From the office of U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski:
Report comes as Budget Resolution Conference is negotiating topline; Appropriations Committee working to pass Omnibus by January 15th
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.), Chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has issued a report she requested detailing the impacts of the 16 day government shutdown on our economy and national priorities. Chairwoman Mikulski requested the OMB report to detail the impacts the shutdown had on our economy, government services, our research and development efforts, public health initiatives, and many other national priorities. The full report is available to view here.
“OMB’s report is proof-positive that shutdown, slamdown politics is the wrong way to govern our country,” Chairwoman Mikulski said. “This manufactured crisis damaged the economy, cost us jobs, and hurt middle class families. We now have the facts to prove it. The American people deserve a government that works as hard as they do. It’s time to hear from the middle-of-roaders. It’s time to work together on a bipartisan basis, find the sensible center and move forward to make sure it doesn’t happen again. That’s how we’ll serve our country best.”
On October 23rd, Chairwoman Mikulski sent a letter to OMB Director Sylvia Mathews Burwell requesting the report to provide a written record documenting the consequences of the 16 day shutdown. Following the government shutdowns in 1995-96, OMB undertook such an analysis that contributed significantly to understanding consequences of a shutdown. The text of the request letter to OMB Director Sylvia Mathews Burwell is here, and the Director’s response is here.
The shutdown reduced the productivity of the government, resulting in as many as 800,000 employees being furloughed, and increasing backlogs for critical services, including veterans claims, small business loans, disability claims, and traffic safety investigations. According to the report, direct cost to taxpayers include at least $2.5 billion in back wages and benefits for federal workers who were furloughed for 6.6 million work days. OMB also estimates that our economic output will be lowered by $2 billion to $6 billion in the last three months of the year. According to the Council of Economic Advisors, the shutdown and the threat of not raising the debt limit may lead to the creation of 120,000 fewer private sector jobs across the nation this month.
Chairwoman Mikulski’s home state of Maryland was one of the 10 states hardest hit by the government shutdown. More than 130,000 federal employees work at the 20 federal agencies headquartered in Maryland. The state lost millions in revenue from unpaid wages in the shutdown and spent $2 million in state funds to cover federal funding commitments during the shutdown. Moreover, the Governor’s office projected the shutdown would result in nearly $15 million in lost economic activity each day. Maryland also is home to more than 14,000 Maryland businesses and non-profits that do $25 billion in federal contract business with the federal government every year.
The Continuing Funding Resolution the government is currently operating under ends on January 15. As part of that funding agreement, the bi-cameral budget conference committee must produce a conference agreement by December 13. Chairwoman Mikulski’s goal is to come to a deal that cancels sequester for two years and provides topline funding numbers for both 2014 and 2015, making it possible for the Appropriations Committee to enact a 12-bill Omnibus bill by January 15 that funds the government for the rest of fiscal year 2014.
As opposed to the daily reports of the damage caused while they are in session I guess.
The only real damage done by the shutdown was that it gave the liberal media something to whine about so they didn’t have to focus on the abortive attempt to launch a health care web site. And I’m not sure who she is trying to blame – a congress that could foresee the problems of Obamacare and was trying to stop it or a President and his part who are always simpering about working together with the opposition but refused to negotiate anything.
But don’t worry folks, you can keep your health plan and your doctor if you like them.
Well, Alex, it now seems that former President Clinton supports massive changes to Obamacare and is urging the current president to keep his word that we can keep our health care plan if we like it and our doctor as well.
Maybe our current president will listen to Mr. Clinton. But probably not. Too much ego and too much socialism driving the bus.
And Brian Terry is still dead at the hands of his incompetent superiors in the Justice Department who forced gun dealers to break the law. And Chris Stevens and his staff are still dead as a result of the criminal negligence of the State Department. And many, many people lost their homes as a result of stupid policies forced on the market by Dodd and Frank. And no one has gone to jail for that. And corporate executives of failed companies who participated in the scam got bonuses instead of orange jump suits. And Sebelius is flying around the country with her staff in a government jet visiting call centers rather than being out on her backside (and her staff as well) for the web site launch. And Lois Lerner gets to retire rather than be prosecuted for using the IRS to attack the presidents opposition.
But the administration all have an unlimited supply of get out of jail free cards because they are Lib/Dems.
