If a tree falls in the forest . . . 11/09

If a tree falls in the forest and there's no one there to hear it, does it make a sound?

If O'Malley's state budget implodes and the media does not cover it, are the Maryland taxpayers left carrying the bag?

There was an important Spending Affordability Committee meeting this week - but you would never know about it from coverage in the state media.  The Department of Legislative Services released a new analysis showing that the O'Malley deficit for next year's budget has ballooned to $2.3 billion.

The state's finances are bleak.  Governor O'Malley's forecasts for state revenues were horribly optimistic.  Taxpayers are paying the consequences.

Among the options being considered by the Governor:

• Using state bonding to fund general operating budget programs (that way taxpayers are saddled with the debt for years)
• Diverting state transfer tax revenues mandated for Program Open Space to pay for general operating budget programs (in spite of O'Malley's campaign promise to never do that)

Moreover, in discussion among the committee members it was revealed that the federal health care bill passed by the House of Representatives could placed a $2 billion price tag on Maryland.

While the bleak status of the state's finances was not covered in the media, you may review the Department of Legislative Services report online (click here).