Md. Democrats, Va. Republicans exchange barbs
Maryland's Democratic Party shot back at the Virginia Republicans this morning, taking the Old Dominions to task for a news release they issued assailing Gov. Martin O'Malley's ability to handle the state budget.
"Bob McDonnell and Virginia Republicans tout their accomplishments but – as often with the GOP - the facts tell another story," said Maryland Democratic Party Executive Director David Sloan in a statement. "Rather than investing in Virginia’s future, McDonnell has slashed hundreds of millions of dollars from schools, colleges and universities, and cut funding by a third for EMTs, police officers and firefighters. "
The cross-border bickering bubbles up about a week after Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell became the head of the Republican Governors Association, an arrangement that sets up a natural rivalry with O'Malley, who heads the Democratic Governors Association.
The two men faced off over the weekend on CNN's State of the Union -- but O'Malley has gone out of his way to downplay any enhanced competition. On WTOP Monday, O'Malley said that McDonnell is a "skilled communicator" and said he can understand why McDonnell would be an "attractive" GOP candidate for higher office.
In the past McDonnell has also played nice -- he came to Annapolis for O'Malley's inauguration in January. Speaking to reporters in the statehouse, McDonnell said O'Malley "obviously had a record of accomplishments during his first four years" and added: "He's a very smart guy."
"Bob McDonnell and Virginia Republicans tout their accomplishments but – as often with the GOP - the facts tell another story," said Maryland Democratic Party Executive Director David Sloan in a statement. "Rather than investing in Virginia’s future, McDonnell has slashed hundreds of millions of dollars from schools, colleges and universities, and cut funding by a third for EMTs, police officers and firefighters. "
The cross-border bickering bubbles up about a week after Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell became the head of the Republican Governors Association, an arrangement that sets up a natural rivalry with O'Malley, who heads the Democratic Governors Association.
The two men faced off over the weekend on CNN's State of the Union -- but O'Malley has gone out of his way to downplay any enhanced competition. On WTOP Monday, O'Malley said that McDonnell is a "skilled communicator" and said he can understand why McDonnell would be an "attractive" GOP candidate for higher office.
In the past McDonnell has also played nice -- he came to Annapolis for O'Malley's inauguration in January. Speaking to reporters in the statehouse, McDonnell said O'Malley "obviously had a record of accomplishments during his first four years" and added: "He's a very smart guy."
Nevertheless, this week the Virginia Republican Party took a swing at O'Malley, seizing on a National Review blog post that used a wholly unorthodox method to compare the two state budgets. The news organization contrasted Virgina's $545 million surplus from the end of fiscal 2011 with Maryland's projected $1 billion deficit in FY2013 and concluded that Virgina's fiscal discipline is superior.
The National Review piece ignored that Maryland also is expected to also close FY2011 a hefty surplus (in the hundreds of millions) due mostly to better than expected tax returns.
Also, the piece is silent on Virgina's budget projections for FY2013.(We're asking Virginia budget analysts that question, and will update this post when we get it.) Jeff Caldwell, a spokesman for Gov. McDonnell said that he "has never seen" out year budget estimates for the state of Virginia.
Thankfully, we had our own crafty way of finding them (see page 26). The document is two years old (much has changed since that time), but Virginia's budget writers were projecting modest surpluses for FY2012 and FY2013. And by FY20016 projected surpluses grow to about $300 million.
Maryland's budget picture is based on more recent information and not so rosy, with a row of deficits projected in coming years. Warren Deschenaux, the legislature's top fiscal analyst however, stressed that Maryland has historically always balanced its budget and will do it again this year.
The National Review piece ignored that Maryland also is expected to also close FY2011 a hefty surplus (in the hundreds of millions) due mostly to better than expected tax returns.
Also, the piece is silent on Virgina's budget projections for FY2013.
Thankfully, we had our own crafty way of finding them (see page 26). The document is two years old (much has changed since that time), but Virginia's budget writers were projecting modest surpluses for FY2012 and FY2013. And by FY20016 projected surpluses grow to about $300 million.
Maryland's budget picture is based on more recent information and not so rosy, with a row of deficits projected in coming years. Warren Deschenaux, the legislature's top fiscal analyst however, stressed that Maryland has historically always balanced its budget and will do it again this year.
Comments
The MD Dem party acts like bloated school spending does any good. From 2001:$27.3 billion to 2010:$59.2 billion the Department of Education doubled the amount spent on education and I can guarantee we didn't double test scores. Honestly, there is plenty of room to take some money out of the Department of Education and education in general but political leaders know they will get demagogued to death.
Also, I hope we do get Virginia's projected numbers for 2013, it won't be a billion dollar deficit like Maryland.
Posted by: From Harford | August 24, 2011 1:06 PM
Well if the state is expecting a hefty surplus,then i guess they dont need to raise the gas tax in the fall sesion. with al the fee (tax) increases they raised this past year they had better have a surplus. but don't worry they will come up with some kind of reason to raise gas tax anyway.
Posted by: AARON | August 24, 2011 1:09 PM
Dems better not tweak the VA GOP too much. VA is cleaning MD's clocks in job creation and attracting new businesses. Not even close. MD ranks 50 out of 50 states in new job creation.
Posted by: tlb | August 24, 2011 1:19 PM
"The New Republic piece..."????
Freudian slip?
