Montgomery County GOP

Message from the Chairman:
O'Malley Comes Up Empty with Slots

"If former Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. is looking for evidence to bolster his claims that current Gov. Martin O'Malley has been fiscally reckless, he need look no further than the Democratic incumbent's public stance in favor of the referendum to overturn the Anne Arundel County zoning law that would allow slots at Arundel Mills Mall.  In a move that smacks of political opportunism, Mr. O'Malley has recently publicly supported the referendum and has indicated that he will seek to make an issue of Mr. Ehrlich's ties to the effort to bring slots to the mall. That would be well and good if this were some ordinary local zoning issue, but it is actually a matter of profound statewide importance that will mean a difference of hundreds of millions of tax dollars during the next several years.  By casting his lot with the racetrack-funded opposition to slots at Arundel Mills, Mr. O'Malley is shooting himself - or Mr. Ehrlich, or whoever the next governor is - in the foot, and Mr. Ehrlich should hammer him for it."

I did not write those words, the Baltimore Sun did.  This is just the latest installment in the continuing disaster that Governor O'Malley has made of slots.  Eight years ago, when Bob Ehrlich first ran for Governor, he promised to use slots revenue to pay for the increased education funding recommended by the Thornton Commission.  Under the Ehrlich plan, the majority of the multi-year increases in school spending would be paid for by money from slots, not with taxes.  However the Maryland General Assembly insisted that slots legislation include non-racetrack locations, despite Ehrlich's preference that they be limited to race tracks.  To try to reach a bipartisan compromise, Ehrlich agreed to put aside his "slots at tracks" preference and accept slots at non-track locations.  Still, the legislature didn't pass a slots bill.  Instead of slots, the legislature passed tax increases which were vetoed by Governor Ehrlich. 

Fortunately the state was able pay for the Thornton funding education increases without slots, primarily because of a robust economy and Governor Ehrlich's effective budget management.  When he left office, the state budget was in surplus.   However if the legislature had adopted Ehrlich's 2003 slots plan, Maryland would have received an additional $800 million in non-tax revenue every year and could have staved off the massive budget deficits O'Malley has since created.

The O'Malley slots position has been study in political obfuscation.  Like John Kerry's position on war funding, O'Malley has managed to be against them before he was for them and then against them again while trying to open them. In order to cover their tracks about so brazenly changing their slots positions, Governor O'Malley and the legislature created a complex Rube Goldberg process for approving slots and designating locations.  They had voters amend the state constitution in order to approve slots.  This step was never legally necessary, but has the affect of limiting the state's ability to adjust the program.

Two years after voters approved the slots constitutional amendment, the slots locations identified in the O'Malley plan still are not operating.  Not a single responsible bidder has emerged for one site, largely because the state's requirements are not competitive with other jurisdictions.

Included in O'Malley's legislation were provisions making Arundel Mills Mall an eligible slots location.  (You can  read the legislation here ).  So legislation allowing slots at Arundel Mills Mall was conceived by Martin O'Malley, drafted by Martin O'Malley, signed by Martin O'Malley and implemented by Martin O'Malley, but is now opposed by Martin O'Malley. To make matters worse in June, Governor O'Malley asked the state's Broad of Estimate to buy about 1,000 slot machines for over $40,000 each.  This is despite the fact slot machines usually average $13,000 to $17,000 each.  To his credit, Democratic State Comptroller Peter Franchot opposed the purchase because it was an unjustified windfall for the slot machine manufacturer.

Over the past half decade Maryland has lost billions in revenue because of the failure to act on slots with a coherent plan.  Having now supported adopting slots in Maryland, Governor O'Malley's current approach is no longer principled, but is simply incompetent.  For the Baltimore Sun to describe the incumbent Governor with language such as "fiscally reckless" and "political opportunism" is an especially sharp rebuke.  That such a reliably  Democratic leaning paper as the Sun is so critical of Martin O'Malley is a good indicator of how bad the governor's performance on slots has been. 

