“News that the Democratic Governors Association is planning to spend heavily to defend Anthony Brown in Maryland is proof Democrats are doing everything possible to distract from their candidate’s disastrous record as lieutenant governor. Brown was part of an administration that approved 40 new and increased taxes and fees, even taxing the rain, which cost Maryland families and job creators $9.5 billion. In addition, Gov. O’Malley put Anthony Brown in charge of building a state ObamaCare exchange that promised to ‘lead the nation’ but ended up costing $125.5 million and was ‘broken beyond repair.’ Brown’s failed leadership and tax-and-spend record isn’t even welcome in heavily blue states like Maryland.” – RGA Communications Director Gail Gitcho
National Democrats Spending Heavily To Help Brown In Maryland
The Democratic Governors Association Plans To Spend $750,000 On TV Ads Against Anthony Brown’s Opponent Larry Hogan In Maryland. “The Democratic Governors Association plans a hefty purchase of television ads in coming weeks to bolster Maryland Democratic gubernatorial nominee Anthony G. Brown in his campaign against Republican businessman Larry Hogan. The $750,000 in spending, confirmed Tuesday night by several people familiar with the ad purchases, suggests that the Democratic party is bracing for a more competitive race in the heavily Democratic state than early polls suggested.” (John Wagner, “Democratic Governors Group Planning To Spend Heavily To Support Brown In Maryland,” The Washington Post, 9/9/14)
O’Malley-Brown Administration Approved $9.5 Billion In New And Increased Taxes And Fees On Maryland Families And Job Creators
List Of The Tax And Fee Increases Under O’Malley-Brown Administration:
• “Handgun licensing fees and other firearm registration fee
• Electricity rate increase due to higher expense of power produced by offshore wind farm
• Vehicle registration surcharge (Transportation package)
• Maryland Transit Authority fare increase (Transportation package)
• Indexing gas tax to increase with the consumer price index (Transportation package)
• Applying wholesale tax to gasoline sales (Transportation package)
• Income tax increase on Marylanders earning more than $100,000
• Reduction of personal income exemption for Marylanders earning more than $100,000
• Recordation tax applied to indemnity mortgages
• Increase tobacco tax rate from 15 to 70 percent for certain products
• Double death certificate fee
• Repeal of the sales tax exemption on penalty charges assessed on the late return of gas cylinders
• Double Bay Restoration fee (“Flush tax”)
• Require counties to collect Storm Water Management Fee (“Rain tax”)
• Increase Weights and Measures Registration fee
• Double Lead Poisoning Prevention Fund Fee
• New fee for major modifications under the Wetland Water Way Program
• Hospital assessment
• Alcoholic beverage sales tax increase from 6 to 9 percent
• Vehicle dealer processing charge
• Double vanity plate fee
• Double vehicle certificate of title fee
• Out of State Attorney Admission fee
• Increase in contractor licensing and renewal fees
• Double birth certificate fee
• Eliminates exemption of premium tax on worker’s compensation
• Bridge and tunnel toll increases
• Fishing license and registration fees
• Speed cameras in school and work zones
• Increase the top marginal tax rate from 5.5 to 6.25 percent (“Millionaire’s tax”), since expired
• Computer services tax
• New income tax marginal rates from 4.75 to 5.5 percent
• Increase sales tax from 5 to 6 percent
• Increase state corporate income tax from 7 to 8.25 percent
• Increase cigarette tax from $1 to $2 per pack
• Increase vehicle titling tax from $23 to $25
• Vehicle excise tax increase
• Electronic gambling tip jar tax
• Real property transfer tax
• Elimination of Captive Real Estate Investment Trusts.” (Andy Brownfield, “Gov. Martin O’Malley Rings Up $9.5 Billion In New Taxes,” Washington Examiner, 6/11/13)
“Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley Has Approved 40 New And Increased Taxes And Fees Since He Took Office In 2007 That Are Projected To Cost Marylanders $9.5 Billion Through Fiscal 2014.” (Andy Brownfield, “Gov. Martin O’Malley Rings Up $9.5 Billion In New Taxes,” Washington Examiner, 6/11/13)
The O’Malley-Brown “Broken Beyond Repair” ObamaCare Exchange “Cost At Least $125.5 Million”
