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Fact-finder: Money for raises is in county coffers

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Mar 26, 2008 12:00 AM (165 days ago) by Dorothy Rowley, The Examiner
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Related Topics: BALTIMORE

BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Although a fact-finding report said Baltimore County has the resources to provide a recommended 3 percent pay raise to employees of two unions, it isn’t likely the county will fork over the funds anytime soon.

The discovery came about last week after the Baltimore County Federation of Public Employees and the Baltimore County Federation of Public Health Nurses, which had been in negotiations with the county for pay raises, hired a fact-finder to determine whether the money was available. But the county has ignored the report and held tight to its stance, having paved the way for arbitration.

“We started negotiations in November, and by Feb. 1, we had not reached an agreement with the county,” said Mike Spiller, who serves as the nurses union’s chief negotiator. “We had to request mediation, and the county flat-out said ‘no’ to everything we asked, so we invoked a fact-finding.”

According to Spiller, the two unions hired Robert Simmelkjaer, who found that the county has about $8.4 million in reserve.

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The county had said that there was no surplus money and that it could only provide raises by increasing property taxes. County Executive Jim Smith said that was not a viable alternative.

But County Labor Commissioner George Gay wrote to the public employees union’s attorney that the county “will not be following the recommendations of the fact-finder.”

“The fact-finder’s report proves the county has a 13 percent surplus when it actually should have just had 5 percent,” Spiller said. “The money is there, but the county is essentially saying it’s not going to negotiate in good faith.”

He added that the two unions have until April 5 to render a decision from the arbitration.

Baltimore County teachers union President Cheryl Bost told The Examiner in February that after years of grossly underestimating its revenues, the county has plenty of excess money.

“They’ve had surpluses for the past five years,” Bost said.

drowley@baltimoreexaminer.com

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Comments from Examiner Readers

7:47 AM MST on Wed., Jun. 11, 2008 re: "Baltimore nixes property tax relief in ’09 budget"

 Examiner Reader said:
Council President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake is a typical Liberal idiot. Budgets cuts will help taxpayers and improve the City economy. City schools are a bloated job's program and a disgrace that need trimming. Libraries for the functionally illiterate graduates of an incompetent school system are unnecessary. Recreational center needs are now met by gang membership. Taxpayers and the City economy will benefit from less public safety as fewer harassing traffic and parking tickets are issued. The City is not now providing the best for its citizens despite an outrageous property tax rate, so try a proven approach and lower the property tax.

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1:46 PM MST on Thu., May. 22, 2008 re: "‘Keep your money,’ Baltimore legislators tell state board"

 Reader said:
What a way to wash a school. And just think, I did not have to say a word. SOOOOOO, this means Moratorium???? LOL

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7:56 AM MST on Thu., May. 22, 2008 re: "‘Keep your money,’ Baltimore legislators tell state board"

 Examiner Reader said:
If Baltimore County wanted more class room space they should kick out the Baltimore City students that use a county address to attend county schools.

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3:57 PM MST on Mon., May. 12, 2008 re: "Cops: Exec trying to end $4M benefits package"

 Examiner Reader said:
"Screw the Police and their arbitration, they get paid very well, and if they can't afford their high maint wifes,girl friends, sports cars SUV's and 500,000 homes oh well, they need to live within their means, if the jobs sooooooo dangerous quit and do something else, I hear that Wackenhut is hiring." Now, if they did that, who in the world would you go crying to when your neighbor had his radio up too loud?

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4:19 PM MST on Mon., May. 5, 2008 re: "Cops: Exec trying to end $4M benefits package"

 Examiner Reader said:
7 years after Sept 11th and the Baltimore County Police still do not have enough Police radios to go around it in case the big one happens. I wonder what Jim Smith has to say about that???

 5 agree | 1 disagree
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11:52 PM MST on Fri., May. 2, 2008 re: "Education complaints dominate budget hearing"

 Examiner Reader said:
Baltimore County is the only county in MD that doesn't provide take home vehicles or radios, and the county doesn't make up the difference in salary. Jim Smith doesn't even want the police to have flashlights! Baltimore County police have inferior equipment, uniforms and other items compared to the state police who simply patrol I-695 and all other counties in MD, but have superior numbers compared to the other jurisditions. Doesn't make sense.

