Annapolis, MD - Change Maryland, a non-partisan grassroots organization, released today a list of tax and fee increases from 2007 to 2012 that shows levies have been raised a staggering 20 times with a $2 billion annual impact to taxpayers. Ranging from the $603 million sales tax increase in 2007, to more modest measures such as the $2.5 million 2011 fee increase for vanity license plates, the list also includes off-the-books revenue collections such as last year's record toll increases imposed by the Maryland Transportation Authority.
"For years now, our elected officials have not listened to the 96% of Marylanders who oppose higher taxes," said Change Maryland Chairman Larry Hogan. "Gov. Martin O'Malley was not elected saying 'I'd like to drastically increase state spending and raise taxes on struggling Marylanders.' He ran on a false claim of fiscal responsibility, and we had the wool pulled over our eyes."
The state's budget has grown $1.2 billion a year, on average - from $28.8 billion in 2007 to $34.7 billion in 2012. While the Governor has claimed $7.5 billion in cuts during his term in office, the numbers simply don't add up. Moreover, the aftermath of the special session next week is likely to result in higher individual income taxes with which to continue government spending at levels the one-party monopoly finds politically appealing.
The Change Maryland Tax and Fee fact sheet details measures including the expired millionaire's tax and the ill-conceived computer services tax - a case study in 11th-hour legislating and a nationally-recognized embarrassment. Although one expired and the other was repealed, these two measures branded Maryland as a non-business-friendly state generating national headlines.
A May report by Chief Executive Magazine ranks Maryland the 40th best state for business. Maryland's dismal ranking is due to income-tax increases on the middle class which adversely impacts businesses, according to the magazine. The latest among a dozen such studies, there is ample evidence that Maryland's ability to create private sector jobs is threatened by a hostile tax environment.
"All Marylanders - Republicans, Democrats and Independents - suffer when the professional politicians and the special interest groups go unchecked and continue to push the same failed tax and spend policies, year after year," Hogan said.
Addressing the Governor's press conference this week to announce the special session, Hogan noted a flurry of statistics the Administration selected in attempting to justify raising the income tax.
"We increased spending more than 46 other states and O'Malley says that's not enough," Hogan said. "We are number four in total tax burden, which he must think is too low. The state's own budget analysts said our income tax is already second in the nation. O'Malley is moving Maryland forward to number one in every objective measure of taxation levels."
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Friday, May 11, 2012
Beer & Wine Tasting
Greetings!
Join us today in the bottle shop for a unique beer tasting featuring Steenbrugge. Specific Gravity is the only place in Salisbury to get these unique beers
We will begin tasting at 5pm:
Steenbrugge Dubbel Bruin
Brown beer with a fullbodied, rich flavour in combination with Bruges' subtle herbal mixture (gruut). STEENBRUGGE Dubbel Bruin has an alcohol content of 6.5 % Alc/Vol.
Steenbrugge Tripel
Triple beer with a malt character and fragrant hint of hops with Bruges' subtle herbal mixture (gruut). STEENBRUGGE Tripel has an alcohol content of 8.7 % Alc/Vol
Steenbrugge Blond
Steenbrugge Blond is a blond abbey beer (abbey founded in 1084 by St Arnold, patron saint of brewers) with a warm, well-rounded taste combined with subtle Bruges herbal notes (Gruut). Top-fermented beer with secondary fermentation in the bottle
Wine Tasting:
Flirt RedBlend: Syrah, Tempranillo and Zinfandel
Be Flirty Pink Moscato- This mischievous Moscato is made to be sipped with a wink and a smile. Rich berry and delicate tropical and floral notes dance on the tongue for a luscious taste and juicy finish sealed with a kiss of pink. Serve chilled for an irresistible treat. Fermentation was slowed early to achieve the perfect level of sweetness, which is complemented by mouthwatering acidity. Notes of ripe mandarin orange and pink grapefruit unfold with delicate rosewater on the palate. Flirty Pink Moscato with your playful side. Whether it's a good hair day, or that new pair of stylish shoes, Be. Flirty will set the mood for an unforgettable day
La Marca Prosecco Grown in Italy, the Glera grape is cherished for its expressiveness. La Marca Prosecco is a fresh sparkling wine with a vibrant bouquet of apple, white peach and honeysuckle. The soft, harmonious fruity notes highlighted by pleasant acidity make this wine ideal for any occasion
Martin Codax Albarino- A refreshing food friendly white wine, Albariño is crisp, elegant and dry and has aromas and flavors of pear, passion fruit and apple with bright acidity.
