NEWS RELEASE    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

“BUDGET GAMES”   by DELEGATE PAT McDONOUGH

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.”

According to Larry Hogan’s campaign Facebook account:

Not sure if it was the latest poll results or not, but it looks like Larry Hogan is the only Republican candidate for Governor. Delegate Pat McDonough just announced that he has dropped out of the race.

If true, what does this mean for the potential campaign of former Governor Bob Ehrlich? Will McDonough be running for Delegate again or for County Executive?

We have emailed McDonough for a response.

UPDATE: Since I made this initial post, I’ve been hearing that an official announcement of McDonough’s withdrawal is supposed to happen on Monday.

UPDATE 2
McDonough is scheduled to be on the Ed Norris Show on 105.7 FM Monday morning (9-10 a.m.) – is this when he plans to make it official?

UPDATE 3
Bryan Sears blogged this on the afternoon of the 13th:

Republican Del. Pat McDonough said after Wednesday’s opening General Assembly session that he’s no longer considering a run for governor and is setting his sights again on running for Baltimore County executive in 2010.

Sears went on to quote McDonough as saying he thinks Ehrlich is going to run for Governor.

A post at Red Maryland reporting on Annapolis rumors indicates that Bob Ehrlich may be announcing a run for Governor soon – a move which will put both Larry Hogan and Pat McDonough out of the race based on their earlier statements. McDonough has also been rumored as a candidate for Baltimore County Executive if he doesn’t run for his House seat again.

NEWS CONFERENCE TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY, JAN. 7, 2010, 11:00 A.M., 513 EASTERN AVENUE, ESSEX, MD

Contact: Del. Pat McDonough 410-238-0025 Patmcdee@comcast.net

SUBJECT: Delegate McDonough Requests MD Attorney General Gansler to Enter Lawsuit Against ObamaCare

Delegate Pat McDonough has sent the following letter to Attorney General Gansler:

January 5, 2010

The Honorable Douglas Gansler

Office of the Attorney General

200 St. Paul Place

Baltimore, MD 21202

Dear Mr. Gansler,

I am writing this letter to officially request that you join other attorney generals in the United States in a lawsuit against the federal health care reform act. According to the information being provided by the attorney generals, it is their contention that this legislation is unconstitutional based on the premise that it provides specific consideration to certain states. For example, Nebraska, Louisiana, Florida and Vermont are receiving a huge financial benefit by being permitted to pay decreased Medicaid costs. The taxpayers of Maryland will not only not receive this benefit, but will be required to subsidize the lost funding accrued by the unfair exemption allowed to the previously mentioned states.

I believe that the integrity, judgment, and professionalism regarding the Constitution and the law that the other attorney generals possess makes it clear that their action is needed. It is unclear to me why you would not be anxious to step forward and protect the interests of the taxpayers that we both represent.

Thank you for your consideration in this matter. I would appreciate a reply.

Sincerely,

Pat McDonough

News Conference: Thursday, January 7, 2010, 11:00 AM, at 513 Eastern Avenue in Essex, Maryland.

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ILLEGALS COST MARYLANDERS $1.4 BILLION
ANNUALLY
By Delegate Pat McDonough

Maryland has the unfortunate designation of being a “sanctuary state.” According to Homeland Security, the definition of a “sanctuary state” is a place where the elected leadership, such as the Governor and General Assembly, provide programs that benefit illegal aliens. Policies such as access to drivers’ licenses, in-state tuition discounts, health benefits, and a general welcoming attitude contributes to a inducement encouraging illegals to flood into our state. I have proclaimed for years the large number of illegals residing in Maryland, more than 300,000 (and continuously increasing) is costing taxpayers a huge amount of money.

Now a new study by the Federation for American Immigration Reform (F.A.I.R.) has exposed the fact that illegals are costing Maryland citizens more than 1.4 billion dollars annually. This figure is probably low because certain other benefits were not included and the study is based upon a population figure of only 250,000 illegals. The study was just released this month. The costs imposed on citizens during these difficult economic times and budget deficits become even more of a burden because programs for education, seniors, and other necessary services are being drastically cut. The annual fiscal burden amounts to approximately $790 per Maryland household.

The cost to educate an estimated 80,000 children of illegal aliens in pre-K through Grade 12 in public schools is about $966 million annually. An additional amount of nearly $250 million dollars is spent providing special English instruction. In addition, illegals’ medical costs are 167 million per year.

The impact of crime, gangs, and drugs is increasing and becoming a growing problem for law enforcement beyond just the cost factor. Dangerous gangs, such as MS13 and the Latin Kings, are proliferating in many of Maryland’s counties, spreading costs to local government. Federal strike forces and Homeland Security efforts are burdening Marylanders through their federal tax obligations. The cost of incarcerating illegal criminals amounts to about 29 million dollars a year. This figure does not include related law enforcement and judicial expenses for the monetary cost of the crime that caused the incarceration. Of course, the pain and suffering and in some cases, murder, of American citizens has resulted from this explosion of illegal alien criminals.

Finally, accurate figures are being revealed to a deserving public. The Governor, illegal alien advocates, and the media, as expected, are ignoring the study. A study revealing hate crimes against illegals would be on the front page and a top priority for action by Governor O’Malley. The double standard and hypocrisy are evident. Censorship by omission is a clever tool often used by the liberal media in Maryland.

Mainstream Marylanders with common sense know the extent of this problem related to jobs, healthcare, taxes, crime, and other burdens. They cannot understand why politicians ignore the problem and even help make it worse. During my past 8 years of service in the General Assembly, I have introduced numerous pieces of legislation dedicated to fighting this invasion of our state. The Governor and General Assembly leaders have defeated these proposals. I characterize these politicians as “lawmakers who support lawbreakers.” Once again, in the 2010 session of the Maryland General Assembly, I will continue the battle for “citizen’s rights” with new legislation. Should I run for Governor and if elected, I pledge to use the authority of that high office to guarantee that Maryland will no longer be a “sanctuary state.”

Should you wish to assist me with this effort, call me at 410-238-0025 or send an e-mail to Patmcdee@comcast.net .