O'Malley's Budget Policy Skewered by Opinion Writers

This week, legislators in the Maryland General Assembly will start the detailed analysis of the proposed budget. Based upon the initial reviews of Governor O'Malley's 2010 spending plans by state editorial writers, legislators will have to do all the "heavy lifting" to correct the Administration's flawed budget.

O'Malley's four-year budget policy of "treading water" received resoundingly harsh criticism after release of the budget this week. His budget balancing act relies on federal hand-outs and state take-aways from funds dedicated to local governments.

The Washington Post opines, "The problem is that these are all one-shot deals. What Mr. O'Malley's judicious maneuvering and creative accounting don't solve is the larger problem starting next year and extending to the budgetary horizon." (for full editorial, click here)

Media analysts also recognized this week that O'Malley's budget spin this year is particularly hollow. The Governor's press operation and Democrat party mailings claim the structural deficit and current budgetary problems are all blamed on former Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr.

In response, the Baltimore Sun notes, "Former Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. complained that his predecessor left him with $4 billion in out-year deficits, and Governor O'Malley complained that Mr. Ehrlich left him with $3 billion in shortfalls. But with this spending plan, Mr. O'Malley saddles himself or his successor with an $8.3 billion problem." (for full editorial, click here).

O'Malley and his budget team have never seriously tackled the primary goal that Ehrlich was able to accomplish during his term. The first step to resolving out-year deficits is to reduce government spending so that you don't spend more than your revenues.

The best-run family finances know that if it is not in the checkbook, you forgo and don't write the check. Unfortunately, the O'Malley Administration continues to spend using the taxpayer's credit card.