McAuliffe & O'Malley: Birds of a Feather

“If you want to know what Virginia would look like with Terry McAuliffe as governor, search no further than neighboring Maryland, where Governor Martin O’Malley’s legacy of raising taxes and out-of-control spending have sent business packing. Virginian’s don’t want and can’t afford McAuliffe-O’Malley policies.”

— Gail Gitcho, RGA Communications Director

As Governor, Martin O’Malley Has Been An Out Of Control Tax-And-Spender

Martin O’Malley Has Raised Taxes Or Fees 24 Times During His Time As Governor. “The political group Change Maryland notes that he has raised taxes or fees 24 times as governor.” (Stephen Moore, “Oh My, O’Malley,” The Wall Street Journal, 9/5/2012)

O’Malley Is Known As An Avid Tax Increaser. “The General Assembly’s speedy embrace of Gov. Martin O’Malley’s income tax increases this week cleaned up a political mess in Annapolis, but the rate hikes could come back to haunt the Democrat if he seeks national office when his time in the governor’s mansion is up. O’Malley’s tax package, which won final approval from the Democratic legislature on Wednesday, will give Maryland’s top earners the seventh-highest income tax rate in the country.” (Annie Linskey, “O’Malley Builds On Tax-Raising Legacy,” The Baltimore Sun, 5/16/2012)

In 2007, O’Malley Pushed Through A $1.3 Billion Tax Increase, The Largest Tax Increase In Maryland History. “Maryland will begin implementing the largest tax increase in state history today, when higher tobacco, vehicle titling and corporate income taxes and sweeping changes to personal income tax rates go into effect. The overhaul of Maryland’s tax structure, which became law in November after a frantic special legislative session, will generate new revenue to help solve the state government’s festering budget problems. (Philip Rucker, “Many Of Md. Tax Increases Will Go Into Effect Today,” The Washington Post, 1/1/2008)

O’Malley’s Tax Increases Equal More Spending. “Mr. O’Malley’s gamble—that high tax rates don’t hurt businesses and workers, that the way to rev an economy is to spend more on schools, rail and centrally planned economic development—is the same as Mr. Obama’s. And though Maryland is a long way from being the basket case of California or Illinois, its more than 20 fee and tax hikes haven’t kept it from constantly running out of money.” (Stephen Moore, “An Economic Border War Right Under Washington’s Nose,” The Wall Street Journal, 8/24/2012)

Martin O’Malley’s Maryland Fails To Keep Up With Other States

Maryland Lags In Job Growth. “Maryland has lagged behind Virginia in job growth since 2007. During the first six months of this year, Maryland has lost jobs compared to gains in both Virginia and Pennsylvania. The political group Change Maryland notes that he has raised taxes or fees 24 times as governor. And Ohio, under Republican Gov. John Kasich’s reforms, is now rated as more pro-business than Maryland.” (Stephen Moore, “Oh My, O’Malley,” The Wall Street Journal, 9/5/2012)

Virginia Continually Leads Maryland On Jobs. “But what’s undeniable is that if these two states are supposed to be showcases for their party’s respective jobs strategies, Maryland’s record is anything but a ringing endorsement for progressive government.” (Stephen Moore, “An Economic Border War Right Under Washington’s Nose,” The Wall Street Journal, 8/24/2012)

Bob McDonnell’s Virginia Professes Pro-Business Policies While O’Malley’s Maryland Prides Itself On Enlightened Regulation. “Now that the Republican National Convention is in full swing, it’s a time to shine for Virginia Gov. Robert F. McDonnell, who is constantly compared with Democratic Gov. Martin O’Malley of Maryland, his chief rival on the talk show circuit. It’s a perfect duality. One state professes pro-business policies while the other prides itself on enlightened regulation.” (Peter Galuszka, “McDonnell Vs. O’Malley, The Washington Post, 8/29/2012)

Martin O’Malley Was A Top Promoter Of President Obama’s Job Killing Health Law

O’Malley Supported The Passage Of ObamaCare. “There is no way our business can expand if we are watching health care costs rise by 50 percent and wages stay stagnant… We firmly believe in Maryland that (the Affordable Care Act) is important, not only to create more affordable more comprehensive health care for all, but we see this as an opportunity to make our economy more competitive.” (The White House, Governors: What They’re Saying About the Affordable Care Act,” Press Release, 1/19/11)

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