Join us on Mothers Day! Open at noon
Treat Mom to a wonderful time at Specific Gravity
Join us today in the bottle shop for a unique beer tasting featuring Steenbrugge. Specific Gravity is the only place in Salisbury to get these unique beers
We will begin tasting at 5pm:
Steenbrugge Dubbel Bruin
Brown beer with a fullbodied, rich flavour in combination with Bruges' subtle herbal mixture (gruut). STEENBRUGGE Dubbel Bruin has an alcohol content of 6.5 % Alc/Vol.
Steenbrugge Tripel
Triple beer with a malt character and fragrant hint of hops with Bruges' subtle herbal mixture (gruut). STEENBRUGGE Tripel has an alcohol content of 8.7 % Alc/Vol
Steenbrugge Blond
Steenbrugge Blond is a blond abbey beer (abbey founded in 1084 by St Arnold, patron saint of brewers) with a warm, well-rounded taste combined with subtle Bruges herbal notes (Gruut). Top-fermented beer with secondary fermentation in the bottle
Wine Tasting:
Flirt RedBlend: Syrah, Tempranillo and Zinfandel
Be Flirty Pink Moscato- This mischievous Moscato is made to be sipped with a wink and a smile. Rich berry and delicate tropical and floral notes dance on the tongue for a luscious taste and juicy finish sealed with a kiss of pink. Serve chilled for an irresistible treat. Fermentation was slowed early to achieve the perfect level of sweetness, which is complemented by mouthwatering acidity. Notes of ripe mandarin orange and pink grapefruit unfold with delicate rosewater on the palate. Flirty Pink Moscato with your playful side. Whether it's a good hair day, or that new pair of stylish shoes, Be. Flirty will set the mood for an unforgettable day
La Marca Prosecco Grown in Italy, the Glera grape is cherished for its expressiveness. La Marca Prosecco is a fresh sparkling wine with a vibrant bouquet of apple, white peach and honeysuckle. The soft, harmonious fruity notes highlighted by pleasant acidity make this wine ideal for any occasion
Martin Codax Albarino- A refreshing food friendly white wine, Albariño is crisp, elegant and dry and has aromas and flavors of pear, passion fruit and apple with bright acidity.
Join us on Mothers Day! Open at noon
Treat Mom to a wonderful time at Specific Gravity
Don't Miss Preakness Palooza!
Join us for the ULTIMATE Preakness Party. Enjoy live music by Wes Davis and Ray Marchman, lots of opportunities to "bet" and win big, and the best seats in the house to view the famous race.
$40.00 per person
Includes one hour of open bar, followed by happy hour specials and a delicious assortment of heavy hors d'oeuvres.
Register online or call to RSVP by Monday, May 14th
Sponsorships are still available! On raceday, sponsors will select their horses for the event. The sponsors with the winning horse will receive two weeks of advertising courtesy of Clear Channel Outdoor on two electronic billboards with locations on Route 50 heading to Ocean City and Route 13 in Eden, MD. For more information on sponsorships, contact Brad Sutliffe at 301-717-2184 or email brad_sutliffe@rpsins.com.
$40.00 per person
Includes one hour of open bar, followed by happy hour specials and a delicious assortment of heavy hors d'oeuvres.
Register online or call to RSVP by Monday, May 14th
Sponsorships are still available! On raceday, sponsors will select their horses for the event. The sponsors with the winning horse will receive two weeks of advertising courtesy of Clear Channel Outdoor on two electronic billboards with locations on Route 50 heading to Ocean City and Route 13 in Eden, MD. For more information on sponsorships, contact Brad Sutliffe at 301-717-2184 or email brad_sutliffe@rpsins.com.