Here’s the headline we need to see: Sen. Mikulski Requests Report Detailing Impact Of Profligate Spending On Economy And Jobs.
That report would have more pages than the unAffordable Care Act.
How much did this report cost the taxpayers? More mumbo jumbo from Bab’s pushing the blame on the other side of the isles. Which party offered to fund the whole government and which party refused to negotiate.
How much money is being taken out of the economy by this awful ObamaCare?
As he taught, Jesus said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.”
When he spoke those words he was warning us about the Republican/Tea Party. They do not care about the poor and down trodden all they are concern about is the rich, Mitt Romney spill those beans in his 47% remark.
Lets look at the supporters of each group….
“Tea Party”- the Everyday working taxpayer.
Republican- Wall Street, Military-industrial complex, Big Oil
Democrats- Wall Street, Poor, Unions, Government workers, Environmentalists.
Who should we be warned about?
Your everyday taxpayer is a misnomer. Laughable even. Tea Party candidates are typically supported by the ill informed disenfranchised whites who seemingly don’t mind having their money go to corporate welfare at the expense of themselves and their fellow citizens that they despise and denigrate
Support corporate welfare? Your fearless leader has been printing billions a month bailing out Wall Street, that the “tea party” has been against since Bush started the throw money that we don’t have at it solution.
Focused on race again as usual.
Was that post meant as a distraction as you pull your hand out of the cookie jar?
Porter still up to his .gov trolling games after 2 years?
I got curious and came back and here you still are after all this time.
Seriously, get a life, and have you tired of chasing drug addicted welfare queens?
How was your tax payer funded vacation?
24 days every year + 11 holidays + 18 bonus days
=
almost 1/4 of a year off
and the country still hasn’t fallen apart
so much for your vaulted position being needed for our national functioning
get off of the dagger and go to work you p r i c k
Race is the only card left to play in the morons handbook when faced with superior intellect.
No one has taken more from the widows and economically disadvantaged than the Lib/Dems and their continual implementation of new and increases to existing regressive taxes and fees and tolls. No one. And any Lib/Dem who says they are for the poor among us and all of the while raises sales tax and gas tax and rain tax and tolls and builds casinos in downtown Baltimore and welcomes illegal aliens who take the jobs of poor young black men and on and on is a liar and a hypocrite.
Alex, Very well put.
Not surprised Mikulski is desperate to change the subject, to deflect attention and accountability for her shameful, irresponsible and inexcusable push and support for Obamacare, which is now a nationwide JOKE, and a tragic national failure – not to mention its confirmation as a ‘weapon of mass DECEPTION’ – as she, Obama and all his ilk willfully and maliciously LIED to people that they could keep their policies if they liked them. Obamacare needs to go down in flames, along with the Democrat party for this scourge. As to impacts of government shutdown? Wonder how Mikulski will try to lie and deny regarding the most recent stats showing 200K+ new jobs were put on in the same timeframe as the ‘shutdown’. The overall positive effect evidenced by the new jobs Just goes to show the government is way too bloated and needs to be trimmed down to a productive size.
From the looks at the beginning of Obama care, the government should have remained closed.
Hey “InGodWeTrust”….funny you should hide behind such an oxymoronic title. You and your ilk need to get your collective heads out of the FOX hole of disinformation and face the facts! “Obamacare is NOT a joke (nationwide or other). Nor is it a “tragic national failure” like your and your ilk wanted it to be from since BEFORE day one. Rather, it’s an alternative to doing nothing about the national health care issue (which is what the Republicans did when they had the chance to lead from the POTUS on down). Did the Affordable Care Act have technical issues during the start up……absolutely. But so did many other programs (government and private) at their initial attempts. These problems can and WILL be resolved, but not with the help of any Republicans! They would rather jeopardize the national economy and the nations health to make President Obama and Democrats appear inept, than to work with the opposing MAJORITY party for the betterment of our nation. Shame on them! Hey Republicans reading this….if you want to control the agenda, get your party’s platform out of the middle ages and start winning elections. Until then….continue to be the party of “NO” and we’ll continue to win elections (just like earlier this week in Virginia when “T-Mac” beat “The Kooch”) 🙂
WTF, Sure. Let’s give everyone a system that will break this nation. That will help them. If you think the only problem with Obama care is the computer system, then it is no wonder that our children and grandchildren are going to be paying for it for a long time to come. You need to watch Fox every once and a while. It dares tell us things that the networks won’t. If you are as objective as you say, watch Fox, or better yet, read!
