My tax increase is smaller than your tax increase
Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr (R) usedd his annual address to the General Assembly this afternoon to tout his fiscal stewardship and the state's $1.2 billion budget surplus.
Just in time for the speech, the Maryland Democratic Party has put out its own take on the governor's record of handling the state's finances. The party has counted up $3 billion in taxes, fees and tolls increased during Ehrlich's tenure. In a report entitled "Gov. Ehrlich's Fiscal Insanity," the Democrats dub the first GOP governor in a generation "$3 Billion Bob - taking more from the taxpayers, leaving the next governor with massive deficits."
The tally, compiled from a report by the Department of Legislative Services, includes the nearly 5-cent increase in the state property tax rate, higher car registration fees and the $30 flush fee to benefit the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund.
"The perception that Ehrlich is trying to create is that he's a responsible fiscal manager who has blocked attempts that have been made to raise taxes. The truth, as evidenced by his record, speaks the total opposite," said Derek Walker, executive director of the party. "He's become the quintessential tax and spend politician."
Henry Fawell, the governor's press secretary, said Ehrlich is keeping his own tally: $7.5 billion in tax increases proposed by lawmakers in the last three years that were either vetoed by the governor or defeated during the legislative process, in part by the Ehrlich administration.
The governor's report is also culled from analysis by the nonpartisan Department of Legislative Services.
"The governor is always on the side of lower taxes and he has done that," Fawell said.
The fees, tolls and taxes increased during Ehrlich's term, he added, were for specific purposes such as cleaning up the Bay or road projects.
The governor's speech, at noon today, will be broadcast at 7 p.m. on Maryland Public Television (MPT). It will also be podcast and posted on line no later than 5 p.m., the station reports.
By Ann Marimow |
January 26, 2006; 8:22 AM ET
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General Assembly
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Posted by: elliottg | January 26, 2006 9:48 AM
You're only making it painful for the readers, Elliott. If you want the Post to shut down the Comments area, you're doing an excellent job.
Posted by: AB | January 26, 2006 10:02 AM
Actually, it is better for there to be no dialogue than for there to be a "fake" dialogue with disrespect and lies coming from the people in power. Management 101. This is why Glenn Reynolds has no comments. He can't/won't respect his critics. The WaPo needs to start respecting it's readers who are critical of their coverage or shut down comments. They cannot have it both ways and I imagine there is a fair amount of cognitive dissonance on the part of WaPo employees who "get it" about how deeply insulting what the WaPo did (per Jay Rosen in the chat) and those who don't. Those who "get it" have to sit on their hands and say nothing or take undue risks (a la Froomkin).
Posted by: elliottg | January 26, 2006 10:13 AM
I saw on Mark Plotkin's web talk that Jamie Raskin is running for a MD Senate seat? Is that correct? I know him from AU Law and he's a force of nature, would love to see him get into State politics. Any one know anything else about this? Is it correct?
Posted by: s | January 26, 2006 4:05 PM
Raskin's website declares: Jamie's Running!
He's running for the 20th District Senate seat, now held by fellow Democrat Ida Ruben
Posted by: Phyllis Jordan | January 26, 2006 4:14 PM
The comments to this entry are closed.
The Internet may not route around censorship all the time, but I'll try to make it painful for the WaPo to continue the charade.
Bet some of the Post staffers really hate working for a outfit so afraid of criticism that it shuts down a blog when the organization makes a mistake. Then they claim its because people are being uncivil, but can't back that claim up. Oh yeah, the original lie is proved to be a lie as well.