Proceeds from Preakness Palooza will benefit United Way's Imagination Library program serving Wicomico, Worcester, Somerset and Dorchester Counties. When registered children will receive one book a month delivered directly to their households. In addition to helping the children develop a love of reading, the program is designed to engage parent involvement, prepare children for entry to kindergarten, and enable every household to have books, regardless of income level.
A 6-Year-Old Just Made the Toughest Play in Baseball
There have only been 15 unassisted triple plays in the history of Major League Baseball. In fact, there hasn’t been one in the majors since 2009. But don’t tell that to this 6-year-old, who looks to have accomplished the feat last week during a little league game.
HuffPo describes the play:
More
HuffPo describes the play:
In the clip [...], a 6-year-old (according to the YouTube title) shortstop catches a fly ball with men — boys, actually — on second and third. With both baserunners on the move, the kid was able to touch third base and then tag the runner coming from second for the unassisted triple play.
More
Have You Seen the Attention-Grabbing New TIME Cover?
Time magazine is out with its latest cover, one that’s sure to get its
fair share of attention. Headlined “Are You Mom Enough?”, it features a
blonde, skinny jean-wearing woman — and a preschool-age boy unmistakably
latched on to her breast:
The mother pictured on the cover is Jamie Lynne Grumet of Los Angeles and her 3-year-old son.
“I don’t consider breastfeeding immodest at all—I’m not shy about doing it in public,” she told Time.
More
The cover goes with the magazine’s feature
story on “attachment parenting” — a philosophy designed to foster a
secure bond to the child. Co-sleeping, or the “family bed,” and
breastfeeding well past babyhood are sometimes the hallmarks of
attachment parenting.
The mother pictured on the cover is Jamie Lynne Grumet of Los Angeles and her 3-year-old son.
“I don’t consider breastfeeding immodest at all—I’m not shy about doing it in public,” she told Time.
More
Fight Leads To Sister Running Over Brother
A Washington, D.C. woman was arrested on first-degree assault and
other serious charges last weekend after allegedly driving her car onto
the sidewalk in the area of 39th Street and deliberately running over
her brother with whom she had been fighting.
Around 6:30 p.m. last Saturday, Ocean City Police responded to the area of 39th Street and Coastal Highway for a reported motor vehicle accident and assault. When officers arrived on the scene, they observed a 2011 Mazda parked across the sidewalk. The vehicle had struck an exterior wall, brick staircase, railing and mailbox of a real estate office on 39th Street.
The investigation revealed the driver, identified as Ladon Chimere Thomas, 28, had been in a verbal argument with her brother, which led to a physical altercation between the two siblings. After the altercation, Thomas got into her vehicle and turned north onto Coastal Highway. She then suddenly and deliberately swerved onto the sidewalk, striking her brother from the rear, according to police reports. The vehicle then collided with a real estate office, causing damage to the business.
More
Around 6:30 p.m. last Saturday, Ocean City Police responded to the area of 39th Street and Coastal Highway for a reported motor vehicle accident and assault. When officers arrived on the scene, they observed a 2011 Mazda parked across the sidewalk. The vehicle had struck an exterior wall, brick staircase, railing and mailbox of a real estate office on 39th Street.
The investigation revealed the driver, identified as Ladon Chimere Thomas, 28, had been in a verbal argument with her brother, which led to a physical altercation between the two siblings. After the altercation, Thomas got into her vehicle and turned north onto Coastal Highway. She then suddenly and deliberately swerved onto the sidewalk, striking her brother from the rear, according to police reports. The vehicle then collided with a real estate office, causing damage to the business.
More
Iraq Releases American-Murdering Hezbollah Terrorist
An Iraqi court recently ruled that Ali Musa Daqduq, a Lebanese Hezbollah terrorist accused of helping to coordinate the 2007 abduction and murder of five American soldiers in Karbala, Iraq, should be released due to “lack of evidence.”
