O'Malley's Role: Firm Leader or Tax-and-Spend Democrat?
Montgomery County Democrat Brian E. Frosh put it this way: "Will people recognize it as hard choices that had to be made or as government run amok?"
The senator was talking about the three-week special session of the General Assembly that ended early Monday morning with approval of a $1.4 billion tax increase package and a referendum on slot machine gambling. More specifically, he was talking about how people would characterize Gov. Martin O'Malley's role.
O'Malley's fellow Democratic leaders were generous with their praise: "This is the boldest move, the boldest action, on the part of any governor I've served with," said Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (D-Calvert), who has served with six other governors.
Republicans saw the array of tax hikes--O'Malley's package raised the state's sales, corporate income, tobacco and vehicle titling taxes and overhauled the personal income tax system--as a natural campaign issue in 2010, when the governor and the entire legislature stand for re-election.
"We'll see how people react when they start paying these taxes," said Senate Minority Leader Allan H. Kittleman (R-Howard). "There's no question people will remember this."
Tell us what you think?
By Phyllis Jordan |
November 20, 2007; 9:38 AM ET
| Category:
John Wagner
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Posted by: Baltimoron | November 20, 2007 11:55 AM
The legislature has really run amok this time. Raising all these taxes is going to help the state? Are they delusional or have they just never taken a course in basic economics? I will go with both. People sure are going to remember this tax increase. I will not vote for anyone who voted for this bill.
Even if the income tax is more 'progressive,' the sales tax and cigarette tax hit lower income persons proportionately more. It seems to me any benefits to lower income residents will be offset by this. It is not as if they lowered the taxes for low-income residents. It is simply amazing the amount of ignorance that has gone into this legislation. This is why Maryland has such a bad reputation with regards to taxes. It is almost as bad as the rap Massachusetts had.
Posted by: Unhappy Marylander | November 20, 2007 12:52 PM
O'Malley may have raised the taxes of those who can least afford it but he didn't have them run over while doing a news report, so that's progress I guess.
Posted by: WaPost4O'Malley | November 20, 2007 5:51 PM
Maryland is a bad place for business. Peter Franchot must take a stand and expose the Governor. O'Malley is an opportunist politician who must be kicked out.
Do not be surprised if Martin O'Malley's next move is to make prostitution legal.
Posted by: jane | November 20, 2007 10:42 PM
Who's had enough of sitting around taking this abuse? They didn't listen to us during these past three weeks, and they hope we're stupid enough to forget in three years.
I say we take a cue from California and start a recall effort of O'Malley and every senator and delegate that voted for this. Think they'll listen then?
Who's up for it?
Posted by: tc | November 21, 2007 9:53 PM
Why is raising taxes seen as "bold?" This seems to be true around the country when Governors support higher tax rates. Bold would be cutting spending and explaining that you have to live within your means. But those Governors are attacked as mean-spirited.
Time had a list of the "5 best Governors" last year and the one thing they all had in common was raising tax rates. Why is the media so laudatory toward tax-hikers?
Posted by: Adam C | November 25, 2007 12:37 PM
We need the money NOW!
So bring the taxes DOWN!
Posted by: ??? | January 2, 2008 9:55 PM
The comments to this entry are closed.
Well, so far he's taxed... and spent... so I'm going to go with door #2.