Posted by: Patrick | August 24, 2011 1:29 PM
What Virginia republican party family has the high pedigree and Integrity to equal the Baltimore Conway family ardent supporters of Mr.O'Malley? Those Republicans should learn about Integrity and Honesty before exchanging Barbs with Maryland Democrats. The NERVE of those tea baggers!
Posted by: kevin | August 24, 2011 1:55 PM
O'Malley is and has always been fiscally irresponsible, the fact that David Sloan mentions cuts from the Republican side is laughable. Look at O'Malleys record, it's nothing but tax and spend, entitlements, and slashing necessary programs...he is a joke.
Posted by: Dom | August 24, 2011 1:59 PM
Articles like these are one of the reasons we cancelled this paper years ago. Unfortunaley, due to three counties, Maryland remains a dumbed down blue state. Sad.
Posted by: Mark | August 24, 2011 2:40 PM
All any Virginia pol needs to do is compare their budget and how they got it in the black and Marty's budget and how far in the red it STILL is.
Or now they can compare Wisconsin's budget to Marty's and see who comes out on top!
Or look at what tax increases did in Illinois to the jobs. Here is that link.
http://www.illinoispolicy.org/news/article.asp?ArticleSource=4362
Posted by: Fire ALL the Dems | August 24, 2011 2:59 PM
On the other hand, where is MD GOP? They should be jumping all over this National Review post and publicizing the stark contrast in fiscal strategies. This is exactly why VA is able to elect strong Republican leaders and we're stuck with out of touch leaders. Leaders who think a special session for redistricting is actually the time to raise taxes they couldn't pass in April. Leaders who plan international trade trips on the taxpayer's dime when Maryland is LAST in job creation. We need to stop letting opportunities to point out O'Malley's recklessness pass us by.
Posted by: Amber | August 24, 2011 3:05 PM
Dear Harford:
You cannot be competitive in the global economy "flipping burgers". You need a well educated work force. Have you ever sat in a college library and noticed that the majority of the students are from oversees? Biomedical and electrical engineering endeavors are two of the largest employers in the state. If education is so bloated tell the kid who will miss out on the jobs of the future. That their educational system is bloated, while they stand in the unemployment line.
Clearly you do not understand the modern economy.
With sincere angst,
Sigmasoul
Posted by: Sigmasoul | August 24, 2011 4:49 PM
If VA is so darn wonderful why aren't you moving there? You'll like taxes on your food and annually on your car.
Posted by: lunasea | August 24, 2011 10:45 PM
The State of Va. is correct. O'Malley is THE WORST GOV. MARYLAND HAS EVER HAD THE MIS-FORTUNE OF ELECTING. He wasn't elected by ALL of Maryland, just Baltimore City and the surrounding Counties. The City and Counties with the largest group of Illegals and Welfare. O'Malley is a waste of air. O'Malley is a TAX & SPEND DEMOCRAT!!
Posted by: JoeB | August 25, 2011 8:19 AM
Dear Sigmasoul,
I wasn’t suggesting people shouldn't attend school. The amount of money going to the school doesn't alter how many people can get in. Without serious reform we will never have a competitive school system that accelerates the younger generation to compete in the new world economy. Throwing more money at the problem won't ever fix it.
Also, in regards to being in a college library; I'm currently a senior at UMD who spent two years at a CC before transferring, so I have seen my fair share of college libraries. I can say with certitude that I have never been in any college library and say I have seen more "students who are from overseas". While I do see a diverse crowd, most of them have been/are from Maryland (I'm hoping you are not saying that because they don't look like you).
We do need to promote important fields such as engineering, but we are not graduating students from our public school systems that are able to tackle to these majors. If you are also a college student, go and ask a few engineering majors where they went to school. I'd be willing to bet that at least 60% went to private schools or vocational schools.
I never claimed to understand the modern economy, but I think I might have a slightly better grasp than you.
Study a little harder,
From Harford
Posted by: From Harford | August 25, 2011 2:36 PM
O'malley is a democractic talking points bafoon. The party of tax & spend. They give the treasury away for votes to keep in power.I saw him on Gretta (fox) he was a genuine as**ole.
Posted by: Percy1799 | August 26, 2011 3:07 AM
Martin is a fool for aruging with other State Leaders. He is like a little kid. Let him and his close nit KLan go pout. He is a waste of human flesh and a poor leader.
Posted by: Joe-Ball | September 2, 2011 12:15 PM
Maryland has bigger surplus budget than Virginia:
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/bs-md-budget-surplus-20110901,0,579629.story
I don't know about you all, but I don't feel like having to pay for all of Virginia's massive property taxes IN DECEMBER OF EACH YEAR right before Christmas as well as food taxes on everything! NO THANKS!!!
Our school system is ranked #1 for a reason. Virginia's is ranked somewhere in the gutter...along with Texas. We got a balanced budget by a mix of taxes and cuts. This is what needs to happen and will happen on the national level, else we will never get out of this rut.
The MD 2013 budget isn't even done yet, why are you biatching??? You're stupid and ignorant. The article clearly states: Virginia used "funny math" to get their numbers...typical corrupt republicans. Can you say Arthur Andersen? Can you say Enron? JUST CORRUPT REPUBLICANS!!
For all of you who hate Maryland, GET OUT and take your filthy children with you. You're not wanted.
Posted by: USMCvet | September 2, 2011 12:18 PM