This week Republican former Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich sought to flesh out his candidacy by distributing a package of proposals along with a new television ad touting it.
Starting with the ad: Ehrlich does not mention opponent Gov. Martin O’Malley by name, but hits some of same criticism he’s repeated at events: The state faces “a mountain of debt” and voters could be expecting a “massive tax increase.” He also says that “employers will continue to leave the state.” Ehrlich asks voters to support him because he has a “roadmap” that spells out a future that would avoid the problems he’s outlined.
Before getting to his roadmap – it is worth examining the threats. The state is now pushing against its debt limit, however, the three rating agencies disagree about whether Maryland's debt levels are high, moderate or low. The one agency that rates the state poorly includes in its model the Ehrlich-era transportation debt issued to pay for the Inter County Connector.
Ehrlich, and state’s Republicans, have long said that the 2011 legislative session will include a tax hike and there is considerable chatter about a possible increase to the alcohol tax. But Ehrlich frequently goes further passing out a list 43 tax hikes that the General Assembly rejected as evidence that the Democratic controlled body is eager to expand revenue sources. The governor has not explicitly ruled out a tax increase – another point the Republicans hit.
Ehrlich's solution? His roadmap covers ten broad policy areas – starting with job creation ideas, and hitting, among others, education, transportation, the environment, energy, crime and health. Many of the ideas come with a price tag, making it unclear how the plan would eliminate the debt he talks about and there is no talk of what programs would be cut to pay for new ideas. Ehrlich has said it is difficult to assess what would need to be cut until there are firmer budget figures -- the state's tax receipts have improved recently.
New details in his plan include ideas about making some agencies more responsive; an emphasis on early education, a discussion of reducing obesity and the desire to increase the number in-state students in Maryland’s university system. Ehrlich mentions crime in detail for the first time, saying he would “eliminate” gang violence by looking at ways of expanding the use of the state’s gang statues.
O’Malley's campaign immediately critiqued the document – calling a “roadmap to nowhere” – and pointing out that Ehrlich’s record as governor erodes his credibility on tax cuts and reducing government spending. They also questioned his environmental record, noting that one advocacy group the League of Conservation Voters, gave him a “D.”
The plan doesn’t mention one flash point that many Republican voters have mentioned: Immigration. Also, despite the detail, it doesn’t mention any changes to a planned juvenile prison in Baltimore that Ehrlich has criticized in the past.
(More on Ehrlich's plan after jump)
Ehrlich’s plan includes:
- A set of administrative changes to the state’s departments of labor and the department of business and economic development that Ehrlich believes would make the bureaucracies more business-friendly;
- Re-states promise to cut sales tax, eliminate income tax on military pensions; and says he would “explore” how to reduce the corporate income tax;
- Change state budget process so yearly cuts to programs become the new baseline for the following year – this would eliminate some of what has become annual angst over budget cuts;
- Eliminate furloughs for state workers;
- Provide incentives to build a third nuclear reactor at Calvert Cliffs; prevent Bay Restoration funds from being transferred to close budget holes
- Abandon the proposed rapid transit lines in Baltimore and the Washington suburbs in favor of rapid buses
- "Work with legislators" to reduce medical malpractice insurance
The plan also includes the creation of several commissions:
-A bipartisan group will examine the pension problems;
another task force would look at so-called “mandated spending”;
- another to examine transportation issues; - another – to be headed by Lt. Gov. Mary Kane - would study link between drug use and crime;
- a study on whether purchasing health insurance across state lines would reduce costs
Comments
We know where Bob Ehrlich's "roadmap" leads--a dead end. He just wants us to go back to the same failed policies of his four years in office.
Posted by: Dwigt | September 17, 2010 2:47 PM
I am very skeptical about this plan filled with policies and ideas from the first Ehrlich Administration. I don't think this will tackle any of the State's challenges.
Posted by: Skip | September 17, 2010 3:16 PM
This roadmap to nowhere is a testament to the pandering Bob Ehrlich has done all across the state. He opens his mouth and only makes promises. Tax cuts for one and more government spending for another.
