GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY DELIVERS KEYNOTE ADDRESS BEFORE THE MARYLAND MUNICIPAL LEAGUE

O’Malley highlights job creation efforts, progress even in tough times

OCEAN CITY, MD – Governor Martin O’Malley delivered the keynote address last night before the Maryland Municipal League, a membership association of city and town governments through the State. During his address, the Governor highlighted the job creation efforts of the O’Malley-Brown Administration, working together with local leaders throughout Maryland.

“We know that the most powerful place in our State is a family's home, and there is nothing more important to protecting that home than a job,” said Governor O’Malley. “The same unity and cooperation that it took to get through one of Maryland’s most difficult winters this year will be the key to plowing through the national economic storm. And as Marylanders we’re up to it. The great thing about the people of our State is that in times of adversity, we don’t make excuses, we make progress.”

Last month, Maryland added another 11,200 jobs to Maryland payrolls – the third straight month of job gains as the State continues to outpace the rest of the nation through this recovery. In the last four months, Maryland employers added nearly 38,000 jobs, a rate that is more than double the national growth rate. And unemployment in Maryland dropped to 7.2 percent, about 25 percent lower than the national rate last month and the lowest rate seen in Maryland in almost a year. Maryland remains one of only eight states that defends a Triple A bond rating, a seal of fiscal responsibility certified by all three rating agencies.

Noting the challenging economic times that all local leaders must navigate their respective jurisdictions through, the Governor acknowledged that “Our goal, our mission, our focus, must continue to be on creating, saving, and retaining Maryland jobs, and improving the conditions under which Maryland businesses – large and small – can create and save jobs. When given the choice between slipping back or moving forward, as Marylanders we always choose to move forward.”

The Governor highlighted extraordinary signs of progress that set Maryland apart from many other states, including Education Magazine’s ranking of Maryland’s public schools as number one in the nation for the second straight year. Even in tough times, the O’Malley-Brown Administration has dedicated record funding for K-12 education each of the last four years, and a record $1.3 billion for school construction across Maryland. At the same time, Governor O’Malley has cut Maryland spending by $5.6 billion, more than any other four-year period in state history.

Governor O’Malley noted that even in tough times, the choices we make can position Maryland to come through this national recession stronger and more quickly than other states. Capital investments under the O’Malley-Brown Administration have supported 20,000 jobs per year for the last four years, including investments in Community College facilities, sewer and water improvements, and community centers throughout the State.

A voluntary, nonprofit, nonpartisan association controlled and maintained by city and town governments, the Maryland Municipal League (MML) works to strengthen the role and capacity of municipal government through research, legislation, technical assistance, training and the dissemination of information for its members. Through its membership in the National League of Cities MML offers legislative representation in Washington, urban research programs, and a national municipal government information exchange. MML is the only statewide organization in Maryland composed solely of municipal officials and devoted to the promotion of all branches of municipal administration.