20061107 O’Malley: Defending Maryland Against Rising Energy Prices

Undated – perhaps early summer 2006?

O’Malley: Defending Maryland Against Rising Energy Prices

http://www.martinomalley.com/content/591

LEADERSHIP THAT WORKS: Defending Maryland Against Rising Energy Prices

http://www.martinomalley.com/content/591

LEADERSHIP THAT WORKS: Defending Maryland Against Rising Energy Prices

Maryland’s hard-working families, seniors on fixed incomes, and small business owners are being squeezed by skyrocketing energy and fuel costs, making it more difficult to make ends meet. The pressure placed on our family budgets will be even greater this summer when electric rates soar by a shocking 72%. At the same time, the price of gasoline continues to climb.

Yet, our current Governor declared himself “neutral” in the fight to keep energy affordable. He even vetoed measures to restore the independence of the Public Service Commission (PSC) and give Marylanders more leverage to negotiate lower energy costs and ensure adequate supply.

Like his friend, George W. Bush, Bob Ehrlich has failed to demonstrate a long-term vision to keep energy affordable, and both have sided with corporate energy interests instead of hard-working families and small businesses. Now, every time we open our electric bills and fill up our gas tanks we feel the effects of Bob Ehrlich and George Bush’s failed leadership.

Martin O’Malley and Anthony Brown will work to provide immediate relief from the impending rate hikes for our families, small businesses and the most vulnerable in our communities. O’Malley and Brown believe that any system should ensure an adequate supply of energy, a fair rate of return for producers and affordable rates for customers.

Absent adequate competition that can meet these goals, we must work to implement a system that ensures an adequate supply of energy at affordable rates.

O’Malley and Brown also believe that Maryland needs a comprehensive, long-term vision to make energy more affordable. Our Governor must be an advocate for the people – not corporate energy profits – by ensuring that consumers get a fair shake when dealing with energy monopolies and in guaranteeing transparency and accountability in the regulatory system. The state must also lead the way in promoting and investing in long-term solutions that make energy more affordable, that are better for the environment and that create jobs.

Provide Immediate Relief for Our Families

Create a “Shock Absorber” for Our Families to Keep Energy Affordable. Any system should ensure an adequate supply of power, affordable rates for consumers and a fair rate of return for producers.

To accomplish these goals, O’Malley will work with the General Assembly and other parties to limit energy rates to just and reasonable levels this July.

The rates will then be capped at this level until competent, independent regulators can examine them and ensure Marylanders only pay rates that reflect the true costs of electricity, not rates artificially created in a monopoly market. O’Malley will also work to ensure that all residents are automatically enrolled in the “shock absorber” plan, and not be subject to an “opt-in” provision that disproportionately harms seniors and low-income Marylanders.

Replace PSC Members: Install Advocate for Consumers in Negotiations.

O’Malley will support measures that will immediately get new, independent, competent regulators on the job – replacing the existing industry-dominated PSC.

Over the course of his administration Bob Ehrlich has packed the PSC with advocates for big corporate interests who are not true partners in the current fight to negotiate lower energy costs and ensure supply. As a result we do not have independent voices that can assess the fairness of rates and ensure adequate supply.

Impose a Moratorium on the Merger: Increase Ability to Negotiate Lower Prices.

O’Malley supports a moratorium on the proposed merger between Constellation Energy and Florida Power and Light.

In so doing, Marylanders will have greater bargaining power in negotiating the costs of their utility bills and regulators will have more time to examine what is happening to assets financed by ratepayers.

Paths to Progress

As Maryland’s next Governor, Martin O’Malley will:

RESTORE THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION

End the Revolving Door Between the PSC, the Energy Industry and Lobbyists.

One of the greatest problems facing the PSC – made exceedingly obvious in the Ehrlich Administration – is the revolving door between high-level energy industry executives, special interest lobbyists, and Commission members. As a result, the Commission designed to be a watchdog over the special interests, is now a lapdog for them.

O’Malley will close the revolving door by requiring at least a two-year waiting period between the time any official from an industry which has business before the Commission can become eligible for appointment to the PSC. O’Malley will also require a two-year waiting period for all departing Commission members and high level staff members before they are permitted to lobby or represent a client before the PSC.

Stop Ehrlich’s Political Cronyism and Return Professionals to the PSC.

O’Malley will end the pervasive Ehrlich-era practice of firing qualified technical professionals from the PSC only to replace them with political cronies, campaign staff, and political loyalists. O’Malley will work to ensure that only qualified, independent, and non-political experts in energy and regulatory issues are hired to advise the PSC.

Increase Openness and Transparency in All PSC Meetings and Dealings. The current culture of secret meetings and private emails between the Ehrlich Administration, PSC commissioners and lobbyists only weakens the public’s trust in the PSC. O’Malley will require PSC members and high level staff to file detailed quarterly reports disclosing all contacts and interactions with industry representatives.

Appoint a People’s Counsel Who Will Put Maryland Families First.

In Maryland, the People’s Counsel is meant to be the leading advocate for the public in all issues before the PSC.

However, as the recent 72% rate hike clearly shows, there is no longer a strong advocate for the people in the Bob Ehrlich administration. O’Malley will appoint a strong advocate for the people that will not buckle to big business pressure. O’Malley will push to give the Office of the Peoples Counsel the tools they need to be an effective advocate.

STRENGTHEN OVERSIGHT OF MARYLAND’S PUBLIC UTILITIES AND FACILITATE FAIR PRICING

Re-Establish Oversight Over Utility Monopolies.

Despite the hopes for greater competition, utility companies have a monopoly over the local energy market to the detriment of Maryland families, seniors and small businesses. If the market cannot support true competition, the state must actively oversee these monopolies – especially when they supply basic needs. In order to better ensure more affordable energy prices, O’Malley will bring electricity rates back under tight regulatory oversight.

Compel a Legitimate Review of the Pending Merger.

