Del. Impallaria: Annapolis Update #5 – Maryland State Budget – March 24, 2009

The following was forwarded from Del. Rick Impallaria’s office:

In these tough fiscal times many are asking whether the Maryland State government will act responsibly and cut costs. Unfortunately, once again the answer appears to be “No.”

The State budget has now been presented to the Legislature and, despite what is going on in the real world, the Governor has mandated that no government employees lose their jobs. Unemployment, which was less that 3% in Maryland when O’Malley was elected, is now past 8% and climbing daily. Those job losses are coming from the private sector. That’s the real world — businesses adjusting their budgets in an attempt to ride out the bad economy. But as business is acting responsibly, and families are looking for ways to cope with rising energy bills along with everything else, the General Assembly is moving forward with legislation that will break the backs of small businesses, large businesses, and families across the State.

The claim is made that the Governor has cut hundreds of jobs, but in reality all he has cut is vacant positions, which is no cut at all. He is looking for funding for in-state tuition for illegal aliens, while not caring about having a college fund for the children of slain police officers who gave their lives to protect and uphold the law.

There was some talk at the beginning of session that the State would make serious cuts, but then the great Obama waved his magic wand, stripping money from our pockets, our children’s pockets, and our grandchidlren’s pockets to fund ever-expanding government.

Maryland has now reached the tipping point, where there are more government employees than private sector workers. Private sector workers are now being treated like the goose that laid golden eggs — they are being squeezed out of life and existence.

Needless to say, I will not be voting for the budget. I will not be voting for funding illegal aliens, or for preserving land as if it would disappear unless the State bought it. I won’t be supporting further government studies on topics that have been studied to death. I won’t be voting to grow government, because government is already too large.

Two years ago I introduced legislation to create a flat-line budget which would have forced the State to live within its means. Had that legislation passed, at the end of five years Maryland would have had a surplus and would have been in a better position to deal with the crumbling economy. I for one want to see the economy get better, but I cannot and will not support this State’s failed policies, the continuous growth of government, and the constant burdens thrown on the backs of the private sector.