Mark Uncapher
Montgomery County Republican Chairman

Each Team 14 delegate candidate brings a wealth of background experience and activism to the quest for political office during this turbulent time of growing State deficits, rising unemployment, and an increasingly crushing tax burden, all in an atmosphere of seeming indifference of the present legislators in the General Assembly to the very real concerns of their constituents.

Meet the Team:

PAT FENATI
As the co-creator of a small business, Pat is sensitive to and knowledgeable about the concerns of small-business owners and possesses a deep knowledge of the computer and telecommunications industries. Having worked in business, sales and marketing support with various sectors of government and private industry and with a degree in mathematics, Pat is determined to use her skills in analyzing and ultimately resolving the complex fiscal problems plaguing our State where she has lived, worked and raised her children for so many years. Pat, together with the other members of Team 14 believe that to solve the problems in Annapolis, we need new voices with new ideas. For more about Pat Fenati and to learn more about her background and her lovely family, please check: http://www.patriciafenati.org/


DR. HENRY KAHWATY
As a professional economist, Dr. Henry Kahwaty is ready and most able to tackle the fiscal problems overwhelming our State. With many years experience in the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice and now in private practice, Henry's expertise includes healthcare and antitrust policies, industrial management and budget analysis. Although a newcomer to politics, Henry has the distinct advantage of bringing a fresh perspective to the out-of-control fiscal situation. Determined to use his knowledge to set MD's financial house in order, Henry believes the first task is to rebuild the State's economy, stop the erosion of the tax base by attracting new businesses, and eliminate budget gimmicks that saddle the next generation with crushing debts. Henry Kahwaty has a lot more to say about why he chose to run and how he plans to tackle the problems of the State on his website: http://henryformaryland.com/


MARIA PEÑA-FAUSTINO
Maria is an educator, a community activist, a County Commissioner on the Liquor Board, co-founder of the Hispanic Republicans of Montgomery County with a degree in Political Science and International Politics. As is the case with many other ethnic Americans, Maria weaves into her life a love of her adopted country and its core values with a respect for the cultural traditions of her native country. Over the years, Maria has been appointed to many County and State Boards and Commissions displaying her talent for building consensus often with people of opposing viewpoints and working as part of a team, positive attributes for working in the General Assembly and addressing many of the thorny issues which will arise in Annapolis. Find out more about Maria Peña-Faustino by checking her website: http://maria4house.com/

Members of of the District 14 team at a recent fun-filled event in Damascus. From left to right: Henry Kahwaty, Maria Peña-Faustino, Pat Fenati and State Senate candidate Eric Cary.  We'll be featuring Eric in a future issue of the newsletter when we focus on individual candidates for State Senate Office.  In the meantime, to learn more about Eric, check his website: http://www.ericcary.com/

Meet and Talk with your Republican State Candidates Night
Featuring Leg. District 14 Republican Candidates
Monday, August 23, 7:30 PM
Buffington Re/Max Building, Community Room
3300 Olney-Sandy Spring Road in Olney

The Drip, Drip, Drip of Democrat Cronyism leads to One Problem after Another at WSSC
by Joel Whitaker

No question it was a severe storm that hit Montgomery County Sunday, July 25, with hurricane-force winds.  But the damage and the problems it caused were magnified by Montgomery County Democrats' standard operating procedures of "government by the bureaucrats, for the bureaucrats and of the bureaucrats."  That's the mentality that led County Executive Ike Leggett to propose 26 hours of additional paid leave for police and other county employees.  Never mind that MoCo has already had 13 murders thus far this year - as many as all of last year. To see the damage this attitude causes, look at what happened to the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission during the storm. The storm knocked out power at the Washington Suburban Sanitation Commission's main filtration plant on River Road in Potomac.  Eighteen hours after the storm WSSC was still maintaining water restrictions because of the power failure.   WSSC's main plant was brought to its knees because the utility didn't have backup power to keep running, even if PEPCO's lines were knocked out.   The fault lies squarely with the six commissioners who serve as WSSC's board of directors who should insure the utility can keep running, come what may.
 
