Dayhoff Westminster Soundtrack: Md Gen Assembly 2012 431

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Wednesday, May 16, 2012

TheTentacle.com The 2012 Maryland General Assembly special session meets Orwell's 1984

2012 Meets "1984"

TheTentacle.com The 2012 Maryland General Assembly special session meets Orwell's 1984

By Kevin E. Dayhoff

http://www.thetentacle.com/ShowArticle.cfm?mydocid=5111

TheTentacle.com: "Amid rancorous opposition from Republicans and rising discontentment among segments of the ruling Democrats, the curtain rose Monday for an attempt at a carefully choreographed special – 431th – session of the Maryland General Assembly opera.

It was on May 4 that Gov. Martin O’Malley announced that the legislature would get together for a couple of days to raise taxes and enact more laws, rules and regulations in Maryland.

Paradoxically, Jim Joyner wrote in ExploreCarroll.com on May 6 that the Carroll County delegation observed that “the county would be better off under the state's ‘doomsday’ budget, and stands to lose some $1 million in state funding in a special session of the Maryland General Assembly…

“‘I challenge that moniker ... it's not a doomsday budget,’ said Sen. David Brinkley (R., Carroll/Frederick). ‘Frankly, the budget still goes up by $700 million, and I think the citizens are expecting us to live within our means as they are having to do so.’ ”" ... http://www.thetentacle.com/ShowArticle.cfm?mydocid=5111

'via Blog this'

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Update: see also

Eagle Archive: Budget and the economy were worries in 1837 ... and still are

by Kevin Dayhoff

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2012/05/eagle-archive-budget-and-economy-were.html

This is the time of the year when many citizens turn their attention to the budget processes of Carroll County government and its eight municipalities. No matter where you live in Carroll County, money matters.

Statewide, Gov. Martin O'Malley has announced that on Monday, May 14, the General Assembly will get together for a couple of days to raise taxes and enact more laws, rules and regulations. (For more on this read, "Delegation says county stands to lose $1 million in special session," on ExploreCarroll.com.)... http://www.baltimoresun.com/explore/carroll/opinion-talk/ph-ce-eagle-archive-0513-20120509,0,1799107.story

Labels: Bus Econ, Bus Econ 2012, Dayhoff Art, Dayhoff Media Explore Carroll, Dayhoff writing essays Economy, Gov O'Malley Admin, Md Gen Assembly 2012 431, MD Gen Assembly Opera, People O'Malley-Martin

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Monday, May 14, 2012

Maryland Reporter:Monday's roundup of state news - Special session starts today amid protests

Monday's roundup of state news

It's here: The special session has arrived, bringing with it talks of tax hikes on the wealthiest Marylanders, pushback from conservatives and attempts to throw in other legislation, including a non-discrimination bill targeting pit bulls; restaurants can soon allow patrons to bring their own wine; Del. Jacobs outlines opposition to gay marriage law, while U.S. Rep. Hoyer says he'll fight to keep law; President Obama to hold two fundraisers in Baltimore; Henson found guilty on one count; many "temporary" Montgomery laws become permanent; and Carroll commissioner sends out prayer service invites to county employees.

Maryland Reporter:Monday's roundup of state news - Special session starts today amid protests
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Peter Franchot's commentary on the Special Taxing Session

Today, the Maryland General Assembly will reconvene in a special session, and is expected to pass a Fiscal Year 2013 budget by raising income taxes on middle-class families throughout the State. I have high personal regard for my former colleagues in the legislature, and I sincerely appreciate their desire to sustain our state’s longstanding commitment to priorities such as education and health care. As Maryland’s Chief Fiscal Officer, however, I respectfully believe this is simply the wrong approach at the wrong time, for the following reasons.

First and foremost, Marylanders are still struggling to balance their personal household budgets, provide for their families and build a secure future in an economy that remains exceedingly fragile, and which has yet to truly recover from our nation’s financial crisis.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, for example, Maryland ranked 47th in the nation in average private sector weekly earnings during that period, and was just one of nine states to experience a decline. Finally, despite recent report of job growth, we must still create nearly 150,000 additional jobs in Maryland just to return to pre-recessionary levels. While we can share optimism that Maryland’s job figures will continue to trend in the right direction, so too must we acknowledge that far too many people remain unemployed or underemployed, have settled for lower-paying jobs and are therefore taking home smaller paychecks.

