http://www.gazette.net/stories/11062009/polinew200708_32530.shtml
Now it is getting interesting!
Friday, November 6, 2009
Poll Shows O'Malley Unpopular With Voters
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/local/Poll-shows-O_Malley-unpopular-with-voters-8491672-69342372.html
Maryland voters are giving Democratic Gov. Martin O'Malley low marks for not holding down taxes, creating jobs or managing the state budget effectively in a new poll that shows only 39 percent of voters want to see him re-elected next year.
Maryland voters are giving Democratic Gov. Martin O'Malley low marks for not holding down taxes, creating jobs or managing the state budget effectively in a new poll that shows only 39 percent of voters want to see him re-elected next year.
O'M to create Commission on Small Business
http://mddailyrecord.com/2009/11/05/omalley-to-create-commission-on-small-business/
Maryland's Black Hole Gets Bigger (Our Pension)
http://maryland-politics.blogspot.com/2009/11/marylands-black-hole-gets-bigger.html
This is a grim financial reality and will no doubt fuel more calls to pass down pension costs to the counties. But that ignores a central fact: the state’s pension fund is in trouble because of decisions made by the state government on benefits, contribution rates and investment allocations. Making the counties pay for the state’s mistakes is patently unfair. But regardless of which level of government has to fix the mess, one or both of two groups will get hit at the end of the day: public employees or the rest of us.
This is a grim financial reality and will no doubt fuel more calls to pass down pension costs to the counties. But that ignores a central fact: the state’s pension fund is in trouble because of decisions made by the state government on benefits, contribution rates and investment allocations. Making the counties pay for the state’s mistakes is patently unfair. But regardless of which level of government has to fix the mess, one or both of two groups will get hit at the end of the day: public employees or the rest of us.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Our Stimulus Money At Work ;)
After a flurry of stimulus spending, questionable projects pile up
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/po...-68709732.html
The $787 billion stimulus bill was passed in February and was promised as a job saver and economy booster. Here is where some of the money went:
Here's just a few, see the link above:
- $11 million for Microsoft to build a bridge connecting its two headquarter campuses in Redmond, Wash., which are separated by a highway.
- $430,000 to repair a bridge in Iowa County, Wis., that carries 10 or fewer cars per day.
- $2.5 million in stimulus checks sent to the deceased.
- $300 apiece for thousands of signs at road construction sites across the country announcing that the projects are funded by stimulus money.
DRUM ROLL PLEASE:
- $300,000 for a GPS-equipped helicopter to hunt for radioactive rabbit droppings at the Hanford nuclear reservation in Washington state.
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/po...-68709732.html
The $787 billion stimulus bill was passed in February and was promised as a job saver and economy booster. Here is where some of the money went:
Here's just a few, see the link above:
- $11 million for Microsoft to build a bridge connecting its two headquarter campuses in Redmond, Wash., which are separated by a highway.
- $430,000 to repair a bridge in Iowa County, Wis., that carries 10 or fewer cars per day.
- $2.5 million in stimulus checks sent to the deceased.
- $300 apiece for thousands of signs at road construction sites across the country announcing that the projects are funded by stimulus money.
DRUM ROLL PLEASE:
- $300,000 for a GPS-equipped helicopter to hunt for radioactive rabbit droppings at the Hanford nuclear reservation in Washington state.
Interesting proposed legislation
http://www.eastcountytimesonline.com/psimparr.htm
The second piece of legislation has arisen due to the bad economy. State employees have been forced to take furlough days. While furloughing employees may at times be preferable to layoffs, I think it is also absolutely appalling for the State to force furloughs on the employees, while elected officials are exempt. It is especially reprehensible in a year in which the State of Maryland, through its budget, has increased its spending. It is wrong to ask State employees to take home less money this year, when the State has refused to make the same sacrifice by curtailing spending. And elected officials are not even required to take furloughs.
So my legislation simply is that the State of Maryland cannot force furloughs on State employees in a year that the State budget has increased compared to the previous year, unless the Governor calls an emergency session to reduce the State budget to the prior year's funding. Then and only then should they be allowed to furlough State employees. At the same time, those furloughs should be mandatory on everyone who receives a State paycheck, including elected officials.
Needless to say neither of these bills would have been necessary if, first, the State had not given voting rights to convicted felons and, second, they had held to a flat-line budget equal to or less than last year's.
