“Businesses…can’t afford the taxes, the regulations, and the unfriendly attitude”

ANNAPOLIS – This afternoon, Democrat President of the Senate Mike Miller and Speaker of the House Michael Busch have rubber stamped Martin O’Malley’s historic tax increases on Maryland families.

Alex X. Mooney, Chairman of the Maryland Republican Party, responded to the Democratic Legislature's Special Session tax increases by saying, "Maryland’s suffering economy and a government that is out of control is a direct result of Democratic Party domination in Annapolis. Liberal one-party rule has bred legislators who view hard working taxpayers as nothing more than an ATM."

Mooney continued, “Businesses are fleeing the state for Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia because they can’t afford the taxes, the regulations, and the unfriendly attitude towards job creators.”

He concluded, “Elections have consequences and if people are dissatisfied with Martin O’Malley his tax-hiking henchmen, then they should join the Maryland Republican Party and our movement to return Maryland as the Free State. If anyone calls our office at 410-263-2125, then we will find a place for them to be effective in their community.”

The only bi-partisanship to Martin O’Malley’s tax increases was the opposition. Democrat Comptroller Peter V.R. Franchot called efforts by Martin O'Malley and the General Assembly to raise taxes "simply the wrong approach at the wrong time."

He also noted four hefty taxes that had been raised by at least 18 percent during the past five years and said,"...far too many people remain unemployed or underemployed, have settled for lower-paying jobs and are therefore taking home smaller paychecks. At the same time, Marylanders have seen the value of their homes – for many, their primary source of personal equity and mobility – continue to decline."

David Ferguson, Executive Director of the Maryland Republican Party, said, “The Democratic leadership said they’ve already reached a compromise to plunder and pillage the people’s paychecks. Next week they’ll come to Annapolis to tell Marylanders just how much more they’ll steal. It’s too bad the hardworking taxpayers didn’t have a seat at their table.”

He continued, “This Special Session is a great opportunity for Marylanders to see the difference between Democratic mismanagement and Republican leadership. It is a shame the Democrats won’t consider the Republicans’ alternative budget solution introduced this session. It doesn’t raise taxes, swell spending, or shift teacher pensions to local governments.”

Ferguson concluded, “We're putting Annapolis on notice: Martin O’Malley should take off his blinders, quit focusing on the White House, and start leading before his government spirals further out of control.”

Taxpayers from across Maryland will be protesting Martin O’Malley’s tax hikes on Monday, May 14, 2012 from 7:00-9:00 pm at Lawyers Mall in Annapolis. For more information, please call the Maryland Republican Party headquarters at 410-263-2125.

Transportation Secretary Resigns amid Embarrassment and Disgrace

ANNAPOLIS – According to the Maryland Department of Transportation website, "BEVERLEY SWAIM-STALEY TO STEP DOWN AS MARYLAND TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY."

David Ferguson, Executive Director of the Maryland Republican Party was delighted to hear the news and expressed his thankfulness for her retirement by saying, "Beverley K. Swaim-Staley resigned today leaving behind a 25-year legacy of poor highway planning, deferred maintenance, and traffic that is permanently gridlocked. She will be best remembered for providing Marylanders with roads that look like the surface of the moon, outrageous fare increases, and public transportation that is some of the worst in the nation. I hope she enjoys retirement on the backs of Maryland’s hardworking taxpayers."

Ferguson continued, “Will the current occupant of Government House appoint a responsible, business-conscious, non-political individual or will he leave Marylanders with a transportation future that is as mired and murky as it is today? His twisted tax-and-spend idea of balancing the budget with wasted stimulus, gas tax increases, and no lock box on the Transportation Trust Fund only leads us to believe this is simply another failure of his administration."

He concluded, "I hope the next Governor will embrace responsible transportation policies that allow Marylanders to once-again freely travel around the Free State."

According to a December 13, 2011 Baltimore Sun article, "In an audit released in July and a follow-up report in December, the independent Office of Legislative Audits found a variety of improper practices in the highway agency's dealings with contractors."