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7:55 PM MST on Fri., May. 2, 2008 re: "Cops: Exec trying to end $4M benefits package"

 Examiner Reader said:
Screw the Police and their arbitration, they get paid very well, and if they can't afford their high maint wifes,girl friends, sports cars SUV's and 500,000 homes oh well, they need to live within their means, if the jobs sooooooo dangerous quit and do something else, I hear that Wackenhut is hiring.

 5 agree | 7 disagree
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7:06 PM MST on Fri., May. 2, 2008 re: "Cops: Exec trying to end $4M benefits package"

 Examiner Reader said:
Like the Baltimore County Police or not, they put up big numbers and if you compare them to other big Police Dept in the country you will find that they are one of the best. Jim Smith wants all the credit for crime reduction and very high case clearance rates. Fred Homan and Jim Smith should be embarrassed for trying to unethically take away an award that the voters of Baltimore County agreed to.

 7 agree | 2 disagree
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6:15 PM MST on Fri., May. 2, 2008 re: "Cops: Exec trying to end $4M benefits package"

 County Employee said:
From what I have heard through informed sources, the police were not even asking for everything they were awarded. If Homan would have gone to the bargaining table instead of refusing every offer, a more reasonable settlement would have come to fruition. But instead, Homan wanted to play hardball. All the police had to show to the arbitrator was that the County had the money to negotiate a reasonable contract. I hear the arbitrator gave the police everything they were negotiating for, plus the scraps that Homan was throwing out to them. I wish our union had binding arbitration.

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6:06 PM MST on Fri., May. 2, 2008 re: "Cops: Exec trying to end $4M benefits package"

 Examiner Reader said:
What part of BINDING arbitration does he not understand? I know Smith could care less, but if he terminates this agreement, he will NEVER have any credibility with any County employee!!!!

 4 agree | 2 disagree
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5:40 PM MST on Fri., May. 2, 2008 re: "Cops: Exec trying to end $4M benefits package"

 The Undertaker said:
Calvin Coolidge was America's last great President. He would know how to deal with this situation.

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2:31 PM MST on Fri., May. 2, 2008 re: "Cops: Exec trying to end $4M benefits package"

 Examiner Reader said:
Baltimore County voters voted for binding arbitration that isn't binding? What the heck? Mr. Smith, you are a joke

 6 agree | 3 disagree
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1:33 PM MST on Fri., May. 2, 2008 re: "Cops: Exec trying to end $4M benefits package"

 Examiner Reader said:
Is Jim Smith taking a benefits cut also? What about his buddies that he's giveng jobs to also. He's just another Martin O'Malley promises he can't keep. Just lies to keep his job in office.

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9:13 AM MST on Fri., May. 2, 2008 re: "Cops: Exec trying to end $4M benefits package"

 Examiner Reader said:
The four million dollar benefit package is still less then a Fred Homan law suit.

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9:02 AM MST on Fri., May. 2, 2008 re: "Cops: Exec trying to end $4M benefits package"

 Examiner Reader said:
Baltimore County requested binding arbitration. The Arbiter (who baltimore County agreed on) listened to hours and hours of test testimony. The arbiter awarded the FOP with its package. Now the county is playing games because they did not win. Voters will not forget

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8:05 AM MST on Fri., May. 2, 2008 re: "Cops: Exec trying to end $4M benefits package"

 Examiner Reader said:
I would suggest anyone who thinks that the police are being paid too much to take a ridealong in one of the county's "premier" neighorhoods like Woodlawn. Most people who talk about the police know NOTHING about the police, and use them as an easy scapegoat because the police don't get to talk back. If you think you can do better, put on a badge and gun, or stop complaining.

 4 agree | 2 disagree
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7:36 AM MST on Fri., May. 2, 2008 re: "Cops: Exec trying to end $4M benefits package"

 Examiner Reader said:
If I'm not mistaken, both the police and teachers supported Smith in his last 2 elections. As they say Watch what you ask for...you might just get it. Smith is a lier and a back stabber. He lost most of his supporters and staff because he only cares about himself. Not he did it to police, teachers and employees.