The second piece of legislation has arisen due to the bad economy. State employees have been forced to take furlough days. While furloughing employees may at times be preferable to layoffs, I think it is also absolutely appalling for the State to force furloughs on the employees, while elected officials are exempt. It is especially reprehensible in a year in which the State of Maryland, through its budget, has increased its spending. It is wrong to ask State employees to take home less money this year, when the State has refused to make the same sacrifice by curtailing spending. And elected officials are not even required to take furloughs.
So my legislation simply is that the State of Maryland cannot force furloughs on State employees in a year that the State budget has increased compared to the previous year, unless the Governor calls an emergency session to reduce the State budget to the prior year's funding. Then and only then should they be allowed to furlough State employees. At the same time, those furloughs should be mandatory on everyone who receives a State paycheck, including elected officials.
Needless to say neither of these bills would have been necessary if, first, the State had not given voting rights to convicted felons and, second, they had held to a flat-line budget equal to or less than last year's.
AFSCME Proposing Cuts To Keep Center Open
http://www.baltimoresun.com/health/bal-md.afscme05nov05,0,3300907.story
Union proposes cuts to keep mental health center open
Chestertown's Upper Shore facility had been marked for budget axe
Union proposes cuts to keep mental health center open
Chestertown's Upper Shore facility had been marked for budget axe
ATTN PUBLIC SAFETY EMPLOYEES - H.R. 413
Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act of 2009 - Provides collective bargaining rights for public safety officers employed by states or local governments. Directs the Federal Labor Relations Authority to determine whether state law provides specified rights and responsibilities for public safety officers, including: (1) granting public safety employees the right to form and join a labor organization which excludes management and supervisory employees, and which is, or seeks to be, recognized as the exclusive bargaining agent for such employees; and (2) requiring public safety employers to recognize and agree to bargain with the employees' labor organization. Requires the Authority to issue regulations establishing rights and responsibilities for public safety employers and employees in states that do not substantially provide for such public safety employee rights and responsibilities. Directs the Authority, in such cases, to: (1) determine the appropriateness of units for labor organization representation; (2) supervise or conduct elections to determine whether a labor organization has been selected as an exclusive representative by a voting majority of the employees in an appropriate unit; (3) resolve issues relating to the duty to bargain in good faith; (4) conduct hearings and resolve complaints of unfair labor practices; and (5) resolve exceptions to arbitrator's awards. Grants a public safety employer, employee, or labor organization the right to seek enforcement of Authority regulations and orders, as well as prohibitions against lockouts or strikes, through appropriate state courts. Prohibits public safety employers, employees, and labor organizations from engaging in lockouts or strikes.
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-413
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.opencongress.org/wiki/Dale_Kildee
Dale Kildee from Michigan (go figure) is sponsoring this bill. Check out the campaign donations and who they are from.
Air Line Pilots Assn $ 10,000
American Assn for Justice $ 10,000
American Federation of Teachers $ 10,000
American Postal Workers Union $ 10,000
Carpenters & Joiners Union $ 10,000
Credit Union National Assn $ 10,000
International Assn of Fire Fighters $ 10,000
Intl Brotherhood of Electrical Workers $ 10,000
Laborers Union $ 10,000
Machinists/Aerospace Workers Union $ 10,000
National Assn of Realtors $ 10,000
National Education Assn $ 10,000
Operating Engineers Union $ 10,000
Teamsters Union $ 10,000
United Auto Workers $ 10,000
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-413
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.opencongress.org/wiki/Dale_Kildee
Dale Kildee from Michigan (go figure) is sponsoring this bill. Check out the campaign donations and who they are from.
Air Line Pilots Assn $ 10,000
American Assn for Justice $ 10,000
American Federation of Teachers $ 10,000
American Postal Workers Union $ 10,000
Carpenters & Joiners Union $ 10,000
Credit Union National Assn $ 10,000
International Assn of Fire Fighters $ 10,000
Intl Brotherhood of Electrical Workers $ 10,000
Laborers Union $ 10,000
Machinists/Aerospace Workers Union $ 10,000
National Assn of Realtors $ 10,000
National Education Assn $ 10,000
Operating Engineers Union $ 10,000
Teamsters Union $ 10,000
United Auto Workers $ 10,000
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
GOP Success Could Pave Way for Ehrlich Run in 2010
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/politics/bal-election1104,0,1939946.story
Ehrlich called the victory of New Jersey Republican Chris Christie, who beat Democratic incumbent Gov. Jon Corzine, a "signpost" on his own path to a possible run next year to reclaim the job he lost to O'Malley in 2006.
"It's not dispositive. It's relevant," said Ehrlich, who has been conducting what he described as a "discussion tour" around the state, including stops in the Baltimore area and the Washington suburbs.
