A report released Monday by the State Integrity Investigation project drew some scathing remarks from a spokeswoman for Gov. Martin O'Malley.
I by the non-profit here on this blog yesterday and included several links to the review of all 50 states. The post wasn't intended to be a comprehensive report as much as an effort to let readers know it existed and show them where it could be found.
Raquel Guillory, a spokeswoman for the governor, cried foul and sent an email detailing what the O'Malley administration sees as problems with the report. I'm presenting her email here unedited:
Hey: I can't believe you guys put this up on your website without contacting us. The whole thing is very sketchy. The "reporter" who called me about this we found out actually works for the organization. He wanted reaction to our grade but wouldn't send us a copy of the report or give us any specifics. The report is very flawed. Makes very sweeping statements without any evidence of its findings. Also, MD has been recognized by numerous recognized and accredited organizations for its transparency. Here are just a few examples of where the study is just flat out wrong:
THEIR CLAIM: Redistricting
Public meetings to solicit input on new district maps were not held for the latest redistricting round, or were so limited or generalized as to render them meaningless.
FACT: The Maryland Constitution requires that the Governor conduct public hearings, which means at least two. During the last redistricting cycle, the Governor’s Redistricting Advisory Committee conducted 12 public meetings across the State before the Committee submitted a proposed plan to the Governor. The Governor then scheduled an additional public meeting in Annapolis to hear comments on the proposed plan.
THEIR CLAIM: Public plans were not allowed for consideration by the redistricting policy making body, and/or were given such discriminatory treatment at the hands of government actors, rendering them meaningless in the overall process.
FACT: The Redistricting Committee welcomed the submission of third party plans and posted clear guidelines on how to do so. See http://planning.maryland.gov/redistricting/2010/3rdpartyplans.shtml.
Numerous third party plans were posted on the Department of Planning’s website and were reviewed by the Committee. Improvements in technology and the widespread availability of redistricting software allowed for the most open and transparent redistricting process in the history of the State.
THEIR CLAIM: State Budget Process
Citizens cannot access itemized budget allocations due to secrecy, prohibitive barriers or government inefficiency.
FACT: On the Department of Budget and Management’s website, all of the operating budget documents are available for the current proposed budget, current operating budget and past enacted budgets. This information is broken down by agency, itemized and is also searchable online. Capital budget information is also itemized and available on the website. http://www.dbm.maryland.gov
THEIR CLAIM: The governor does not publish a mid-year review for the first six months of the budget year to discuss any changes in economic assumptions that would affect approved budget policies.
FACT: Due to the timing of the legislative session (January – April), a thorough analysis of the current budget is performed by the non-partisan Department of Legislative Services every year. The reports that are published by DLS are available for anyone to see on the DLS website.
all of their 'facts' don't actually reconcile the claims at all - or only marginally do so.
They can say what they want, but they don't make any changes based on input from the public or the "opposition". Having Miller and Busch on the redistricting committee ensured that the process was entirely political and aimed at punishing and rewarding those who opposed or agreed with them, respectively. Frankl.y, I'm surprised we ranked as high as 40th.
Bryan love it when all of your ducks are lined up and theirs are all wet.
The man is just carrying on a Maryland political tradition. He hasn't been indicted or convicted like Agnew, Anderson, Orlinsky, Mandel (later exonerated), Bromwell, sundry Mitchells, Johnson, Currie, Bauman or Leopold so leave him alone.
Marty and His Minions - I think I just found a name for his new musical group.
Like a fool, I went to a redistricing meeting ten years ago at Towson State University. What a waste of time. The boundaries had already been drawn behind closed doors before any of the public input meetings were scheduled. Needless to say, I didn't bother to attend this year.
People made decisions based on the cheap gas, counted on constantly increasing housing prices, cashed out on home equity lines of credit, and failed to invest in education. Now, they have fallen and can't get up. They happen to be your fellow citizens. Either you are one of those people or you are complaining about the fact that you are extending a helping hand--whether you like it or not. I'd sure love to see the Insane Whiner Plan, you know, the one that never gets put forward.
http://reason.com/archives/2011/07/14/the-redblue-paradox One of the worst offenders? Those rugged individualists in Alaska, despite their massive oil wealth.
1. Believing that personal gain is made by crushing others; 2. Worrying about things that cannot be changed or corrected; 3. Insisting that a thing is impossible because we cannot accomplish it; 4. Refusing to set aside trivial preferences; 5. Neglecting development and refinement of the mind; 6. Attempting to compel others to believe and live as we do.” Pick one , Most educated lawyers, Career politicians,etc...control Majority of the American blue collar or whats left of us, WE everyday people can't absorb the language, they bills or too long to read. If the Declaration of Independence was written today clauses, sub section, small print, disclaimers! This is one way to keep America Misinformed and loose there Freedom, I can see it here that the misinformed believing in top to bottom indoctrination, when the design is intended bottom to top so grass root Americans so don't loose their Liberty. We cant read and understand documents. We do know if it quacks like a duck its a duck!