People’s Contract with Maryland
The State of Maryland is at a crossroads. The direction we take in the next election will determine the future of our families, our children, our cities, our communities, and our way of life. Though we are rich in our diversity, we must pull together to face the challenges ahead of us as Marylanders one and all.
We must change the way Maryland works. For too long, our government has been too intrusive and too easy with the public's money. We must transform the business of government into something that respects the values and shares the faith of all Marylanders, from the Chesapeake Bay and the Eastern Shore to the City of Baltimore, from Annapolis to Western Maryland, from the Washington suburbs to the Pennsylvania border. It is necessary, therefore, that we restore the bonds of trust between our state government and the people it represents. And that is why we are inviting anyone who agrees to join with us in our effort to make the provisions of this People’s Contract with Maryland law in the General Assembly and by signature of the governor.
1. We believe that every Marylander deserves a Government that will maintain a balanced budget that does not depend upon an ever increasing tax burden. Therefore we look to develop The Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2011- An act to require Maryland to live within its means.
• Maryland faces a $2.0 billion structured gap between what the state spends and what it brings in through taxes, fees and ongoing federal support. In the past it has been the practice of the Governor and the Legislature to increase taxes in an effort to close the gap. That practice must end.
• A program of real spending cuts that eliminates wasteful, excessive or unnecessary spending along with tighter budgetary laws can balance the budget without tax increases and without relying on a federal government bailout.
2. We believe that the size of Government should never grow at a higher rate than the cost of living or official calculated CPI. Therefore we look to establish The Maryland Taxpayer Protection Act.
• To protect the taxpayers of the State of Maryland from continual raids on their wallets and pocketbooks to fund special interest spending. This act shall abolish the state income tax and control the growth in state government by tying increases in spending to increases in population and inflation.
3. We believe that every Marylander should have the right of convenience to monitor and analyze every bill in layman’s terms prior to vote. Therefore we look to develop The Maryland Open Government Act.
• An act that will allow the citizens of Maryland to see for themselves how their tax dollars are spent by requiring all agency budgets and expenditures to be posted on line and available to public scrutiny. In addition we look to encourage private entrepreneurs to develop technology that will simplify legislative research for the common Marylander.
4. We believe that every Marylander should have the right, the means and opportunity to work. Therefore we look to develop The Maryland Job Creation and Wage Enhancement Act.
• An act to develop a 21st century workforce and to create a business-friendly environment to bring good jobs at good wages to the State of Maryland. In addition, we look to analyze every current tax or property law to determine its impact on the current business environment and make changes where needed. Where there are jobs, there is growth and a healthy economy. By developing strategic relationships with business leaders and corporations we can bring more jobs to Maryland and heal our economy.
5. The Maryland Education Reform Act
• An act to create a lifetime of learning environment in the state of Maryland. This allows parents greater input in the schools their children attend, paying good teachers more, increasing state literacy rates, creating quality education for children with special needs and supporting the establishment of an increased number of charter and private schools.
6. The Healthy Maryland Act
• An act ensuring that Maryland residents have access to quality healthcare that keeps the doctor-patient relationship paramount. We must examine population size and ratio to the number of hospitals and clinics to determine that ratios are equally distributed then encourage free markets to help make up that difference. We must examine tort reform and overly burdensome legislation and regulation placed upon our healthcare providers to encourage more general doctors to live and practice in our state.