The decision comes only months after the Office of Military Commissions started filing charges of murder, terrorism and espionage against Daqduq, marking the Hezbollah terrorist as the first potential defendant without connections to al-Qaeda or the Taliban to be tried before an American military commission.
The Iraqi court’s decision, however, comes as little surprise to the many American intelligence officials and lawmakers who expressed grave concern in December 2011 when, as the remaining American troops exited from Iraq, Daqduq was the last of 1,000 US detainees handed over to the Iraqi government.
More
The decision comes only months after the Office of Military Commissions started filing charges of murder, terrorism and espionage against Daqduq, marking the Hezbollah terrorist as the first potential defendant without connections to al-Qaeda or the Taliban to be tried before an American military commission.
The Iraqi court’s decision, however, comes as little surprise to the many American intelligence officials and lawmakers who expressed grave concern in December 2011 when, as the remaining American troops exited from Iraq, Daqduq was the last of 1,000 US detainees handed over to the Iraqi government.
More
Former Baltimore Crime Lab Tech Arrested For Growing More Than $500,000 In Pot
Half a million dollars worth of marijuana growing inside a Laurel
home. And investigators say the suspect used to work for the police.
Thirty-year-old Manoj Unni is the alleged mastermind behind a massive marijuana growing operation. Howard County police seized 341 plants in the basement of his Laurel townhouse, part of a sophisticated irrigation system.
“He had high intensity lights, air filters, a water pumping system, an air pumping system, a ventilation system– so this is what we consider to be a sophisticated grow operation that’s been going on for some time,” Sherry Llewellyn, spokesperson for the Howard County Police Department, said.
More
Thirty-year-old Manoj Unni is the alleged mastermind behind a massive marijuana growing operation. Howard County police seized 341 plants in the basement of his Laurel townhouse, part of a sophisticated irrigation system.
“He had high intensity lights, air filters, a water pumping system, an air pumping system, a ventilation system– so this is what we consider to be a sophisticated grow operation that’s been going on for some time,” Sherry Llewellyn, spokesperson for the Howard County Police Department, said.
More
Washington Post Romney Hit Piece Implodes
Today’s unconscionable Washington Post story, which implied without evidence that Mitt Romney was a homophobic bully to one John Lauber back in his high school days five decades ago, has totally imploded.
Timed to drop the day after President Obama’s announced embrace of same-sex marriage, the story set the political world atwitter. But earlier today, Breitbart News reported that the Post had inflated witness testimony. The original Washington Post piece stated the following:
“I always enjoyed his pranks,” said Stu
White, a popular friend of Romney’s who went on to a career as a public
school teacher and has long been bothered by the Lauber incident. [emphasis added]
Yet in an interview with ABC News today, White disowned that characterization:
While the Post reports White as having
“long been bothered” by the haircutting incident,” he told ABC News he
was not present for the prank, in which Romney is said to have
forcefully cut a student’s long hair and was not aware of it until this
year when he was contacted by the Washington Post.
Berlin Youth Club Seeking Summer Volunteers
Worcester Youth and Family Counseling Services (WYFCS) is getting
ready to launch into its second
Berlin Youth Club summer camp and is looking for volunteers in the community with an interest in helping children.
“We’re excited about some things we’ll have going on this summer,” said WYFCS Executive Director Teresa Fields.
Hoping to build on the success of last years’ summer camp, WYFCS will be keeping some of the most popular aspects of that program while expanding opportunities for youth in Berlin through workshops and specialized classes that concentrate on areas like science, sports, art and many others.
More
Berlin Youth Club summer camp and is looking for volunteers in the community with an interest in helping children.
“We’re excited about some things we’ll have going on this summer,” said WYFCS Executive Director Teresa Fields.
Hoping to build on the success of last years’ summer camp, WYFCS will be keeping some of the most popular aspects of that program while expanding opportunities for youth in Berlin through workshops and specialized classes that concentrate on areas like science, sports, art and many others.
