Ehrlich Visits Small Business To Discuss The “Progress” In Maryland’s Economy

Columbia – As part of his effort to assist small business and revive Maryland’s economy, Bob Ehrlich visited the automotive restyling company, E&G Classics in Columbia this morning to discuss with employees whether “progress” is being made in Maryland’s economy. “Progress” is a favored term for Governor Martin O’Malley, but the “progress” of the last four years includes a doubling of unemployment in Maryland, the closing of 3,000 small businesses, the largest tax increase in Maryland history, and going from a budget surplus in 2006 to a record budget deficit under O’Malley.

“For four years, Governor O’Malley has staked his government’s legacy on a single word: progress,” Governor Ehrlich said. “Maryland can’t afford another four years of this kind of ‘progress.’”

The owners of E& G Classics also questioned whether “progress” was achieved when the O’Malley administration increased the state sales tax by 20%, making the already anti-business climate of Maryland worse, and making it harder to grow their business and hire new workers. E & G Classics has experienced significant layoffs in recent years. Ehrlich has promised to repeal the increase in the sales tax if he is elected in order to create jobs and bolster the economy.