdmcrp@comcast.net
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GET INVOLVED ! REPUBLICANS NEED TO APPLY !
MONTGOMERY COUNTY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
District 16 Central Committee member Carol Bowis has taken on the task of encouraging fellow Republicans to get involved in volunteer opportunities on Montgomery County Boards and Commissions. We can help shape public policy and make our voices heard. Please help spread the word to any qualified Republican to apply for county boards and commissions that are of interest.
Congratulations to Anna Yevropina, who has been appointed by the County Executive to the Committee for Ethnic Affairs. And congrats also to Diane Dillon, who is scheduled for appointment to the Charter Review Board on May 10! Good luck to other Republicans who have made applications to other Committees. With persistence, and qualified applicants, we will get our voices heard!
The County Executive has announced the following vacancies and the applications deadlines:
May 6:
Commission for Women Commission on Health Advisory Board for Montgomery Cares Energy and Air Quality Advisory Committee
Alcoholic Beverages Advisory Board
Adult Public Guardianship Review Board
May 13:
Wheaton Urban District Advisory Committee
Wheaton Redevelopment Advisory Committee
Silver Spring Urban District Advisory Committee
Silver Spring Transportation Management District Commission on Landlord Tenant Affairs
Alcohol and other Drug Abuse Advisory Council
May 18:
Board of Social Services Domestic Violence Coordinating
Council
June
Looking forward, the Council will be announcing vacancies for the Board of Appeals, which is a part-time job, in June .
To view the details of each application, go to the Montgomery County website and look for Boards and Committees, then click on Vacancy notices. Then click on the press release which interests you. Please encourage other good Republicans you know to apply as well. Our county needs to know the opinions of their citizens from BOTH parties!
For all of the above, please send a letter of interest and a resume to the County Executive's office. The Mont.County website, under Boards and Commissions, lists the press releases with details about each of the vacancies.
If you have served on a Board or Commission during the last ten years, or have applied and not been selected, Carol Bowis (301-229-1121) would appreciate hearing from you so that we can be more helpful in advising future applicants as to the process and interviews, etc., in the hopes of getting more GOP representation on county boards.
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Montgomery County Republican Central Committee
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