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Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Md Troopers Assoc #20 & Westminster Md Fire Dept Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Showing posts with label ChangeMaryland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ChangeMaryland. Show all posts

Monday, December 16, 2013

Gov. Bob Ehrlich will join Secretary Larry Hogan of Change Maryland to Headline Business Panel on Dec. 17

Gov. Bob Ehrlich to Headline Business Panel on Dec. 17

Gov. Bob Ehrlich will join Secretary Larry Hogan of Change Maryland to Headline Business Panel on Dec. 17

Obama's Desperate Course Corrections
 Gov. Bob Ehrlich's Op-Ed from Sunday
Fundraiser with Gov. Ehrlich and Sec. Hogan is Tomorrow
Marylanders for Joe Getty

December 16, 2013

Gov. Bob Ehrlich writes a weekly opinion column that appears on Sunday in the Baltimore Sun.

His commentary on the implementation of Obamacare was published yesterday as "Obama's Desperate Course Correction" (Click Here)

Tickets are still available for our fundraiser tomorrow (see flyer below and our website CLICK HERE), which features a book-signing by Gov. Ehrlich. You can also receive a complimentary author-inscribed copy of America: Hope for Change by making a contribution to our campaign.

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Marylanders for Joe Getty December 4, 2013

Dec. 17 Fundraiser Update:

Gov. Bob Ehrlich will join Secretary Larry Hogan of Change Maryland at the "Maryland Business Climate" luncheon on Dec. 17(for information or to register online click here).

Gov. Ehrlich will talk about national issues that are impacting Maryland's business climate including the rollout of Obamacare.

In a recently released book, "America: Hope for Change," Gov. Ehrlich explores the causes and remedies of the seven most difficult issues confronting (and confounding) our culture and country. Autographed copies will be available for a $35 contribution to Marylanders for Joe Getty.

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Maryland's Business Climate
 Improving Business Competitiveness Is Topic of Dec. 17 Fundraiser
With Featured Speakers Gov. Bob Ehrlich and Sec. Larry Hogan
Marylanders for Joe Getty

December 6, 2013

When I served as policy director for Gov. Bob Ehrlich, we placed a strong emphasis in our legislative package each year on improving Maryland's business climate. The Ehrlich Administration wanted to make sure that companies throughout the United States knew that Maryland was "Open for Business."

We worked hard to insure that Maryland provided an excellent business environment so that existing businesses could thrive and to encourage out-of-state businesses to relocate their operations here.

My fundraiser "Maryland's Business Climate" on Dec. 17 will include Gov. Bob Ehrlich and Secretary Larry Hogan of Change Maryland to discuss trends and issues facing Maryland if we are to improve our state's competitiveness with our neighboring states (see flyer on reverse).

One of the keys to improving the business climate is tax policy. Gov. Ehrlich drew a line in the sand against increasing Maryland's personal income tax although this was a high priority for the Democrat leadership in the legislature from 2003-06. The Ehrlich Administration's economic development policy also included measures to reduce regulations and improve Maryland's competitiveness.

Our efforts were very successful based upon The Tax Foundation's annual "State Business Tax Climate Index." Under Gov. Ehrlich's business and tax policies, Maryland moved from 31st to 22nd best business climate in the nation.

Unfortunately, over the last seven years, Maryland's business climate ranking has plummeted. At the peak of the O'Malley Brown Administration tax increases in 2009-10, Maryland was the sixth worst business climate in the country. In the recently released 2014 rankings, Maryland marginally improved to the ninth worst.

The states in the bottom ten suffer from the same afflictions: complex, non-neutral taxes with comparatively high rates. The leading factor in Maryland's decline is our 46th highest individual income tax rates. Being the only state in the nation to adopt a "rain tax" further compounds Maryland's poor reputation among the nation's top businesses.

In a recent presentation to the Maryland Rural Counties Coalition, economist Anirban Basu said that such rankings do not tell the true story. In his experience working within the nation's business community, the word-of-mouth perceptions of Maryland's bad business climate are far worse than the rankings show.

Thus it is no surprise that Texas Gov. Rick Perry saw Maryland as easy pickings in an economic development advertising campaign to lure Maryland businesses to the "Lone Star" state. "We pray for rain in Texas," Perry said. "They tax rain in Maryland."

I recently accepted a change in committee assignments to Senate Budget & Tax so that I can have a role in influencing state tax policy. I invite you to join us on Dec. 17 as we explore many options available to improve Maryland's business climate.