Maryland’s State Exchange That “Cost At Least $125.5 Million” Was “Broken Beyond Repair.” “Maryland officials are set to replace the state’s online health-insurance exchange with technology from Connecticut’s insurance marketplace, according to two people familiar with the decision, an acknowledgment that a system that has cost at least $125.5 million is broken beyond repair.” (Mary Flaherty and Jenna Johnson, “Maryland Set To Replace Troubled Exchange With Connecticut’s System,” The Washington Post, 3/28/14)
“The board of the Maryland exchange plans to vote on the change Tuesday, the day after the end of the first enrollment period for the state’s residents under the 2010 Affordable Care Act.” (Mary Flaherty and Jenna Johnson, “Maryland Set To Replace Troubled Exchange With Connecticut’s System,” The Washington Post, 3/28/14)
Brown Was Co-Chair Of A Council Established For Maryland To “Lead The Nation” In Implementing The State Exchange
Just 24 Hours After ObamaCare Was Signed Into Law, Gov. O’Malley Promised That Maryland Would “Lead The Nation” In Putting It In Place. “Barely 24 hours after President Obama signed his landmark health law, Gov. Martin O’Malley promised that Maryland would ‘lead the nation’ in putting it in place…But when Tuesday arrived, Maryland’s Web site stumbled badly. People couldn’t log on, forcing state officials to delay the opening of the exchange for four hours. Even after it opened, many frustrated users were unable to create accounts, the first step in buying coverage. All told, fewer than 100 people have managed to enroll.” (Lena H. Sun, “Maryland’s Health Insurance Web Site Stumbles Badly In First Days,” The Washington Post, 10/4/13)
Through Executive Order, O’Malley Created The Maryland Health Care Reform Coordinating Council To Oversee The State’s Efforts To Implement The ObamaCare Exchange. “Governor Martin O’Malley unveiled an Executive Order today outside the Emergency Room at Anne Arundel Medical Center, where the Governor outlined ways in which federal health care reform, signed by President Obama yesterday, will impact families in Maryland. The Executive Order creates the Maryland Health Care Reform Coordinating Council to advise the administration on policies and procedures to implement the recent and future federal health care reform legislation as efficiently and effectively as possible. As states assume the critical role of implementing multiple aspects of health care reform, the Council will make policy recommendations and offer implementation strategies to keep Maryland among the leading states in expanding quality, affordable health care while reducing waste and controlling costs.” (Press Release, “Governor Martin O’Malley Announces Health Care Reform Council,” Office of Governor Martin O’Malley, 3/24/10)
“Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown, DHMH Secretary John M. Colmers To Co-Chair Council.” (Press Release, “Governor Martin O’Malley Announces Health Care Reform Council,” Office of Governor Martin O’Malley, 3/24/10)
“Council To Ensure Efficiency In Implementing Health Care Expansion, Cost Control Measures.” (Press Release, “Governor Martin O’Malley Announces Health Care Reform Council,” Office of Governor Martin O’Malley, 3/24/10)
Demolition Of State Exchange Was “A Particular Embarrassment For Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown” And Gov. Martin O’Malley
“But Maryland Will Be The First To Walk Away From Its Site, A Particular Embarrassment For Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown (D), Who Was Placed In Charged Of Implementing Health-Care Reform In Maryland By Gov. Martin O’Malley (D).” (Mary Flaherty and Jenna Johnson, “Maryland Set To Replace Troubled Exchange With Connecticut’s System,” The Washington Post, 3/28/14)
The Washington Post: “The Exchange Has Become A Major Embarrassment For Democratic Gov. Martin O’Malley And Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown.” “Costs were outlined Thursday in a routine budget review presented to state lawmakers after months of outrage and political finger-pointing over the health-exchange debacle. Hopes of developing a site that would be a model for the nation have melted away as the exchange has become a major embarrassment for Democratic Gov. Martin O’Malley and Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown.” (Jenna Johnson and Mary Pat Flaherty, “Maryland Begins To Put A Price On Health-Care Exchange Debacle,” The Washington Post, 2/27/14)
