Who’s Scare-Mongering Now?

As Sine Die approaches will O’Malley and Democrat leaders admit they lied about taxes and fees? Or will they stand by their promises to Maryland Citizens and reject the massive hikes?

In 2010 Democrats denounced taxes and fees…

Gov. Martin O'Malley accused former governor Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. of "scare-monger politics" Friday for continuing to claim that Democrats are plotting a major tax increase after the 2010 elections to help balance future budgets. (John Wagner, “Ehrlich's talk of tax increase is 'scare-monger politics,' O'Malley says,” Washington Post, 4/9/10)

“If it comes out of my pocket, it’s a tax.” (O’Malley Campaign Ad, “Credibility,” 9/8/10)

They said no new taxes and fees …

Gov. Martin O'Malley told Frederick business leaders Wednesday his budget for next year includes no new taxes or fees. (Meg Tully, “No new taxes, fees in 2011, O'Malley tells Rotary,” Frederick News Post, 9/30/10)

“I don’t see any appetite for any kind of revenue increases,” said House Speaker Mike Busch (Len Lazarick, “Legislative leaders say no new taxes next year, as O’Malley is now pledging,” Maryland Reporter, 11/5/10)

“They’re (Marylanders) not looking for any tax increases; they’re looking for less government,” Senate President Mike Miller said.  (Len Lazarick, “Legislative leaders say no new taxes next year, as O’Malley is now pledging,” Maryland Reporter, 11/5/10)

On Wednesday (Governor O’Malley) told reporters and on Thursday he told his cabinet that next year’s budget would be trimmed with “a constant diet of cuts, cuts, cuts” rather than tax hikes. (Len Lazarick, “Legislative leaders say no new taxes next year, as O’Malley is now pledging,” Maryland Reporter, 11/5/10)

"Insanity personified." That's how Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (D-Calvert) summed up his thoughts Wednesday morning on a proposal for a "dime-a-drink" increase in state alcohol taxes. (John Wagner, “Md. Senate president calls alcohol tax hike 'insanity',” Washington Post, 1/12/11)

In 2011 Democrats broke their promise, proposing hundreds of millions in new taxes and fees…

Democratic lawmakers are pushing for a series of fee increases. (Brian Hughes, “Md. House budget plan would increase fees, cuts,” Washington Examiner, 3/23/11)

Marylanders are likely to feel the impact in their wallets for years to come. Collectively, the proposals would raise hundreds of millions of dollars. . (Annie Linskey, Julie Bykowicz, “Lawmakers considering range of fees, taxes: With state facing $1.6 billion deficit, Marylanders likely to feel the pinch,” Baltimore Sun, 3/26/11)

(Speaker Busch) acknowledged that some will not distinguish between raising fees and raising taxes. (Annie Linskey, “House panel approves $67 million in new fees,” Baltimore Sun, 3/18/2011)

The increases would start in the cradle, with a boost in the cost of obtaining a birth certificate. They would hit passengers on a train or a bus, students paying for college, and residents buying a car or a house. Hospital patients would see their health insurance premiums go up, homeowners would pay more for energy, drinkers would owe more for that beer. (Annie Linskey, Julie Bykowicz, “Lawmakers considering range of fees, taxes: With state facing $1.6 billion deficit, Marylanders likely to feel the pinch,” Baltimore Sun, 3/26/11)