Showing posts with label MD State Budget. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MD State Budget. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Junction will be closing its doors on June 17, 2011

Junction will be closing its doors on June 17, 2011



On May 18, 2011 Junction released a statement that it was closing its doors on June 17, 2011.  “Due to changes in the funding of our private non-profit addiction program, the Junction Board of Directors has elected to close its doors on June 17, 2011.

“It has been a privilege to serve the clients and community of the greater Carroll County area for the past 40 years.  Junction is in contact with the Carroll County Health Department, Carroll County Youth Service Bureau and other local agencies to minimize the impact on those we serve.

“Substance Abuse Prevention Services will continue and are in the process of being relocated. 

“For more information, please contact Acting Director, John Bosley at 410-848-6100, ext. 34”

It has been the perfect storm for funding a non-profit; the economic downturn has taken its toll on all our funding sources - not unlike all community-based non-profits for the past five years; but especially for community outreach programs in the field of mental health and drug addiction.

It has also become increasingly difficult to be reimbursed for care by insurance companies - and many of our clients have also been hit hard by the economy and have a limited ability to help with the expense of the complicated care and treatment of drug addiction.

Junction has always been a bare-bones, no frills organization down-to-basics organization totally focused on client care, so the economy has hit us hard...  I mean, for forty-years, there has been certainly nothing fancy with a program being run out of an old county jail...

State and federal government cutbacks in funding and the increasing bureaucratic and administrative demands have hit all community-based non-profit mental and drug addiction programs hard.

Junction was able to get by and continue its work based on hope and fear for years.  Hope that we could keep the program going and, of course, the fear that we could not weather the continuing national - and state and local economic downturn.   

In the last several years, we have not gotten as many grants as we have received in years past...  Losing the ADAA grant is the straw that broke the camel's back.

I'm worried that losing a program such as Junction, with over 40-years experience in the difficult area of drug treatment, will have a negative impact on our community.  Anecdotally, I'm under the impression that marijuana, tobacco and alcohol abuse, heroin use and the misuse of prescription medications statistics are not going down and remain a challenge in our community.

I firmly believe that an organization like Junction is best suited to address the challenges that the various patients and clients have so they can be productive citizens.

Throughout this difficult process, working with Carroll County government has been wonderful.  We are working hard with the Health Department to make sure all of our clients are taken care of and placed in good programs to see to it that they get the services they need to be productive members of the community, their workplaces, and their families.

My heart goes out to all the wonderful caring professionals that work for Junction and all our clients that have turned to us for help. 

Hopefully we can get all our clients placed in other programs and it is also really important for Carroll County that we find jobs - in the county - for the excellent team that we have assembled at Junction over the last 40 years.

I'm major bummed.  It is said that all things happen for a reason.  I hope I live long enough to see a good reason to lose a great program like Junction - that has helped so many folks and asked for very little in return, except for some meager funding to keep the lights on...

For more, see: Carroll County Times:  Substance abuse nonprofit Junction Inc. to close June 17” By Alisha George, Times Staff Writer Thursday, May 19, 2011 2:48 pm – and Westminster Patch: “Junction, Inc. the Latest Victim of Budget Cuts,” By Kym Byrnes May 23, 2011 Monday 2:09pm

[20110523 KED Junction statement] [20110518 Junction PRESS RELEAS2.pdf]
++++++

Junction disclosure and information – November 20, 2008

The web site for Junction can be found here: http://www.junctioninc.org/

I’ve been a member of the board of Junction since October 2000.

Junction is a local Westminster Carroll County Maryland private nonprofit agency for substance abuse prevention and outpatient drug treatment.  It provides prevention, intervention, and treatment of substance abuse for individuals, their families, and the community through education, counseling, community collaboration, and leadership in Carroll County.

It was incorporated on September 27, 1971.  A month after incorporation, on December 6, 1971, it opened its doors in the historic Carroll County Jail on Court Street in Westminster.