More
Santorum: Obama Wrong to Cite Jesus in Gay Marriage Shift
Former Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania said Thursday that
President Obama is wrong to suggest that Jesus Christ would be on his
side in his newfound support for gay marriage and predicted the
president's shifting position will motivate social conservatives to head
to the polls this fall.
"I assume people are entitled to their Christian beliefs, but they are not entitled to take the Bible and twist it to where it is unrecognizable — and that is certainly what the president did yesterday," Mr. Santorum said during an appearance on former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee's radio show.
Mr. Obama on Wednesday cited his Christian faith as a driving force behind the "evolution" of his thinking on gay marriage.
More
"I assume people are entitled to their Christian beliefs, but they are not entitled to take the Bible and twist it to where it is unrecognizable — and that is certainly what the president did yesterday," Mr. Santorum said during an appearance on former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee's radio show.
Mr. Obama on Wednesday cited his Christian faith as a driving force behind the "evolution" of his thinking on gay marriage.
More
House Shifts Pending Budget Cuts From Defense to Entitlements
Six months after the congressional supercommittee failed to come to a
long-term deal on federal spending, House Republicans reignited the
debate Thursday by passing legislation that would stop looming defense
cuts and instead cut hundreds of billions of dollars from entitlement
programs.
The legislation, passed on a 218-199 vote, is unlikely to advance beyond the House. The Senate hasn’t shown any interest in holding a budget debate this year, and the White House said President Obama likely would veto the House bill if it reaches his desk.
But it serves as a marker in a debate that all sides expect to play out as the end-of-the-year deadline for the defense cuts grows nearer.
More
The legislation, passed on a 218-199 vote, is unlikely to advance beyond the House. The Senate hasn’t shown any interest in holding a budget debate this year, and the White House said President Obama likely would veto the House bill if it reaches his desk.
But it serves as a marker in a debate that all sides expect to play out as the end-of-the-year deadline for the defense cuts grows nearer.
More
3,000-year-old Artifacts Reveal History Behind Biblical David and Goliath
An archaeological dig near Goliath's biblical hometown has yielded
evidence of Judean religious practices 3,000 years ago, pointing up
fresh historical connections to the stories of King David and King
Solomon.
"We have a city with a population relating to the Kingdom of Judah," Yosef Garfinkel, an archaeologist at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, told me today. "This is totally different from Philistine, Canaanite or the cult in the Kingdom of Israel."
The site, known today as Khirbet Qeiyafa, is about 20 miles (30 kilometers) southwest of Jerusalem, on top of a hill overlooking the Valley of Elah. For the past five years, Garfinkel and his colleagues have been excavating the ruins of a fortified city there, situated across from what was once the Philistine city of Gath. In the Bible, the giant Goliath came out from Gath to face the Israelites, and was smitten by a rock hurled from David's sling.
More
"We have a city with a population relating to the Kingdom of Judah," Yosef Garfinkel, an archaeologist at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, told me today. "This is totally different from Philistine, Canaanite or the cult in the Kingdom of Israel."
The site, known today as Khirbet Qeiyafa, is about 20 miles (30 kilometers) southwest of Jerusalem, on top of a hill overlooking the Valley of Elah. For the past five years, Garfinkel and his colleagues have been excavating the ruins of a fortified city there, situated across from what was once the Philistine city of Gath. In the Bible, the giant Goliath came out from Gath to face the Israelites, and was smitten by a rock hurled from David's sling.
More
Study Finds Widespread Pedophilia on Facebook
They are graphic images and disturbing websites no parent wants their child to stumble upon, and they can be found on Facebook. A new report by WorldNetDaily uncovers several pages for pedophiles, as well as pictures of adults assaulting kids.
To see the disturbing images, all one needs is a Facebook account.
"All of it was pretty shocking to me. When I went on, I expected to see some pretty seedy stuff - maybe some topless children and stuff," said WorldNetDaily staff writer Chelsea Schilling. "When I went on, I actually found children under the age of 12 being sexually abused by adults and actually in the process of intercourse and having these photos uploaded to Facebook by cell phone.
