In the past, President Obama’s State of the Union address has been a plan for the year ahead—and the priorities outlined in those speeches have led to many of this administration’s accomplishments. We’re getting together in our neighborhood to watch the 2012 State of the Union Address, celebrate our work so far, and to plan out the next couple of months in our area. We have a lot of work to do, but working together, we can build teams in our community to stand with our President and other Democrats. Now, more than ever, your voice is needed to determine our country’s future.
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Last week, Governor O’Malley proposed a balanced budget that takes a balanced approach to ensure that our government operates within its means but still makes the investments to prepare Maryland for the future.
The Governor’s proposal makes the difficult decisions to address our deficits, but maintains critical investments that will put Maryland in a position to out-build, out-innovate and out-compete other states and nations.
Here are 5 things you should know about the Governor’s budget:
1. Jobs
This budget places a priority on jobs. 52,000 of them to be specific. In addition, $4 billion is specifically directed towards programs that will spur job creation.
2. Education
Education is a critical investment and the Governor is committed to taking the necessary action to guarantee every child gets the skills they need. Funding for our #1 ranked public schools has increased 22% under Governor O’Malley to $5 billion.
3. Healthcare
Governor O’Malley has worked to ensure every Marylander has access to affordable and quality healthcare. This is particularly true for vulnerable citizens and children. This year we’re protecting healthcare coverage for more than 1 million people, included 400,000 previously uninsured.
4. Public Safety
Violent crime has gone down every year during the O’Malley-Brown Administration and this budget will continue that trend by improving law enforcement communications systems, targeting substance abuse and gun trafficking, and funding 2 new trooper classes.
5. Fiscal Responsibility
The budget uses a balanced approach which not only protects our AAA bond rating and stays within spending affordability guidelines, but also makes significant progress in closing Maryland’s structural deficit. The budget contains $800 million in total funds reductions, and shrinks the size of government per Marylander to the lowest level since 1973.
Budgets are about priorities and values, and Governor O’Malley’s budget makes the right choices to grow our economy, create jobs and strengthen our competitiveness.
The Maryland Democratic Party raised more than $1 million in 2011, and will begin 2012 with more than $700,000 in the bank. Maryland Democrats clearly have the momentum heading into a critical election year.
The Maryland Democratic Party will capitalize on our financial advantage and run a strong campaign to elect more Democrats across our state and do our part to reelect President Barack Obama this fall. The enthusiastic support we continue to receive is a compelling signal that Marylanders recognize our party remains in line with the principals of inclusion, diversity and opportunity that we all share, and our elected leaders work to advance.
Our fundraising momentum stands in stark contrast to the debt-ridden and out-of-touch Maryland GOP. The resources of Maryland Democrats completely overshadow the Maryland Republican Party, who is once again significantly in debt and has had to abandon their Annapolis headquarters.
