For Immediate Release
January 29, 2009
Contact: Carrie Simons-Sparrow, 410-841-3401
Shannon Oxley, 410-841-3401
HOUSE MINORITY LEADER ODONNELL RESPONDS TO STATE OF THE STATE
Calls Governors Plan to Increase Spending During Recession Mismanagement and Possible Bailout Financing Spending on our Childrens Children
ANNAPOLIS—House Minority Leader Anthony ODonnell (R-Calvert/St. Marys Counties) today delivered the minority partys response to Governor OMalleys State of the State address. ODonnell characterized the governors plan to increase spending during a recession as mismanaging taxpayers money and the governors anticipation of a federal bailout for Annapolis overspending as putting the burden on generations of Marylanders to come. ODonnell told Maryland Public Television:
Governor OMalley is basing most of his budgeting decisions on getting a federal bailout, a bailout that will be financed not just by you and me, but by our children and our childrens children. The governor is hoping to be bailed out for the mismanagement of our fiscal house with money that the federal government just does not have.
In this difficult economic climate, with Marylands unemployment rate at a 15-year high, the governor has not changed his budgeting approach. Hes planning on more and more spending of our money while ignoring the crisis that we are in. Even before a bailout comes, the governors budget increases state spending by about $800 million and puts us in worse shape.
By this administrations own actions of raising taxes and failing to reign in the growth of spending just before a recession, they have made an already bad situation much worse.
ODonnell also addressed the issues of soaring energy costs that have nearly doubled in the last two years and the need to secure Marylands drivers licenses, a critical safety and security issue.
Many promises have been made yet little progress has been shown on these matters. These issues have bipartisan support in the General Assembly and the wide support of Maryland residents.
Nuclear energy is one example that has to be pursued more aggressively in this state. It emits no greenhouse gases, will help decrease our dependence on foreign oil, and will increase our domestic energy supplies.
Nuclear energy is safe, clean, and environmentally-friendly, something we can all use and appreciate in the near and long term. It is enjoying renewed support in Washington and must as well in Maryland. Labor unions and industry as well as many environmentalists are vigorously supporting nuclear development.
This type of economic development can attract businesses and new good paying jobs, which is essential to improving our economy.
Maryland is the only state on the Eastern seaboard that does not require a legal presence to obtain a drivers license. In fact, Maryland is one of only four states in the U.S., one of only three states in the continental U.S., which does not require a legal presence to get a driver's license.
Citizens should be able to rely on government for safe roads and safe neighborhoods. But in recent years, weve seen increases in gang violence and increases in crime across the state.
One way we can tamp down on these growing problems is by regulating Marylands drivers licenses. This is a critical safety and security issue that also needs the attention of legislative leaders.
ODonnell closed by calling on Maryland to say enough is enough and urges the Governor and the General Assembly to work on solutions that benefit all Maryla
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Joint House Republican Caucus Press Conference, Part 1by marylandhousegop172 views
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