At the same time, Marylanders have seen the value of their homes – for many, their primary source of personal equity and mobility – continue to decline. According to the Maryland Association of Realtors, the median price of existing homes in this state has fallen from $323,838 to $225,601 – a drop of about 30 percent.

None of this bodes well for an economy that is powered by consumer activity. Needless to say, people who have lost jobs, are underwater on their mortgages or feel as if they are barely making ends meet simply will not be putting money back into the Maryland economy. It should also go without saying that the worst thing we can do to a struggling, consumer-powered economy is dig deeper into the pockets of consumers who are already strained financially. We cannot afford to jeopardize the long-term health of our economy for the sake of a questionable, short-term budget fix.

Second, this will serve as merely the latest in a long and seemingly endless line of changes to the State of Maryland’s tax code. Over the past five years, Marylanders have seen an increase in the State’s personal income tax rate, a reduction in the amount of personal exemptions for individual filers, an 18 percent increase of the corporate income tax rate, a 20 percent increase to the motor vehicle excise tax, a 20 percent increase to the sales tax, a 50 percent increase of the sales tax on alcohol beverages, the adoption and subsequent repeal of a computer services tax, the adoption and sunset of a special tax bracket on high income earners, and the adoption and sunset of an unprecedented set of new filing guidelines for Maryland corporations.

In my travels throughout the State, the one thing I hear above all else is a desire for a stable tax climate – one that allows both businesses and families to budget responsibly and to engage in sound, long-term financial planning. By comparison, the process by which we adopt changes to our tax laws appears, far too often, to be arbitrary, improperly vetted and highly politicized. This does little to reinforce Maryland’s hard-earned reputation as a desirable place to live and conduct business, and it does even less to inspire public confidence in our state government.

My final objection to this strategy of resolving our fiscal challenges through tax increases – as well as through slots, which I understand could be the topic of yet another special session – is that it simply won’t work. Most will recall that the legislature convened for a special session in 2007. That special session led to the largest tax increase in history, which was intended to resolve our state’s structural budget deficit, and the adoption of a statewide slots program that was designed to generate $600 million for education.

As we all know, neither of those outcomes occurred. We still have a structural budget deficit and, more than three years after slots were legalized in Maryland, we have still spent far more taxpayer dollars to buy the slot machines than we’ve actually raised for our public schools. I simply do not believe it would be wise to repeat history and expect a different outcome this time around.

In closing, I would respectfully ask that in the future, you expect better from your state government. I would ask that you reject this patently false choice between destructive tax increases and thoughtless cuts to education, health care and public safety.

Instead, I would ask that you demand that our state government follow the lead of working families throughout Maryland by living within its means. We must seize this opportunity to deliver a better product to the taxpayers of Maryland for less money through technology, sensible priorities, innovative management and a renewed commitment to old-fashioned customer service. We must also remember that Maryland’s fiscal well-being depends entirely on the strength of our economy, and that a true economic recovery cannot be achieved through state government spending, but rather, through meaningful private sector growth.

While I do not believe this special session will yield a positive outcome for the taxpayers of Maryland, I do believe that our best days are still ahead of us. It remains an extraordinary privilege to serve as your Comptroller, and I look forward to working with you in the coming years to build a truly prosperous state and a government that is truly worthy of the people we serve.
Peter

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Ire over income tax plan to get louder Monday

By Michael Dresser and Annie Linskey, The Baltimore Sun

4:53 p.m. EDT, May 13, 2012

A Maryland family making more than $175,000 will pay at least $254 more in income taxes this year under a revenue-raising plan theMaryland General Assembly is expected to take up when it convenes for special session on Monday.

The same family of joint tax filers with two children reporting more than $1.1 million in gross income would pay an extra $3,269 — a larger hit to the very rich.

The tax proposal would target the state's more affluent — pleasing liberals because it spares everyone in the lowest tax brackets and ensures that education and other programs won't be cut. Conservatives, however, warn it would turn away wealthy residents and hurt small businesses... http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/breaking/bs-md-session-taxes-20120510,0,185259,full.story

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Sunday, May 13, 2012

Eagle Archive: Budget and the economy were worries in 1837 ... and still are

by Kevin Dayhoff

This is the time of the year when many citizens turn their attention to the budget processes of Carroll County government and its eight municipalities. No matter where you live in Carroll County, money matters.

