Diametrically Opposed Views on the State Budget

Democrats in Annapolis believe that the primary purpose of the state budget is to be a vehicle for the redistribution of wealth in Maryland.

No further evidence of this is needed than to view the debate between two members of the Senate Budget and Tax Committee on Maryland Public Television's program "State Circle." The January 22nd segment focuses on the introduction of the FY2011 budget by Governor Martin O'Malley.

Senator Verna L. Jones Rodwell (D - Baltimore City) believes that the state budget has already been "cut to the bone." Maryland's families could do better economically but "the large corporations are not willing to share . . .the richest among us are not willing to share."

Senator David R. Brinkley (R - Frederick and Carroll Counties) argues that O'Malley's budget is government "on a credit card" because the revenues projected from the "totally ill-advised" tax increases never materialized.

Brinkley's conclusion on the budget, which was interrupted and talked over by Jones:  "Maryland families that have to pay the bill are strapped and want to see the state do the same thing - which is control the purse-strings."

To view the "Annapolis Face-Off" segment, click here and go to 13:00 on the video timer.