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America: Hope for Change
 Gov. Bob Ehrlich to Autograph His New Book at Our Dec. 17 Fundraiser
Marylanders for Joe Getty

December 10, 2013

In his book released last month America: Hope for Change, Gov. Bob Ehrlich sets forth a conservative political agenda to set our country back on the "right" track instead of the "wrong" track.

By stressing the individual freedoms and self-autonomy that has made America great, Gov. Ehrlich provides an analysis of our national fiscal crisis and debt, healthcare delivery, job creation, social security and national security. Through his experiences as a Congressman and Governor of Maryland, Ehrlich provides insights that focus on policy solutions to strengthen American culture and economic opportunity.

Gov. John H. Sununu, former New Hampshire Governor and White House Chief of Staff under Pres. George H.W. Bush, describes the book as follows: "Bob Ehrlich makes the case for why America must, aggressively and quickly, fight to reverse the growth and excessive intrusion of the federal government into the lives of all citizens. He makes a clear case that the basic strengths that made America the land of opportunity are being destroyed. The Governor does a great job in defining the problem, the subtleties of the erosion of the system, and then proposes an agenda to fix the system."

Our fundraiser on Dec. 17, 2013 will feature a book-signing by Gov. Ehrlich. You can also receive a complimentary author-inscribed copy of America: Hope for Change by making a contribution to our campaign.

Please join us on Dec. 17, 2013 with speakers Gov. Bob Ehrlich and Secretary Larry Hogan of Change Maryland.

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The Long-Term Effects of Obamacare
 Gov. Bob Ehrlich's Chapter on Obamacare Provides Insights
On Pres. Obama's Healthcare "Agenda"
Marylanders for Joe Getty

December 10, 2013

The current Obamacare debate being played out daily in the national media focuses on the failed mechanics of websites and apathetic enrollment numbers. But what are the long-term effects of Obamacare?

In the chapter "Securing a Healthcare Agenda, Not Quality Healthcare" from his book America: Hope for Change, Gov. Bob Ehrlich provides insights on what Americans may face in the coming years as Obamacare becomes the rule of the land in local hospitals and doctors' offices.

"It is impossible to predict the nature and extent of the regulatory burden represented by a fully implemented Obamacare. One outcome is acknowledged by all sides, however: many of the important decisions will not be made by the democratically elected representatives of the people. Instead, they will be issued by an army of unelected, unaccountable regulators. Such is the legacy of the Obama administrative state . . . the newly empowered Obama bureaucracy enjoys degree of power over the personal decision making authority of ordinary people never before seen in our history," is just one observation made by Gov. Ehrlich.

          Our fundraiser on Dec. 17 will feature a book-signing by Gov. Ehrlich. You can also receive a complimentary author-inscribed copy of America: Hope for Change by making a contribution to our campaign.

          Please join us on Dec. 17 with speakers Gov. Bob Ehrlich and Secretary Larry Hogan of Change Maryland.

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Upcoming events:

Tues. Dec. 17, 2013

"Maryland's Business Climate" - Fundraiser Luncheon
Hosted by Marylanders for Joe Getty
12 noon - Best Western, 451 WMC Drive, Westminster
For information: www.senatorgetty.com or contact Russ Vriezen at (443) 536-4700 or russ@senatorgetty.com

Thurs. Dec. 19, 2013
Carroll County Chamber of Commerce - Local Authors Book Signing
Senator Getty will be signing two local history books: "Carroll's Heritage" and
"Excerpts from the Engine of Liberty and Uniontown Advertiser"
3 to 6 p.m.

Wed. Jan. 8, 2013

Maryland General Assembly 2014 Session Begins

Gov Ehrlich-Robert, ChangeMaryland, People Getty-Joe Getty, Politics, Medicine Health ObamaCare, MD Issues Taxes, Business Economics, Bus Econ anti-business, 
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Thursday, July 26, 2012

Recent ChangeMaryland Press Releases


Recent ChangeMaryland Press Releases:


For this and much - much more go to: http://www.changemaryland.org/

Maryland Leading the Nation in Job Loss in 2012

Annapolis – Maryland has lost more jobs so far this year than any other state in the nation according to the U.S. Department of Labor. After last Friday’s release of June state unemployment figures, there is now six months of data with which to compare the states. Maryland, which lost just over 10,000 jobs since the beginning of this year, is among a dozen states to have experienced declines during this period.
“This is a very disturbing trend, which needs to be addressed,” said Change Maryland Chairman Larry Hogan. “I’m deeply concerned that state government’s onslaught of taxes and fees is causing us to lose businesses, jobs and taxpayers at an alarming rate.”
Maryland has raised taxes and fees 24 times since 2007, removing an additional $2.4 billion from the economy annually.
Maryland is also performing poorly in another important time period. From the beginning of 2007 to present, Maryland has lost more jobs than any other state in the region except for Pennsylvania, where each state lost nearly 40,000 and 60,000 jobs respectively.
“Governor O’Malley says repeatedly that Maryland has fared better than other states during the recession,” said Hogan. “He should be talking about our state’s performance relative to others in this region, not compared to Michigan or Nevada. Once again he is cherry picking data in an attempt to fool people.”
A comparison frequently made on all sides of the political spectrum is between Maryland and Virginia. Maryland’s unemployment rate, at 6.9%, contrasts sharply with Virginia’s 5.7%. This is the widest gap between the two states since 2001, when Parris Glendening was governor.
The Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics measures total non-farm employment. June numbers are preliminary.
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Background:
http://www.bls.gov/sae/#data
Posted in Press Releases | Leave a comment

For this and much - much more go to: http://www.changemaryland.org/

Statement from Change Maryland Chairman Larry Hogan on U.S. Department of Labor State Unemployment Report

Annapolis – The U.S. Department of Labor’s State Unemployment survey showed today Maryland experiencing the third largest job loss in the nation among the states. Maryland’s decrease in employment was 11,000 and the June unemployment rate inched up to 6.9%.
The report comes on the heels of dismal reports in which Maryland led most other states in job loss going back to the Spring of this year.
The unemployment rate is climbing having risen from 6.6% in March. Meanwhile, Virginia is holding relatively steady at 5.7% and the differential of the rates between the two states is widening to record levels.
“Something isn’t working here,” said Change Maryland Chairman Larry Hogan. “Now would be an excellent time to re-evaluate our tax-and-spend approach to governing and start developing policies that increase private sector job growth. It’s unacceptable to have increases in the unemployment rate month after month.”
Posted in Press Releases | Leave a comment

For this and much - much more go to: http://www.changemaryland.org/

O’Malley Continues False Petty Attacks on Hogan, Change Maryland

Annapolis – Change Maryland called on the O’Malley Administration and the State Democratic Party to regroup and attempt to actually form a coherent, rational and policy-based response to the issues raised in the organization’s report on tax migration.
Change Maryland outlined a specific, modest step for them to do so – they should actually read the report.
The Maryland Democratic Party, following the O’Malley Administration the week before, leveled another petty partisan attack yesterday on Change Maryland and it’s chairman Larry Hogan, injecting class warfare talking points into a debate that has nothing to do with individual income levels.
“It’s obvious that the administration and state party still have not even read the report, ” said Change Maryland Chairman Larry Hogan. If they had read it, they would know that the word ‘millionaires’ is not referenced anywhere.  They don’t like what the report says, so they simply introduce a red herring. And rather than addressing the actual issue, they simply lash out with juvenile attacks on the messenger.”
Using IRS data, Change Maryland analyzed migration patterns at the state and county levels. Among the findings are that Maryland’s 31,000 net out-migration of residents from 2007 to 2010 was the highest in the region and seventh-highest nationally.
Business media outlet CNBC subsequently covered the Change Maryland tax report raising questions about the impact on high income households which may have confused administration and party officials accustomed to favorable press treatment.
“They are reacting to media coverage and not our report,” said Hogan. “Change Maryland analyzes publicly available IRS data which the administration should have been doing in the first place.”
A previous Change Maryland report issued in May compiled General Assembly information to quantify the cumulative tax and fee hikes imposed under the O’Malley Administration. The report is a line item accounting of 24 separate revenue increases from 2007 which remove an additional $2.4 billion from the Maryland economy annually.  Most of these measures are regressive tax and fee increases.
“We are pulling the curtain back on this administration and simply giving the hard facts about what is really happening in Maryland, and they don’t like it,” said Hogan, who also noted that none of the facts in either of the two reports have been refuted.
Meanwhile, since O’Malley’s failed partisan attack on Change Maryland on July 10, the non-partisan organization has increased its membership by over 2200, reaching a total of over 16,000 Democrats, Republicans and Independents. The group is Maryland’s largest and fastest growing non-partisan, grassroots citizen organization.
Posted in Press Releases | Leave a comment