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5:46 PM MST on Thu., May. 1, 2008 re: "Education complaints dominate budget hearing"

 Examiner Reader said:
How can the Police and Teachers cost of living be more than mine? It cost me $3.55 for gas, almost $4.00 for milk, BGE going up 8%, I guess when these people go to a stroe or get a service, it's emblazened I'm a cop/teacher charge me more?? come on if they aren't getting paid enough, quit and go somewhere else, who forced them into the job in the first place, teachers know its a unglorified job, and cops do it to strut and carry a gun znd lord over everyone.. I've seen shift parties on police lots after work and they get so LIT and drive but let me do it and this same cop will lock me up, not them they are the Police and need more PAY, stop the madness, get by on what you make and be happy your not holding a sign at the corner of walk and don't walk!!!

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7:30 AM MST on Thu., May. 1, 2008 re: "Education complaints dominate budget hearing"

 Examiner Reader said:
Nothing for most employees, pennies for children but thousands for and because of Fred.

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10:33 AM MST on Fri., Apr. 18, 2008 re: "Smith proposes $1.7 billion budget"

 Examiner Reader said:
Smith was required by binding arbitration to include a $4 million longevity increase for police officers, which he funded in a contingency account to avoid exceeding spending limits. But the council, which can delete items from the budget but can’t add to it, does not have to include the award in the final budget it is expected to adopt May 22. same in my union contract with the county but alas I get nothing, guess my cost of living is less than the Police!!!!

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3:17 PM MST on Wed., Apr. 16, 2008 re: "Smith proposes $1.7 billion budget"

 Examiner Reader said:
When Smith, Homan and the County Council cant live within their means they give themselves a raise!

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2:11 PM MST on Wed., Apr. 16, 2008 re: "Smith proposes $1.7 billion budget"

 Examiner Reader said:
The people of Baltimore County understand the importance of living within their means,” Smith said. “We all must do so.” living with in my means i already do that & this gas, bg&e taxes, etc are killing me.

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9:36 AM MST on Wed., Apr. 16, 2008 re: "Smith proposes $1.7 billion budget"

 Examiner Reader said:
I want to know where all this money is going? I have friends that work in the county that make next to nothing. There should be a Cost of Living increase, especially since the cost of everything has gone up a lot over that last few months. It's abolutely absurd that these people should be forced to scrape by because someone doesn't think they need it. Maybe he should give everyone a grade increase instead.

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8:16 AM MST on Wed., Apr. 16, 2008 re: "Smith proposes $1.7 billion budget"

 Examiner Reader said:
The pay raise the police will get will cost the county less then Fred Homans adultary law suit!!!

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7:38 AM MST on Wed., Apr. 16, 2008 re: "Smith proposes $1.7 billion budget"

 Examiner Reader said:
Mr. Undertaker..........from your post, you were no more a prosecutor, or as you say, persecuter, than I am a brain surgeon. If you don't have the facts, then keep your thoughts to yourself.

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10:23 AM MST on Tue., Apr. 15, 2008 re: "Smith budget proposal sees no new taxes"

 Examiner Reader said:
Thank God that Mr. Smith was able to find the money for the $40K raise he gave to Fred Homan to save the County from total destruction. As for the lowly employees, let them eat cake and even smaller pieces if they make it to retirement---but check out the retirements Smith and Homan will get!!!!

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7:46 AM MST on Tue., Apr. 15, 2008 re: "Smith budget proposal sees no new taxes"

 Examiner Reader said:
Wow. It was really difficult to find this story. Why is the main page of the site filled with irrelevant bloggers and the news hidden?

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8:03 PM MST on Wed., Mar. 26, 2008 re: "Planned city budget calls for spending"

 Taxfree Marylander said:
woe ho!! if I had the money it took to live in the city, after this artical, I'd be stupid to do so! The point of the story? Affluent people will be used as the bank roll for City Hall. So well off people must be stupid... right? How much more ignorant can government get. (that is a retorical question, not a threat...O'Mally)

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4:48 PM MST on Sun., Mar. 2, 2008 re: "Millions in overtime blamed for city budget woes"

 The Undertaker said:
The cops are the biggest abusers of overtime. They spend hours busting junkies instead of doing real work. Then they sit around the courthouse for hours sleeping - and getting paid, just so the ASA can plea their BS cases out for time served. Many will also try to get the prosecutors to fill out their overtime slips by hand so they can pad it. I know because a few asked me to do that when I was a persecutor. The cops are the biggest crooks in town.