Who Runs WSSC?  Who are the commissioners?  Political appointees, appointed by the county executive, and confirmed by the county council.  What are the qualifications of Montgomery County's three appointees for overseeing one of the most important government agencies?  (1) One is a retired Public Health Service Epidemiologist (2) Another has held "elected and appointed positions in the state, regional and county government and 29 years as a teacher and administrator in the Montgomery County Public Schools." (3)  A retired county government employee who served three terms in the Maryland Legislature.

The failures of the WSSC governing body go beyond simply not insuring its facilities can keep operating even during a disaster.  They have failed to insure the pipes that deliver water to residents and businesses are sound.  WSSC's political godfathers will say they can't be blamed for the failure of 30- or 40-year old pipes.  But the pipes in New York City, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Indianapolis, Norfolk and St. Petersburg are older - and they don't erupt on a regular basis. It's obvious WSSC has fundamental problems, something even county officials privately acknowledge.  It's time to change the way it is governed to remove such a vital service from being a retirement club for buddies of the county executive.

  It Doesn't Have to Be This Way.  One way to do this would be to privatize the utility.  But that's not the only way.  It could be restructured to duplicate the structure of Citizens Energy Group, a public benefit corporation which operates the gas company that serves Indianapolis - and is taking over the city-owned Indianapolis Water Co.  Citizens Energy is governed by a five member board of trustees and a board of directors.  The five trustees are the CEO of the largest hospital system in Indiana, an former president of Indiana University who is still an active faculty member, the president of a nonprofit institute, a former chairman of the Butler University board of trustees, and a director of the Indiana University Public Policy Institute.  Their only function is to nominate people to serve as trustees or directors of Citizens Energy.

And who do they nominate to be directors?  Not retired government cronies, as occurs with MoCo's appointees to the WSSC board.  Rather, with one exception, Citizens Energy's directors are all current or former chief executives. The one exception:  A senior VP for Eli Lilly & Co., the pharmaceutical giant.

It's time for a change.  A change in the way WSSC is governed, a change in the way WSSC's board is appointed, and a change in Montgomery County government to make it work for the good of the county's residents and businesses.  That change won't come until county residents quit electing machine Democrats whose first loyalty is to each other, not voters.

Except for Serafini and a handful of other elected officials, most shy away from the issue because it doesn't reflect well on state leadership. Witness the campaigns of Gov. Martin O'Malley and his Republican rival, Robert Ehrlich. Neither candidate talks about retirement and health benefits for state employees - the ones underfunded by at least $30 billion as a result of "Poor investment performance, ever Expanding promises and Under payments." It's easy to remember the problems as the acronym for them is aptly P.E.U. Without educating state employees and state taxpayers about the hard choices ahead, elected officials will have a nearly impossible task of reforming an unsustainable system, however. If experience in Baltimore County can serve as an example, it takes years to negotiate changes with unions. County Executive Jim Smith, a Democrat, and his administration started to talk to its employee unions five or six years ago to solidify agreements this year on pensions and health care estimated to save $16 million in fiscal 2011 and $26 million per year in future years. Many state retirees at the event wanted to know if their benefits could be altered. In Maryland, the answer is no. But current employees can likely expect changes to both their pensions and health care benefits. They should be part of the discussion as should state taxpayers footing the bill to come up with an equitable solution to what is nationally a $3 trillion hole, according to research by Northwestern University finance professor Joshua Rauh.

Sixteen states made changes this year to their pension systems, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. They included increasing retirement ages, reducing benefits for new employees and shifting to hybrid plans that place some money in 401(k)s like those used by private- sector employees. Decreasing cost-of-living adjustments and increasing monthly contributions from state employees are two other changes enacted.


Maryland chose once again to punt the problem down the road past the election. Legislators created a commission to study the issue, but the full list of appointees has not been picked yet. Without concrete negotiations with unions and taxpayer education it is almost certain legislators will pass "emergency" taxes next year like in 2007 to pay for problems of their own creation that could have been avoided with a little foresight and courage. To avoid that situation, legislators should follow Serafini's lead and hold town halls across the state to speak plainly about pensions and health care costs. Legislators must also start fully funding state pension and health care obligations so their true cost is known. Waiting to address the issue only means an exponentially higher bill for taxpayers. As one Utah legislator told The Wall Street Journal last week, "Reality is not negotiable."
Marta Mossburg is a senior fellow at the Maryland Public Policy Institute . Contact her at: mmossburg@mdpolicy.org

For the first time, the State of Maryland is implementing Early Voting for the Gubernatorial Primary Election. Montgomery County will open 5 Early Voting Centers from September 3 - 9, excluding Sunday, from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Voters are able to vote on the same voting equipment used on Election Day, but at a time that is more convenient.

