Under the Governor's map, Democrats arbitrarily use three-member, two-member, and single member districts, to draw a political landscape that is favorable to those Democrats in power. House Joint Resolution 15 utilizes single member districts to set one clear and comprehensive standard that will allow politicians to be more in touch with their constituents.

Current law provides that Governor O'Malley's redistricting map become law if no action is taken by the legislature within forty-five days; Friday, February 24 will mark the 45th day. "As it stands now, the Governor and his allies are attempting to pass one of the most important pieces of legislation in the last ten years without so much as a holding a single hearing on any of the proposed alternative maps," added Alex Mooney, Chairman of Maryland GOP. Mooney went on to say, "While the Governor and the legislature may have legitimate fundamental differences as to how the map should be drawn, that is no excuse to deny the people of Maryland an opportunity to be heard."

ANNAPOLIS - Before leaving on his taxpayer-funded trip to New York, Governor O'Malley sent an email soliciting funds for Marylanders for Marriage Equality. Marylanders for Marriage Equality is an advocacy group supporting the same sex marriage bill Gov. O'Malley introduced just a few days ago. The email was forwarded to Delegate Mike Smigiel who had this to say about the correspondence: "I have never seen a Governor send out a notice regarding his legislative package and to simultaneously tell the legislators to donate to the very special interest group that benefits from that legislation. This is the kind of behavior that causes the public to lose faith in their elected public servants."

Not only does the fundraising letter raise ethical questions, it also poses legal implications. According to Maryland election law § 13-235 (b) the Governor is prohibited from raising money during the legislative session. "Gov. O'Malley is blatantly disregarding the longstanding prohibition against raising money during the legislative session. At best, the Governor's scheme to raise money for an organization supporting a bill he is running through the General Assembly is unethical," said Maryland GOP Chairman Alex Mooney.

A copy of the email is reproduced below:

From: Martin O'Malley <> Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:33:40 +0000 Subject: Support Maryland Families

Dear ----,

In the past, I've written to ask for your support of my campaign. I've been humbled by your generosity, commitment to our State, and the support you've shown to Lt. Governor Brown and me as we work every day to create jobs and expand opportunity to greater numbers of people.

Today, I am writing to ask for your support of equal rights under the law in the context of civil marriage rights in Maryland. Marylanders of all walks of life want their children to live in a loving, stable, committed home that is protected under the law. Yesterday, we introduced the Civil Marriage Protection Act. It balances equal protection of the law for every individual with free exercise of religion without government interference. I hope that you can and will show your support of this bill, by making a contribution to Marylanders for Marriage Equality today.

This morning, I was joined by dozens of same-sex couples, their children, and faith-based leaders who are part of Marylanders for Marriage Equality, the broad-based coalition we've assembled to get this bill passed. The coalition brings together Marylanders from the faith community, organized labor, civil rights groups and LGBT organizations. Other states have found a way to protect marriage equality and religious freedom and so should Maryland. Your contribution to support our efforts would mean so much, and so I am asking you to help with whatever you are able to give. A contribution of $25, $100, $500 or more would be of great value in our fight to ensure fairness and equality for all Marylanders. Please help in any way you can. We have a lot of work ahead of us to ensure that this important piece of legislation passes but I know that together, as One Maryland, we can make it happen.

Thank you for your support of me and of our fellow Marylanders.

Martin O'Malley

Stay Connected via Facebook, Twitter & SMS By Authority: Friends of Martin O'Malley, Martin Cadogan, Treasurer 218 East Lexington Street | Baltimore, MD 21202 Unsubscribe from the mailing list. You are subscribed as ---

ANNAPOLIS - The Maryland Republican Party will officially move into their new offices on February 13, 2012. The Party will conduct a ribbon cutting ceremony at 4:30 on February 13 that is open to all press and the general public. A reception with refreshments will follow the ceremony. Local, state and federal elected officials have been invited.

"We are really excited about our new headquarters," said Maryland GOP Chairmen Alex Mooney. "The new space is modern, and more importantly, it will enable us to save nearly $50,000 a year in rent, utilities and taxes."