In the short term, O’Malley will support a moratorium on the pending merger to provide greater leverage for Marylanders in negotiating lower energy costs. He also supports the right of the state to approve the proposed merger. Approval should only be given if there is a clear public interest with demonstrable ratepayer benefits. In so doing he will help give the people of Maryland greater bargaining power in their negotiations with BGE to offset the imminent rate hikes.

Require Reliable and Safe Service.

O’Malley will prohibit utilities from transferring their profits to parent holding companies or affiliates unless these companies 1) maintain high standards of reliable service; 2) meet high standards of restoration of service during disaster and weather related outages and 3) ensure the financial integrity of the utility.

Force the Promotion of Stable and Affordable Rates for Consumers. Currently, most of our energy supply is tied up in short-term contracts that are subject to the wild swings of the energy market.

O’Malley will change the power procurement laws to allow utilities to engage in longer-term planning and purchasing to better insulate ratepayers from market fluctuations and stabilize utility bills. Long-term plans will include the ability of utilities to enter into long-term supply contracts and invest in energy usage reduction programs.

Promote More Municipal Aggregate Buying to Save Money for Ratepayers. O’Malley will make it easier for Maryland’s cities and towns to form cooperative buying arrangements for their citizens. Business groups and governments aggregate their purchases of energy in order to save money; residential customers through their local governments should have the same ability; this will bring more competition to the electricity market.

BE AN ADVOCATE FOR CONSUMERS AT THE GAS PUMP

Crack Down on Gasoline Price Gouging in Maryland & Increase Penalties.

O’Malley will introduce legislation to crack down on the despicable practice of gasoline price gouging. As we saw during the tragedies of Katrina and Rita, some irresponsible businesses made the decision to capitalize on the gas shortage by charging customers outrageous and inflated prices. O’Malley will create a toll-free hotline that Marylanders can call to get a sense of what they should be paying at the pump and to report possible price gouging, work with the Attorney General’s office to enhance monitoring, and increase the penalties for price gouging.

Decrease Dependence on Gasoline By Promoting Alternative-Fuel Vehicles.

As Mayor of Baltimore, O’Malley implemented an innovative program to promote alternative-fuel vehicles with free parking at many downtown locations. As Governor, O’Malley will work with localities to help implement similar programs that reward Marylanders with alternative fuel vehicles.

PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO OLDER AND LOW INCOME MARYLANDERS

Assist Seniors and Low and Fixed Income Marylanders. O’Malley will ensure seniors and Marylanders on low or fixed incomes do not fall victim to increasing energy rates—rates that can force consumers to make impossible choices between necessities such as prescription drugs, food and rent.

O’Malley will work to expand and promote the Maryland Energy Assistance Program while streamlining the application process to protect seniors and low income customers from the dangers of extreme heat and cold. By cutting red tape and installing a “no wrong door” approach, O’Malley will help ensure Maryland seniors and low and fixed income individuals receive the help they need. Finally, Martin O’Malley will also strengthen regulations on winter terminations to ensure families are not endangered by being unable to pay for heat.

PROMOTE ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN MARYLAND

Create New Tax Credits & Sales Tax Holidays to Encourage the Use of Energy Efficient Appliances & Construction of Green Homes and Buildings.

O’Malley will consider a wide variety of tax credits and incentives to encourage the use of energy efficient appliances and the construction of “green” homes and buildings.

To encourage the purchases of energy efficient appliances, O’Malley will establish a “sales tax holiday” for energy efficient household and commercial appliances. Such holidays will not only help consumers but have proven to be a boon to retailers as well. Martin O’Malley will look to establish tax credits for the construction of “green” buildings and homes that have less impact on the environment and use less energy.

Promote Proper Weatherization of Homes and Businesses.

Martin O’Malley will work to ensure more Marylanders have energy efficient homes that are properly weatherized to prevent excessive heating and cooling costs. O’Malley will

1) create and enforce rental housing standards to achieve higher levels of energy efficiency and provide incentives for landlords to invest in weatherizing their properties;

2) craft incentives for homeowners to invest in weatherizing their homes and

3) increase weatherization funds for insulation and windows for low-income Marylanders to help clear the current backlog of people waiting to make improvements.

LEAD THE WAY IN PROMOTING ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Convert a Significant Percentage of the State of Maryland’s Vehicle Fleet to Hybrid and Other Energy Efficient Vehicles. O’Malley will issue an executive order requiring that an additional 10% of the State of Maryland’s official vehicle fleet be hybrid or run on alternative fuels by 2010. He will also work to increase the number of “green” buildings and facilities run by the state of Maryland.

Double Assistance to Local Communities to Purchase Renewable Energy.

Many local communities can experience significant savings and pass those savings on to taxpayers through the purchase of renewable energy. For example, communities that purchased wind power were able to save significantly as the cost of natural gas skyrocketed in the wake of Hurricane Katrina last year.

As Governor, O’Malley will double funding to the Community Energy Loan Program (CELP).

CELP currently provides financing for local governments to implement energy conservation programs. Under O’Malley’s plan, CELP will also help local governments implement cost-effective plans to purchase renewable fuels. The O’Malley administration will instruct the Director of the Maryland Energy Administration to provide technical assistance and advice in securing alternative energy for local communities.

INVEST IN 21ST CENTURY ENERGY SOLUTIONS

Create Incentives that Promote the Production and Use of Renewable Fuels. Renewable fuels, such as traditional and cellulosic ethanol, bio-diesel, and biomass are environmentally friendly alternatives to fossil fuels.

However, the state is not currently doing enough to encourage use and production of these fuels to make them cost-competitive. As Governor, O’Malley will work to increase the tax credit for companies that manufacture renewable fuels in the state.

He will also partner with Maryland’s congressional delegation to extend a similar tax credit at the federal level. O’Malley will promote tax credits for landowners who place wind turbines on their land. Not only will these measures increase the production of renewable fuels in the state, but they will also attract investment and create new jobs for Marylanders in a growth industry.

