Gov. Martin O'Malleycontinues to demonstrate the breadth of his big-government mentality during this ongoing legislative session in Annapolis. It is apparent that he is trying to position himself as a liberal leader as he looks ahead at future political office — and he is using the working-class people of Maryland as a stepping stone.
Governor O'Malley introduced a budget that increases spending by more than $1 billion over the current fiscal year's budget. This budget is larger than it has ever been, just like each and every budget from Governor O'Malley for the past six years of his term in office.
This budget proposal includes numerous tax increases including capping income tax deductions for families and homeowners. The budget increases the tax on smokeless tobacco and cigars. The budget extends the 6 percent sales tax to Internet sales as well.
Mandates in this budget will push more than $9 million to Harford County for pension costs. This will mean either cuts or tax increases in the county. We will work with our Republican-led council and executive to make these tough cuts, but it won't be easy.
Maryland's gas tax is currently 23.5 cents per gallon. Mr. O'Malley has proposed to add the Maryland's 6 percent sales tax to it, adding 18 cents per gallon at today's fuel prices. This tax will bite the wallet of everybody in Maryland, specifically the poorest among us, who are struggling to get to work, get their kids to school, and buy groceries.
Governor O'Malley also intends to increase our electricity rates to by $24 per year to subsidize an off-shore wind farm. This costly proposal has not been proven successful in other states and construction will not start for at least five years, long after Mr. O'Malley has left office in Maryland and with us holding the bill.
Remember the 2007 special session tax increases? The sales tax increased from 5 percent to 6 percent, and there was a corporate tax increase, a tax on high earners, and a tech tax? And how about last year's alcohol tax increase?
So long as we permit the message to be "just a little bit more will be enough," we will be ruled by big government Democratic politicians in Maryland. Like Ronald Reagan said, "Government always finds a need for whatever money it gets."
Join us in the Republican Party for a different message. All of our Republican legislators in Annapolis plan to vote against each of these proposals and will send the message that Maryland cannot afford more taxes. Let's begin a conversation about the role of government in our lives and start fighting for more freedom and less taxes and regulation.
Patrick McGrady, Bel Air
The above letter was approved by the Harford County Republican Central Committee.