...Elect National Committee Representatives, Convention Delegates, and Electoral College

ANNAPOLIS - The Maryland Republican State Central Committee gathered over the weekend for its annual Spring Convention at the Solomons Holiday Inn Convention Center and Marina. The Convention included updates from Party officers, presentations from the Republican National Committee, and grassroots training for community leaders, activists and members of the Republican State Central Committee. Republicans from all 23 Maryland counties and Baltimore City attended the event.

Chairman Alex X. Mooney expressed his excitement and optimism by saying, "This weekend's Spring Convention was an opportunity to reflect on our recent successes and elect leaders who will continue to move our state and party in the right direction. I look forward to working with a united Maryland Republican Party to have a successful Republican National Convention and Election Day in November.

Mooney continued, "At the Spring Convention, the Maryland Republican Party elected 10 at-large delegates and 10 alternate delegates to the Republican National Convention in August. In addition, the party elected two strong leaders in Louis Pope as National Committeeman and Nicolee Ambrose as National Committeewoman. These elections show a united Republican Party that will be the vanguard for change in Maryland and across the United States. I also appreciate our guest speakers for the weekend: John Gibson from the Republican National Committee, Republican Senate nominee Dan Bongino, and former RNC Chairman Michael Steele. Thank you to everyone who attended the Convention and congratulations to everyone who was elected. This Party is in great shape thanks to the dedication and efforts you make to move Maryland in the right direction."

After the election on April 3rd, 2012, Governor Mitt Romney captured all 3 Delegates from each of Maryland’s 8 Congressional Districts to walk away with a total of 24 Delegates and 24 Delegate Alternates. Because Governor Romney captured the Maryland popular vote, the 10 Delegates-At-Large selected at this weekend’s Spring Convention are bound to vote for him at the Republican National Convention.

The 2012 Republican National Convention will be held at the Tampa Bay Times Forum, August 27-30, 2012. It is organized and managed by the Committee on Arrangements (COA) of the Republican National Committee (RNC), the convention will host 2,286 delegates and 2,125 alternate delegates from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and five territories.

The convention will also include approximately 15,000 credentialed media—an international press corps second only in size to this summer’s London Olympic Games—as well as a global audience that will witness a “convention without walls” thanks to our Internet and social media efforts.

Those elected include:

National Committeeman - Louis Pope
National Committeewoman - Nicolee Ambrose

Charles Carroll Award (Republican Man of the Year) - Delegate Neil Parrott
Belva Lockwood Award (Republican Woman of the Year) - Ella Ennis
William Paca Award (Republican Youth of the Year) - Matthew Proud
Aris Allen Award (Outstanding Voter Registration Efforts) - St. Mary’s County
Samuel Chase Award (County of the Year) - Howard County

Delegates by Congressional Districts - Elected April 3, 2012
1 - Joseph M. Getty, Audrey E. Scott, and Adelaide "Addie" Eckardt
2 - Stephen Kolbe, Al Redmer Jr., and William J. Frank
3 - Greg Fox, Steve Schuh, and John Cluster
4 - Chuck Gast, Nicholaus R. Kipke, and Bryan W. Simonaire
5 - Kevin Igoe, Charles Lollar, and Kirk W. Bowie
6 - Michael Hough, Brenda Butscher, and Ignacio E. Sanchez
7 - Chris Cavey, Brian Harlin, and Allan H. Kittleman
8 - Kathy Afzali, Chairman Mark Uncapher, and Howard Allen Denis

Delegate-Alternates by Congressional Districted - Elected April 3, 2012
1 - Andi Morony, Bonnie N. Luna, and Michael J. Pappas
2 - Joan Wood, Steve Dishon, and J. Michael Collins
3 - Joyce Pope, Jamie Falcon, and Marc Samuel Soloweszyk
4 - JoAnn Fisher, Eric Grannon, and Terry R. Gilleland Jr.
5 - R. Christopher Rosenthal, Cathy Sue Bunge, and Mary Burke-Russell
6 - C. Paul Smith, Marilee E. Kerns, and Josephine J. Wang
7 - Ann Miller, Dave Myers, and Loretta H. Shields
8 - Lee Cowen, Mary C. Rolle, and Martha Schaerr