Lance Richardson leaves the Democratic Party to join GOP

ANNAPOLIS - Lance Richardson, Queen Anne's County State's Attorney, officially joined the Republican Party this week. "The Democratic Party, especially on the national level, has begun to embrace more liberal values and policies than I am comfortable with. I believe my political ideology and values are much more aligned with the Republican Party," said Richardson.

Queen Anne's County Republican Chairwomen Diana Waterman added, "We are thrilled to welcome Lance to our Party! His dedication to public service and to the citizens of Queen Anne's County is admirable and we look forward to working with him." Eleven of the twelve partisan elected officials in Queen Anne's County are now Republicans.

Mr. Richardson, past president of Queen Anne's County Bar Association, earned his law degree from University of Baltimore School of Law in 1994. He served as Deputy State's Attorney for Queen Anne's County from 2003 until January of 2009 when he was appointed as State's Attorney of Queen Anne's County. Prior to his public service he was in private practice with the firm of Kopen & Quick, LLP.

Richardson currently resides in Church Hill with his wife Denise, and children Paige (11) and Garrett (8).

###

Paid for by the Maryland GOP
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee
R. Christopher Rosenthal, Treasurer

ANNAPOLIS - Richard Stewart, long time political ally of Govenor O'Malley and the only civilian commissioner on the Governor's Redistricting Advisory Committee, plead guilty to tax evasion in federal court last month. When Gov. O'Malley was questioned as to how someone engaged in criminal activities and under criminal investigation could receive such appointment O'Malley responded that he was "clueless" and "shocked."

If O'Malley was indeed clueless, as he claimed, then how come not one of the eight people in his office charged with overseeing appointments made him aware of the situation? Was it due to the fact that Mr. Stewart's qualifications did not matter because the appointment was made as a quid pro quo or, did the Governor's staff fail to properly vet Mr. Stewart?

Unless Governor O'Malley is willing to accept the blame for the failed Stewart appointment, the Maryland Republican Party thinks Governor O'Malley should fire the individuals within his administration who failed to conduct a proper investigation into Richard Stewart's background and qualifications.

David Ferguson, Executive Director of the Maryland Republican Party, commented by saying, "Is the single-most important appointment in the state for sale? Especially when the appointed one has no experience and no knowledge of drawing legislative districts. The Democrats continue to follow their version of the Golden Rule: He who has the gold makes the rules."

Potentially Responsible Staffers:
Rick Abbruzzese, Director of Public Affairs
Matthew D. Gallagher, Chief of Staff
John D. Ratliff, Director of Policy
Joseph C. Bryce, Chief Legislative Officer
Colin Taylor, Research Manager & Speech Coordinator
Elizabeth F. Harris, Chief Legal Counsel
Jeanne D. Hitchcock, Esq, Secretary of Appointments

http://www.msa.md.gov/msa/mdmanual/08conoff/html/01govf.html#appointments

###

O’Malley Remains Silent on Stewart’s Appointment: No knowledge. No experience. No comment.

ANNAPOLIS - In the two weeks since Richard Stewart plead guilty to tax evasion, Governor Martin O’Malley has yet to adequately address looming questions about the appointment of his friend, donor, and political ally to the Maryland Stadium Authority and the Governor's Redistricting Advisory Committee.

David Ferguson, Executive Director of the Maryland Republican Party, commented by saying, "This is the single-most important appointment in the state and it only comes around once every ten years. The buck stops on State Circle. Ignorance, irresponsibility, and misinformation are no excuse for appointing a man to manage the people's business; especially when the appointed person has no experience and no knowledge of drawing legislative districts.

In the absence of O'Malley's comment, one is left to draw their own conclusions why Stewart was appointed in the first place. All signs point to Stewart’s donations. Is the Governor’s office for sale? Pay for play is very serious, especially when it involves an office that affects every person in Maryland.

Stewart’s appointment merely highlights how little transparency there is in the Governor’s office. There is no repository of information where citizens can see upcoming appointments and submit individuals they feel are qualified.

Again, the citizenry demands and deserves to know more."