For this and much - much more go to: http://www.changemaryland.org/

In Case You Missed It: Change Maryland/Larry Hogan

Profile of Change Maryland:
Easton Star Democrat 6.20.12
Group Targets Spending and Tax Hikes
http://www.stardem.com/news/local_news/article_0450af08-ba65-11e1-b1b2-001a4bcf887a.html
Change Maryland Tax Migration Report:
State and Local
Washington Times 7.03.12
Many Marylanders who leave go to Virginia, study finds
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/jul/3/most-marylanders-who-leave-go-virginia-study-finds/
The Daily Record 7.04.12
Maryland’s biggest jurisdictions are losing tax filers
http://thedailyrecord.com/2012/07/04/marylands-biggest-jurisdictions-are-losing-tax-filers/
St. Mary’s County Times 7.05.12
Local Tax Base Growth Among Best in State
http://countytimes.somd.com/archive/2012/07-jul/2012-07-05.pdf
Washington Examiner 7.05.12
Examiner Local Editorial: Maryland taxpayers head for the hills — and the shore
http://washingtonexaminer.com/examiner-local-editorial-marylander-taxpayers-head-for-the-hills-and-the-shore/article/2501389
Monoblogue 7.06.12
Shocker: capital leaves a high-tax state
http://monoblogue.us/2012/07/06/shocker-capital-leaves-a-high-tax-state/
Ocean City Dispatch 7.06.12
Worcester Leads Md. In Incoming Taxpayer Migration
http://www.mdcoastdispatch.com/articles/2012/07/06/Top-Stories/Worcester-Leads-Md.-In-Incoming-Taxpayer-Migration
Washington Examiner 7.07.12
Wealthy leave Md. suburbs, IRS data show
http://washingtonexaminer.com/wealthy-leave-md.-suburbs-irs-data-show/article/2501533
Washington Times 7.10.12
EDITORIAL: Escape from Maryland
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/jul/10/editorial-escape-maryland/
WTOP 7.10.12
Report: Higher taxes may drive out rich Marylanders
http://www.wtop.com/?nid=1029
Cross Purposes 7.10.12
Somebody Got Somebody’s Attention
http://rjc-crosspurposes.blogspot.com/2012/07/somebody-got-somebodys-attention.html
Frederick News-Post 7.11.12
Population shift swells county tax dollars
http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?StoryID=138029
Washington Times 7.11.12
O’Malley blog rebutting exodus report causes stir
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/jul/11/omalley-blog-rebutting-exodus-report-causes-stir/
Patch: SPEAK OUT:   7.11.12
Are Taxes Driving Out Maryland’s Millionaires?
http://germantown.patch.com/articles/speak-out-are-taxes-driving-out-maryland-s-millionaires
Pocomoke Public Eye 7.11.12
Change Maryland Responds to Gov. Martin O’Malley’s Political Attack
http://thepocomokepubliceye.blogspot.com/2012/07/change-maryland-responds-to-gov-martin.html
Worcester County Times 7.12.12
Worcester’s tax base sees most new residents
http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20120712/WCT01/207120387
The Tentacle 7.12.12
A Sorry State of Affairs
http://www.thetentacle.com/ShowArticle.cfm?mydocid=5222
Global Rhetoric 7.12.12
O’Malley’s Meltdown
http://www.globalrhetoric.com/2012/07/12/omalleys-meltdown/
SBY News 7.12.12
Change Maryland Responds To Gov. Martin O’Malley’s Political Attack
http://sbynews.blogspot.com/2012/07/change-maryland-responds-to-gov-martin.html
National
CNBC 7.09.12
In Maryland, Higher Taxes Chase Out Rich: Study
http://www.cnbc.com/id/48120446
Hot Air 7.09.12
Surprise: Higher taxes in Maryland chasing out the wealthy
http://hotair.com/archives/2012/07/09/surprise-higher-taxes-in-maryland-chasing-out-the-wealthy/
Daily Caller  7.10.12
Study: Marylanders moving to Virginia because of high taxes
http://dailycaller.com/2012/07/10/study-marylanders-moving-to-virginia-because-of-high-taxes/#ixzz20RCKY1Gr
CNBC 7.10.12
Hogan: Tax & Regulatory Policies Key to Attracting Business
http://www.cnbc.com/id/48117890
Fox Business News 7.12.12
Higher Taxes Cost Maryland $1.7 Billion in Tax Revenue
http://video.foxbusiness.com/v/1732098456001/
Other States
West Virginia
Charleston Daily Mail 7.11.12
Maryland shows folly of overtaxing people
http://www.dailymail.com/Opinion/Editorials/201207100185
New York
Diary of a Republican Hater 7.09.12
Don’t Worry the Right Just Wants to Increase the Tax Base
http://diaryofarepublicanhater.blogspot.com/2012/07/dont-worry-right-just-wants-to-increase.html
New Mexico
News New Mexico 7.10.12
Taxes Backfire in Maryland
http://newsnewmexico.blogspot.com/2012/07/attempt-to-tax-rich-in-maryland.html
North Dakota
Say Anything Blog 7.09.12
Maryland Learns If You Tax Rich People You Get Fewer Rich People
http://sayanythingblog.com/entry/maryland-learns-if-you-tax-reach-people-you-get-fewer-rich-people/
Virginia
Jefferson Policy Journal 7.12.12
Overtaxed Marylanders Flee to Virginia
http://www.jeffersonpolicyjournal.com/?p=2544
Washington D.C.
Washington Free Beacon 7.09.12
Marylander’s Flee O’Malley’s Taxes
http://freebeacon.com/marylanders-flee-omalleys-taxes/
Michigan
Dennis Tubbergen blog 7.12.12
Tax the Rich and they Move?
http://www.dennistubbergen.com/index.php/archives/2430
Posted in Press Releases | Leave a comment