Empower Consumers. O’Malley will empower families and small business owners to be more knowledgeable consumers through programmable thermostats and “smart” meters that relay real-time cost information. By leveraging this technology, Marylanders can make informed choices on future energy usage.

Authority: Friends of Martin O’Malley. Martin Cadogan, Treasurer.

20061107 LG candidate Krix Cox will be visiting Carroll County on election day

Lt. Governor candidate Krix Cox will be visiting Carroll County on election day

November 7^th, 2006

I have received word that Lt. Governor candidate Krix Cox will be visiting Carroll County on election day. If you are anywhere near Winfield on Tuesday, November 7^th, 2006, don’t miss this opportunity to met an amazing person.

I have had the pleasure of meeting her before: “20061016 Secretary Kris Cox to visit Carroll County.”

The e-mail I received read:

Lt. Governor Candidate Kris Cox to Work Polls with Delegate Elliott:

As Secretary Kris Cox crisscrosses (a new tongue-twister – say that fast five times) the state on Election Day, she will stop in Carroll County to work a precinct with Delegate Don Elliott.

She expects to be at Winfield Elementary School (4401 Salem Bottom Road) at about 10:30 a.m. today and stay for one-half hour.

If you are in the neighborhood, stop by and say hello to our great candidate.

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20061107 First Lady Kendel Ehrlich Visits Westminster

First Lady Kendel Ehrlich Visits Westminster

November 7^th, 2006

First Lady Kendel Ehrlich Visits English American Tailoring and Main Street Businesses

Burning the midnight oil, a little while ago, I received this e-mail update on the travels of First Lady Kendel Ehrlich:

First Lady Kendel Ehrlich met employees at English American Tailors yesterday during a change in lunch shifts and also toured the impressive plant of the #1 custom tailoring company in the world.

The employees appreciated her visit and enjoyed sharing their work experiences with the First Lady, Senator Larry Haines and Delegate Tanya Shewell.

At the Republican HQs, they were joined by Senator David Brinkley and a number of candidates and central committee members including former Delegate Carmen Amedori, Commissioner candidate Mike Zimmer, Central Committee members Diana Jones, Donald Hoffman and Jim Reter, and Carroll Ehrlich coordinator Doug Howard.

After a short rally to victory, the First Lady stood at the large Republican campaign signs on the vacant lot for photographs.

The two workers at the Democratic HQs took the opportunity to come out and introduce themselves to the First Lady.

She completed her visit to Westminster with stop-bys at Coffey Music, Westminster Cigar Company, Giulianova Groceria, Locust Books and Cal Bloom’s Barbershop.

We concluded the festivities with a birthday wish (wonder what it was) and cake for Diana Jones.

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20061106 The Delmarva Farmer endorsement of Governor Ehrlich

Agriculture says Gov. Ehrlich deserves second term

Since most all of my roots are agriculture – I wish I had written this… But I didn’t and besides, Mr. Hostetter said it better...

http://www.americanfarm.com/TopStory10.31.06f.html

The Delmarva Farmer endorsement of Governor Ehrlich

Gov. Ehrlich deserves second term

VIEWPOINT

10.31.2006

By E. RALPH HOSTETTER
AFP Publisher

Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. is seeking his second term as governor of Maryland on Nov. 7.

Democrat Mayor of the City of Baltimore Martin O’Malley seeks to unseat the governor.

The Delmarva Farmer endorses Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich for re-election.

Gov. Ehrlich’s election in 2002 brought a much-needed return of respectability and a fiscally responsible government to Maryland’s State House.

After 16 years of big-city, big-county domination by Gov. William Donald Schaefer and Gov. Parris N. Glendening, rural Marylanders welcomed a governor not controlled by special interests and political activitists, one who would represent them. This was particularly true for the Eastern Shore and the agricultural community of Maryland.

Gov. Ehrlich has proved to be fiscally responsible. Inheriting a billion-dollar-plus deficit from the Glendening Administration, Gov. Ehrlich balanced the budget with a minimum of tax increases.

Gov. Ehrlich has been in the forefront of public education, providing a program for charter schools and more funding for kindergartens.

His contributions to agriculture are many. He is a leader in land preservation for farming and has provided funding for cover crops that make possible a workable nutrient management program.

In an endorsement by the Maryland Farm Bureau, Chuck Fry, vice president, said, “For the first time in eight years, farmers are being heard, and under Gov. Ehrlich’s leadership we actually feel like the state is listening. Maryland farmers are grateful for Bob Ehrlich in his success at saving our livelihoods and our land.”

Gov. Ehrlich kept a campaign promise to provide “a place at the table for Maryland agriculture.”

He did this admirably with his appointment of a Democrat, Lewis Riley, as Secretary of Agriculture.

Lew Riley, highly respected by Maryland farmers, had worked tirelessly in a previous administration not known as pro-agriculture.

The Washington Post has endorsed Gov. Ehrlich with the following words: “He has grown in the role to become a generally proficient, pragmatic governor. ... He has chalked up successes on transportation, the environment and education, among other things. For Mr. Ehrlich, the state’s first Republican governor in a generation, those are real achievements — particularly when weighed against the monolith of Democratic dominance in the state legislature.”

Gov. Ehrlich’s opponent, Martin O’Malley, represents the re-emergence of a former inner city political machine that once dominated a one-party system for years in Baltimore.

The Washington Post characterized the O’Malley campaign as “Baltimore-centric,” saying, “His campaign is seen by some of his own allies as insular — a worrisome trait in a governor.”

Prior to the administration of Gov. Ehrlich, rural Maryland and, in particular, Maryland agriculture went unrecognized through two administrations of Baltimore City and big county “centric, insular” government.

A vote for Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich will solve the problem.

In all fairness, Mayor O’Malley has made statements recently in support of Maryland agriculture.

The Maryland voter’s choice is between a political statement at election time and the demonstrated record of Gov. Ehrlich’s support for Maryland agriculture during his administration over the past four years.

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20061027 Real Clear Politics: Will the Washington Post Push Ehrlich Over the Top in MD?