He hopes this smoke and mirrors act will last until the election. I don't think so.
Posted by: MM | September 17, 2010 3:19 PM
This is how we got into this mess in the first place. Politicians promising us the world without realizing there is cost in blood and treasure for each one of those promises.
Former Governor Ehrlich is just that another dishonest politicians who just wants to get elected. Bush fooled all of us, and I won't make that mistake agian.
Posted by: J-man | September 17, 2010 3:24 PM
Where was all this progress when Ehrlich was governor last time? He did nothing back then and wants us to forget about that?
No way, Jose! Wait I forgot you hate immigrants too. No way, Joe!
Posted by: Rainman | September 17, 2010 3:32 PM
This is not the time in history or place in history for another Ehrlich tenure. the first 4 year term was a catastrophe.Try to help this state as a private citizen in your law practice.
Posted by: James R Egins Sr | September 17, 2010 4:20 PM
more big government. more spending. more fees. anti-public transportation. studies, task forces. Ehrlich is a bad joke that needs to go away.
Posted by: john | September 17, 2010 4:24 PM
What garbage. Ehlrich proposes all this new spending, but no cuts. As before he hates mass transit, yet was pandering when the MARC train broke down.
Posted by: Anonymous | September 17, 2010 4:32 PM
Hey, Bob, remember all those fees you raised when you where governor? Those were taxes, too, Bob. We don't need your kind of politics.
Posted by: Norma Powers | September 17, 2010 4:50 PM
Bob Ehrlich was kicked out of office because Marylanders saw that he was taking us in the wrong direction. Now Ehrlich wants Marylanders to re-elect him. His policies have not changed, he is still the failure he was four years ago. O'Malley will continue to bring us forward to the policies of tomorrow, while Ehrlich will only take us back to the backward policies of yesterday.
Posted by: Betsy | September 17, 2010 6:05 PM
So you all want to re-elect omalley? Illegals running him and this state because omalley depends on their votes. Estimated $2 BILLION TAX $$ GO TO ILLEGAL ALIENS IN MD WHILE THEY ON WELFARE AND KEEP HAVING BABIES FOR PROFITS WITH LITTLE OR NO ID'S AND WORKING. THE AVERAGE FAMILY OF ILLEGALS GETS $2200 MONTH M/L.. YOU SEE ILLEGAL ALIENS WORKING OUR HIGHWAYS AND LANDSCAPING PROJECTS WHILE YOUR STRUGGLING. YOU MIGHT ASK HOW DO WE KNOW THEIR ILLEGAL? BECAUSE 7-10 ACROSS THE COUTRY ARE ILLEGAL EVEN AFTER 10 YEARS IN OUR COUNTRY AND CASA DE MD ADMITTED THAT THEY SEND 80% ILLEGAL ALIENS TO WORK OUR JOBS.. ONLY 1000 ILLEGAL OR UNDOCUMENTED ALIENS BECAME CITIZENS WHILE WE HAVE AT LEAST 1/2 MILLION IN MD. wHY SHOULD THEY BECOME CITIZENS WHEN THEY BENEFIT MORE BY STAYING ILLEGAL? YEAH FOLKS. PULL THE LEVER FOR OMALLEY AND ENJOY. yOU DESERVE WHAT YOU GET.. NOTHING!!!
Posted by: jackie | September 17, 2010 6:36 PM
Back, back, back - that is where Bob's roadmap will take us. Back into the ditch. Back to the Bush era. Back to a time where nothing got done.
I don't know about anyone else, but I want to go forward. We have serious challenges, and we need serious people to solve them.
I'm going forward with Martin O'Malley
Posted by: Lindola | September 17, 2010 6:48 PM
Wow you people are really smart.... Obviously everyone that posted is a democrat, which supports a more powerful government. It is really upsetting how dumb people can be. I'm sure everyone who made a comment does not pay income tax. They should not be allowed to have a say in the states direction. Only about 5% of the people in the US are actually competent. And come on broken promises... isnt that every person elected. Not to mention OBAMA. This guy promises everyone everything and everyone is so dumb that they just go along with it. Come on obviously it was a racist election. People are just too stupid to think for themselves.