Candidates Should Return Tainted Funds From Richard Stewart
O’Malley Advisor Who Plead Guilty to Tax Evasion
Gave $75,000 to Democratic Candidates

ANNAPOLIS - Governor Martin O’Malley answered last week’s calls from Republicans to dismiss his friend and political advisor, Richard Stewart, as the only civilian commissioner on the Governor’s Redistricting Advisory Committee and as a member of the Maryland Stadium Authority. The Governor attempted to distance himself from the situation by following the dismissal with the claim that he was “clueless.”

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 plead guilty to the charges and now faces up to five years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

David Ferguson, Executive Director of the Maryland Republican Party, commented by saying, “This is not a matter of left or right, but right and wrong. As more facts come to light,  it would be entirely appropriate if the candidates who received stolen money return the contributions.”

Ferguson continued, “It is unfortunate Governor O'Malley feels character flaws and criminal activity are irrelevant when he selects advisors to manage the people’s business. Whether he was willfully ignorant or simply irresponsible, either is dangerous and detrimental to Maryland’s future.”

According to the Federal Elections Commission and the Center for American Politics at the University of Maryland, Stewart made contributions to 48 candidates totalling nearly $73,230 during the time frame he was was stealing from his employees. Among his largest benefactors were Governor Martin O’Malley, Lt. Governor Anthony Brown, and the Maryland Democratic Party.

The average donation per candidate was $1,525.63, almost three times the average weekly income of a Prince George’s County resident.

Richard Stewart’s Contributions

$7,500.00    Democratic State Central Committee Of Maryland
$7,000.00    O'Malley, Martin Friends Of
$6,100.00    Vaughn, Michael Friends Of
$5,000.00    Albert Wynn for Congress
$4,750.00    Brown, Anthony Friends Of
$4,250.00    Walker, Jay Friends Of
$4,200.00    Dixon, Sheila Friends For
$3,000.00    O'Malley Brown Committee Slate
$2,500.00    Exum, (Nathaniel) The Committee
$2,000.00    Democratic National Committee
$2,000.00    House Democratic Committee Slate, Maryland
$1,500.00    Branch, Talmadge Friends of
$1,500.00    Elijah Cummings for Congress
$1,500.00    McFadden, Nathaniel J. for Senate
$1,500.00    Muse, C. Anthony Friends Of
$1,250.00    Baker, Rushern III Friends Of-Comm For Pol Change (CPC)
$1,150.00    Jacobs, Jeana Citizens For
$1,100.00    Stone, Howard W. Jr. Friends Of
$1,000.00    Committee For A Progressive Prince Georges Slate
$1,000.00    Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
$1,000.00    Exum, Camille Friends Of
$1,000.00    Harrington, David Friends Of
$1,000.00    Hillary Clinton for President
$1,000.00    Miller, Juanita Friends Of
$1,000.00    PEOPLE FOR CARL ANDREWS COMMITTEE
$900.00    Prince George's County Democratic Central Committee
$750.00    Currie, Ulysses Friends Of
$750.00    Dean, Samuel H. Committee To Elect
$600.00    Turner, Ingrid Citizens To Elect
$500.00    Collins, Reuben Friends Of
$500.00    Frank Kratovil for Congress
$500.00    Kendrick Meet for Florida
$500.00    Kweisi Mfume for US Senate
$500.00    Leggett, Isiah Ike Friends Of
$500.00    Mechanical Contractors of America PAC
$500.00    Rawlings-Blake, Stephanie Friends Of
$500.00    Unity Slate
$300.00    Young, Bernard C. Friends Of
$250.00    Barack Obama for America
$250.00    Holmes, Marvin E. Jr. Friends Of
$100.00    Community Coalition Advocacy Slate
$100.00    Fennell, Diana Friends Of
$100.00    High, Melvin C. Friends Of
$100.00    Thomas, Nathaniel New Beginnings Committee To Elect
$75.00    Turner, Arthur Friends Of
$70.00    Johnson, Jack Friends Of
$50.00    Coryell, Walter Citizens For
$35.00    Realtors PAC, Md. (MD RPAC)

Sources:
1. Paul S. Herrnson, P.I., Maryland Elections Center (College Park, MD: Center for American Politics and Citizenship, University of Maryland).
2. Federal Election Commission, 999 E Street, NW, Washington, DC 20463

-30-

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 on Tuesday, faces up to five years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

David Ferguson, Executive Director of the Maryland Republican Party, commented by saying, “The Governor’s redistricting plan has been criticized by liberal Democrats and conservative Republicans alike for it’s partisan and divisive nature. But now, the integrity of the entire map and the process in which it was crafted must be questioned.”

