The greatest challenge facing the Governor and the General Assembly is the problem of the $1.5 billion budget deficit.  It seems to me that elected officials should approach such a critical challenge with honesty.  However, the Governor, who creates the budget, has decided to engage in games, tricks, smoke, and mirrors.  For example, his program to fill the budget hole contains $600 million in transfers of State Government funds.

In other words, he is moving money from one pocket to the next pocket without really solving the problem.  Another misleading manipulation is the ploy of believing that President Obama will come to the rescue and provide a $400 million stimulus gift.  Considering the current political atmosphere in Washington, it is doubtful that Mr. Obama has any more of our taxpayers' money to help out political allies like Governor O'Malley.  The result is the existence of another $400 million deficit and the failure to balance the budget, which is required by the Maryland Constitution.

In his first year in office, Mr. O'Malley failed to roll up his sleeves and exercise responsible fiscal management.  He used the surplus provided to him by former Governor Ehrlich and raided the rainy day fund to support his first year of spending excesses.  During his entire term, this reckless spending pattern has existed, causing the Maryland "Budget Crisis" to be worse than it would have been if the economy were the only problem.  All of O'Malley's budgets have been excessive in spending.  I voted against every one of them.

A cautionary warning would be appropriate at this time.  Marylanders should be prepared for massive tax increases in 2011.  After the spendaholics and taxaholics are safely reelected to another 4-year term, they will impose upon us the "great ambush tax of 2011."  These tax hikes may include a gas tax, alcohol tax, sales tax increase, corporate tax and some others the evil geniuses are capable of creating.  Already this year, O'Malley is promoting a "granny" tax hike.  The State of Maryland taxes every nursing home bed, occupied or not, at 2 percent.  O'Malley is increasing this tax by 100%, doubling it to 4 percent.  He has also removed about $25 million from the nursing home assistance budget.  These policies are extremely harmful to our frail and elderly because they threaten the existence of our State's nursing home services.  It is interesting that these destructive policies against our elderly are being promoted by a Governor who claims to be a liberal who cares about the disadvantaged.

There are projects in the budget that could be eliminated or deferred.  Why are the State taxpayers being compelled to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on open space land grabs and new unneeded light rail projects?  An honest Governor and elected representatives should be obligated to be vigilant, honest, and responsible in creating a State budget.  I will offer amendments and speak out on the floor of the House against this budget at the appropriate time.  But, in the final analysis, I will vote, once again, against another phony "Balanced Budget."

--Pat McDonough (R) Delegate, District 7, Maryland House of Delegates. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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