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11:31 AM MST on Fri., Feb. 29, 2008 re: "Millions in overtime blamed for city budget woes"

 Dunn said:
Here is my idea... Give 1/2 of the taxes back to the people who pay them. With the half they get the'll pay for security, teachers and public works. For instance: the North Shore in Canton could get $1M back a year, they could easily hire someone to pay the 10 teachers, 5 security gaurds and do all the work that needs to be done at a much higher quality and still get money back. Most of the blocks in Canton are paying $150k per year. That equates to a 24 hour security guard, trash removal, public works, and a teacher. If the people here pooled there money together in a 10 block radius it would be a lot of money. Yet very few people in Canton send their kids to public school, in fact most leave at that age (a problem), most still question security, the trash pick up is fine, and public works are on an as needed basis. Yet, the areas that benefit from all the tax $, are still messed up. Canton doesn't even get Street cleaning because they are all up in the areas w/ trash. S

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11:16 AM MST on Fri., Feb. 29, 2008 re: "Millions in overtime blamed for city budget woes"

 Examiner Reader said:
cut the salaries of the underworked and overpaid city council. jack young actually thinks he is worth what he makes.

 23 agree | 14 disagree
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11:09 AM MST on Fri., Feb. 29, 2008 re: "Millions in overtime blamed for city budget woes"

 avid reader said:
That's ok, that's ok, just raise the friggin taxes. Thanks Sheila for nothing!!!!!

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10:10 AM MST on Fri., Feb. 29, 2008 re: "Millions in overtime blamed for city budget woes"

 Dunn said:
I think all funding should stop to ever city program that does not have clear measures attached to it. It seems that so few of our tax dollars go to programs that we the citizens can measure the effectiveness. As it is the dollars seem like they are just being thrown in to a black hole. The city is more than happy to penalize it residents, investors and lenders if they don't perform: parking tickets, taxes, fines, law suits. But when the government does not perform, it is always the same story - not enough money. This city has no effective means of evaluating its perfomance. This not only bad for the tax payers, but bad for the programs. Performance measures are nothing new... But I often get the feeling that the government doesn't want people to have transparency. One party rule for 4 decades can't be good thing.

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9:41 AM MST on Fri., Feb. 29, 2008 re: "Millions in overtime blamed for city budget woes"

 Adam Meister said:
Dunn I have been saying for a while that we need a Blue ribbon committee on cutting spending. I will email you.

 12 agree | 13 disagree
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9:37 AM MST on Fri., Feb. 29, 2008 re: "Millions in overtime blamed for city budget woes"

 Examiner Reader said:
did we forget that Baltimore City is one of the highest crime area in the country. High crime and overtime go hand and hand.

 22 agree | 11 disagree
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9:17 AM MST on Fri., Feb. 29, 2008 re: "Millions in overtime blamed for city budget woes"

 Examiner Reader said:
A Union contract scam. Police and fire employees get to earn six figures with OT.

 22 agree | 13 disagree
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9:04 AM MST on Fri., Feb. 29, 2008 re: "Millions in overtime blamed for city budget woes"

 Dunn said:
This article bugs me... The year Baltimore City's housing market was booming. There was $19M in police overtime alone. We had a huge surplus that year. Where does all of this money go?! It seems to me that $10's of millions go unaccounted for every year. Every year I look at the budget, it is always very general. What the city needs to understand is needs to make cuts. It needs to reduce property taxes to attract working singles and couples who add to the neighborhoods and use few services. Young working professionals want to move here, but the $8k in property taxes on a starter home makes it a difficult option. Funny 7:39: Maybe we need a blue ribbion committee :)

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8:58 AM MST on Fri., Feb. 29, 2008 re: "Millions in overtime blamed for city budget woes"

 examiner reader. said:
oh oh i know i know ....no bid contracts?

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8:54 AM MST on Fri., Feb. 29, 2008 re: "Millions in overtime blamed for city budget woes"

 Examiner Reader said:
money to lock kids up but no money to provide positive activities , that's baltimore

 12 agree | 14 disagree
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7:39 AM MST on Fri., Feb. 29, 2008 re: "Millions in overtime blamed for city budget woes"

 Examiner Reader said:
Maybe we need a task force to study this problem. Task Forces can really get to the bottom of this in a few years.