It’s a shame isn’t it W.T.F.? Something like 2 million total election votes out of a population of over 8 million in Virginia.
WTF, One final suggestion. Read The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich. See if you notice any similarities. The fact that Obama would rush that through, and the Democrats went along with it without any challenges is reminicent of Nazi democracy. When the Speaker of the House, Pelosi-Democrat, says she doesn’t know what is in it, but we would all find out together, I got a chill down my back. WTF, you can’t really justify that behavior now can you?
I especially liked the part about hiring some guy to burn down the Reichstag in order to blame it on communists and justify martial law. That would be a tea baggers wet dream
Because, I am beginning to believe that no facts will be regarded by you if it doesn’t fit your liberal view of what government should be.
Because we must use any indirect means possible to promote a social justice practice in all levels of government. It is the only way to bring about massive social change. You are doing an excellent job here on The Dagger. Keep up the good work in casting doubt on the enemies of progressivism. If we keep it up we can solve the social inequality that exists and have everyone in the US achieving a reasonable standard of living. The rich will have to give, but that’s just part of the equation.
Upton, stick with the meat packing industry. You don’t know what you are talking about.
Monster you’re familiar with my early work. I was right then and I’m right now. We will usher in a new social justice ideology and you’ll grow to like it. Don’t you worry it only hurt you a little at first.
Actually, Upton,
You won’t be happy either. When the government takes over and completely destroys self-iniative, we will be just one socialistic failure. Your children can thank you for your effort.
One legislator sent this factual information to his constituents. Those who work and pay taxes can thank you and other socialists for what you are doing to Maryland and the country. I am sure that you are very proud.
The 2014 Legislative Session of the General Assembly of the State of Maryland is just a few weeks away. This will be the last session of the term before the 2014 elections. At this time, I think it is appropriate that I share with my constituents my reflections on the past years in the legislature and the impact on all Marylanders.
My major concern has been legislative actions which have imposed 74 taxes and fees totaling more than $7 billion over the past seven years. I will relate to you some of the major tax and fees which have been enacted into law:
2007 Special Session
20% increase in sales tax (from 5%-6%)
18% increase in corporate income tax (from 7%-8.25%
117% increase in titling fees
20% increase in vehicle excise tax
5%-16% increase in state income tax (tiered by income earned)
2011 Regular Session
Birth Certificate Fee doubled (from $50-$100)
The largest Toll Increase in State History!
Key Bridge/Fort McHenry Tunnel/Harbor Tunnel (total increase of 100% from 2011-2013)
JFK Memorial Highway (33% increase from $6-$8 effective July 1, 2013)
Bay Bridge (total increase of 140% from 2011-2013)
Henry W. Nice Bridge (total increase 100% from 2011-2013)
2012 Regular Session
Bay Restoration Fund
Doubles Flush Tax for septic users (from $30 per year to $60 per year)
Expands the Universal Service Trust Fund (from 18 cents per month to as high as 45 cents per month).
This fund is applied to all telecommunication services.
Stormwater management – Watershed Protection and Restoration Program (rain tax)
This is a tax on all property in which rain cannot permeate (impervious surfaces). A cost will be applied to total square feet of roof, driveways, etc.
2012 Special Session
Limited personal exemptions on individual income taxes generating $51.7 million in revenue
Doubling fee for death certificates (from $12 to $24)
Increased tax rate on tobacco products other than cigarettes. (There was 100% tax increase on cigarettes in the 2007 special session)
2013 Regular Session
Transportation Infrastructure Investment Act 2013 (gas tax)
1% tax on retail prices of motor fuel (effective July 2013)
Increasing to 2% January 2014 and 3% July 2014
If federal government does not authorize sales tax on internet sales this motor fuel tax increases to 4% Jan 2015 and 5% July 2015
In addition, the bill indexes the excise tax on motor fuel to the consumer price index beginning July 2013 therefore a continued rise
Maryland Offshore Wind Energy Act of 2013
Creates a surcharge on residential electricity consumers of $1.50 a month
Not much has been heard about this legislation because the surcharge will be implemented after windmill construction. However, the $1.50 is not capped and will increase with consumer price index (CPI)
My friends, I have only listed a few of the 74 taxes and fees which have been imposed on Marylanders since 2007. Persons on fixed income and working families are hurting. I am deeply concerned…
The Tax Foundation ranks Maryland 12th highest in total tax burden and 41st in overall business climate
Since January, US unemployment has declined from 7.9% to 7.3%. Maryland has climbed from 6.7% to 7.1%
Since 2007, 8,084 businesses have either closed or left Maryland, according to U.S. Census data
Since 2007, Maryland food stamp recipients have climbed – third highest growth of recipients of food stamps in America
Maryland is a great state, so much to offer and we are in the process of destroying its fiscal viability. So sad- we have to reverse this course, and soon.
