Delegate Mike McDermott: On The Capital Budget

(ANNAPOLIS)-- “Today we have a budget that needs some triage...It falls upon this chamber and all 141 of us to pick up the slack for the committee who has a hard time saying, ‘no’” replied Delegate Michael A. McDermott (R-District38B) in response to three amendments heard on the House Floor today.  Delegate McDermott’s plan to minimize the overall spending of the Capital Budget involved the introduction of amendments which would reduce each project in HB-71 by either 5%, 3%, or, at minimum, 1%. 
  
The total Capital Budget proposed is close to a billion dollars coming in at $925 million.  It falls short of the goals set by the budget office in the Department of Legislative Services which wanted to hold spending at $825 million.  These figures, coupled with declining revenues and property values, prompted several amendments aimed at curbing spending across the board.  The House rejected the amendment to cut spending by 5% on a vote of 42-92, the amendment to cut spending by 3% on a vote of 43-95, and the amendment to cut spending by 1% on a vote of 45-93.

“We have to lead by example... and I haven’t heard anybody in the General Assembly say anything except ‘we have some trouble coming and were supposed to be optimistic about it.’ But that is not leadership, ladies and gentleman, that is wishful thinking.  And this body cannot make good fiscal decisions on wishful thinking” continued Delegate McDermott.

“The best accountants I know are pessimists- they don’t plan for what they hope will be, they plan for contingencies so that this state will not find itself bankrupt or in the food line trying to figure out how we are going to pay our bills…This amendment is pretty simple- it allows the General Assembly to be more fiscally responsible.  We were elected by people who told us to come to Annapolis and be more fiscally prudent, and all we are asking the General Assembly to reduce each and every project by 5%” argued Delegate McDermott.

The second reading of the capital budget has passed with amendments.  It is not clear when it will be brought up on third reader to the floor.

“All my amendment asks you to do is to cut spending across the board by 5%... It is unfortunate that the General Assembly would not even consider the amendments to reduce the capital budget by 5%, 3%, or 1%” responded Delegate McDermott.

“This would require the General Assembly to reduce the Capital Budget across the board by 5%. You can look people in the eye and say we funded our levels at 95% and the folks back at home should be able to understand that... they would simply find a way to get their projects completed locally, or by other means” explained Delegate McDermott on the Floor.