Schilling is writing a revealing four-part expose called "The Secret Dark Side of Facebook". Working with advocates opposed to child pornography, she surfed the most popular social media website and found an underground world of online pedophilia.
More
To see the disturbing images, all one needs is a Facebook account.
"All of it was pretty shocking to me. When I went on, I expected to see some pretty seedy stuff - maybe some topless children and stuff," said WorldNetDaily staff writer Chelsea Schilling. "When I went on, I actually found children under the age of 12 being sexually abused by adults and actually in the process of intercourse and having these photos uploaded to Facebook by cell phone.
Schilling is writing a revealing four-part expose called "The Secret Dark Side of Facebook". Working with advocates opposed to child pornography, she surfed the most popular social media website and found an underground world of online pedophilia.
More
Goodbye Mom
A young man shopping in a supermarket noticed a little old lady following him around. If he stopped, she stopped. Furthermore she kept staring at him.
She finally overtook him at the checkout, and she turned to him and said, "I hope I haven't made you feel ill at ease; it's just that you look so much like my late son."
He answered, "That's okay."
"I know it's silly, but if you'd call out 'Good bye, Mom' as I leave the store, it would make me feel so happy."
She then went through the checkout, and as she was on her way out of the store, the man called out, "Goodbye, Mom."
The little old lady waved and smiled back at him..
Pleased that he had brought a little sunshine into someone's day, he went to pay for his groceries. "That comes to $121.85," said the clerk..
"How come so much? I only bought 5 items."
The clerk replied, "Yeah, but your Mother said you'd be paying for her things, too."
Bet you thought this was going to be a tear jerker.
Don't trust Little Old Ladies!!!
She finally overtook him at the checkout, and she turned to him and said, "I hope I haven't made you feel ill at ease; it's just that you look so much like my late son."
He answered, "That's okay."
"I know it's silly, but if you'd call out 'Good bye, Mom' as I leave the store, it would make me feel so happy."
She then went through the checkout, and as she was on her way out of the store, the man called out, "Goodbye, Mom."
The little old lady waved and smiled back at him..
Pleased that he had brought a little sunshine into someone's day, he went to pay for his groceries. "That comes to $121.85," said the clerk..
"How come so much? I only bought 5 items."
The clerk replied, "Yeah, but your Mother said you'd be paying for her things, too."
Bet you thought this was going to be a tear jerker.
Don't trust Little Old Ladies!!!
‘On My Behalf’
Really?
The debate over same sex “marriage” has engaged the heartfelt feelings and convictions of millions of Americans. Then there is Barack Obama.
In his ABC interview, the president pretended that his much touted “evolution” had now led him, ineluctably, to speak out now, today; he simply could no longer stay silent. ABC let him off the hook, but this is not a credible account. In March, the Washington Post was reporting the debate among his advisers on whether the issue would help or hurt the reelection campaign and what, therefore, Obama should say: “Obama’s top political advisers have held serious discussions with leading Democrats about the upsides and downsides of coming out for gay marriage before the fall election.”
The same advisers told the Post that Obama would make the decision based on his gut, but that is an insulting way to refer to the vice president. There is no evidence that Obama planned to speak until Joe Biden said last weekend that he was for gay “marriage” and forced the issue.
More
The debate over same sex “marriage” has engaged the heartfelt feelings and convictions of millions of Americans. Then there is Barack Obama.
In his ABC interview, the president pretended that his much touted “evolution” had now led him, ineluctably, to speak out now, today; he simply could no longer stay silent. ABC let him off the hook, but this is not a credible account. In March, the Washington Post was reporting the debate among his advisers on whether the issue would help or hurt the reelection campaign and what, therefore, Obama should say: “Obama’s top political advisers have held serious discussions with leading Democrats about the upsides and downsides of coming out for gay marriage before the fall election.”