State Legislature | 6 Bladen Street, Room 311 | Annapolis | MD |
Monster, progressives do know better than the plutocrat conservatives free market Ayn Randers. We care about people! And we’ll bring social justice to the masses.
Upton, here are some words to live by:
“A truly moral nation enacts policies that encourage personal responsibility and discourages self-destructive behavior by not subsidizing people who live irresponsibly and make poor choices.” By Dr. Ben Carson
Well, uh… look at Annapolis. Blue dominated city for years and years and a newly elected Republican mayor.
2.54 percent difference in votes in Virginia to a Republican and a Democrat Governor candidate is hardly something to brag about when 6 million other Virginians can’t be bothered to show up to the polls and vote.
Hey “Spock”, if the shoe was on the other foot, and “The Kooch” would have won with 2.54 percent, would you still be saying that it was “harldy something to brag about”? I think not!
And regarding Annapolis, municipal elections are mostly non-partisan affairs (except for the larger cities). That being said, the issues that mayors deal with are non-partisan. Annapolis doesn’t have a republican mayor-elect BECAUSE he’s a republican. Annapolis has a republican mayor-elect because Mr. Cohen was unpopular as a result of his performance (perceived or otherwise) during his term as mayor! Don’t worry….Annapolis is still a “blue” city and Maryland is still a “blue” state. The next mayor of Annapolis will probably be a democrat, and the next governor of Maryland will DEFINITELY be a democrat! This ain’t gonna be no Ehrlich / Townshend type of match! 🙂
Where is Babs championing the millions of people losing or in the process of losing their healthcare?
She has obviously lost her ability to even feel shame, or even to understand the concept of responsibility. She led this country into a hellhole, and in spite of her refusal to acknowledge it, SHE is one of the key people accountable for the worst harm to this country since it began.
Geez B. I thought you were rooting for a country where everyone is in it for themselves. Why the sudden interest in other people’s welfare? I know, rhetorical question. I realize you don’t care up until the point you give the appearance of caring. Carry on Compassionate Christian Conservative Zealot.
Because, I suppose it is the hypocrisy and outright lies of the Lib/Dems that is most harmful. It would be the Lib/Dems that say they are for the downtrodden then raise all of the regressive taxes and fees that they can which impact negatively those that they (as in ‘you’) claim they want to help. And I can hardly wait until I hear that we have to actually bend over for illegal aliens while poor young black US citizens could use the jobs. A little racism is okay as long as the Lib/Dems get the votes, right?
At least be stand up man enough to admit that your party doesn’t mind screwing over the people you say you want to help.
I appreciate the zealot label when it comes to my faith, and my conservatism/ patriotism, even if you intended it as a bigoted slight.
You really have to ask why I am concerned when millions are losing their healthcare, yet I am the uncaring one?
Reports now confirm that for every ONE person that has signed up for Obama-Doesn’t-Give-A-Crap-Care, ONE HUNDRED policies have been cancelled (which actually means some number greater than 100, since the average policy usually covers more than one person in a family).
Hope Mikulski, Cardin and Hoyer are all proud of their ‘accomplishments’. They were all Obama lapdogs in his ‘Fundamental DESTRUCTION’ of not only the best healthcare in the world (in spite of acknowledged problems that needed to be addressed) – but the demise of our country in the process.
Yes, but they kept their health care and their doctors so why does it matter to them. ‘All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.’
Just remember all of you starry eyed Lib/Dems who absolutely adore Obama, Reid, Pelosi, Mikulski, Cardin, O’Malley et al, they only say they want to help you but they are just limousine liberals using you and they definitely won’t respect you in the morning.
We all would like to Request Reports Detailing Destructive Impacts of Barbara Mikulski on Economy and Jobs.