Early Voting Centers:
Bauer Drive Community Recreation Center,
14625 Bauer Drive, Rockville 20853

Germantown Recreation Center,
18905 Kingsview Road, Germantown 20874

Marilyn J. Praisner Community Recreation Center
14906 Old Columbia Pike, Burtonsville 20866

Montgomery County Executive Office Building
101 Monroe Street, Rockville 20850

Silver Spring Civic Building
8525 Fenton Street, Silver Spring 20910

Please join us at the 62nd Montgomery County Agricultural Fair in Gaithersburg from Friday, August 13th to Saturday, August 21st. The Montgomery County GOP will be hosting a tent for all candidates. Our Chairman is this year's Chairman is Shelley Ellington. sdellington56@msn.com

Shelley is looking for individuals, clubs and campaigns to cover specific shifts in the Republican tent. Shift volunteers are still needed for all time slots. Shift times are broken into 2-hour durations. Email Shelley and let her know which dates and times work for you:

10:00 am to 12:00 noon
12:00 to 2:00
2:00 to 4:00
4:00 to 6:00
6:00 to 8:00
8:00 to 10:00

The fair is located at 16 Chestnut Street, Gaithersburg, MD, 20877.

The Potomac Women's Republican Club has committed to helping out with receptionist and administrative duties at our headquarters every Monday afternoon (1-4 p.m.) from September 13 until November 1. This is a very welcomed offer as the campaigns will be in high gear at that time.

Many thanks to the PWRC for reaching out to help MCGOP in this way!

Would you or your club also be willing to take on a time slot at headquarters as well? If so, please contact Mark Uncapher at 202-423-5344 or mark@uncapher.net

There will be a lot of activity at headquarters, especially after the September 14 primaries, but beforehand as well. We will need help throughout the week, morning hours Monday-Friday. Afternoon hours Tuesday-Friday. Anything you can do to help would be much appreciated. There are yard signs to distribute, phones to answer, volunteers to sign up, and much more!

In this Issue

Message from the Chairman

District 14 Deletage Team

Cronyism at WSSC

P.E.U. - State Pension System

Information About Early Voting

Montgomery County Fair Tent Volunteers Sought

Receptionist and Administrative Help Needed

Learn About GOP Candidates

Upcoming Events

Next Precinct Training Aug 10

Help Wanted!

Quote to Remember

Click here for the Montgomery County's GOP Candidates Page
The candidates page include links to the various candidate's websites. In order to identify your specific district (whether for Congress, for legislature, for county council, for school board), simply check here: Board of Elections

Upcoming Events 

Precinct Training Session
Saturday, September 18

MCGOP HQS
10:00 a.m.-12:00 Noon
15833 Crabbs Branch Way, Rockville

Learn how to Organize Republicans in your Precinct (there are more than you realize!) and to elect Republicans in Montgomery County 

This training session is fun, free and informative For more information call Dan Cuda at
301-926-1095 or e-mail at dcuda54@juno.com 

Organization Committee is looking to fill these volunteer positions:Newsletter Co-Editor
Help prepare the MCGOP newsletter which is put together on a Constant Contact template. The co-editors coordinate and review major news items of MCGOP interest and gather stories and photos which are easily plugged into the layout of the newsletter. To get an idea of the features and information included, take an overall look at this newsletter and click on some of the archived copies listed below.

Volunteer Welcome Chair
Responsible for contacting new volunteer prospects, identify activities for them to get involved with, communicate with volunteer contacts, follow-up up to make sure the volunteer "hand-off" to committee chairs and other leaders has been completed.

Contact Mark Uncapher Mark@uncapher.net

Quote to Remember

"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power."

 Abraham Lincoln