Statewide, Gov.Martin O'Malleyhas announced that on Monday, May 14, the General Assembly will get together for a couple of days to raise taxes and enact more laws, rules and regulations. (For more on this read, "Delegation says county stands to lose $1 million in special session," on ExploreCarroll.com.)... http://www.baltimoresun.com/explore/carroll/opinion-talk/ph-ce-eagle-archive-0513-20120509,0,1799107.story

Monday, May 07, 2012

Delegation says county stands to lose $1 million in special session By Jim Joyner, Carroll Eagle

Delegation says county stands to lose $1 million in special session

By Jim Joyner, Carroll Eagle, May 6, 2012 http://www.baltimoresun.com/explore/carroll/news/ph-ce-delegation-joint-meeting-0505-20120506,0,2867218.story

Carroll County's Delegation to Annapolis said this past week that the county would be better off under the state's "doomsday" budget, and stands to lose some $1 million in state funding in a special session of the Maryland General Assembly.

In a May 3 meeting with the Board of County Commissioners in Westminster — one day before Gov. Martin O'Malley announced a special session to convene May 14 — members of the delegation said the "doomsday" budget actually represents one that they feel is more fiscally responsible ... and winds up better for the county.

"I challenge that moniker ... it's not a doomsday budget," said Sen. David Brinkley (R-Dist. 4). "Frankly, the budget still goes up by $700 million, and I think the citizens are expecting us to live within our means as they are having to do so."

Legislators said even with cuts under the "doomsday" budget, Carroll County would actually be better off under that scenario than if a special session happened.

"Like" explorecarroll on Facebook

State Sen. Joe Getty (R-Dist 5), who chairs the Carroll delegation, said that because certain elements of the budget didn't pass in the 2012 General Assembly stalemate, Carroll County wound up with more money than it's likely to get if the General Assembly takes another run at a budget reconciliation… http://www.baltimoresun.com/explore/carroll/news/ph-ce-delegation-joint-meeting-0505-20120506,0,2867218.story

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Update: see also

Eagle Archive: Budget and the economy were worries in 1837 ... and still are

by Kevin Dayhoff

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2012/05/eagle-archive-budget-and-economy-were.html

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2012 Meets "1984"

TheTentacle.com The 2012 Maryland General Assembly special session meets Orwell's 1984 By Kevin E. Dayhoff http://www.thetentacle.com/ShowArticle.cfm?mydocid=5111

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2012/05/thetentaclecom-2012-maryland-general.html

Labels: Dayhoff Media The Tentacle, Gov O'Malley Admin, Governance Taxes MD, Md Gen Assembly 2012 430, Md Gen Assembly 2012 431, MD Gen Assembly Opera, MD Issues Anti-business, Politics MD Republicans

Amid rancorous opposition from Republicans and rising discontentment among segments of the ruling Democrats, the curtain rose Monday for an attempt at a carefully choreographed special – 431th – session of the Maryland General Assembly opera.

It was on May 4 that Gov. Martin O’Malley announced that the legislature would get together for a couple of days to raise taxes and enact more laws, rules and regulations in Maryland.

Paradoxically, Jim Joyner wrote in www.ExploreCarroll.com on May 6 that the Carroll County delegation observed that “the county would be better off under the state's ‘doomsday’ budget, and stands to lose some $1 million in state funding in a special session of the Maryland General Assembly…

“‘I challenge that moniker ... it's not a doomsday budget,’ said Sen. David Brinkley (R., Carroll/Frederick). ‘Frankly, the budget still goes up by $700 million, and I think the citizens are expecting us to live within our means as they are having to do so.’ ”… http://www.thetentacle.com/ShowArticle.cfm?mydocid=5111

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http://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/news/2012/04/24/omalley-talks-possibility-of-two.html

http://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/news/2012/05/02/maryland-general-assembly-to-hold.html

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/politics/blog/bal-omalley-calls-special-session-for-may-14-20120504,0,5863998.story

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/politics/blog/bal-lawmakers-want-special-session-to-stick-to-budget-20120508,0,5526602.story

Bryan Sears - Patch: Busch, O'Malley Call For Budget Compromise

Busch, O'Malley Call For Budget Compromise

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2012/04/bryan-sears-patch-busch-omalley-call.html

Budget bill must be passed by midnight or General Assembly will extend its session. By Bryan P. Sears Email the author April 9, 2012 http://belair.patch.com/articles/busch-o-malley-call-for-budget-compromise

Labels: Md Gen Assembly 2012 430, MD Gen Assembly Opera, MD Issues Taxes, People O'Malley-Martin, Politics Democrats Taxes

Gov. Martin O'Malley and House Speaker Michael Busch called on the Senate to compromise on a state budget in time for the General Assembly to end its session at midnight.

