Gov. Secretly Solicited Funds for Group Supporting His Same-Sex Marriage Bill
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
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