Dear Editor,
All of America’s attention is focused on the massive bailouts created by the politicians in Washington, D.C. At the same time, Governor O’Malley has been engaged in state bailouts and stupid spending policies.
The Governor used $7 million in taxpayer’s money to pay the online bail “white elephant project” in Western Maryland, known as Rocky Gap. This so-called tourist attraction has attracted nothing but debt since it was created at the request of former House of Delegates Speaker, Casper Taylor. Speaker Taylor, coincidentally represented Western Maryland.
Another puzzling bailout is the approximately $500 thousand provided to the Sports Legend Museum, located next to Camden Yards. The Governor not only provided the half million, but reduced the rent on the state owned building from $10 thousand per month down to $2 thousand per month. The proprietor of the museum is Steve Geppi. The name should sound familiar, since Mr. Geppi is the owner of Baltimore Magazine, part owner of the Baltimore Orioles, and full-time owner of a highly successful comic book company. Why the hard pressed taxpayers of Maryland should subsidize a wealthy citizen like Mr. Geppi is highly questionable.
Beyond the bailouts, during these difficult economic times, when chronic unemployment in Maryland is increasing and state employees are being furloughed, it is obvious that the Governor should engage in smart spending policies. That’s not happening. Recently, Mr.O’Malley announced his plans to spend $71 million of taxpayers’ money on land purchases in southern Maryland. There is currently $150 million in the program “Open Space Fund.” While O’Malley is energetically pursuing “ a fee for trees spending spree” he is simultaneously reducing the state education budget by at least $37 million.
I am introducing legislation that will mandate a moratorium on the purchase of land by the state of Maryland until the projected deficits are eliminated and the education budget is fully funded. My proposal will allow the transfer of the program “Open Space Funds” into the general budget to support education.
Clearly, the general economic slowdown has impacted Maryland’s revenues. However, the spending practices and new tax hikes by the Governor have largely contributed to the problem. During the Special Session, Mr. O’Malley enacted a $1.5 billion tax increase, which was accompanied by a $1.5 billion new spending increase. I voted against the tax hikes and the budget increase.
The spendaholics in Annapolis have now been forced to become “budget cutters.” This new responsibility is like force feeding raw meat to vegetarians. So far, the Governor and the legislative leaders are not digesting the situation very well.
Delegate Pat McDonough
For information, contact Delegate McDonough by calling
410-238-0025 or send an e-mail to Patmcdee@comcast.net.
Delegate McDonough articulated what has/is happening in Annapolis quite accurately. He hit the nail on the head with his comments. It sounds like he has a great bill to curb some of the out of control spending of the Governor. Saving Open Space is the right thing to do….but to spend millions of taxpayer dollars unnecessarily during an economic crisis is wasteful at best.
I think Pat is right on in suggesting the state puts off buying land until after the state’s fiscal house is in order. We all want to save open space, but right now funding our schools and keeping law enforcement on our streets should take priority over other spending. This is a time to tighten our belts. We should not be finding new ways to spend YOUR hard earned money when it is not necessary to do so.
Keep up the good work Pat.
Senator Nancy Jacobs
Ms Jacobs….
I want to question the wisdom and method of the desire for the toll increases on the 95 tolls for commercial vehicles only. The raise is 33 percent. Lets not forget that the fuel fed tax that goes into the highway trust fund is also looking at an increase of 15 to 40 cents a gallon in the near future.
Ms. Jacobs, this amounts to a back door tax on milk and bread as these higher toll fees will be passed on at higher rates by the industry to shippers who will pass it on at higher prices to the consumer.
Those “owner operators” who cant pass it on or who the trucking Co’s wont pass the extra revenue back to them when they raise their rates to shippers, will have to find the revenue someplace and this poses a safety hazard in deferred maintenance and skipping maintenance.
In the last 6 mos the NJ turnpike, pa turnpike, Delaware bridge auth, and others have all raised their rates about 30 % for commercial vehicles. This is a substantial decrease of revenue to the trucker…not the trucking co…but the trucker.
I suggest a more moderate increase across the board for ALL users of the toll facilities both commercial and non-commercial. In this way there is not a draconian impact among just a portion of the users.
Think quick nickels instead of slow dollars…its only fair !
Go Dagger !
Dan…whats your stance on the toll increases as proposed by the MTA ? Would a fair across the board increase not have the ability to net an even higher revenue ?
Go Dagger !
“The Baltimore Sun reported this week that his administration is considering as a first step $66 million in state aid to public schools, local police, health departments and community colleges.”
Spend $71 million on Open Space, and cut out schools, health departments, community colleges and public safety? As a FIRST STEP?!
“Bartender, I’ll have what HE’S having!”
I am going to check if cars…not being affected by the toll increase , are being given the “public notice ” and request for comments at the toll facilities? Mabye somone can answer if in using and paying a CAR toll in the last few days if they have been given a “public notice” by the attendent. Please be specific.
GD !