Delegates to the Republican National Convention - Elected April 28, 2012
The Honorable Ellen Sauerbrey
Delegate Tony O'Donnell - House Minority Leader
Senator EJ Pipkin - Senate Minority Leader
County Executive David Craig
Diana Waterman
Delegate Kelly Schulz
Larry Helminiak
Delegate Kathy Szeliga
Delegate Michael Smigiel
Ruth Umbel

Delegate-Alternates to the Republican National Convention - Elected April 28, 2012
John Wafer
Gloria Murphy
Delegate Jeanne Haddaway-Riccio
John Fiastro
O.P. Ditch
Robin Bissett
Delegate Steve Hershey
County Councilman Jerry Walker - Anne Arundel
Deborah Rey
James Calderwood

Republican Representatives to the Electoral College - Elected April 28, 2012
At-Large: Ella Ennis, Delegate Neil Parrott
1 - David Parker
2 - Herman "Woody" Wood
3 - Duane Shelton
4 - Alan Rzepkowski
5 - David Willenborg
6 - Rex Reed
7 - Chris Cavey
8 - Mary Rolle

Alex X. Mooney, Chairman of the Maryland Republican Party, expressed his excitement about the Convention by saying, “This weekend is about uniting behind our candidates, electing our Committeeman and Committeewoman to the Republican National Committee, and selecting our delegates to the Republican National Convention in August. It is the time to begin working together to elect our presumptive nominee Mitt Romney, propel Dan Bongino to the US Senate, and send our Repbulican candidates for Congress to Washington.”

After the election on April 3rd, 2012, Governor Mitt Romney captured all 3 Delegates from each of Maryland’s 8 Congressional Districts to walk away with a total of 24 Delegates and 24 Delegate Alternates. Because Governor Romney captured the Maryland popular vote, the 10 Delegates-At-Large selected at this weekend’s Spring Convention are bound to vote for him at the Republican National Convention.

The 2012 Republican National Convention will be held at the Tampa Bay Times ForumAugust 27-30, 2012. It is organized and managed by the Committee on Arrangements (COA) of the Republican National Committee (RNC), the convention will host 2,286 delegates and 2,125 alternate delegates from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and five territories.

The convention will also include approximately 15,000 credentialed media—an international press corps second only in size to this summer’s London Olympic Games—as well as a global audience that will witness a “convention without walls” thanks to our Internet and social media efforts.

ANNAPOLIS – On Tuesday morning, Governor Martin O'Malley, Senate Majority Leader Mike Miller, and Speaker of the House Michael Busch are meeting to resolve the problems within their own caucuses regarding their failed attempt to pass a budget during the 2012 Legislative Session. The rift occurred soon after Republicans introduced their common sense "Alternative Budget" that cut spending, did not raise taxes, and protected teacher pensions from being shifted to local governments.

David Ferguson, Executive Director of the Maryland Republican Party, expressed his frustration by saying, "The Democrats continue to push their stale ideas: more taxes, more gambling, and more spending. Marylanders are not ATMs to be emptied by those who won't properly manage the people's business."

Ferguson continued, "The Democrats in Annapolis should be thinking about the coalminers in Garrett County who go to work every day to heat our homes and power our lives. They should think about the watermen in Worcester County who leave every daybreak to help feed our families. These so-called leaders should think about the men and women across Maryland who expect to earn an ‘honest day's pay for an honest day's work' without worrying how the government is robbing them of economic freedom and opportunity with more taxes and more spending."

Ferguson concluded, "They were sent here for one reason: to pass a budget and make the state government work as efficiently and effectively as possible. If they were in the private sector, they'd lose their job. I expect something similar to happen in 2014 and beyond. If Governor O'Malley were a capable leader, then he would keep his eye on the Government House instead of the White House."

At the request of his Union-backed supporters, gambling bosses, and special interest groups, Governor Martin O'Malley is expected to call a special session before June 30th.

Stewart was the only civilian appointment to the Governor's Redistricting Advisory Committee and also served on the Maryland Stadium Authority, another high profile appointment.