For this and much - much more go to: http://www.changemaryland.org/

O’Malley Admits to Falsifying Data on State Website

Following Governor Martin O’Malley’s misstatement of key statistics
measuring Maryland’s tax burden, Change Maryland acknowledged the
Washington D.C.-based Tax Foundation’s critical role in clarifying the
issue.
“In this economy, with people struggling to make ends meet, the last
thing we need right now is false information from our elected
officials about Maryland’s tax burden,” said Change Maryland
Chairman Larry Hogan. “Fortunately, someone was paying attention, and
I applaud their diligence in helping Governor O’Malley arrive at the
truth.”
The Tax Foundation noted that the O’Malley Administration eliminated
Delaware in a comparison of sales tax burdens because the state has no
sales tax. Virginia’s sales tax burden was misstated in an attempt to
make Maryland look more competitive.
The admission of error came as a direct result of a Tax Foundation
criticism of O’Malley’s blog post in which he personally attacked
Change Maryland and it’s members. The attack came as a result of
unexpected media attention in the wake of Change Maryland’s report of
tax filers moving to other states.
“Maryland’s tax system is not a competitive one, so I can understand
the pressure O’Malley is under to show that it’s somehow not that
bad,” said Tax Foundation Vice President for State Projects Joseph
Henchman. “We’re still critical of his approach of picking a few data
points while missing the overall picture, but it crossed the line when
his office put out wrong data on other states’ tax rates.”
“We take a lot of pride in giving accurate information,” said Tax
Foundation economist Scott Drenkard to the Washington Times, which
reported that O’Malley spokesman Raquel Guillory “admitted that the
blog post had been incorrect on Virginia.”
Similarly, Delaware was later added to the comparison.
Posted in Press Releases | 4 Comments

For this and much - much more go to: http://www.changemaryland.org/

Change Maryland Responds to Gov. Martin O’Malley’s Political Attack

Change Maryland Chairman Larry Hogan appeared on WBAL’s “C-4″ show this afternoon to discuss the organization’s study on tax flight and the Governor’s response yesterday.
Posted in Press Releases | 3 Comments

Change Maryland Releases County-by-County Analysis of Tax Base

Annapolis – Change Maryland released today an analysis of how the state’s 24
jurisdictions are performing in a key metric of their ability to
provide essential government services, improve quality of life and
maintain fiscal responsibility – the rise or fall of the tax base.
Posted in Press Releases | Leave a comment

Maryland Spending Growth Highest in Region

Annapolis, MD – A report issued yesterday underscores again dramatic spending growth in Maryland, where the budget has increased more than any other state on the eastern seaboard and the mid-Atlantic region. Nationally, the rate of growth is higher than all but five other states, according to the non-partisan National Governor’s Association which compares state general fund budgets from fiscal years 2011 to 2013.
Also posted in In the News | Leave a comment

Change Maryland Drives National Messaging on O’Malley’s Record

Annapolis, MD – As Governor Martin O’Malley diverts attention from Maryland again to focus on personal political ambitions, national media platforms are delivering Change Maryland’s message of the problems massive tax increases have had on job growth here at home.O’Malley is headed to Wisconsin today to campaign for the recall effort of Gov. Scott Walker.
Posted in Press Releases | Leave a comment

