Media from around the state just broke from a news conference with Gov. Martin O'Malley during which they were briefed on his proposed 2013 state budget.
But one of the most important numbers was missing—exactly how big O'Malley's proposed budget will be.
During the event O'Malley talked to the press about spending $4 billion on jobs ($3.6 billion in the capital budget) and shifting $240 million in teacher pension costs to local governments and an increase in the flush tax based on usage.
He also put off questions about a possible gas tax saying he'd answer those questions another day.
But how much is the actual budget? He didn't mention it during the nearly one-hour briefing and neither did his staff. It wasn't in his press release.
He did say it was a 1.9 percent increase over the current budget.
It wasn't until the media signed for and was handed their copies of the five volume budget book set that we learned the bottom line number is about $35.9 billion (including reserve fund expenditures). That's actually a 3 percent increase from the current $34.8 billion budget. (The governor's number appears to exclude reserve fund expenditures.)
We'll have more on the budget and it's potential impact soon.
Whether you approve of that or not determines how you should handle any future offices he runs for. Goes for both parties candidates, really.
Can't we try holding spending increases to inflation for a little while?
As Karl mentioned, the crap rolls downhill. This is why I still hold the view (federally) that one has to be careful what they wish for re: massive government reduction. It's not just going to disappear without major consequence. State funding gets bled out, and the daisy chain continues on down. It's what really shines the light of insanity on Owe'Malley. He's trying to increase taxes AND reduce outlay to the county governments. It's insanity that this misinformed state has elected not once, but twice. The first term he got, ok, I'll give that to you. He was a competent mayor from what I could see. He deserved one term. However voters are supposed to learn from their mistakes.
O'Malley's March to Washington http://www.nationalreview.com/blogs/print/288802