From the office of Del. Mary-Dulany James:
Friends,
I don’t care if an idea is a Republican idea or a Democrat idea, as long as it is a good idea for the people of Cecil and Harford Counties.
Although members of both parties serve on all our legislative committees and subcommittees I was pleased that both the House Appropriations Committee (on which I serve as the Chair of the Health and Human Resources subcommittee) and the Senate’s Budget and Taxation Committee invited the Republican leadership to formally present their suggestions and opinions to help Maryland continue balancing its budget while preserving the services that taxpayers count on.. The hearing was open to the public and much anticipated by all of who believe in true bipartisanship and the notion that as Henry Ford said “coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is
progress. Working together is success.”
It was disappointing when I began reading that some of my Senate colleagues were making the news by refusing to attend. The budget process is a serious one and is not “a political sideshow” as some put it. Our budget committee members work hard in a bi-partisan manner on behalf of all Marylanders. It was even more disappointing when very few Republican Senators attended and their leadership was not present. I do want to note that the House Republican Leadership did come prepared and the House Delegations from both Harford and Cecil Counties had a presence at the meeting.
The budget ideas presented by two Minority Senators would result in a
$14.35 million cut in aid to Harford County and a $6.79 million cut to Cecil County with the vast majority of cuts coming to K-12 education and Community College funding, shifting expenses to our already struggling county governments.
Balancing the budget and our competing needs is not something that can be completed in one afternoon. I think every opportunity to be part of the process should be seized. Headlines back home about the budget are no substitute for doing the hard work in Annapolis. Our constituents expect nothing less from us. People like my father would be turning in their graves at the idea/reality that any Harford or Cecil County Senator was neglecting to come to the table to find common sense solutions.
Throughout the session our Appropriations members from both parties attend hearings on each aspect of the budget. We all offer ideas using the input of our constituents, State Agencies, budget analyst recommendations, and more when writing the final budget. Not all of my ideas are incorporated into the budget but I will always be at the table, representing your voice in Annapolis. A famous quote by John Quincy Adams seems appropriate: “an idea not coupled with action will never get any bigger than the brain cell it occupied.”
I’d like to know how you feel about the events of this past week, please take my survey by clicking here. I look forward to reading all of your responses.
Very Truly Yours,
Mary-Dulany James
State Delegate
Harford and Cecil Counties
I’m confused? This letter seems as if Delegate James is just saying “I care” but at the same time, saying that she’s going to go along with the O’Malley budget. The budget that will result in a 32% tax increase next year.
“It was disappointing when I began reading that some of my Senate colleagues were making the news by refusing to attend. The budget process is a serious one and is not “a political sideshow” as some put it.”
…
“The budget ideas presented by two Minority Senators would result in a $14.35 million cut in aid to Harford County and a $6.79 million cut to Cecil County with the vast majority of cuts coming to K-12 education and Community College funding, shifting expenses to our already struggling county governments.”
Really? We’re not stupid. You just said that some Republicans were irresponsible for not attending. Interestingly, you claim those Republicans cited it as open season on them as a ‘political sideshow.’ In the very next paragraph you decide to attack those who did attend politically. Do you realize how hypocritical you sound?
But never mind that. For three years the Democrat Leadership in Annapolis, of which you proudly proclaim to be a member, refused to give an iota of thought to the Republicans. You, Gov. O’Malley, Speaker Busch and President Miller rammed through the biggest tax hike in Maryland history! And under the auspices of solving a “structural deficit.” Now the deficit is twice as big for this year alone! Over the next four years the state’s deficit is projected to be $8.4 billion.
As Democrat Leadership you had every opportunity to heed the calls of slow down spending, reduce the tax burden and help us grow our businesses. At every turn, you along with the Democratic leadership turned a deaf ear; until an election year.
Del. James, where would you cut the budget? You are quick to blame others. You offer no thoughts of your own except to hide in the Democrat Leadership. We, the people, are tired of Democrats AND Republicans simply. Enough is enough. Own up to your mistakes and work to fix them.
It sounds like the Democrats have screwed us so hard that they realize there is no way out (since they won’t restrain spending) without a big tax increase, so in the spirit of bipartisanship, they are inviting the Republicans to join in the process and share the blame.
Thanks, Mary-Dulany. You’re a peach.
Phil;
Unfortunately it doesn’t matter which party we stand with, the demicans or the republicats. There is some sort of perverse idea that we send them to Washington, Annapolis, or Bel Air to “bring home the bacon.” Unfortunately their version of bacon is up to $1,000,000.00 a pound! I wish there were a movement that would force every elected official to work only within the mission statement, i.e. the constitution. If it ain’t in there you can’t do it.
Dave,
There is, its called the Libertarian Party, I wouldn’t call it a movement however as that would suggest this tidal wave just started. The party has been around for some time…check into it. Just my two cents. Ron Paul is a Libertarian and if you want an insight about how rational thinking occurs outside of the sickening two-party system watch his CPAC address on youtube.
Oh yeah and by the way the Tea Party bullhorn is not the Libertarian Party principles….just wanted to put that out there. Do your own research you may like it you may not, just wanted to point out other options besides the elephant and donkey.
Amen about the tea party. AS I have said on here before, it is the new Conservative party…..not a grass roots movement. IT was at one point, but not now.
Glad to see another Libertarian on here. Check it out, folks. Libertarian Richard Davis is running for Congressional District 1.
damn proud one too Katelyn!
For your information, the Campaign for Liberty meets monthly on the 4th Tuesday of the month at the Knights of Columbus hall in Forest Hill.
See you there! March 23rd at 7PM. This month’s meeting is going to be huge!
Mary James is part of the Democratic Leadership? I hate politicians. But I especially hate those politicians who rule with an iron first. I like divided government because they act as a check and balance to each other instead of Mary James’s tax hikes. If she is a leader on the budget committee and she is so responsible then why are we in such a deficit! I am sorely disappointed.
I don’t think she has ever voted against a Budget. She is part of the problem and needs to go…I hope Pat Mcgrady or Glenn Glass can knock her off. She is only saying this because the Dems are in a whole lot of trouble this fall..
Good point Bill. She is the problem and not the solution. What budget cuts does she offer? She cries about Republicans not offering cuts but their website says they differ offer cuts through amendments. She is just another tired politician
Fire Mary James, Democratic Leadership who passed tax hikes and spending hikes that kill us!