Light for All:

This morning’s Baltimore Sun article had a number of factual errors.   We wanted to set the record straight and keep them honest.

If the General Assembly wants to reduce spending and protect the priorities of Maryland’s families, they should vote for Governor O’Malley’s proposed budget.

According to the Baltimore Sun, “the governor’s $13 billion operating budget avoids major spending cuts to state services, instead relying on one-time accounting maneuvers and hundreds of millions in federal stimulus dollars to balance revenue shortfalls.

This is just plain wrong…

Fact:   The Governor’s proposed FY11 budget reflects more than $2 Billion in actions to control spending since the General Assembly passed last year’s budget, and

Fact:  The Governor’s proposed FY11budget includes $1.014 Billion in budget reductions; and

Fact:  Prior to submitting the budget this year, Governor O’Malley brought over $1 Billion to in cuts to the Board of Public Works that are reflected in the FY11 budget for the General Assembly to vote on, and

Fact:  Governor O’Malley and the General Assembly have cut state spending by $4.7 billion; the Governor’s FY11 proposal will bring our four year totals to $5.6 billion in spending reductions.   With the proposed FY11 budget the size of state government has been reduced by a four year total of 3,500 positions.

Fact:  Today in Maryland General Fund spending IS LOWER than it was four years ago.

Fact:  Today, Maryland is one of only seven states in America to earn a Triple A bond rating – a seal of fiscal responsibility certified by all three major bond rating agencies.

Light for All.