Maryland’s ObamaCare Exchange Problems To Tarnish The “Political Image Of Gov. Martin O’Malley And His Handpicked Successor, Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown.” “The troubles hitting Maryland’s health exchange could have a lasting impact by tarnishing the political image of Gov. Martin O’Malley and his handpicked successor, Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown, according to experts assessing elections in 2014 and beyond. For O’Malley, who is contemplating a White House bid, the crisis could test his credentials as a data-driven and technologically savvy leader. Brown, who made his leadership on health care reform a selling point in his candidacy for governor, risks being overshadowed by O’Malley in publicizing efforts to repair the website.” (Erin Cox, “Faltering Exchange Could Mean Trouble For O’Malley, Brown,” Baltimore Sun, 12/24/13)
As A Member Of The Administration, Brown Ignored Warnings For Over A Year That The State Lacked A “Plausible Plan” For The Exchange That Had A “Calamitous Debut”
Washington Post Investigation: Members Of O’Malley’s Cabinet “Failed To Heed Warnings” That The $170M Exchange Lacked Accountability And Was “A Disaster Waiting To Happen.” (Aaron C. Davis and Mary Pat Flaherty, “Maryland Officials Were Warned For A Year Of Problems With Online Health-Insurance Site,” The Washington Post, 1/11/14)
According To Budget Officials, The O’Malley-Brown Exchange Was A “High-Risk Undertaking From The Outset.” (Aaron C. Davis and Mary Pat Flaherty, “Maryland Officials Were Warned For A Year Of Problems With Online Health-Insurance Site,” The Washington Post, 1/11/14)
“On A Conference Call At The Start Of The Final Week Of September, Senior Aides Gave O’Malley A High-Level Summary Of Expected Troubles With The Exchange.” (Aaron C. Davis and Mary Pat Flaherty, “Maryland Officials Were Warned For A Year Of Problems With Online Health-Insurance Site,” The Washington Post, 1/11/14)
“The Web Site Would Not Allow Some People To Check For Subsidies Or To Select Plans, But Everyone Should At Least Be Able To Log On, He Was Told, According To Several Aides.” (Aaron C. Davis and Mary Pat Flaherty, “Maryland Officials Were Warned For A Year Of Problems With Online Health-Insurance Site,” The Washington Post, 1/11/14)
“The Governor Ended The Call, Said John Griffin, His Chief Of Staff, Saying The State Should Move Forward.’” (Aaron C. Davis and Mary Pat Flaherty, “Maryland Officials Were Warned For A Year Of Problems With Online Health-Insurance Site,” The Washington Post, 1/11/14)
“But Two Days Later, Griffin Requested That A Roomful Of Aides To The Governor And Brown Vote On Whether To Proceed. Most Gave The Oct. 1 Launch A Green Light.” (Aaron C. Davis and Mary Pat Flaherty, “Maryland Officials Were Warned For A Year Of Problems With Online Health-Insurance Site,” The Washington Post, 1/11/14)
In Endorsement Of His Gubernatorial Campaign, U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski Credited Brown For Making Sure Maryland’s ObamaCare Exchange Was “Ready To Go.” “On Oct. 1, while we’re fighting to save ObamaCare, we know that in Maryland we have a health exchange that’s ready to go because of Anthony Brown.” (Michael Dresser, “Mikulski Backs Brown In Primary For Maryland Governor,” The Baltimore Sun, 9/22/13)
“The Next Day, O’Malley Smiled As Obama Visited Prince George’s County And Praised State Leaders For Being Ready To Roll.” (Aaron C. Davis and Mary Pat Flaherty, “Maryland Officials Were Warned For A Year Of Problems With Online Health-Insurance Site,” The Washington Post, 1/11/14)
Maryland Has Higher Unemployment Under Brown’s Leadership
Since Brown Became Lt. Governor, Maryland’s Unemployment Rate Has Increased From 3.6 Percent To 6.1 Percent – Even Reaching A High Of 8 Percent In 2009. (Bureau Of Labor And Statistics, www.bls.gov)
There Are Over 83,113 More Unemployed Marylanders Since Brown Became Lt. Governor:
January 2007: 108,096 Unemployed. (Bureau Of Labor And Statistics, www.bls.gov)
July 2014: 190,209 Unemployed. (Bureau Of Labor And Statistics, www.bls.gov)