Dels. Impallaria And Norman Take Voluntary State Furloughs And Donate Salaries

Delegate Rick Impallaria on the Legislators’ Furlough Day Donation Option

“I am accepting House Speaker Michael Busch’s request, and I am donating five days salary back to the State,” said Del. Rick Impallaria (R, District 7, Baltimore and Harford Counties). “However, this entire crisis could have been avoided if the Legislature had done two things during the 2008 session.

“First, I proposed a bill to flatline the State Budget [i.e., no increases in spending] for the next four fiscal years, so that we could get a grip on our economic situation. This bill was killed in committee.

“Second, the Legislature had the opportunity to reject the Governor’s budget, which represents huge expenditure of money the State did not and does not have. The Legislature passed the budget. However, I was able to put together a group of 36 legislators who had the courage to vote against it as a protest of the increased spending and resultant higher taxes.

“Had these two actions been taken, we would not be in the crisis we are now. There would not be any need for furloughs or firings now or in the future.

“While many elected officials are now pandering to their constituents by accepting this “furlough”, the truth is, had they done the right thing by voting against the budget and passing my legislation, all this would have been unnecessary. In short, their motivation should be judged not by their current action, but by their past deeds. They were directly responsible for putting Maryland’s citizens, the State itself, and its employees in this current financial crisis,” concluded Del. Impallaria, “And by the way, many states and municipalities across the country are now flatlining their budgets because they are being forced to.”

Delegate Rick Impallaria Issues Furlough Challenge

Delegate Rick Impallaria (R, District 7, Baltimore and Harford Counties) has accepted Speaker Michael Busch’s request to donate five days salary, amounting to $604.20, back to the State as a cost-cutting measure and in solidarity with beleagured state employees.

He commented, “I am issuing a further challenge to Governor O’Malley to cut the salaries of his political appointees in state government back to the level of their predecessors. I also challenge all County Executives, the Mayor of Baltimore City, and Patricia Jessamy, who has recently gotten a raise, to do the same. It’s time.”

Rick Impallaria
rick.impallaria@house.state.md.us

Delegate Norman to Donate 5-Days’ Pay In Wake of Furlough Decision

Today, Delegate Wayne Norman (Harford County/Dist. 35A) announced that he will donate the equivalent of five days of his Delegate’s salary to Aegis Empty Stocking Fund.

Del. Norman’s announcement follows Governor Martin O’Malley’s decision to furlough most of Maryland’s 80,000 employees. Those affected will lose two to five days of pay, depending on their annual income.

“I realize my decision to donate five-days’ pay is only symbolic and will have no material impact on those being furloughed,” said Del. Norman. “But I believe such a symbol of solidarity is important during these difficult times. The real challenge will be for the representatives in Annapolis to work through these furloughs so that state employees and the citizens of our state have a balanced budget and laws that will foster a prosperous 2009.”

You can contact Delegate Norman with your concerns or ideas on furloughs and the state budget by e-mailing

Wayne.Norman@house.state.md.us