“Governor O’Malley stood firmly with Mr. Stewart for over 6 months during this very difficult time in his life. While the Governor’s loyalty to his political ally and friend should be commended, his over-riding responsibility is to the nearly 6 million people in Maryland to produce a just map that accurately reflects our political and natural boundaries. In keeping with that responsibility, the Governor should remove Mr. Stewart from the committee.”

According to Governor O’Malley’s office, “Richard Stewart - Presently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Montgomery Mechanical Services Incorporated. A member of the Mechanical Contractors Association of America, Mr. Stewart also has held positions as a board member, director and past president of the Mechanical Contractors Association of Metropolitan Washington. Member of the Maryland Stadium Authority since July 2007.”

A hearing on Governor O’Malley’s legislative redistricting plan is scheduled for this morning at 10:00 a.m. in the Joint Hearing Room, Legislative Services Building, in Annapolis, Maryland.

http://www.mdp.state.md.us/PDF/Press/PressRelease-GRACLegisPlan-121611.pdf
http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2011/December/11-tax-1649.html
http://www.gov.state.md.us/pressreleases/110704.asp
http://www.mca-maryland.org/cs/about_us/board_of_directors
http://steamfitters-602.org/contractors.asp

Executive Director of the Maryland Republican Party David Ferguson said, "Late on Friday night, Governor O'Malley attempted to deliver his liberal friends in the Legislature an early Christmas present of reelection and barely left Republicans with a lump of coal."

"Once again, we are very disappointed in Governor O'Malley's blatant lack of transparency. I guess he thinks when the lights go out on State Circle nobody will be watching. But then again, these plans were crafted in closed quarters so why should we expect anything different from this administration?"

When discussing Sen. Miller statement of a 'fair and balanced' proposal, Ferguson said, "Bah humbug! Nothing about closed, partisan, back-room dealings are fair or balanced. Both maps should be scrapped to more accurately represent Maryland's natural and political boundaries."

Delegate Tony O'Donnell commented by saying, "We experienced a horrible process on Congressional redistricting. This is just another example of how the majority party continues to exert their authority in an irresponsible manner. It is more of the same at a higher level of abuse."

This proposed redistricting plan will be the topic of a hearing on Thursday, December 22nd in the Joint Hearing Room of the Legislative Services Building (90 State Circle) in Annapolis. The hearing will be held before the members of the GRAC beginning at 10:00 a.m.

After a long, exhaustive process which included over 40 applications and 15 interviews, Chairman Mooney and First Vice-Chairman Diana Waterman agreed that Mr. Ferguson was the best choice for this important position.

Currently, David is the principal of Ferguson & Associates, a full-service marketing, advertising and public relations firm headquartered in Fairfax, Virginia and Montgomery, Alabama. Ferguson & Associates works with small businesses, public figures, community and sports organizations, educational institutions, as well as Republican and conservative nonpartisan candidates for public office. He has managed several small businesses under the banner of David Ferguson Enterprises.

At 24, Ferguson was the campaign manager when he led now-Governor, Dr. Robert Bentley's, campaign to a surprise victory in Alabama's 2010 Republican Primary. Since his days as a College Republican, he has managed and worked on campaigns at numerous levels.

Mooney, said, "David's understanding of business management, fundraising, and the political environment makes him the right choice to lead the day-to-day operations of the Maryland GOP. I look forward to serving with David as we go onward as a party united in the mission of winning elections."

Ferguson said, "I am thankful for the new and exciting opportunity to work with the Maryland Republican Party. Despite the challenges we face, I have promised to lead an effective organization that will communicate a conservative vision of lower taxes, fiscal responsibility, and creating the best environment in America to live, work, and raise a family."

Ferguson is replacing interim-Executive Director State Delegate Justin Ready, as he prepares to return to the Maryland Legislature in January. Ready temporarily served in the capacity vacated by Kim Jorns, who now serves as the Executive Director of the Michigan Republican Party.