from the
Washington ExaminerMaryland is facing a $1.6 billion shortfall in the state budget. Gas prices are climbing toward $4 a gallon. And unemployment remains stubbornly high.
Still, the Maryland General Assembly had other priorities Wednesday. The House was debating same-sex marriage and the Senate was wrestling with whether illegal immigrants should get a break on college tuition.
Despite the fiscal woes facing the state and the country, the 2011 session in Maryland has been dominated by such social issues, including whether to legalize medical marijuana. Some observers argue that, given voters' concerns about the economy, legislators should hone in on getting the state's fiscal house in order first.
"Some people are saying precisely that: 'We need to put all our attention on the budget,' " said Matthew Crenson, professor emeritus in the Johns Hopkins University political science department. "They're very concerned about gasoline taxes and what's going to be cut in order to cover the deficit."
Count Del. Don Dwyer, R-Anne Arundel, among them.
"I think the fiscal crisis that Maryland faces should have been the most important piece of business," said Dwyer. "Are these issues that are so important that [they] should overshadow the state budget crisis? I don't think so."
But Shaun Adamec, a spokesman for Gov. Martin O'Malley, dismissed the notion that the budget has been placed on the back burner.
"Ignoring the budget is not an option, and I don't think anyone in the legislature is doing that," he said. "I don't think you hear from sitting in these hearings that it's being ignored."
Maryland lawmakers considered a gay marriage proposal last year, only to see the legislation die in a year in which they and O'Malley were up for re-election.
Tough decisions on such "inherently divisive" issues have been timed to have a minimal impact on elections, Crenson said.
"I don't think it's fair to place any weight on when something is considered and when it's not," Adamec countered. "Things come up when they come up."
Across the Potomac in Virginia, meanwhile, many of these social issues were largely settled in recent years. Voters approved a constitutional amendment in 2006 banning same-sex marriage and civil unions, and the state has some of the toughest immigration laws in the country.
"Gay marriage would be DOA in either chamber in Virginia, and so there's no need to talk about it in Richmond," said Stephen Farnsworth, a professor of communication at George Mason University.
Not that Virginia legislators were able to avoid social issues in 2011. Pro-life advocates won a major victory when the legislature approved a measure to tighten regulations on abortion clinics that is now in front of Gov. Bob McDonnell.
But again, Maryland legislators won't have to face voters until 2012, while Virginia lawmakers are up for re-election this year -- with new district lines and constituents to deal with.
"That makes people very cautious," Farnsworth said. "Even though both states are spending some time talking about social issues, the 800-pound gorilla in the room for every government is how to balance state budgets."
from the
Baltimore Sun:
The National Organization for Marriage today pledged at least $1 million to help defeat Republicans who favor same-sex marriage and assist the campaigns of Democrats who oppose it.
The announcement came as the Maryland House of Delegates today moved the legislation a step closer to a final vote. More debate is planned for Friday, and it is unclear whether the marriage bill has the 71 votes needed for passage.
"We know where the people of Maryland stand, and legislators need to listen to their constituents," said Brian Brown, president of the National Organization for Marriage. "If they don't, we're here to help hold them accountable."
The national group says it will form a political action committee in Maryland with the aim of ousting Republicans who "abandon the party position," Brown said. Money also will flow to Democrats who vote against the same-sex marriage bill, he said.
The only legislator specifically in NOM's crosshairs so far is Sen. Allan H. Kittleman of Howard County. He was the lone Republican senator to vote in favor of the bill.
Brown said NOM will be closely watching how Republican delegates vote.
House Republicans decided as a group to take a caucus position againts same-sex marriage, and leaders of the minority party say they believe each of their 43 members will vote against the bill.
Brown said NOM has a perfect record when it comes to defeating Republicans who support gay marriage.
"Every Republican we've ever targeted, we've defeated," he said. The group helped oust four Republicans, in California, Minnesota and New Hampshire, he said.
Brown said the National Organization for Marriage has been working behind the scenes in Maryland, contacting more than 500,000 voters through the mail or phone calls. The group urges those voters to call their legislators.
According to lawmakers, they've been doing so in large numbers. Several delegates said during today's floor debate that they had never heard from so many people on a single issue.
From the Harford County
Dagger:
From the Harford Campaign for Liberty:
Who? YOU, the Taxpayer – an Owner of Harford County
What? YOUR Harford County Budget – That’s right!
It begins with a “B” and ends with a “T” and that stands for “Taxes!”
Why? Because,
– The County Budget pays for all services and functions — good and bad
–YOUR taxes and the level of services are directly affected by the Budget
–Next year’s revenues are not likely to increase. That means there’s no money coming in to cover any additional expenditure(s).
–Next year’s expenditures could be at least $30 MILLION more, if the Board of Education and Harford Community College budgets are passed
–YOUR property taxes could increase significantly to pay for this
–If you fail to speak up now, YOU could suffer serious, economic consequences!
Where? VOICE YOUR OPINION:
County Executive’s Blog
http://www.harfordcountymd.gov/Executive
Or call at 410.638.3350
SHOW YOUR SUPPORT!
County Council Meeting – Next Tuesday, March 8, 2011, 7:30 pm, AA Roberty Building, 102 S. Hickory Ave Bel Air (Park in garage.)
When? TODAY!
Email the County Executive and ask him to post a blog because you would like to establish dialog on the 2012 budget.
CountyExecutive@harfordcountymd.gov
Next Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Attend this County Council meeting
How? Simply e-mail or call the County Executive. Tell him your worries about the economy. Ask him to post this topic on his blog for open discussion.
Attend the County Council meeting and voice your concerns and/or support those people who will be sharing your uneasiness
Download the “2011 Budget in Brief” to see how your money is spent. http://www.harfordcountymd.gov/Budget/Download/1447.pdf
WAKE UP! STAND UP! SPEAK UP!
Or, WE WILL ALL SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES!
Understand we are all in this boat together.
We could all sink under the weight of additional property taxes.
E-mail this to your neighbors!
Print it out and personally give it to them!
Stay tuned in for next week’s important e-mail update on this issue!
Let us know what the County Executive says about the budget!
from the Washington Examiner