According to the Department of Justice, “From 2003 through at least 2008, Stewart did not collect, truthfully account for and pay over approximately $3,969,337 of Federal Insurance Contribution Act (FICA) taxes and federal income tax withholdings, commonly known as trust fund taxes, from his employees' wages.” Stewart, who pled guilty to the charges, faces up to five years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

David Ferguson, Executive Director of the Maryland Republican Party, expressed his frustration by saying, "Governor O'Malley has once again failed the hard working taxpayers of Maryland. This unapologetic friendship is the worst case of gross negligence in state history. While he was out raising money to support his blind political ambitions, he was letting the fox run the hen house on the most crooked maps in America. This administration can't sustain another failure if Martin O'Malley wants to be President."

Ferguson concluded, "This is Governor O'Malley's most important appointment and it only comes around every ten years. The deal that was struck is almost as crooked as the maps that we are currently taking to referendum."

In a recent poll by Megellan Strategies, almost two-thirds of Marylanders rejected the "O'Malley-Stewart maps." According to Marylanders for Coherent & Fair Representation (MCFR), 62% agree that counties and communities of interest should be kept intact as much as possible when drawing Congressional districts. Only 17 percent disagreed.

The Maryland Republican Party has asked the Democratic Party and their elected officials to empty their campaign accounts of Richard Stewart's $75,000 in political contributions. So far, Governor Martin O'Malley, Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown, and Congressman Elijah Cummings have all complied with the request.

Most Important Civilian Appointee a Crook

In a release issued by the US Department of Justice, Richard Stewart, disgraced advisor, appointee, campaign leader, and close friend of Democratic Governor Martin O'Malley, is scheduled to be sentenced for stealing approximately $4 million from his employees at Montgomery Mechanical Services and not paying the taxes.

According to the Department of Justice, “From 2003 through at least 2008, Stewart did not collect, truthfully account for and pay over approximately $3,969,337 of Federal Insurance Contribution Act (FICA) taxes and federal income tax withholdings, commonly known as trust fund taxes, from his employees’ wages.” Stewart, who plead guilty to the charges faces up to five years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

Stewart was the only civilian appointment to the Governor's Redistricting Advisory Committee and also served on the Maryland Stadium Authority, another hi profile appointment. The sentencing is scheduled for Monday, April 23rd in the Courtroom of Judge Roger W. Titus in Greenbelt, Maryland [(301) 344-0660].The sentencing is scheduled for Monday, April 23rd in the Courtroom of Judge Roger W. Titus in Greenbelt, Maryland [(301) 344-0660].

David Ferguson, Executive Director of the Maryland Republican Party, expressed his frustration by saying, "Governor O'Malley has once again failed the hard working taxpayers of Maryland. This unapologetic friendship is the worst case of gross negligence in state history. While he was out raising money to support his blind political ambitions, he was letting the fox run the hen house on the most crooked maps in America. This administration can't sustain another failure if Martin O'Malley wants to be President."

Ferguson concluded, "This is Governor O’Malley’s most important appointment and it only comes around every ten years. The deal that was struck is almost as crooked as the maps that we are currently taking to referendum."

In a recent poll by Megellan Strategies, almost two-thirds of Marylanders rejected the "O'Malley-Stewart maps." According to Marylanders for Coherent & Fair Representation (MCFR), 62% agree that counties and communities of interest should be kept intact as much as possible when drawing Congressional districts. Only 17 percent disagreed.

The Maryland Republican Party has asked the Democratic Party and their elected officials to empty their campaign accounts of Richard Stewart's $75,000 in political contributions. So far, Governor Martin O'Malley, Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown, and Congressman Elijah Cummings have all complied with the request.

Press Release Summary

12/19/2011 - Governor O’Malley’s Legislative Redistricting Plan is Overly Partisan and Divisive

12/22/2011 - O’Malley Advisor Guilty of Tax Evasion

12/26/2011 - Candidates Should Return Tainted Funds From Richard Stewart

12/29/2011 - Republicans Question O’Malley’s Judgement

1/9/2012 - Governor O’Malley Yet To Accept Responsibility for Stewart Debacle

O'Malley's problems are "mismanagement, incompetence, and a failure to lead"

ANNAPOLIS – Democratic Governor Martin "Jack" O'Malley sent out a fundraising e-mail blasting Republicans for stopping his goals of higher taxes and more spending in Annapolis. According to the Washington Post article entitled, 'O'Malley casts Republicans as foil in Annapolis', Maryland Republicans consist of, "modest-sized minorities" in both chambers.