 26 agree | 14 disagree
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7:36 AM MST on Fri., Feb. 29, 2008 re: "Millions in overtime blamed for city budget woes"

 Examiner Reader said:
Here's an idea - you can't have a high crime rate without having people investigate. Or can you? Maybe just let the murders, robberies, rapes, assaults go without trying to find the perps. That would solve the budget crises. After all, after they catch the crooks, they let them go anyway, so why bother paying all that overtime? Or you could have omalley pass a state law that would make it illegal to commit any crimes during overtime hours. Yeah, I like that one best.

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7:36 AM MST on Fri., Feb. 29, 2008 re: "Millions in overtime blamed for city budget woes"

 Examiner Reader said:
Did it not cost us $54,000 per day for that "special" session so that O'M could ram his "tax every worker and company in Maryland" campaign down their (our) throats. It is unbelievable that the citizens of our state don't revolt. Ed Norris had a great radio show in Annapolis during the special session and kept replaying O'M's campaign commercials about not taxing us. What a crock!

 15 agree | 11 disagree
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6:59 AM MST on Fri., Feb. 29, 2008 re: "Millions in overtime blamed for city budget woes"

 Examiner Reader said:
Does the examiner just grab their headlines from THE WIRE"

 23 agree | 14 disagree
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6:44 AM MST on Fri., Feb. 29, 2008 re: "Millions in overtime blamed for city budget woes"

 Examiner Reader said:
It's time to put the city into receivership and let the state administer city affairs, until such point that it has solvent again. The City Councel's record of failure is extensive.

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5:57 AM MST on Fri., Feb. 29, 2008 re: "Millions in overtime blamed for city budget woes"

 Dunn said:
Since police officers and firgighters are paid so little they use overtime to make real money. My guess that if the salaries were more, not only would the overtime expenditures decrease, but the city would be able to attract even better officers... just a thought. At least the overtime is down from $19M last year.

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8:13 AM MST on Wed., Jan. 23, 2008 re: "Analyst: O’Malley’s budget fails to solve structural deficit"

 Union Man said:
Marty has a lot of commitments to unions in this state and those promises must be kept. Health and housing benefits for illegal aliens will also increase the need for additional revenue for the state. And don't forget the cost of in-state tuition for the children of the illegal aliens. If the state needs more money taxes will have to be increased. Just remember Martin O'Malley is only doing what he feels is the right thing to do for all in Maryland. Marty always works to get a "consensus" on tough issues and is committed to helping "working families" in Maryland. Increased taxes will make a better life for our children and grandchildren. Now get out there and work harder so you can pay more taxes to Merry-land. And stop complaining - nobody in Annapolis cares what you think.

 34 agree | 35 disagree
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10:36 AM MST on Tue., Jan. 22, 2008 re: "Analyst: O’Malley’s budget fails to solve structural deficit"

 Tax Free Marylander said:
if you want to fix the budget mess elect people with the stones to cut spending, period! cut the property tax, sales tax, and corperate tax rate. trim the massive monster in annapolis and washington. force the states to cut social policies that prevent people from raising from poverty and becoming more independent than being dependent.

 35 agree | 39 disagree
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9:43 AM MST on Tue., Jan. 22, 2008 re: "Analyst: O’Malley’s budget fails to solve structural deficit"

 Examiner Reader said:
So, O'Malley wants to tax Maryland into prosperity? Marty, please explain how that works.

 35 agree | 27 disagree
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8:59 AM MST on Tue., Jan. 22, 2008 re: "Analyst: O’Malley’s budget fails to solve structural deficit"

 Frank said:
This is what happens when you raise taxes to balance a budget...that hasn't even been created! The special session was nothing but a money grab with little to no thought put into what was taxed and the effects of those taxes. I can't understand how these politicians can make such brazen and careless decisions and then stand at a podium and try to explain to everyone how it will help. Well, I guess they know their constituents have one fear greater than taxes...change! Because no one seems to elect change. Regardless of how much they claim they want it.

 39 agree | 38 disagree
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7:38 AM MST on Tue., Jan. 22, 2008 re: "Analyst: O’Malley’s budget fails to solve structural deficit"

 Examiner Reader said:
Not surprisingly, the massive tax increases won't solve the problem. So what do Democrats always do? Raise taxes some more! Why not cut spending? Because that wouldn't be "progressive"!

 34 agree | 31 disagree
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