I think you find that Del McDonough and others voted for legislation that requires trasfer tax revenue to be spent on its designated purpose under the law..preservation of open space…and not be be used for other wasteful purposes..Now they want it both ways..go figure
Richie,
I agree with your position. ” a moderate increase for all” is a much better approach. There is no question that the increases dropped on the trucking industry will be passed on to the consumer. I and other members of the General Assembly are questioning why there are no public hearings on this issue.
Delegate McDonough’s proposal to move “designated funding” from one area to general funds sets a dangerous precedent. We, in government, must learn to live within our means on the State, federal, and local level.
Dan…
A “public notice ” has been given out with notification on the increase and its cut off date is Jan 27th…that’s less than 30 days as it started on Jan 7th. Further its only to paying toll users ..as no ez pass users stop to be given one and the jury is not in as to whether cars…who will not be affected….are receiving the “notice”.
Go Dagger !
Dan …Living within your means always elevates your means !
Go Dagger !
RitchieC,
I agree with everything you are saying. These toll hikes on trucks are just plain wrong….totally unfair. It ranks right up there with the dems in Annapolis saying that BGE won’t pass the O’Malley Public Service Commision’s fee increases onto the consumer. And none of our gas and electric bills have increased since he took office, right? I wonder how much it costs the taxpayers of Maryland to heat his Governor’s mansion?
It is unfortunate that MOM has never run a business or has had to meet a bottom line. If he had, he might understand a little bit of Economics 101. It appears that he has no understanding of what fiscal responsibility is all about.
Dell, I agree with your assessment as well regarding spending new money on Open Space while cutting existing funds to public schools, local police, health departments and community colleges. A first step of CUTS the SUN says? It’s about MOM’s 100th step of fiscal irresponsibility. He’s killing us.
You guys should consider running for office.
RC — Looking at the MDTA tolls collected for FY 2008, cars on the commuter plan were given $65 million in discounts in ’07-’08, paying only 20% of the posted rate everywhere except the Bay Bridge. Truck discounts of up to 1/3 are available based on greater volume = greater discounts, but truck discounts given only totaled only $5 million during that period.
This increase for trucks will represent a tripling of the tolls since 2003 for commercial vehicles, from $4 to $12 for harbor crossings, while commuter vehicles will continue to pay $0.40 each trip, which has been the discounted rate for over 20 years.
I’m sure they would hear an outcry from commuters if they ever tried to raise their fare, but it seems that the MDTA may never try.
MDTA, Maryland Transportation Authority will consider final action on these rate increases at its regular monthly meeting on January 29. The public can email comments until January 27 to mdtatollrates@mdta.state.md.us or can send comments to Mr. Ron Freeland
Maryland Transportation Authority
2310 Broening Highway
Suite 150
Baltimore, Md. 21224
The part of the increase that’s baffling me is the fee just to OWN an EZ pass transponder. I think $1.50 a month, even if you don’t use it. Myabe that’s how you raise the fees on cars without really raising the fees on cars.
Ms. Jacobs.
Thanks for responding, its very refreshing. Good to see you on the Dagger !
Thank you for agreeing. As you can see so does my friend Mr. Riley. I respectfully ask that you please get together, cross the isle, and help make a more equitable toll increase that helps all the citizens of our state.
A lesson I learned from my very good friend Robert, when he was alive, was to was to put right and wrong in front of politics when approitate. With the short time left for action on this matter there is no time for quibbling.
There is a time and place for everything. This is the time for the “peoples business”. In between peoples business…go for it and politic away.
Thanks and please help.
** Dan..thanks for the info on public comment.
Go Dagger !
Ms. Jacobs.
Keep in mind that the Maryland Motor Truck Assn represents trucking co management’s interests. You must understand that if you don’t have a inside view of the industry you may confuse truckers with trucking Co’s.
Did you know many trucking Co’s don’t own a single truck, employ a single driver, yet operate hundreds statistically?
If you would have any questions on the inner guts of the industry please feel free to contact me at ONEKOOLESKIMO@YAHOO.COM.
Go Dagger !
Dagger readers.
Here is the link to the MTA for all thedetails on the increase.
http://www.mdtransportationauthority.com/
http://www.mdtransportationauthority.com/
Go Dagger !
Since we do have several members of the State Senate and House here, let’s ask each of you to jump in and let us know what you are going to do to get the MdTA to reverse the monthly fee for EZ Pass. Those of us who use these devices have come to need them, now we are to be penalized for not supporting the State employees who slow down the toll lanes. Just gotta love Maryland!
Isnt the ez pass fee to the ez pass service provider?
Not sure what you’re asking Richie. Right now you pay the tolls, at some discount, by using the EZ pass. The State now wants to charge us an additional $1.50 per month for having the damn thing. The official statement is that the State has been subsidizing our utilization and now will be charging for it. That’s just more horses**t from the O’Malley people. It doesn’t cost the State anything for us to have these devices, in fact they are making a ton now. Ever time the balance on the device drops below some magic figure around $6.00, they dip into our credit cards and refill the device by $20.00. There are hundreds of thousands of the devices in use and the State has an interest free loan from each one of about $20.00. I’d take on that account and collect the pitiful small amount of interest which I would wager works out to hundreds of dollars per year.
IT’S NOT A TAX, IT’S A FEE!