David Ferguson, Executive Director of the Maryland Republican Party responded to O'Malley's accusation by saying, "Martin O'Malley's failures are no laughing matter. I do applaud Senator Pipkin and Delegate O'Donnell for boldly taking the fight to Democrats in Annapolis, but Governor O'Malley can't pull the wool over our eyes. The people of Maryland understand ‘The O'Malley Super-Debacle' was about mismanagement, incompetence, and a failure to lead. It takes a skilled, career politician to turn the worst failure of a generation into a fundraising opportunity."

According to a recent poll (http://www.gonzalesresearch.com/polls/Latest%20Poll.pdf) commissioned by the non-partisan Gonzalez Research, 96% of Marylanders believe they pay too much in taxes.

Ferguson continued, "The people should be proud Republican leaders are standing up against higher taxes, wasteful spending, and a Governor who is out of touch with reality. He should probably step back into the real world where people are tightening their belts instead of creating wild conspiracy theories about how he will be President. The only foiling Mr. O should worry about is the foil in his crown."

David Ferguson, Executive Director of the Maryland Republican Party, said, “With super-majorities in each chamber and a complicit governor, Democrats have nobody to blame but themselves. This dysfunctional leadership is a disservice to the Marylanders who sent them to Annapolis to do the people’s business. After this fiasco, the question must be asked, “Is Martin O’Malley the worst leader in America?”

Ferguson continued, “If he wasn’t fixated on his rigid ideology and his future political aspirations, he might be able to lead the state that elected him. After wasting three months of the people’s time, Martin O’Malley has to be the worst leader in America. For the sake of the Free State, I hope somebody can show me differently. Unfortunately, the only thing Martin O’Malley may accomplish this Session is making Maryland the highest taxed state in America.”

Recent Media Criticism of Martin O’Malley’s Failed Leadership

Budget Fight May Lead To Less Funding For Education, Police Departments
http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2012/04/11/budget-fight-may-lead-to-less-funding-for-education-police-departments/

'Doomsday budget' passed in Maryland legislative session
http://www.abc2news.com/dpp/news/state/doomsday-budget-passed-in-maryland-legislative-session

Republicans blamed it on Governor O'Malley. “You had a governor running around here every other day releasing a new tax proposal, whether it was a sales tax increase, a gas tax increase, any manner of tax increase.  That was dilatory; it was taking people's focus off of what we should have been focused on.  These folks really are out of control. Really,” said Del. Anthony O’Donnell, the House Minority Leader.

What Did Pass the Maryland General Assembly 
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/maryland-politics/post/what-did-pass-the-maryland-general-assembly/2012/04/10/gIQAUs1s8S_blog.html

Annapolis Capital - Testy Bill Signing Session
http://www.hometownannapolis.com/news/top/2012/04/11-02/Testy-bill-signing-session.html?ne=1

“It is really a damned shame,” O’Malley said at a tense bill-signing ceremony on Tuesday. A failure of leadership, the governor said, resulted in the General Assembly failing to raise taxes to fund education fully, to pass his plan to increase taxes on gas or to approve a wind farm off Ocean City.

Maryland leaders trade blame for failure to pass revenue bill 
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/apr/10/maryland-leaders-trade-blame-failure-pass-revenue-/

Tension Reigns in Annapolis After Yearly Session Ends
http://wamu.org/news/12/04/10/tension_reigns_in_annapolis_after_yearly_session_ends

PBS - In Failing to Pass Budget, Maryland Legislature Makes History 
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2012/04/in-failing-to-pass-budget-maryland-legislature-makes-history.html

Maryland faces special session or ‘doomsday’
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/apr/10/maryland-faces-special-session-or-doomsday/
ANNAPOLIS — Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley said Tuesday that the General Assembly’s failure to pass a set of tax increases and revenue enhancements considered a cornerstone of this year’s budget marked “the low point” of his five years in office… The three leaders have forged an effective working relationship, advancing Democratic social and economic policies without much resistance or infighting among party lawmakers.