The same advisers told the Post that Obama would make the decision based on his gut, but that is an insulting way to refer to the vice president. There is no evidence that Obama planned to speak until Joe Biden said last weekend that he was for gay “marriage” and forced the issue.
More
Blair Lee: Levyland, The Fee State
Government spending is a way of life here in Levyland, where tax cuts are unnatural acts and budget cuts are hate crimes.
In Levyland, government spending cures all ills. Test scores plummeting? Spend more money. Traffic congested? Spend more money. Bay polluted? Spend more money. Not enough jobs? Spend more money. Too much crime? Spend more money.
Nothing can stop it. Good times or bad times, it doesn’t matter, we just keep spending. Levyland’s governor, Martin O’Malley, says he cut spending $7 billion during his six years in office. But that’s a fib. His first budget was $30 billion, his latest budget is $35 billion. That’s a $5 billion increase, not a $7 billion cut.
And how does Levyland’s government afford all this spending? By raising taxes. That’s what Levyland’s voters want, or at least, that’s the message Levyland’s lawmakers heard when they were all re-elected in 2010.
Heck, some enlightened professors over at the University of Levyland even have studies proving that Levyland’s citizens are seriously undertaxed compared to select European countries.
But despite their mandate, Levyland’s lawmakers goofed during the final hours of their recent 90-day session. Time ran out before they could raise more taxes. So Gov. O’Malley is convening a special session next Monday to finish the job.
In Levyland, the question is never, “Taxes, yes or no?” It’s always, “Taxes, how high and on whom?” That’s what next Monday is all about. The only problem facing Levyland’s lawmakers is that they’re running out of taxes to raise.
During Gov. O’Malley’s six-year tenure they’ve increased just about every tax and fee on the books, some of them twice! You don’t believe me? Here’s a list compiled by “Change Maryland,” a taxpayers group led by Larry Hogan.
More
In Levyland, government spending cures all ills. Test scores plummeting? Spend more money. Traffic congested? Spend more money. Bay polluted? Spend more money. Not enough jobs? Spend more money. Too much crime? Spend more money.
Nothing can stop it. Good times or bad times, it doesn’t matter, we just keep spending. Levyland’s governor, Martin O’Malley, says he cut spending $7 billion during his six years in office. But that’s a fib. His first budget was $30 billion, his latest budget is $35 billion. That’s a $5 billion increase, not a $7 billion cut.
And how does Levyland’s government afford all this spending? By raising taxes. That’s what Levyland’s voters want, or at least, that’s the message Levyland’s lawmakers heard when they were all re-elected in 2010.
Heck, some enlightened professors over at the University of Levyland even have studies proving that Levyland’s citizens are seriously undertaxed compared to select European countries.
But despite their mandate, Levyland’s lawmakers goofed during the final hours of their recent 90-day session. Time ran out before they could raise more taxes. So Gov. O’Malley is convening a special session next Monday to finish the job.
In Levyland, the question is never, “Taxes, yes or no?” It’s always, “Taxes, how high and on whom?” That’s what next Monday is all about. The only problem facing Levyland’s lawmakers is that they’re running out of taxes to raise.
During Gov. O’Malley’s six-year tenure they’ve increased just about every tax and fee on the books, some of them twice! You don’t believe me? Here’s a list compiled by “Change Maryland,” a taxpayers group led by Larry Hogan.
More
New Posts to fall below.
Delegate Norman Conway - Working Man's Arch Enemy
Letter to the Editor
Having followed Mr. Conway's political career for over the past 20 years - it is most unfortunate that our citizens get such little respect from this elected official. Throughout his extensive political career that now spans several decades - he has chosen not to enrich the lives of taxpayers - but instead - has authored and co-authored legislation to bolster the lifestyles of special interest groups like the Board of Education and the Maryland State Teachers union.
