Liberal Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) is in trouble with the voters who elected nearly 15 months ago. In a state that is deep blue in presidential elections and has a 2:1 Democratic registration advantage, the former local Irish rocker is getting a chorus of boos from voters with poll numbers in the mid to high 30s. One major factor: the tax-hiking special legislative session he called in fall 2007.
Not to worry, Governor, the Washington Post has got your back. Here's the headline for the top Metro section story in my January 23 Maryland Home Edition of the Post:
"On O'Malley's To-Do List: Rebuild Public Image"
It becomes apparent, however, that rebuilding O'Malley's positive press is high on the Post's agenda. Reporter John Wagner wrote of O'Malley's plan to take "modest steps" towards fulfilling what O'Malley insists is "protecting our priorities." Wagner takes care to focus on how a slowing economy could prove an obstacle to O'Malley's policy goals, but fails to address concerns that O'Malley's tax hikes could be part of compounding the problem by disincentivizing business from expanding or moving to the state:
Several factors -- including some beyond O'Malley's control, such as the economy -- could hinder his efforts to recover.
Legislative analysts say the actions taken in the special session should be sufficient to balance a $15.2 billion budget next year that would otherwise have fallen short by at least $1.5 billion. But under current projections, more modest budget gaps will reappear the following year, making it difficult to start programs that could boost O'Malley's standing.
For more on Wagner's bias, check out my earlier NewsBusters posts "WaPo Pats O'Malley, Dem Legislature on Back for 'Wins on Taxes" | Nov. 20, 2007 and "WaPo Laments Lib Gov. O'Malley's 'Modest' 2008 Agenda" | Jan. 7, 2008.
—Ken Shepherd is Managing Editor of NewsBusters
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I lived in Maryland for 15
January 23, 2008 - 10:45 ET by BruzillaI lived in Maryland for 15 years, and during that time I paid federal, state, county, and city income taxes, sales taxes, property taxes, plus fees for having my car inspected, emissions checked, and registered. For all those income and property taxes I paid, I also had to pay for everything my kids carried into school, from pencils to paper to glue, as well as locker fees, lab fees, gym fees, and fees for every activity my kids were involved in. I also had to pay fees to use public beaches, parks, fields, etc.
What else did I get back for my money? Well, the ecologists and conservators banned most development in my area of the state, so you could only build new houses if you had five-ten acres of land to put them on, you couldn't build any roads, and forget about multi-family housing. This drove the cost of living sky high, and drove the labor market out of town as people starting out couldn't afford to live and pay all the taxes. The state "allowed" me to own firearms, but only certain kinds, and after a background check (that I had to pay another fee for) and waiting period. But they also put up so many regulations on gun shops that 90% of them closed their doors, so it didn't matter what my personal rights were. Lastly, the Democrats tried to blackmail every commercial developer coming into the state, and would only allow them to build a new shopping center or commercial building if they would also pay to build some civil structure like a swimming pool or library, which was supposed to be paid for from all the taxes coming in, and a lot of businesses chose to move elsewhere.
All of this is why we moved to Florida in 2004. I pay federal income tax only, I can own any gun I want, my kids were all able to find good-paying jobs right out of high school with less than 10 mile commutes and they can afford their own places to live. O'Malley and the Democrats need a lot more than an image rebuild. They need to fill in the financial black hole that is Baltimore, and start cutting taxes - a lot. They also need to decide if their goal is to keep the enviro and conservator crowd happy or keep people employed and with a place to live.
I love it
January 23, 2008 - 10:47 ET by TWOTIMETUNAThe poor Democraps of Maryland voted him into office. I guess they didn't realize the money had to come from "somewhere" and that "somewhere" happened to be them. It's great!!
Democrats are either Parasites or Parasite Enablers
I love it
January 23, 2008 - 10:47 ET by TWOTIMETUNAThe poor Democraps of Maryland voted him into office. I guess they didn't realize the money had to come from "somewhere" and that "somewhere" happened to be them. It's great!!
Democrats are either Parasites or Parasite Enablers
Maryland
January 23, 2008 - 11:10 ET by Mulligan22A recent news report said that almost all new voter registrants are "D"'s in Maryland. So I doubt much will change in the near future.
The thing about Maryland is it's a border state. So when taxes are raised and the state treasury expects "X" number of dollars from the raise, the residents cross the border into PA, VA or WV to buy it cheaper. So the treasury never sees the amount they figured on.
Some will move out of state and commute back in. Funny how they never figure it out at the state house.
It's a recurring problem
January 23, 2008 - 11:12 ET by BruzillaIt's a recurring problem without end. Maryland's two biggest problems are the City and County of Baltimore and Prince George's County. These areas are dominated by ultra-libs and the entitlement mentality peaks here. And when you go back through recent history, you find that most of the state's governors come from - Baltimore and Prince George's County. O'Malley and Schaefer were both mayors of Baltimore, Glendening was the county executive of Prince George's County, and Ehrlich was the state rep for Baltimore County.
Montgomery County is a problem too
January 23, 2008 - 14:24 ET by greenfairieMontgomery County is also full of uberlibs.
I pity my poor friends who still live in the Crabby State. Not even in California do I have to pay as many taxes as they do.
Amen to that
January 23, 2008 - 16:30 ET by Johnny LucidAfter 9 years living here, the Montgomery County Poltiburo does not lack for ueber-liberal nanny-state enthusiasts. I should know, I'm employed by the county gummint and it's all I can do to avoid getting in trouble when I question "global warming."
But we are safe from secondhand smoke, transfats, nuclear weapons in Garrett Park and Takoma Park and the transgendered are now able to avoid being oppressed. What a relief. Thinking about it allows me to sleep soundly at night.
Frankly, the wife and I would return to the Lehigh Valley in a heartbeat if I found a job there.
I've seen O'Mally's work before
January 23, 2008 - 15:58 ET by not_lima_HMaryland is a perfect example of liberal policies in action. They dominate the states government and have no opposition from republicans or media. Their answer to every issue is more money, more government. Here in Baltimore they want to start bribing school kids to get better grades with tax dollars. Walk these streets, if you dare, and talk to the average joe. The impression you get is everyone is an unlicensed drop-out with a bi-polar disorder. Every last one a victim of George Bush or just "the man" in general. This is where Martin O'Mally's legend began.