Real Clear Politics: Will the Washington Post Push Ehrlich Over the Top in MD?

October 28^th, 2006

Real Clear Politics has an excellent analysis post by John McIntyre on October 27^th, 2006 on the gubernatorial contest in Maryland.

October 27, 2006

Will the Washington Post Push Ehrlich Over the Top in Maryland?

Posted by JOHN MCINTYRE

Editorial endorsements don't matter as much as they once did, but Wednesday's surprise backing of Maryland Republican Governor Bob Ehrlich by the liberal-leaning Washington Post could make a difference in a race that is liable to go down to the wire. If the GOP weren't suffering from a 15-point deficit in the Congressional ballot two weeks before Election Day and a Republican president with a sub-40 job approval, Maryland's booming economy probably would have been enough to carry Ehrlich to reelection this year. But there is no question that the anti-GOP mood nationally is hurting Ehrlich in Maryland.

Read the rest here. It is well worth your time.

My take on the 20061025 Washington Post endorsement of Gov Ehrlich is here: “20061025 Washington Post endorsement of Gov Ehrlich.”

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20061025 Washington Post endorsement of Gov Ehrlich

Washington Post endorsement of Gov Ehrlich

A colleague wrote the following preface on the Washington Post endorsement, when he called it to my attention first thing this morning. An excellent writer – he said it better than I:

This morning’s Washington Post carries their endorsement for Governor and the Post editorial board, after interviewing both candidates, selected Governor Bob Ehrlich as their choice for Governor. The Post references Ehrlich’s accomplishments with education, environment and transportation and, while describing Ehrlich as a executive who is still maturing, gives the Governor a high grade for leadership. They note that O’Malley, with a lead in the polls, has been unwilling to engage on issues during the campaign and describe his style as “insular.”

On WBAL this morning, political analyst Blair Lee stated that a Washington Post endorsement is “huge” in the Washington metropolitan region. To paraphrase, Lee said that unlike in Baltimore where the Sun has little influence, in the DC area the Post is well respected and especially the Montgomery County readers give a Post endorsement considerable credibility.

Washington Post editorial:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/24/AR2006102401145_pf.html

For Governor in Maryland

A second term for Mr. Ehrlich

Wednesday, October 25, 2006; A16

WHEN HE RAN for governor of Maryland four years ago, Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.'s claim to the job seemed to rest on little more than a sense of entitlement and a telegenic, genial personality. In fits and starts, though, he has grown in the role to become a generally proficient, pragmatic governor, if not always a disciplined or mature one. He has chalked up successes on transportation, the environment and education, among other things. For Mr. Ehrlich, the state's first Republican governor in a generation, those are real achievements -- particularly when weighed against the monolith of Democratic dominance in the state legislature. His opponent in the gubernatorial race, Democrat Martin O'Malley, is a smart, adroit politician who has compiled a creditable record as mayor of Baltimore for the past seven years, but he has not made a compelling case for toppling the incumbent. Our choice is Mr. Ehrlich.

No doubt Mr. Ehrlich has had the good fortune to govern during good times. Having inherited a crushing deficit upon taking office in 2003, he benefited over the next three years from a muscular national economy that lifted Maryland, as it did most states, and pumped up the public coffers in Annapolis. Still, Mr. Ehrlich helped his own cause by raising funds through higher taxes and fees, breaking with his party's knee-jerk anti-tax orthodoxy and using the proceeds constructively. Despite having squandered time, energy and political capital in pushing fruitlessly to expand state-sanctioned gambling in Maryland, the governor did manage a number of victories.

Mr. Ehrlich was able to revive, accelerate and push through approval of a highway to connect interstates 270 and 95 north of the District, which would be the first major road to be built in the Maryland suburbs in years and one that is badly needed. Though it had been on the state's drawing board for decades, the intercounty connector was a dead letter when Mr. Ehrlich took office. On the environment, Mr. Ehrlich rightly claims authorship of the "flush tax" bill, under which households pay a $30 annual fee to finance upgrades in sewage plants that pollute the Chesapeake Bay; it represents an important step toward cleaning the state's waterways.

On education, Mr. Ehrlich pushed through a law to allow charter schools in Maryland, providing more options for parents and students despite the opposition of some local school boards. We have also noted Mr. Ehrlich's courage in issuing more pardons and commutations for convicted criminals than his two predecessors together managed in 16 years in office. In an era when most governors are more preoccupied with punishment and establishing their bona fides as tough guys, Mr. Ehrlich's practice of dispensing mercy is exemplary.

There have been disappointments and dithering during Mr. Ehrlich's term as well, mostly of his own making. Relishing battle and cherishing his status as a besieged underdog, he picked fights needlessly, as in the childish blacklisting of two journalists from the Baltimore Sun. Likewise, his tiresome quarrels with the leaders of the General Assembly look more like clashes of puffed-up egos than hard legislative bargaining. Mr. Ehrlich could be a more effective governor if he applied himself more to the mechanics of governing and less to the skewering of his enemies on talk radio.

Mr. O'Malley, who has run a carefully scripted campaign for governor, has put his plentiful ambition to good use in one of the toughest big-city mayor's jobs in the nation. He made progress in stanching Baltimore's outflow of population, reviving some of its more blighted neighborhoods, reducing its level of violent crime, and adapting corporate methods of efficiency and accountability to the functions of government. Mr. O'Malley did not solve the problems of rampant crime and rough schools in Baltimore, but he put a dent in them.

As a candidate, however, Mr. O'Malley, nursing a lead, has been cautious, at times excessively so. He has balked at grappling with the tough budgetary choices he would be likely to face as state spending soars for education and health care. He favors slot-machine gambling, though only at racetracks, and so presents little advantage on that score. He has remained Baltimore-centric, offering little of substance about the Washington area's problems, especially its choked roads and transit systems. While it is easy to admire Mr. O'Malley's fluency as a public speaker and his winning ways on the stump, his campaign is seen by some of his own allies as insular -- a worrisome trait in a governor.