Junction Inc., http://www.junctioninc.org/, (410) 848-6100, 98 North Court Street, P. O. Box 206, Westminster, MD 21158

Junction is a local Westminster Carroll County Maryland private nonprofit agency for substance abuse prevention and outpatient drug treatment.  Junction Inc., http://www.junctioninc.org/, (410) 848-6100, 98 North Court Street, P. O. Box 206, Westminster, MD 21158

[20081120 Junction disclosure and information]








Junction, Westminster, Carroll County, drugs, drug treatment, drug prevention, history, budget cuts


Junction will be closing its doors on June 17, 2011


Junction will be closing its doors on June 17, 2011

*****
Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/
My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Budget problems continue for Maryland’s local governments




And it is only going to worse…

December 1, 2009 by Kevin Dayhoff

I did this piece of art in September 1994. The more things change the more they stay the same. At some point, the entire manner in which local government in Maryland is funded needs to be changed so that all our tax revenue does not get lost in a black hole in Annapolis and gets re-directed to the government that is closest to the citizens. Woman with the Ones above Carroll County
http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/2009/12/woman-with-ones-above-carroll-county.html)

Read: See Charles Schelle’s article on the press conference today when the employee layoffs were announced: 18 county government employees to lose jobs By Charles Schelle Move to save estimated $3 million http://www.explorecarroll.com/news/3672/layoffs/

See also: Carroll County Commissioners to hold news conference on budget http://tinyurl.com/yhcoklt - and - Carroll Co Budget, Carroll Co employees, MD State Budget

18 county government employees to lose jobs:

This is so sad. And at this time of the year; not that any time of the year is a good time to lose employees – or your job...

My heart and prayers go out to the employees who have lost their job – and to the folks who were forced to make theses difficult decisions.

I happen to agree with the Carroll County government press release today, Carroll Co MD Commissioners eliminate positions http://tinyurl.com/y9zyanu http://tinyurl.com/y9zyanu: “Carroll County already has one of the leanest staffs in Maryland. A survey by the Maryland Association of Counties ranks Carroll as the second-lowest number of employees per capita.”

The problem is certainly not with over-staffing on the part of Carroll County government.

The problem is the systematic irresponsible spending in Annapolis and now the state is balancing its books on the backs of local government.

Neither the current administration or the Maryland General Assembly has the stomach for raising taxes – especially after the fiasco from the Maryland Special Taxing Session from November 2007, which only made matters worse…

So instead of doing the correct thing and cutting-out systemic wasteful spending, they want to force local government to raise taxes.

Add this to the incredible amount of money that Maryland has lost to surrounding states in retail sales as a result of raising the retail sales tax. Remember there is barely any location in Maryland that is not within 40 miles of the state line…

And add to this the large number of high income Marylanders who have simply left the state as a result of the prohibitive tax increase that was levied against them…

The result is a net loss of a great deal of state revenue that is above and beyond the turndown in the economy – especially since, until the recent taxing initiatives had such a disastrous result, most economist and political pundits considered Maryland recession proof.