Maryland Taxes Spark Largest Exodus of Any State in Region

Annapolis, MD – Maryland accounted for the largest migration exodus of any
state in the region between 2007 and 2010, with a net migration resulting in
nearly 31,000 residents having left the state. Where did most of them go?
Virginia. Virginia is now home to 11,455 former Marylanders, taking $390
million from the tax rolls during this three-year period.
Posted in Press Releases | 1 Comment
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Sunday, July 22, 2012

Cross Purposes: Somebody Got Somebody's Attention

Cross Purposes: Somebody Got Somebody's Attention: The Democratic monopoly in Annapolis regards the state’s outgunned Republican Party and its ideological allies as little more than irritant... http://rjc-crosspurposes.blogspot.com/2012/07/somebody-got-somebodys-attention.html


Tuesday, July 10, 2012


Somebody Got Somebody's Attention

The Democratic monopoly in Annapolis regards the state’s outgunned Republican Party and its ideological allies as little more than irritants and convenient scapegoats.

In the rare instance in which Democrats choose to respond to a volley from the other side, it tends to be of the dismissive variety, like a hand lazily swatting at a pesky insect.  

So, when the Democratic establishment actually chooses to engage its ideological foes in a substantive manner, it is a noteworthy development.

That’s what happened recently when the O’Malley Administration returned fire on an organization headed by a frequently mentioned possible 2014 candidate for governor.

ChangeMaryland, which bills itself as “the grassroots movement fighting to bring fiscal responsibility and common sense to Annapolis,” was founded and is chaired by Larry Hogan, a fellow veteran of the Ehrlich Administration.

The organization, which has over 14,000 followers on Facebook, is a burr in the saddle of the O’Malley Administration, frequently criticizing its policies in the areas of taxation, the budget, and the state’s job growth and retention efforts.

Recently, ChangeMaryland released a study in which it maintains that 31,000 high income citizens disaffected by Governor O’Malley’s tax and spend policies fled the state between 2007 and 2010, taking $1.7 billion in lost tax revenue with them... http://rjc-crosspurposes.blogspot.com/2012/07/somebody-got-somebodys-attention.html


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Friday, July 13, 2012

The Office of the Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley: The Fact By Rick Abbruzzese, Director of Public Affairs


The Facts By Rick Abbruzzese, Director of Public Affairs http://www.governor.maryland.gov/blog/?p=6075

July 10th, 2012

A recent report by Change Maryland, a GOP-led, partisan organization, erroneously makes an outdated claim that the number of millionaire households in Maryland has decreased.  A quick look at the numbers reveals the facts:
FACT: Change Maryland is a GOP-led, partisan organization founded by a former Ehrlich appointee, failed congressional candidate and failed would-be candidate for Governor.
FACT: The number of millionaire households in Maryland has actually increased 19% during the O’Malley-Brown Administration, according to the non-partisan Phoenix Institute. Today, Maryland has the highest percentage of millionaire households in the United States, and our overall share of the United States’ millionaire residents has actually increased since 2006. Lastly, the balance between Virginia and Maryland remains statistically unchanged during that time.
FACT: Governor O’Malley inherited a $1.7 billion structural deficit from an Ehrlich Administration that increased spending by nearly 34% over 4 years.  In 2007, Governor O’Malley called a Special Session to resolve the inherited structural deficit through a balanced approach of unprecedented cuts to spending and yes, new revenues. The decisive actions taken during the 2007 Special Session – including $550 million in cuts and a penny’s increase on the sales tax – would have eliminated the structural deficit by Fiscal Year 2012 had our country not been plunged into recession by George W. Bush’s reckless spending and tax cuts that overwhelmingly favor the wealthy.
 FACT: According to the highly respected and non-partisan Federal Funds Information for States, Marylanders have the 3rd lowest state and local tax burden adjusting for income, ahead of only South Dakota and New Hampshire. And, according to the Tax Foundation, when you factor in all of Maryland’s sales tax exemptions, Marylanders pay the 9th lowest adjusted state and local sales taxes in the nation (including adjustments for zero local sales taxes and exemptions on services, gasoline, groceries and more).
Here’s a sales tax comparison with our neighboring states:
Lastly, the Tax Foundation also finds that Maryland has the 8th lowest tax burden on mature businesses, Ernst & Young ranks Maryland as having the 12th lowest tax burden on new investments, and Ernst & Young and COST indicate Maryland businesses pay the 2nd lowest combined state and local taxes as a share of total state and local tax revenue (only Connecticut is lower).
Here’s a corporate tax comparison to our neighboring states:
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