Change Maryland On Raising State Debt Limit

In response to a state panel voting to raise Maryland's debt limit Monday, Change Maryland Chairman Larry Hogan issued the following statement today:

"The O'Malley Administration proved to everyone that with more revenues, come more spending.  In their view, a debt-induced spending binge will somehow create thousands of jobs, the estimates of which are pulled out of thin air.  This spending will do nothing for struggling Marylanders looking for work, nor will it improve our state's dismal record in job creation."

Noting that Comptroller Peter Franchot was the lone dissenter in the Capital Debt Affordability Committee's 4 to 1 vote, which raised debt spending to $1.1 billion, Hogan said the split within the Democratic Party's governing machine shows the arrogance of the current Administration. 

"When our top elected official in charge of state revenue collections sounds the alarm about out of control spending, and the snooze button is hit yet again, it shows the current regime just doesn't get it," Hogan added.

The most recent 2012 National Governor's Association report on state budgets shows Maryland's general fund spending has increased 15.5%, three times the national average, and the highest in the region between fiscal years 2011 and 2013.

Taxes and fees have been raised 24 times since 2007, removing an additional $2.4 billion annually from the state economy.

"We have a spend first, ask questions later approach to governing," said Hogan.  "Far from moving Maryland forward, O'Malley's record tax hikes, record spending and more debt has thrown us into reverse and put our state in a ditch."