This is a mess. And it is not a mess that will be solved anytime soon because nothing will hold the Maryland General Assembly accountable and the ruling party in Maryland is so arrogant they are completely inaccessible to any contrarian argument or debate, discussion or dialogue…

~~~~~

20091201 sdosmked Budget probs continue for MD local govt
[19940914 0758b Woman w Ones above CC]


*****

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://www.westgov.net/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/

*****
Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/
My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/

18 county government employees to lose jobs By Charles Schelle

18 county government employees to lose jobs By Charles Schelle

Move to save estimated $3 million Posted http://www.explorecarroll.com/news/3672/layoffs/ 12/01/09

WESTMINSTER MARYLAND — Moments before Carroll County Government readied to light its holiday tree tonight, officials announced that 18 county workers will lose their jobs as part of eliminating 62 positions.

County Commissioner Julia Gouge and Steven Powell, chief-of-staff for Carroll County Government made the announcement at a 5 p.m. news conference at the County Office Building, wrapping up in time to celebrate the holidays at a 6 p.m. ceremony.

"It has been the single most difficult day of my career in Carroll County, and I'm glad it's over," Powell said as his voice cracked and quivered. "I know that it has only just begun for 18 people."

Read Mr. Schelle’s entire article here: 18 county government employees to lose jobs By Charles Schelle

20091201 18 county govt emps to lose jobs by Schelle
*****
Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://www.westgov.net/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/
*****
Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/
My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/

Carroll Co MD Commissioners eliminate positions


See Charles Schelle’s article on the press conference today when the employee layoffs were announced: 18 county government employees to lose jobs By Charles Schelle Move to save estimated $3 million http://www.explorecarroll.com/news/3672/layoffs/


Board of County Commissioners
Julia W. Gouge, President
Dean L. Minnich, Vice President
Michael D. Zimmer, Secretary
Carroll County Government
225 North Center Street
Westminster, Maryland 21157
410-386-2043; 1-888-302-8978
fax 410-386-2485; TT 410-848-9747

News Release
For more information, contact: Vivian D. Laxton,
Public Information Administrator, 410-386-2973
For Immediate Release

Commissioners eliminate positions


December 1, 2009 – In recognition of the economic situation and its impact on state and local revenues, the Board of County Commissioners today voted to eliminate more than 60 positions in Carroll County Government.

Eighteen of those positions are filled. “We regret losing these hard-working employees, who we consider to be our friends,” Commissioner Julia W. Gouge said during a news conference this afternoon.

Carroll County already has one of the leanest staffs in Maryland. A survey by the Maryland Association of Counties ranks Carroll as the second-lowest number of employees per capita.

Since July 1, the regular workforce has been reduced by 12 percent through retirements, attrition and lay-offs. The downsizing will result in an estimated $3 million savings a year.

As a result of the reduced workforce, programming at county parks will be reduced, response time for permits inspections will be lengthened, roads will take longer to clear of snow and ice, and services and hours at senior centers will be reduced.


# # #

20091201 sdosm PR Carroll Co Commissioners eliminate positions

*****

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://www.westgov.net/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/

*****
Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/
My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Westminster Common Council Report: Budget woes dominate Westminster council meeting


Budget woes dominate Westminster council meeting
Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/kkupu
Westminster Common Council Report: http://explorecarroll.com/news/3493/budgetwoe/

By Kevin Dayhoff Posted 10/05/09

The meeting of the Westminster mayor and Common Council last on Sept. 28 began with plenty of smiles, but the mood quickly turned somber as a discussion on budget woes dominated the balance of the evening. By Kevin Dayhoff Posted on http://www.explorecarroll.com/ 10/05/09

Read the entire article here: http://explorecarroll.com/news/3493/budgetwoe/

More pictures and information: http://tinyurl.com/y95zket

http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/search/label/Westminster%20Council%20Mtgs

Photo caption for [20090928 COWMCCMtg 2mccb]: Westminster City Hall Sept. 28,2009 - The meeting of the Westminster mayor and Common Council last on Sept. 28 began with plenty of smiles, but the mood quickly turned somber as a discussion on budget woes dominated the balance of the evening. By Kevin Dayhoff Posted on www.explorecarroll.com 10/05/09 VLeft to right: councilmember Dr. Robert Wack, councilmember Tony Chiavacci, council president Damian Halstad, councilmember Greg Pecoraro, councilmember Suzanne Albert. (Photo by Kevin Dayhoff)
Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2009/10/westminster-common-council-report.html http://tinyurl.com/ydgusz6