"The one constitutional obligation we have is to pass a balanced budget," said Busch, adding that House members assigned to the conference committee were prepared to complete negotiations.

"Because one chamber has an obsession with a certain issue, that they do not want to concur on the budget until that issue is resolved does not initiate any responsible stand for us not to deal with the budget that is in front of us," said Busch, speaking of a Senate effort to expand gambling to include table games and a sixth casino location in Prince George's County.

"They have 11 hours to comply and get the bill through the Senate and to the House or we do not meet our constitutional obligation," said Busch.

"This budget should have been passed three days ago," Busch said.

O'Malley seconded Busch and asked for both chambers to resolve their differences…http://belair.patch.com/articles/busch-o-malley-call-for-budget-compromise

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Blair Lee: Who won, the House or the Senate? How do you pick a winner when there's no final score yet? http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2012/05/blair-lee-who-won-house-or-senate-how.html

Friday, April 20, 2012 Labels: Md Gen Assembly 2012 430, MD Gen Assembly Opera, MD Issues Taxes, People O'Malley-Martin, Politics Democrats Taxes

http://www.gazette.net/article/20120420/OPINION/704209696/-1/blair-lee-who-won-the-house-or-the-senate-how-do-you-pick-a-winner&template=gazette

How do you recap a baseball game that's still in extra innings? How do you pick winners and losers when there's no final score yet?

Right now, the House and Senate teams are tied at the top of the 10th with House Speaker Mike Busch pitching to Senate President Mike Miller who's behind, 0 and 2, with two outs and nobody on. Gov. Martin O'Malley is doing TV interviews in the press box where, asked which team he's backing, replies, “Who's playing?”

In this high-profile, high-stakes showdown the smart money says Miller blinks first. Not because he can't take the heat (which has reached the boiling point), but because the only thing more precious to Mike Miller than gambling legislation is protecting his position as president of the Senate.

The heat on Miller has grown merciless: the media, labor unions, the state employees, Busch, O'Malley, Comptroller Peter Franchot, etc., all blame Miller for triggering the so-called doomsday spending cuts by holding an income tax bill hostage until he gets his gambling bill (a new P.G. County gaming casino and table games for all six gambling venues).

Miller loves playing hardball; he started in the State House as a page back in 1966. So attacking Miller is a waste of time. But attacking his senators is how to make Mike Miller fold… http://www.gazette.net/article/20120420/OPINION/704209696/-1/blair-lee-who-won-the-house-or-the-senate-how-do-you-pick-a-winner&template=gazette

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Gazette - Danielle E. Gaines: With two special sessions possible, groups want their bills considered http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2012/05/gazettenet-with-two-special-sessions.html

Labels: Md Gen Assembly 2012 430, MD Gen Assembly Opera, MD Issues Taxes, People O'Malley-Martin, Politics Democrats Taxes

Leaders want second gathering to focus on gaming

by Danielle E. Gaines, Staff Writer Friday, April 27, 2012

http://www.gazette.net/article/20120427/NEWS/704279642/1122/blizzard-of-beats/With-two-special-sessions-possible-groups-want-their-bills-considered&template=gazette

As the clock struck midnight on Sine Die, many Annapolis insiders were struck by the number of significant bills, most notably the budget, that failed to pass both chambers.

With Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) indicating this week that he could call two special sessions — one in May to pass a revenue bill to accompany the budget and one later in the summer to consider an expansion of gaming in the state -— the door has been opened to lobbyists, interest groups and lawmakers looking to reintroduce old measures or new legislation altogether… http://www.gazette.net/article/20120427/NEWS/704279642/1122/blizzard-of-beats/With-two-special-sessions-possible-groups-want-their-bills-considered&template=gazette

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Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Monday, May 14, 2012

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Monday, May 07, 2012