More worrisome yet is the fact that an O'Malley victory would herald a return to the brand of one-party Democratic rule that has served the state poorly in the past. Mr. Ehrlich, for all his faults, has shaken up the old guard in Maryland politics -- while appointing plenty of Democrats to his cabinet and judgeships. If he were wise, he would use a second term to start anew with the legislature and build on his record of achievement.

© 2006 The Washington Post Company

20061023 Washington Times endorsement of Ehrlich

Washington Times endorsement of Ehrlich

The Washington Times

www.washingtontimes.com

http://www.washingtontimes.com/functions/print.php?StoryID=20061022-110539-5348r

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Re-elect Gov. Robert Ehrlich

Published October 23, 2006

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On many occasions during the past four years, it has seemed like Gov. Robert Ehrlich has been one of the few leaders in Annapolis providing a measure of adult supervision over state government. In particular, we admire Mr. Ehrlich's willingness to challenge the class-warfare demagoguery and reflexive support for higher taxes that has long dominated Maryland politics.

Although we've disagreed with him from time to time, Mr. Ehrlich, who in 2003 became the first Republican elected governor of Maryland since Spiro Agnew's resignation 34 years earlier, deserves high praise for his willingness to stand up to Senate President Mike Miller, House Speaker Michael Busch and the rest of the liberal ideologues that dominate the state Democratic Party. Time and again, the governor has done the right (if sometimes politically unpopular) thing, vetoing bad legislation, only to see the General Assembly override him. This occurred on bills which included a punitive, discriminatory tax on Wal-Mart pushed by organized labor and Giant Food, a corporate rival; a minimum-wage increase; a bill firing members of the Maryland Public Service Commission; a "medical malpractice reform" bill that featured a new tax on health-maintenance organizations and an early-voting bill that raised serious concerns about electoral fraud.

The Washington Times is proud to endorse Mr. Ehrlich's re-election, with an addendum: It is no less important to elect more moderate and conservative Republicans and Democrats to the General Assembly in order to help the governor sustain his necessary vetoes and go on the political offense as well. Six months ago, Mr. Ehrlich demonstrated how the latter could work, as he successfully pressed Mr. Busch to allow legislation increasing penalties for sex offenders to become law.

In three instances this year, the General Assembly's overrides of Mr. Ehrlich's vetoes were struck down in court -- the Public Service Commission and early-voting bills by state courts (mostly by judges who were appointed by previous Democratic governors of Maryland) and the Wal-Mart bill by a federal judge. But Marylanders should not have to be dependent on the courts to rein in an irresponsible General Assembly time and again. Instead of relying upon the judiciary to clean up the mess made by Messrs. Busch and Miller's minions, they need to elect a higher-caliber General Assembly.

One of the many reasons we oppose Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley's election as governor is his cozy relationship with the liberals who run the legislature. Whether the issue is Wal-Mart, tax increases, drivers licenses or in-state tuition for illegal aliens or questionable early-voting scheme, Mr. O'Malley and Messrs. Busch and Miller and the overwhelming majority of General Assembly Democrats have routinely lined up against Mr. Ehrlich. (We also commend the governor's work for money to clean up the Chesapeake Bay, and his effort to persuade the legislature to approve legislation putting slot machines at race tracks. Unfortunately, this effort to come up with another revenue source was blocked by Mr. Busch, who prefers higher taxes.)

The disgraceful episode involving the state takeover of 11 failing Baltimore public schools that took place earlier this year illustrates the perverse relationship between Mr. O'Malley and the liberal Democratic Party leadership in Maryland. Last year, the Maryland Board of Education moved to take control of the schools, which had been on a state "watch list" since 1997. One of the schools was Baltimore's Douglass High, where just 3 percent of students managed to pass a geometry proficiency test and just one percent passed a similar biology test. But in order to spare Mr. O'Malley the indignity of a state takeover, the General Assembly this year overrode Mr. Ehrlich's veto of legislation keeping Douglass High and the other failing schools under the mayor's control. Mr. Ehrlich has spent much of the last four years fighting in essence to minimize the damage that such irresponsible politicians have been doing. But if Mr. O'Malley wins on Nov. 7, it means that Messrs. Miller, Busch and the teachers unions that are heavily invested in the status quo will have more opportunities for such mischief.

Marylanders deserve better. That's why The Washington Times strongly endorses Gov. Robert Ehrlich for re-election -- along with the election of a more responsible, conservative General Assembly.

Copyright © 2006 News World Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.

20061021 Two eggs corned beef hash grits and MOM

Two eggs, corned-beef hash, grits and Mayor O’Malley

Saturday, October 21^st, 2006 by Kevin Dayhoff

Caroline and I were having breakfast in Ocean City, MD this morning when in through the door walks Mayor Martin O’Malley. He came right over and sat with us for awhile. Mayor O’Malley and I worked together on many municipal issues of common interest when I was the Mayor of Westminster and I thoroughly enjoyed working with him.

We talked a little about the gubernatorial contest, but not much. We both know what it is like to be in the middle of a campaign and get “campaigned-out” and “peopled-out.” He was by himself and dressed very causally and obviously not in campaign mode.

We’re both in the “Mayor’s Club,” which bears a mutual understanding and respect for each other for the often existential, if not Quixotic difficulties of running a city, politics and governance.

I wrote a preface in the Fall of 2005: “20050620 Baltimore strength liability for O’Malley:”

I have a huge amount of respect and admiration for Mayor O’Malley.

On June 20^th, 2005, Baltimore Sun writer, David Nitkin wrote a soft-ball fluff piece for the Mayor O’Malley campaign called: “Baltimore a strength and liability for O'Malley - - Mayor focuses on recent positive news after FBI report of more violent crime; Statistics could hurt expected run for governor.”

Actually, it is another example of excellent writing by a very talented Mr. Nitkin, except for one problem; it may have been a nice column, but it was not “straight-down-the-middle news. It was a white paper analysis for the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and dangers that lay ahead for a Mayor O’Malley gubernatorial bid.