Posted by: Matt Pecker | September 17, 2010 6:49 PM
O'Malley broke every single one of his campaign promises. Bob broke 75% of his when he guv. Both are liars and losers. Sad thing is we do not have a 3rd choice. Nobody in their right mind would spend a campaign fund over two million for a $150,000 a year job.
Posted by: TSinNottingham | September 17, 2010 8:28 PM
Ugh. The Roadmap is right back to the old Ehrlich Administration. It calls for agency expeditors. The last time he had an agency expeditor it was Joseph Steffen. Remember Joe? Please not again. Ehrlich is reverting right back to his old playbook which was a disaster for the state. Please no more Joseph Steffens. No more failed Ehrlich roadmaps. We will all be lost.
Posted by: Hank D. | September 17, 2010 8:53 PM
O'MALLEY IS THE LARGEST TAX INCREASER AND JOB KILLER IN MD HISTORY. THAT IS ALL I NEED TO KNOW. EHRLICH WINS IN A FAIRLY COMFORTABLE LANDSLIDE.
Posted by: David | September 18, 2010 7:43 AM
Erlich is no Conservative that is for sure but any more of this tax and spend O'Malley and we wil not have a viable state left. Bob Erlich will get my vote.
Posted by: nickel | September 18, 2010 11:41 AM
I foolishly voted for Ehrlich the first time he ran (given the choices at the time, it didn't seem so foolish). He won, turned around, and spit in the eye of everyone who voted for him who was not a right wing extremist and wealthy. Did he really think they were the ones who put him in office? Does he really think they can do it by themselves this time? Does he think the rest of us are dumb enough to fall for his lies again? He rode the high crest of the housing bubble, which fed high income and real estate taxes and instead of using the bounty wisely and putting some aside for the eventual bust, he gave it all to his friends. O'Malley came in to deal with unemployment, a deficit, and vastly diminished income and real estate revenues. He's done a much better job with what he's had to work with than anyone can fairly expect. Just think what he could have done with the largess that Ehrlich wasted. (& @Matt: I'll put my competency and taxes paid against yours any day)
Posted by: City Redux | September 18, 2010 7:23 PM
I accidentally ran into Bob Ehrlich today at Quarry Lake at Starbucks. I was very excited and told him how happy I was for him, He gave me a big hug!! He is a real down to earth gentleman.
What you all are forgetting is that Gov Ehrlich had his hands tied and wasn't able to do as much as he could do as Gov before, especially with Mike Bush.
In Nov we will change this country's direction and WE will tie OBUMMER'S hands the same way.
We need to campaign for the best Conservative candidates in MD to help Gov Ehrlich do the best job he could do for us!!!!!
He does need to talk more about the illegals and radical gays I agree. We need to let him know how we feel. I know he will listen and take action.
Posted by: Jaclyn Hults | September 19, 2010 11:25 PM
So how is Ehrlich going to untie his hands this time? Is Mike Busch still there? What a poor excuse.
Posted by: john | September 20, 2010 11:00 AM
@Jackie.. illegals do not get 2000 a month.. where do u get your numbers from? federal mandates require proof of citizenship to get welfare benefits and medicaid. the reason u see illegals on road projects is the contractor and sub contractors. we need to crackdown on the businesses who hire them, and our government needs to enforce the laws. and Ehirlich says he wants to eliminate furloughs.. how would he pay of all this? layoffs!!
Posted by: Computerllover | September 20, 2010 11:08 AM
After getting a hug from Bobby haircut you should take a long shower Jaclyn.
Ehrlich stands on public transportation the environment and social issues are so far out of line with 2010 that a time machine couldn't bring them up to date.
Posted by: Gragost | September 20, 2010 1:32 PM