20071101 Special Session Update from Patrick L. McDonough, Republican, District 7, Baltimore & Harford Counties

Special Session Update from Patrick L. McDonough, Republican, District 7, Baltimore & Harford Counties

November 1, 2007

I received this in an e-mail from a colleague. One thing about Delegate McDonough is that one does not need an interpreter to understand what it is that he has said. He is quite straightforward in his approach…

SPECIAL SESSION UPDATE

HEADLINE: O’MALLEY’S SPEECH BIG FLOP

Some of the media missed many important stories that occurred during the first day of the Special Session. Let me begin with a bizarre experience I had. I have served in Annapolis during 10 General Assembly sessions and listened to many speeches delivered by different governors to joint sessions of the legislature. The Monday night O’Malley speech was not only misleading and boring, but appeared to fall on deaf ears. I have never witnessed a speech by a governor that received zero applause during the course of his speech. The Governor was not interrupted one time during the main body of his remarks and by any handclapping from a chamber dominated by liberal Democrats.

Miller and Busch sat stone-faced and with blank stares behind Governor O’Malley on the podium. The only applause came at the conclusion of this so-called important message. The legislators were respectful to the office, at best. As I sat and listened to the speech, my eyes wandered around the room observing the expressions of my colleagues. The Democrats looked like they were no happy campers. What all of this means regarding the fate of O’Malley’s package is not clear. I suspect the body language, lack of enthusiasm, and look of fear that appeared in their eyes sends a message that O’Malley is General Custer speaking to the 7^th Calvary attempting to convince them that more Indians are needed at the Little Big Horn River.

HEADLINE: SENATE COULD BLOCK PROGRAM:

EIGHT SENATORS HOLD THE KEY

Although many political experts claim the O’Malley agenda is on a fast track for success, I am beginning to have my doubts. The State Senate appears to be very shaky and Mike Miller does not consider this “his special session.” If the Governor stumbles, the President of the Senate would not shed a tear. The Republican Senate Caucus appears united and aggressive. All of them are opposed to O’Malley’s phony slots bill. Should the slots bill die, the entire tax package could be dragged into the grave with it. Keep your eye on the Senate and your e-mails, letters, and phone calls directed to the big eight Democrat State Senators. They are:

Senator Jim Brochin, Baltimore County, 410-841-3648

Senator Katherine Klausmeier, Baltimore County, 410-841- 3620

Senator Norman Stone, Baltimore County, 410-841-3587

Senator George Della, Baltimore City, 410-841-3000

Senator James DeGrange, Anne Arundel County, 410-841-3593

Senator Roy Dyson, Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s Counties, 410-841-3673

Senator Edward Kasemeyer, Baltimore & Howard Counties, 410-841-3653

Senator John Astle, Anne Arundel County, 410-841-3578

HEADLINE: REPUBLICAN DELEGATES UNITE AGAINST O’MALLEY’S PHONY SLOTS BILL

The O’Malley slots bill is probably the worse version of a gaming proposal to ever come before the General Assembly. It has many defects, including the mandating of slots and gambling being placed as part of the language in our Maryland State Constitution. Defacing our State Constitution with gambling language is enough in itself to cause many legislators to vote against the plan. On the first day of the Special Session, the 36 members of the Maryland Republican House of Delegates Caucus voted to oppose the O’Malley plan. That is a big chunk of votes that could make a difference since the Governor needs 85 votes in his favor instead of the usual 71 votes because the plan is a Constitutional amendment. Just like the situation in the Senate, the House Republicans are exerting unexpected pressure and influence on the Special Session outcome, contrary to what the experts would have you believe.

Finally, a special thanks to the active citizens who have bombarded the wavering Democrats with their advice. Keep up the good work. As the great American philosopher Yogi Berra once said, “It ain’t over till it’s over.”

HEADLINE: PAT MCDONOUGH REVEALS BIG SECRET

The O’Malley tax hike is destined to confiscate 25 billion dollars from taxpayers over the next ten years. The alleged ten year deficit is 7 billion dollars. The most important question that should be asked in Maryland is “What is Governor O’Malley plotting to do with the extra 18 billion dollars?” Not only am I the only one asking this question, but I will provide the answer. First, he will build schools, roads, and many pork barrel projects around the state and appear at every ribbon cutting. Secondly, he will dramatically expand Medicaid and create new government healthcare programs with your money to make Maryland a model state for socialized “Hillary Healthcare.” The national liberal left media will perpetrate an image of the “Great O’Malley” as America’s healthcare savior. Thirdly, and last, but most importantly, O’Malley will become a “born-again tax cutter” in the 2010 election year and provide taxpayers with big, fat rebates, while all of his tax hikes remain permanent. All of these supposedly wonderful things are designed to re-elect Governor O’Malley on the backs of the taxpayers. In other words, this current O’Malley tax hike is, in reality, a 25 billion dollar re-election campaign fund. More people should join me in asking this important question.