It is a wonderful example of everything for which the Baltimore Sun deserves the highest of criticism.

The Baltimore Sun does not use permalinks, so I cannot link you to the article. Since it is an excellent subjective analytical piece on the challenges of running for higher office after serving as a mayor of a city, I will post it on the blog and link you to the post. Go here and read it. It is a must read. And it will give you some insight as to why I respect Mayor O’Malley so much and enjoy his company and look forward to working with him in the future after Governor Ehrlich wins a second term as governor.

Not everyone is cut out to be governor and not everyone is cut out to be a mayor. There is no leadership depth in the City of Baltimore. We need Mayor O’Malley where he is and Governor Ehrlich where he is.

Mayor O’Malley’s idea of running the state and Governor Ehrlich’s vision are different. Period. I reject the zero-sum game paradigm or the concept that one must be a bad elected official or a bad person in order for the other to be good.

It is business and everyone needs to make a decision as to who’s ideas and vision are best for you and I and thousands of other Marylanders.

Who can protect you and your family from crime and violence? Who can best facilitate the education of your children? Who will do best to bring jobs, business and a positive economic climate to our state and our communities? Who can keep our taxes as low as possible?

There is plenty of room for debate, discussion, dialogue and disagreement. Leave the personal stuff out of it.

Right now, Saturday morning, Oct. 21^st, 2006, we’re traveling up the road on Rte 50, but I remember a post just recently when I mentioned how nice it is to have friends who have a life other than politics and issues. I won’t be able to find the hyperlink to the post until I find my next Wi-Fi connection. (It’s: “20061002 Drinking the Kool-Aid.”)

Sooo, Mayor O’Malley, Caroline and I really avoided talking about politics and talked about kids, family and friends. It was nice to see him, outside of the political arena.

Caroline and I were in Ocean City for an employee event put on by the company with which she works. We left Westminster yesterday in the early afternoon and arrived just in time for the event. The trip to Ocean City was relatively uneventful, except for a relatively long back-up at the Bay Bridge.

The weather in Ocean City this morning is gorgeous so we decided to not hurry home and have a late breakfast. Of course I wanted a place that served grits. We found such a place at the corner of Philadelphia – Coastal Highway and 16^th Street – Layton’s.

I tried to catch up with Delegate Jim Mathias – the former Mayor of Ocean City. We also enjoyed working with him in our previous life. I did talk on the phone briefly with Salisbury Mayor Barrie Tilghman.

In order to find Delegate Mathias’ phone number, as the numbers I had in the cell phone did not reach him, I needed to go on the web. I had my laptop up in the car and we ended up cruisin’ Ocean City looking for a Wi-Fi connection in order to get my e-mails and go to www.jimmathias.com.

I felt like the computer-geek that I am. “Okay, found a connection. Pull in that parking space. No back up a couple feet. Yep, that’s it. Don’t move.”

Pray for my wife.

Speaking of Wi-Fi and being a geek, as we were traveling through Salisbury, I wanted a cup of coffee. So, we searched-out looking for“Panera Bread,” or something like that, that would have Wi-Fi.

Which we found. While I was eating my chiabatta bread and drinking my coffee, Caroline and I were surfing the web and checking our e-mails. Too cool.

When is Westminster, MD going to get Wi-Fi?

Talk with you later. It’s my turn to do a little of the driving.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA. E-mail him at: kdayhoff@carr.org www.thetentacle.com Westminster Eagle Opinion and Winchester Report www.thewestminstereagle.com www.kevindayhoff.com has moved to http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/

20061016 Secretary Kris Cox to visit Carroll County

Secretary Kris Cox to visit Carroll County Wed. October 18th, 2006
Posted October 16th, 2006

A volunteer with the Ehrlich – Cox leadership team e-mailed me earlier in the day to say that Secretary Kris Cox will be visiting Carroll County this Wednesday, October 18th, 2006.

She is to be the featured speaker at the Republican Women’s Club of Taneytown that evening.

She has scheduled some free time prior to the event and would like to have a meet-and-greet with the Republican leaders in Carroll County.

All of the Republican candidates on the November ballot, members of the Central Committee, representatives of the Ehrlich and Steele statewide campaigns and Zac Moffett of the Victory campaign have been invited to attend.

Senator Haines has reserved a room at Maria’s at the Westminster Inn for this get-together and the event will begin at 4 p.m.

We have been informed that Secretary Cox will offer comments about her personal background and her experiences on the campaign trail. Each of the campaigns will have an opportunity to describe the current political environment and GOTV strategies as we head into the home stretch of the campaign.

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20061015 Hagerstown Herald Mail Endorsement of Ehrlich

Hagerstown Herald Mail Endorsement of Ehrlich

The Herald-Mail ONLINE

http://www.herald-mail.com/?module=displaystory&story_id=149549&format=print>%20&story_id=149549&format=print

Sunday October 15, 2006

Herald-Mail Endorsement - Ehrlich for governor

In the polls, the race for Maryland governor is close. It shouldn't be. Gov. Robert Ehrlich has done what he set out to do - put the brakes on spending and start getting Maryland's financial house in order.

The important items he hasn't succeeded with - legalizing slot machines at the state's horse tracks and reforming the state's medical malpractice laws - failed because a legislature dominated by Democrats blocked them.

These Democrats are the legislative leaders that backed electricity deregulation in 1999, then forgot about it until this year, when Baltimore Gas & Electric proposed a whopping 72 percent increase for its customers.

These are the leaders who backed the Thornton Commission's educational reforms for the state, but failed to identify a way to pay for them.

And these are the leaders who went along with former Gov. Parris Glendening's plan to settle a suit seeking millions more for the Baltimore City school system by giving the system millions more without mandating that the system have some firm performance benchmarks.

Then, when the state proposed a takeover of the system because it had failed to deliver promised services to special-education students, Baltimore officials claimed that they were being treated unfairly.