http://twitpic.com/kkupu Budget woes dominate Westminster council meeting http://tinyurl.com/ycvrd2q

http://twitpic.com/kkupu Budget woes dominate Westminster council meeting http://tinyurl.com/ydgusz6

Historical Society of Carroll Co, MD State Budget, People Chiavacci Tony, People Graham-Lori, Westminster Council Mtgs, Westminster Council Pres Halstad Damian, Westminster Finance Budget

*****

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://www.westgov.net/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/
*****
Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/
My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/

Monday, October 5, 2009

Budget woes dominate Westminster mayor and council meeting

To the left, please find an image of my news brief on the meeting of the Westminster mayor and Common Council on Monday, September 28, 2009. The news brief appeared in the Carroll Eagle on Sunday, October 4, 2009 on page 3.

Oct. 4, 2009 p3 Carroll Eagle Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/kcern Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2009/10/budget-woes-dominate-westminster-mayor.html http://tinyurl.com/ydumjah

http://twitpic.com/kcern Westminster Eagle News Brief: Budget woes dominate Westminster mayor and council meeting http://tinyurl.com/ydumjah

Below, please find the news brief as it was filed. The “long version” of my article on the meeting has not, as yet, been posted on
www.explorecarroll.com. Hopefully it will be posted on Monday, October 5, 2009… If not, I’ll post it here on the blog…

Westminster Eagle News Brief: Budget woes dominate Westminster mayor and council meeting

Westminster Eagle – http://www.explorecarroll.com/

September 28, 2009 by Kevin Dayhoff kevindayhoff AT gmail.com

Westminster City Hall - The meeting of the Westminster mayor and Common Council last Monday began with plenty of smiles, but the mood quickly turned somber as a discussion on budget woes dominated the balance of the evening.

Mayor Kevin Utz conducted a public hearing on the 2009 Comprehensive Plan for Westminster. Later in the meeting the council voted to adopt the plan after more discussion of how proud the council and staff were to have received such good feedback from the state on how well the plan was developed and written.

Council president Damian Halstad brought up “Budget Amendment No. 1” for adoption. Utz explained “this reduction in the budget came as a direct result of the governor’s reduction in highway user revenues…”

Other council member joined-in as it was explained that the state Board of Public Works recently voted to not send $818,000 in revenue due the city from taxes collected by the state designated for the city’s coffers – in order to balance the state budget.

A press release describing the budget amendment explained, “The State of Maryland reduced the Highway User Revenues from $747,580 to $74,758 and Police Aid from a budgeted $400,000 to $254,826.”

City administrator Marge Wolf said that she expects the state to withhold an additional $329,000 from the city in January.

According to the press release: “Among the cuts approved by the Common Council were cancellations of the paving contract, technology purchases and a police vehicle which totaled $267,950 in capital expenditures; diversion of the $100,000 contingency reserve to operating accounts…

“… conversion of $215,000 of Union Street property proceeds to operating accounts; reduction of departmental operating budgets by $155,086; revision of the take home vehicle policy to institute a partial employee payback of costs by $15,768; and captured $65,000 in savings from reduced tipping fees.”

Wolf tried to put a bright face on a bleak picture at that by remarking that “this is not the best of times, but it doesn’t mean we don’t have good projects underway.”

As if on cue, Lori Graham, representing the business community, gave a report on the “Midnight Madness,” downtown business celebration held in conjunction with Fallfest. She also gave an update on plans for the upcoming community ‘electric’ Christmas parade.

“The community has its share of problems but we still come together to do good things,” said Graham.

Want to learn more about the recent meeting of the Westminster mayor and council meeting? For a longer version of this story go to http://www.explorecarroll.com/.

- 30 –

Dayhoff Media Westminster Eagle, MD State Budget, People Graham-Lori, Westminster Council Meeting Notes, Westminster Council Mtgs, Westminster Finance Budget, Westminster Mayor 2009 Utz Kevin
*****
Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://www.westgov.net/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/

*****
Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/
My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/

Thursday, October 1, 2009

City Of Westminster Budget Amendment September 28, 2009

CITY OF WESTMINSTER
5 6 West Main Street
Westminster, MD 21157

Phone 410-848-9000
Fax 410-857-7476

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Marge Wolf

September 28, 2009 Phone: 410-848-9000

CITY OF WESTMINSTER BUDGET AMENDMENT

Westminster, MD - "We have no choice but to reduce our current FY2010 budget," Mayor Kevin R. Utz explained as he presented an amendment to the City of Westminster budget that cut over $800,000 in projected state revenues.

"The State of Maryland reduced the Highway User Revenues from $747,580 to $74,758 and Police Aid from a budgeted $400,000 to $254,826."

