Federal & State News

April 15, 2011

Dear Constituent:

There was very little good, with a lot of ugly and bad, in the 2011 Maryland General Assembly. Let me begin with the bad and the ugly.

The budget was dishonest and filled with gimmicks. There was a $1B increase in spending, including a number of new tax increases. The alcohol tax was increased by 50%, confiscating $85M from taxpayers' pockets. A hidden tax on hospitals costing $250M will be passed along to patients and health care insurance premiums. Another $75M of fee increases is part of the package (auto registration, tolls, etc.).

One of the major gimmicks used was the transfer of funds from designated uses into money used to help balance the budget. About $100M was raided and taken out of the Transportation Trust Fund, again. More importantly, the dangerous practice of replacing the money contained in these trust fund robberies is now being financed by bonds that will cost taxpayers a final total of $1.2B over a 15-year period. Spend-aholics and tax-aholics continue to assault taxpayers of Maryland.

The taxpayer-subsidized in-state tuition for illegals was railroaded through the General Assembly. The final vote in the House of Delegates was 74 to 66. Many Democrats opposed this unlawful measure, although he Black Caucus was somehow convinced to provide full support which resulted in victory for the legislation. I plan to engage in legal action in an attempt to prevent the implementation of the so-called "Dream Act" which is a nightmare for taxpayers.

Another group, in addition to the illegals, who benefitted during their session, is murderers, rapists, and other violent criminals. A bill was passed that will make it easier for criminals serving life with the possibility of parole to acquire their freedom at an earlier stage. The power of the Governor to prohibit commutation of sentences, or early release, was greatly diminished by the new law.

A few other proposals that were put off until the future, but still have a good chance of passage in the next session, are the gay marriage bill, the transgender rights bill,
Governor O'Malley's plan for costly giant windmills off of Ocean City, and his desire to complicate the septic systems to the point where they will prevent home construction and job creation.

I voted against the budget for the 6th consecutive year. When I began this protest vote
6 years ago, only a few colleagues supported my effort. Now, 42 Republican legislators followed my lead and voted against this anti-taxpayer budget. I introduced numerous amendments in an attempt to stop bad legislation or, at least, make it more palatable, including the alcohol tax hike, in-state tuition, and many other proposals. I spoke out frequently, loud, and clear in my committee and during floor debate. Remember, there are 98 Democrats and only
43 Republicans in the House of Delegates. The overwhelming majority of these Democrats are tax-and-spend liberals. Our job is to play 'Class A' defense and obstruct them as often as possible.

I would like to thank the many super citizens who supported my efforts through letters, e-mails, and volunteer testimony before the committees.

Although it would be more gratifying to provide you with an optimistic and positive report, I believe you desire the truth above all else. Too often, politicians present a rosy and misleading picture. This is not my style.

Should you need any additional information, constituent service, or other assistance, please contact me per below.

                                                                  Sincerely,

                                      Pat McDonough
                                                                                      410-238-0025
                                                                                         PatMcDee@comcast.net

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Legislative Updates -
Pat McDonough
April 15, 2011 Dear Constituent: There was very little good, with a lot of ugly and bad, in the 2011 Maryland General Assembly. Let me begin with the bad and the ugly. The budget was dishonest and filled with gimmicks. There was a $1B increase in spending, including a number of new tax increases. The alcohol tax was increased by 50%, confiscating $85M from taxpayers' pockets. A hidden tax on hospitals costing $250M will be passed along to patients and health care insurance premiums. Another $75M of fee increases is part of the package (auto registration, tolls, etc.). One of the major gimmicks used was the transfer of funds from designated uses into money used to help balance the budget. About $100M was raided and taken out of the Transportation Trust Fund, again. More importantly, the dangerous practice of replacing the money contained in these trust fund robberies is now being financed by bonds that will cost taxpayers a final total of $1.2B over a 15-year period. Spend-aholics and tax-aholics continue to assault taxpayers of Maryland. The taxpayer-subsidized in-state tuition for illegals was railroaded through the General Assembly. The final vote in the House of Delegates was 74 to 66. Many Democrats opposed this unlawful measure, although he Black Caucus was somehow convinced to provide full support which resulted in victory for the legislation. I plan to engage in legal action in an attempt to prevent the implementation of the so-called "Dream Act" which is a nightmare for taxpayers. Another group, in addition to the illegals, who benefitted during their session, is murderers, rapists, and other violent criminals. A bill was passed that will make it easier for criminals serving life with the possibility of parole to acquire their freedom at an earlier stage. The power of the Governor to prohibit commutation of sentences, or early release, was greatly diminished by the new law. A few other proposals that were put off until the future, but still have a good chance of passage in the next session, are the gay marriage bill, the transgender rights bill, Governor O'Malley's plan for costly giant windmills off of Ocean City, and his desire to complicate the septic systems to the point where they will prevent home construction and job creation. I voted against the budget for the 6th consecutive year. When I began this protest vote 6 years ago, only a few colleagues supported my effort. Now, 42 Republican legislators followed my lead and voted against this anti-taxpayer budget. I introduced numerous amendments in an attempt to stop bad legislation or, at least, make it more palatable, including the alcohol tax hike, in-state tuition, and many other proposals. I spoke out frequently, loud, and clear in my committee and during floor debate. Remember, there are 98 Democrats and only 43 Republicans in the House of Delegates. The overwhelming majority of these Democrats are tax-and-spend liberals. Our job is to play 'Class A' defense and obstruct them as often as possible. I would like to thank the many super citizens who supported my efforts through letters, e-mails, and volunteer testimony before the committees. Although it would be more gratifying to provide you with an optimistic and positive report, I believe you desire the truth above all else. Too often, politicians present a rosy and misleading picture. This is not my style. Should you need any additional information, constituent service, or other assistance, please contact me per below. Sincerely, Pat McDonough 410-238-0025 PatMcDee@comcast.net Home Page , News Letter, Education, Club Page, Calendar of Events, Announcements , Application

Harford County Republican Women