Democrats that takeover of the system, a measure which had been threatened since 1999, even though the federal government threatened to reduce special-education money to every system in the state if there weren't improvements.

These are the people who back Mayor Martin O'Malley, who, like his Democratic predecessors, has big plans, but is a bit vague about how he will pay for them.

On Tuesday, O'Malley told The Washington Post that he would like create health insurance polls for small businesses and boost funding for school construction and land preservation.

Some of the money would come from the federal government, he said, adding that it would be irresponsible to say he wouldn't raise taxes during his term.

O'Malley isn't saying much about law enforcement, which is good. He's had a series of police commissioners, one of whom went to prison for spending public funds on things he shouldn't have, including gifts for girlfriends.

Ehrlich's performance in office hasn't been perfect. Considering the Maryland's governor has a tremendous amount of power over the budget, he hasn't used it to build alliances.

His feud with some newspaper reporters was just plain silly. Every smart elected official knows how to deal with the press, or at least to co-exist with journalists. Ehrlich's not stupid, so we must conclude he's getting bad advice from somebody.

Some of his appointments were also questionable, including that of Joseph Steffen, who was fired after it was learned that he was spreading gossip to the effect that O'Malley's marriage was in trouble.

But on balance, Ehrlich has done about as well as he could have, considering Democratic attempts to hobble him. Does anyone doubt that if O'Malley is elected, he will soon discover the need for more cash and back slots to get it?

Ehrlich will face the same fight if re-elected, but the prospect of going back to the way it was during the Glendening years does not appeal to us. Our endorsement goes to Ehrlich.

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CopyrightThe Herald-Mail ONLINE

20061007 O’Malley questions Hampstead By-pass

O'Malley questions priorities by Justin Palk of the Carroll County Times

Posted by Kevin Dayhoff October 10^th, 2006

Last week, Carroll County Times writer, Justin Palk, picked up the story of the Democratic Maryland gubernatorial candidate criticizing the Hampstead by-pass.

It is a classic case of over-playing one’s hand. To be sure, there must be a road project or two that warrants some Monday-morning quarterbacking.

But the Hampstead by-pass ain’t it. Especially with appropriate land-use measures put into place to not facilitate sprawl in the future.

Quintessentially, this was economic and community infrastructure necessity as Hampstead was getting choked with standstill traffic every morning and evening and there was no way to widen the road through town…

The Hampstead by-pass has been discussed since the 1960s and under the leadership of Hampstead Mayor Haven Q. Shoemaker, his talented town councilmembers, the Carroll County Commissioners and the Carroll County Delegation to Annapolis - - and Governor Ehrlich; it is now finally happening.

In The Carroll Record on March 23, 1972, the by-pass was discussed.

Yes, you read that correctly – 1972.

An article that appeared in The Carroll Record said:

State Asked To Accelerate Route 30 By-pass — The County Commissioners have asked a one-year acceleration in right-of-way purchases for the proposed Route 30 by-pass around Manchester and Hampstead. In a request to the State Highway Administration, the commissioners asked that $198,000 be shifted from the 1973-77 projections for work on Route 32 and be designed for the Route 30 by-pass.Under its present 5-year plan, the state agency would spend $91,000 for preliminary engineering and $413,000 for right of ways, during fiscal 1973. In the following four years $328,000 and $163,000 is planned for right of ways. Construction funds are presently ear-marked for 1975 and 1976. (The Carroll Record, March 23, 1972.)

It is also important to remember, that Maryland Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich took office, the state budget had a huge shortfall, a structural deficit and the transportation trust fund was essentially depleted.

Getting around to all the transportation needs of the state took some time and some difficult prioritization decisions as very finite resources had to be allocated as best as possible.

My previous post about this matter can be found here.

Anyway, I have always appreciated Mr. Palk’s work and I was happy that he looked into this story.

I have pasted below, for your convenience, Mr. Palk’s complete story, but anytime you get a chance, go to the Carroll County Times on-line and take a additional moment to seek out his work…

_____

O’Malley questions priorities

By Justin Palk, Times Staff Writer

Saturday, October 07, 2006

Few people in the Hampstead area would argue against building the bypass now being constructed around the town, said Haven Shoemaker, the town's mayor.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Martin O'Malley, however, thinks it's an example of Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.'s lack of vision for transportation in Maryland, said Rick Abbruzzese, a spokesman for O'Malley's campaign.

Not that that means the bypass is a bad project, Abbruzzese said.

O'Malley included the bypass in a list of items Ehrlich had spent state transportation dollars on rather than Baltimore's Red Line for mass transit when responding to a questionnaire from the Baltimore Transit Alliance.

Also in the list were an expansion of I-95 and Ehrlich's using Transportation Trust Fund dollars for non-transportation projects.

If O'Malley doesn't believe that the Hampstead bypass is a necessary project, he should try sitting on Md. 30 during rush hour, Shoemaker said.

"I think we've thrown more than enough money at mass transit," he said. "I think it's high time we receive funding for projects like this, particularly given the fact that we've been waiting for 45 years."

The Hampstead bypass is an $85.2-million project that will divert traffic off Md. 30, which runs through downtown Hampstead and carried approximately 19,000 to 24,000 vehicles a day through town in 2004, according to the State Highway Administration.

Construction workers broke ground on the project this year, and it is scheduled to be completed by the fall of 2008.

The Red Line would be Baltimore's first east-west rail line, part of a comprehensive expansion of mass transit in Baltimore that has a total cost estimated at $10 billion, according to the Maryland Transit Administration.

The list was only intended to show Ehrlich's overemphasis on roads and a lack of a statewide transit plan, not to criticize any particular project, Abbruzzese said.

"[Transportation planning] needs to be more than one road in one county," he said.

In his fiscal year 2007 transportation plan, Ehrlich included $7 million for ongoing planning for the Red Line, and projected spending money on engineering and right-of-way acquisition in fiscal year 2008, with construction to start in 2010.

