For several decades it has become increasingly difficult to recognize Maryland as the state in which I was born, raised, and educated. Maryland has been drastically changing before the eyes of its citizens. The electorate has let this happen and by its voting patterns, has been aiding this slide into a government centric, anti- business, overregulated, highly taxed assemblage of counties. Those counties are now made up of “them that gets, and them that don’t.” Mostly, the Eastern Shore counties don’t.
The most recent session of the Maryland General Assembly, the last for the O’Malley administration, made Maryland’s decline and changing environment even more evident. We are no longer the “free state.”
Much of the legislation passed in this past session mimics several national trends, which will injure the reputation of the state in the future. They will injure an already limping economy and continue to encourage businesses and wealthier individuals to exit Maryland. Not a pretty future picture.
Then there is Baltimore City where 13 percent of the budget, some $300,000, is based on federal grants. That is a rather hefty percentage of a large city budget to be dependent on federal funding. Replacing a significant portion of the tax base with grant money is not sound budget policy, whether it be in Baltimore City or in Chestertown.
Has Maryland become a “nanny State”? Is state government getting too far down in the weeds when regulating the lives of its citizens and businesses? Either proposed legislation not passed or legislation actually passed would indicate that Maryland is becoming a state where elected officials know what is best for all segments of society. Liberal legislators are in the majority. A recent survey indicates a majority of those surveyed gave this legislative session a grade of E or F.
In the year when a new governor and State legislature will be elected, will the voters of Maryland exhibit common sense or continue to elect candidates with far-out agendas and wacky ideas? Electing more reasonable state leadership will not be an easy task. Republicans face a daunting task and moderate Democrats appear to be as scarce as hen’s teeth.
Big government at any level makes people feel smaller. Maryland, unfortunately, has gone down this path. Our electorate feels smaller and the elected officials feel superior. Just look at our current governor, who is launching a presidential campaign. A failed healthcare website, burdensome taxes, ridiculous regulations, and delusions of grandeur will not deter this leader of liberalism from spreading Maryland’s abysmal record throughout the land.
Fletcher R. Hall
Carol Voyles says
Fortunately, facts are far more comforting than angry partisan rhetoric.
While Maryland is ranked 7th in total tax burden by the conservative-leaning Tax Foundation, Marylanders aren’t moving in droves to Delaware to avoid their lot in life. Delaware’s total burden is a fraction of one percent lower (0.4 percent lower), but Maryland must be doing something right. We have a lower unemployment rate.
It’s counterproductive to be angry because more densely populated sates and regions spend more and have higher tax rates. NY, CT, an NJ have the highest total tax burdens. Wyoming is rated one of the most “business friendly” states, but if they come, tax rates will go up. Just ask any community, city or state if the revenues generated by new businesses and developments have ever paid for themselves.
Maryland also has most millionaires per capita. While a 3 percent difference in total tax burden exists among the states in our nation, evidently there are reasons to remain in Maryland that have little to do with being “down in the weeds” or looking for “hen’s teeth.”
We will always have problems to solve. It would also be a good idea to acknowledge the bipartisan effort currently underway to make Maryland, our nation’s wealthiest state, even more business friendly.