Republican Mixed Bag
While I am happy that the G.O.P. is towing the line when it comes to the largest tax increase in Maryland history, I have somewhat mixed feelings when it comes with the rejection of a slots bill.
The principle issue for the past ten years is slots for Republicans, especially when it comes to money leaving the state. Remember what DLLR Secretary Tom Perez reported that the people going to slots are mainly white middle class and retirees. It's been a known fact for quite a while, but it's official because Perez is a Democrat.
I am afraid that certain people, like House Speaker Michael Busch (D-Dist. 30) and Comptroller Peter Franchot (D) will use this to their advantage when it comes to making the case against slots. Assuming that the Democrats pass every single element of Governor Martin O'Malley's budget proposal, O'Malley (D) and the rest of the Democrats will have a case against Republicans for trying to keep Maryland from moving forward. I can see those ads coming in 2010.
Republicans are taking a big gamble in towing a hard line against tax hikes with slots. If it works, then this would be a practical victory for the Republicans. Republicans need to hold O'Malley and the Democrats feet to the fire when it comes to "One Maryland." If they don't, the 75 percent majority in both houses will walk all over them and I will have sales tax on top of my rent.
P. Kenneth Burns is the editor/writer of Maryland Politics Today and a contributor to Red Maryland. He lives in Laurel, Prince George's County. He can be reached at kennyburns@marylandpolitics.us.
2 comments:
I don't think they are taking a particularly hard line on slots.
What they are saying is that they will not vote for slots during a special session. This, in my view is great. This means that the session will focus totally on tax increases which cannot be wallpapered with notional, and I contend highly inflated, slots revenue mumbo jumbo.
They have said that they might support slots in the regular session provided there are some cuts and some retraint in rate of growth.
I don't see how this position hurts them, even in a worst case scenario, because a lot of Dems have to vote against slots before the Republican votes become important.
I see your argument, but I also know history (I'm doing course work in it.) And that history shows that the General Assembly would rather avoid making tough decisions.
They've been wanting to raise taxes for a while. That seems to be easier than facing an angry mob wanting to know why slots was even brought up.
I'm just saying the possibility of a back fire is now possible because of this move.
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