On his Web site, Ehrlich lists several road projects among his transportation accomplishments, but also cites planning for new transit lines in and around metropolitan Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, and laying additional tracks for light rail service in Baltimore.

In the remaining weeks before the election, Abbruzzese said, the O'Malley campaign will be releasing a comprehensive transportation plan for the state, although no details are available yet.

Reach staff writer Justin Palk at 410-751-5909 or jpalk@lcniofmd.com.

20061006 Gazette endorses Ehrlich

Gazette endorses Ehrlich

A colleague e-mailed the Gazette endorsement below, with the following preface… Since he said it much better than me, I’ve pasted his words of wisdom below. The entire Gazette endorsement is also pasted below.

ENDORSEMENTS

Governor Ehrlich picked up significant endorsements this week including the Maryland Farm Bureau, Maryland Fraternal Order of Police, Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce and the Gazette newspapers.

As Blair Lee described on WBAL Radio yesterday, the Gazette editorial is especially noteworthy: (1) it was unexpected because the Gazette editorial board traditionally endorses liberal Democrats; (2) the Gazette covers a broad segment of high population counties with both Democrat and Republican majorities (Montgomery, Prince George’s, Frederick and Carroll counties as well as Southern Maryland); (3) the editorial was printed early in the endorsement cycle meaning that the editors expect that it will have significant impact (in the Primary, the Gazette came out early for Ike Leggett in the Montgomery County executive race and Leggett won by a 2 to 1 margin); and (4) it is a detailed and well-reasoned editorial that references the strengths and weaknesses of both candidates. The link and text are pasted below:

Gazette endorsement editorial:

http://www.gazette.net/stories/100606/poliiss160939_31958.shtml

Gazette.Net – Maryland Community Newspapers Online

A second term for Governor Ehrlich

It was former Democratic Gov. Parris N. Glendening who often referred affectionately to politics in Maryland as a contact sport. If so, the current race for governor would be no exception.

As the ever-tightening race enters the home stretch, the campaigns of Robert L. Ehrlich Jr., the Republican incumbent, and Democratic challenger Martin O’Malley, the mayor of Baltimore, have traded so many charges and countercharges, the voters are ready for the game to be over.

Their records have become blurred in the dust kicked up in the campaign ruckus, with both sides running fast and loose with interpretations of their opponent’s stances on everything from crime fighting to educating children.

After the dust settles, the central question remains: Which individual possesses the right balance of integrity, experience, substance and leadership to govern Maryland?

In our judgment, Maryland is best served by the continuity and the stewardship that would come from re-electing Governor Ehrlich to another four-year term.

To serve as a Republican governor is to serve under siege. After all, the Democrats held the top spot in the state for 40 years prior to Ehrlich’s election and control the legislature.

Regrettably, Ehrlich at times takes the bait, and partisanship rules Annapolis in a most unhelpful manner.

But in the end, when one examines the record, Ehrlich has matured in office, has exhibited the willpower to make difficult decisions and has learned something about moving toward the middle ground.

O’Malley, on the other hand, seems to have been preening for governor since before his tenure as Baltimore’s mayor and has not adequately proven a case for unseating Ehrlich. He is a reformer without a cause with a script better suited for running for the White House than leading the state.

After an unimpressive beginning, his performance as mayor has improved, but he overstates his accomplishments in managing the difficult problems of cleaning up crime, turning around the schools, making city government efficient and bringing real economy to Baltimore. Nobody expected miracles, but O’Malley would have us believe he has delivered them.

His knowledge and solutions for statewide issues make for better sound bites than public policy. For example, his idea of offering $200,000 signing bonuses for principals in low-performing schools typifies the kind of short-sightedness and subtle values conundrum that is O’Malley.

Ehrlich has done a respectable job of spelling out priorities and the ways and means to achieve them.

His record, while not unblemished, has been fair and centrist in the key areas of budget, transportation, economic development, growth management, education, crime and justice and the environment.

On most budget matters, he has been a moderate. Maryland’s governor has considerable sway in shaping the budget and Ehrlich’s approach has been sound, helped by a stable economy and soaring property values.

Ehrlich has also kept an eye on Maryland’s economic future with the Department of Business and Economic Development under the leadership of Aris Melissaratos. With military base expansions throughout Maryland, along with the growth of government-related businesses in the Washington suburbs, the prospects for the state could not be better.

Of note in the traffic-clogged Washington suburbs, Ehrlich held true to his word and got the derailed Intercounty Connector project back on line. The multi-billion-dollar highway, linking Interstates 270 and 95 near Gaithersburg and Laurel, is an essential part of the plan to ease congestion.

Still, the problem of transportation transcends the ICC and Maryland lacks a comprehensive answer and a financing instrument for projects in the pipeline — from the proposed Purple Line rail link, to the Waldorf bypass and the Corridor Cities Transitway, which some day might extend to Frederick.

On environmental issues, his ‘‘flush tax” was a bold stroke to continue efforts to clean up the Chesapeake Bay, and Ehrlich worked for tighter restrictions on power-plant emissions.

The governor took a responsible position opposing legislation that would require certain private employers, specifically, Wal-Mart, to provide health insurance. After the legislature overrode his veto of the bill, a federal court struck down the law.

While steadfastly supporting law enforcement, Ehrlich also quietly exercised his powers to pardon nearly 200 convicts, far more than Glendening.

There have been rough patches and inconsistencies. Ehrlich’s decision to cut funding to state colleges forced tuition increases — by as much as 40 percent. Yet he supported expansion for the University of Maryland’s Shady Grove campus and later OK’d spending increases for the university system.

Attempts to reform a juvenile justice system with chronic problems that Ehrlich inherited have been less than stellar.

Administration efforts to fire political appointees in state offices, holdovers from previous Democratic administrations, drew cries of foul, but a legislative investigation has so far uncovered no evidence of wrongdoing.

In four years, Ehrlich has carefully sculpted a moderate image that is fiscally and socially responsible, and demonstrated he is up to the task of leading a changing Maryland for another term.

Copyright © 2006 The Gazette - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED