O'Malley Blasts GOP As Government Shutdown Nears
Lost wages for federal workers living in Maryland would hurt state tax revenues, the governor said.
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Gov. Martin O’Malley lashed out at Congressional Republicans using strong, partisan words in a statement issued Friday about the prospect of a federal government shutdown.
“Congressional Republicans are allowing their hate of government to hurt the hardworking families of our country," O'Malley (D) said in the statement, released just before 4 p.m. "It appears they care more about hurting our government than they do about helping our recovery.
“Maryland is home to thousands of federal civil servants—moms and dads who will go without pay because Speaker Boehner and the Republicans have chosen to wage an ideological war instead of putting the interests of their nation first.”
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D) of Nevada said Friday that Republicans' desire to end federal funding for Planned Parenthood remains a roadblock for an agreement that would cut spending and avert a shutdown, according to reports from Capitol Hill.
The news release from O'Malley's office went on to say that a furlough of federal workers without retroactive pay would hurt Maryland's economic recovery by reducing state income tax revenue and leading to "the loss of projected revenues from reduced spending on taxable goods."
O'Malley is chairman of the Democratic Governors Association.
Don O'Neill
10:38 am on Saturday, April 9, 2011
What is happening in Washington DC is baove Gov. O'Malley's pay grade. He demonstrates that in not acknowledging the egregrious and shoddy tratment of the military and the delayed pay hardships that a Government Shutdown would impose on military families.
The Governor needs to stay glued to those affairs of the state of Maryland he can affect. He can begin by focusing on education at every level, 21st Century jobs, rebalancing public sector collective bargaining, and Maryland's competitive position vis a vis Virginia.
Joy Dyer
1:29 pm on Saturday, April 9, 2011
Last I checked a deal had been reached. Perhaps instead of finger pointing and jumping to conclusions it would serve the Govenor better to take a more non-partisan approach.