House Republican leaders present alternate budget
House Republicans today presented colleagues with an alternative to Gov. Martin O'Malley's $14 billion general fund spending plan.
Minority Leader Anthony J. O'Donnell told members of the House Appropriations Committee that the GOP plan "envisions a smaller, less intrusive state government." The proposal calls for a $621 million deeper cut than O'Malley's budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1.
Republicans would achieve that reduction by making major changes to how the state allocates K-12 education money and by and snipping at many state agencies and programs. At the same time, they'd cut the sales tax from 6 to 5 percent and the corporate income tax from 8.25 to 7 percent -- reductions that O'Donnell said would help lure taxpayers and companies to Maryland.
"We think it's a new vision," O'Donnell said.
House Republicans have also cast an eye toward the future, recommending the state hold spending growth to 2 percent over the next few years and bumping it up to 4 percent in fiscal year 2016.
(Click the following links to compare the GOP plan to O'Malley's budget highlights.)
This is the second year in a row that Republicans have countered the Democratic governor's budget plan with a proposal of their own. The General Assembly, also controlled by Democrats, is in the process of assessing the O'Malley budget.
Members of the committee had few questions for O'Donnell and Minority Whip Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio.
Chairman Norman Conway, a Democrat, noted that the Republicans don't aim to close the entire structural deficit next year. O'Donnell said he believed that could only be done "if everyone's committed." The GOP would close the deficit over two years.
O'Donnell said Maryland, which fared better than many states in the national recession, must brace for uncertain times ahead. Changing leadership in oil-rich countries, the earthquake in Japan and a potential contraction of the federal government all could contribute to Maryland's fiscal picture.
That, he said, underscores the need for a conservative budget approach.
"This is tough stuff," he said. "We understand and acknowledge that."
Several Republicans, including Del. Andrew A. Serafini of Washington County, also presented the House Appropriations Committee their ideas on state worker pension reform. O'Malley is seeking more employee contributions to the retirement system -- an idea that thousands of union members protested yesterday in Annapolis.
Categories: 2011 legislative session, Tax & Spend
Comments
Budget: Act III, Scene II
With apologies to William Shakespeare, author of Julius Caesar
Friends, Members, Senators, lend me your ears;
I come to praise Obama, not harm him.
The deficits men leave live on for years,
The life of surpluses is very slim;
So it is with Barack too. The noble Reid
Hath told you that Barack’s a budget hawk:
If it were so, we should in truth pay heed,
And frequently we all have heard that talk.
Here, under leave of Harry and the rest –
For Harry is an honorable man;
So are they all, as I can sure attest –
Come I to ask for a new master plan.
Obama gave us all Obamacare,
But Harry said he is a budget hawk;
And Harry is a gentleman foursquare.
And have we not all heard Barack’s sweet-talk?
Did he not say that we should spread the wealth?
Does this Obama seem to penny-pinch?
When everyone receives free care for health?
I think the fists of thrift should have more clinch.
Yet Harry calls him parsimonious.
And Harry is a truthful man for sure.
Obama signed the stimulus excess,
With payoffs for his unions to secure,
With other organizers: Minginess?
Yet Harry sees only a budget hawk.
And Harry’s honor seeps with all largesse.
I speak not to engage in just small talk,
But here I am to speak what I do know.
You all did love Barack, not without cause:
But now is time to deficits forgo.
O spending! Thou art fled to blind applause,
And men have lost their reason! Bear with me;
My heart is in decline much like our land,
And I must pause till it come back to me.
thebardofmurdock.blogspot.com
Posted by: thebardofmurdock | March 15, 2011 6:56 PM
Know why Republicans never get elected? Because they think that the electorate is gullible enough to buy "mock" budgets like this one.
Not one single specific spending cut is listed here. That's the difference between real governing and standing on the sidelines shooting spitballs.
Here's an idea. Why not say what it is specifically that you will cut to achieve this 600M in savings? And why not say how much the tax cuts will INCREASE the deficit by? Don't bother answering. Everyone knows the reason.
Posted by: IPFrehley | March 16, 2011 1:47 AM
If either party was really interested in cutting the deficit the number 1 item would be to get rid of the elected and appointed pension plan. Name any worker, any place that gets a huge pension for part time work? Name a worker that gets first rate, inexpensive medical benefits for part time work? Both Republican and Democratic politicians votes for this for themselves and their cronies. They will take away pensions for workers that actually work full time while protecting their own. If they do not like it, don't run and get a real job.
As for the sales tax cut, that is a joke. If people are not living in Maryland because of the 6 cents versus 5 cents sales tax we probably do not want them anyway. This is such a moronic issue that keeps the Repub base hopping mad.
I would agree with the business tax decrease only if it had incentives to actually create jobs in Maryland and not just give larger bonuses to execs.
I know for Republicans a dumber electorate is easier to manipulate and control but to cut education funding would hurt Maryland in the longer run.
This is the same old conservative non-starter. Repubs .. get some new ideas and people might start to listen.
Posted by: afmcalax | March 16, 2011 8:24 AM
Here's another idea. Try clicking on the first link for a list of the proposed cuts before you comment.
These would be worth looking at before MOM and his buddies inflict yet more regressive taxes (gas and alcohol) on Maryland.
Posted by: vote em out! | March 16, 2011 9:18 AM
Maybe those republican lawmakers & republicans should find another state to work & live in !!! We here in Maryland are liberal democrats and as you can see by our voting record we are going to keep it that way!!!
Posted by: Arewedoneyey1 | March 16, 2011 9:55 AM
So IPFREHLEY endorses more of the tax and spend mentality that is eroding the middle class in Maryland-you remember those who actually do not work government jobs.
As a Baltimore taxpayer-Democrat-who is taxed to the hilt and not receiving comparable services for my tax bills I am all in favor of the Republican budget.
I just cant afford anymore of this progressive utopian society!
as for real governing MOM spends more time in DC pushing himself instead of governing.
Posted by: john | March 16, 2011 11:16 AM
The Republican budget sounds like a logical plan. Of course, the liberal Democrat controlled state of MD would never do anything logical.
Posted by: leon | March 16, 2011 11:47 AM
yup real logical, just lack any real detail as to how they will do it...nice try though
Posted by: sick of dems and repubs | March 16, 2011 1:16 PM