Ehrlich called the victory of New Jersey Republican Chris Christie, who beat Democratic incumbent Gov. Jon Corzine, a "signpost" on his own path to a possible run next year to reclaim the job he lost to O'Malley in 2006.
"It's not dispositive. It's relevant," said Ehrlich, who has been conducting what he described as a "discussion tour" around the state, including stops in the Baltimore area and the Washington suburbs.
Mont Co's Budget Tighter Than First Thought
http://www.gazette.net/stories/11042009/montnew192601_32523.shtml
Andrews: Budget even tighter than first thought
Says raises for county workers would be ‘irresponsible'
Montgomery County cannot afford pay raises for any of its 10,000 government or 22,000 school system employees in fiscal 2011, according to Montgomery County Council President Philip M. Andrews (D-Dist. 3) of Gaithersburg.
Andrews: Budget even tighter than first thought
Says raises for county workers would be ‘irresponsible'
Montgomery County cannot afford pay raises for any of its 10,000 government or 22,000 school system employees in fiscal 2011, according to Montgomery County Council President Philip M. Andrews (D-Dist. 3) of Gaithersburg.
Interesting
There is an item on the agenda for today for approval of giving a $1,300,000 grant to renovate the McCormick Goodhart Mansion to be used as a multi service cultural center for CASA.
Interesting what you find when you actually read the agendas.
Interesting what you find when you actually read the agendas.
Republicans Win in 2 States
My wish came true. I told myself that if people begin to vote for Republicans for Governor, it means that people are tired of the way things are going. Two out of Three States did just that yesterday ... states which are normally Democratic, like here in MD. It sure does give me hope for us! I hope it also makes our current Governor think long and hard about how he is handling the financial crisis that we are now in. The next year ought to be interesting to watch unfold.
http://biggovernment.com/2009/11/03/gop-sweep-new-jersey-called-for-republican-christie/
http://biggovernment.com/2009/11/03/gop-sweep-new-jersey-called-for-republican-christie/
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
November 4th BPW Meeting
I checked the agenda ... state budget is not on it for tomorrow.
However, I found it very interesting that they already have an agenda item for the April 21, 2010 meeting. Guess what that item is ?????
STATE SALES TAX.
Naive citizens crying for layoffs don't realize their taxes are going to be raised whether there are lay offs or not. After all, the unions are asking for it right? ha! As if they have anything to do with it. They have their noses so far up management's butts they stink.
However, I found it very interesting that they already have an agenda item for the April 21, 2010 meeting. Guess what that item is ?????
STATE SALES TAX.
Naive citizens crying for layoffs don't realize their taxes are going to be raised whether there are lay offs or not. After all, the unions are asking for it right? ha! As if they have anything to do with it. They have their noses so far up management's butts they stink.
Many of the Democratic lobbyists who frequented the White House this year are also among the highest earning lobbying firms in 2009, including power player Steve Elmendorf of Elmendorf Strategies (five times), Tony Podesta of the Podesta Group, the fourth highest earning lobbying firm so far in 2009 (five times) and his wife Heather Podesta of Heather Podesta and Partners (three times.)
The most frequent visitor? That would be Andrew Stern, who has been to the White House a grand total of 22 times this year so far. Stern is president of the Service Employees International Union.
http://www.politicsdaily.com/2009/11/02/on-obama-white-house-visitor-log-lobbyists-movie-stars-and-bai/
Andy Stern, Mr. Radical himself. Who would of thunk it! By the way Obama Admin was taken to Court for the release of these records ... they didn't just voluntarily do it.
The most frequent visitor? That would be Andrew Stern, who has been to the White House a grand total of 22 times this year so far. Stern is president of the Service Employees International Union.
http://www.politicsdaily.com/2009/11/02/on-obama-white-house-visitor-log-lobbyists-movie-stars-and-bai/
Andy Stern, Mr. Radical himself. Who would of thunk it! By the way Obama Admin was taken to Court for the release of these records ... they didn't just voluntarily do it.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Election Day in a Few States Tomorrow - Ehrlich
The rumor I have heard and read about is that Ehrlich has been waiting until the outcome of the election tomorrow for Governors in two states to decide if he is going to throw his hat in the ring again for Governor of Maryland. The races in two States, one is Virginia and I don't recall the other, are being followed closely, especially by Obama. There is good chance encumbent Democrats will lose to Republicans ... its being predicted. I feel that if that occurs, Ehrlich will run. We shall see.
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