During his tenure - he has aligned himself with the likes of notable liberal spenders; Delegate Sheila Hixson who herself has close ties to the Maryland State Teachers union. Together, Mr. Conway and Mrs. Hixson helped to co-author HB-1412 - Maintenance of Effort, the companion bill to SB-848 - Maintenance of Effort. The bill contains spending formulas that seek to harm the citizens of Wicomico County by 'enjoining' Wicomico taxpayers to collective bargaining agreements whereby they have no input. It is a form of extortion that ought not to be allowed. Moreover, the bill provides for overriding our county's revenue cap limitation in order to fund this special interest group - the Board of Education.
It wasn't enough for him to have drawn a salary from the same entity-(BOE)-that he seeks to enrich - but he has the audacity to vote on these initiatives knowing full well that it represents a clear conflict of interest.
But what really irks me the most - is that at the same time he seeks to covertly insulate the Board of Education from the economic downturns of our recesssion - he continues to 'rub shoulders' with liberal representatives like Sheila Hixson. As the old say goes - 'you are judged by the company you keep'.
That being said - lets take a closer in-depth look at what Mrs. Hixson has previously sponsored. In 2005 - Mrs. Hixson co-sponsored HB-965. HB-965 is legislation that would exempt all school teachers from having to pay any real estate taxes on their own personal homes. It is particularly interesting to note - that the Fiscal Note attached to the bill specifies that everyone else's taxes are to be raised in order to exempt this elite group of individuals. Here is the precise wording contained in the fiscal note for HB-965:
'Local Effect: Potentially significant reduction in local government property tax revenues.'
Delegate Hixson attempted this action not once - but twice. The very following year - 2006 - she did it again and co-sponsored similar legislation, HB-197, but this time she lumped-in the school teachers with law enforcement and fire fighters in order to try and exempt these groups too from having to pay any real estate property taxes.
My question to Delegate Hixson and Delegate Conway - What about the electricians, plumbers, beauticians, UPS and FedEx workers? What about the secretaries, laborers, chicken catchers, realtors, accountants, garbage collectors, among others. Are not these groups also entitled to the same perks and benefits?
As for myself - I have had about enough of this self-serving malarkey. Isn't it high time for our society to rid ourselves of the likes of these self serving career politicians?
Johnnie Miller
5786 Argyle Drive
Parsonsburg, Maryland 21849
New Posts to fall below.
Plim Plaza Seeks Lawsuit Dismissal
Three weeks after a Virginia couple filed a $6 million suit against a
historic Boardwalk hotel and its ownership group after one of them
allegedly fell ill to Legionnaire’s Disease, the defendants this week
denied the allegations and are seeking a dismissal of the case.
In October, the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Worcester County Health Department confirmed the presence of legionellosis, more commonly known as Legionnaire’s Disease, in the water system at the Plim Plaza Hotel on the Boardwalk after as many as six individuals who had stayed at the facility during the late summer months had contracted the disease. One of the victims, an elderly out-of-state guest at the hotel, later succumbed to symptoms of the disease.
On April 18, a Virginia couple, Pat Eldon Dent, Jr. and his wife Martha Dent, filed suit in U.S. District Court alleging negligence on the part of the hotel for failing to “adequately inspect, monitor and maintain its premises and the hotel’s water system for dangerous conditions, including but not limited to the presence of legionella.” The Virginia couple is seeking a total of $6 million in compensatory damages, including $5 million for the negligence count and an additional $1 million for loss of consortium.
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In October, the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Worcester County Health Department confirmed the presence of legionellosis, more commonly known as Legionnaire’s Disease, in the water system at the Plim Plaza Hotel on the Boardwalk after as many as six individuals who had stayed at the facility during the late summer months had contracted the disease. One of the victims, an elderly out-of-state guest at the hotel, later succumbed to symptoms of the disease.
On April 18, a Virginia couple, Pat Eldon Dent, Jr. and his wife Martha Dent, filed suit in U.S. District Court alleging negligence on the part of the hotel for failing to “adequately inspect, monitor and maintain its premises and the hotel’s water system for dangerous conditions, including but not limited to the presence of legionella.” The Virginia couple is seeking a total of $6 million in compensatory damages, including $5 million for the negligence count and an additional $1 million for loss of consortium.
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