Among the cuts approved by the Common Council were cancellations of the paving contract, technology purchases and a police vehicle which totaled $267,950 in capital expenditures; diversion of the $100,000 contingency reserve to operating accounts; conversion of $215,000 of Union Street property proceeds to operating accounts; reduction of departmental operating budgets by $155,086; revision of the take home vehicle policy to institute a partial employee payback of costs by $15,768; and captured $65,000 in savings from reduced tipping fees.

"These amendments, totaling $818,804 will balance our budget through June 30, 2010, unless there are additional cuts passed by the State," continued Mayor Utz, "The real crisis will come when we lose the remaining $329,676 in these state revenues which may come as early as January and certainly by July 1, 2010."

Dr. Robert Wack, Chairman of the Finance Committee, recapped the number of adjustments made by the Common Council to balance the budget over the past several years.

"These actions have included: Elimination of five positions, increase of employee contributions to health care benefits, revision of the Retiree Health Care Benefit program, elimination of merit increases for all staff, implementation of a health reimbursement agreement health care plan in lieu of the former preferred provider plan and rebate of the $3.5M bond secured to undertake a major pavement milling and overlay program. With the current hiring freeze and the actions outlined by the Mayor, we have managed to avoid painful furloughs, staff layoffs or elimination of services as well as property tax increases. It may not be possible to avoid those discussions if future revenue reductions are imposed by the State or occur because of the current economic recession. We need to be developing contingency plans to respond to those changes as they occur.”

# # #

The City of Westminster Administration Department is located at 56 West Main Street. This department oversees all of the departments in the General Government and is the central location for the City. For more information, call 410-848-9000 or visit wmv.westminstermd.gov.

20090928 cow bud amend 1

Here you can read about the City of Westminster in previous articles that have been published.

http://www.westgov.com/news/news_main.html

Nonprofits benefit from FallFest, Carroll County Times
FallFest to set aside time for children with special needs, Carroll County Times
September 20, 2009 Proclaimed National Neighborhood Day, Press Release
Westminster passes public decency acts, Carroll County Times
Maryland budget reductions mean 6% cuts to Westminster, Carroll County Times
Westminster City discusses budget cuts, Press Release
Toilet Rebate Program a success, Carroll County Times
Water project earns stimulus grant money, Carroll County Times
Westminster buildings to undergo energy audits, Carroll County Times
City linking to crime website, Carroll County Times
Electronics recycling program set to launch, Carroll County Times
Red-light cameras awaiting final OK, Carroll County Times
Recreation and Parks News, Press Release
Toilet Rebate Program, Press Release
Westminster Comprehensive Plan maps out water future, Carroll County Times
Westminster housing variety highlighted, Carroll County Times
Westminster OKs Streetscape bid, Carroll County Times
Plan takes look at future of Westminster water woes, Advocate
Cutting a ribbon on history at the Westminster Water Treatment Plant, Westminster Eagle
Shop with a Cop, Carroll County Times
Building to undergo reconstruction, Advocate
Westminster Clock Tower restoration, Carroll County Times
Westminster: City likes what it sees in Carroll County's Comprehensive Plan, Carroll County Times
City promoting water conservation through grants, Advocate
Upgrade could be done by winter, Carroll County Times
*****
Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/
My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Westminster City Discusses Budget Cuts

Westminster City Discusses Budget Cuts – September 18, 2009

CITY OF WESTMINSTER
56 West Main Street
Westminster, MD 21158
Phone 410-848-9000
Fax 410-857-7476

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, September 18, 2009
http://www.westgov.com/news/documents/CityofWestminsterpressrelease--BudgetCuts.pdf

Contact: Marge Wolf
Phone: 410-848-9000

WESTMINSTER CITY DISCUSSES BUDGET CUTS

Westminster, MD -“These are challenging financial times for municipal governments,” stated city of Westminster mayor, Kevin Utz. “We are two months into the 2009 fiscal year and are now faced with a reduction of over $800,000 in our state revenue projections. A bad financial picture just got worse.”

The State Board of Public Works approved a package of budget cuts last week that included a 90% reduction in Highway User Revenues to local jurisdictions. The City had budgeted $747,850 and will instead be receiving $74,785. In addition, they reduced the State Aid to Police funding from $392,040 to $254,826, a reduction of 35%.

“In a General Fund with $13Million in total revenues, this is a 6% cut. With a cut of this magnitude we are looking at a variety of options to bring our budget into balance,” continued Mayor Utz, “including eliminating services or programs, cancelling capital projects and equipment purchases, examining the take home vehicle program, freezing employee salaries and benefits—everything is on the table for discussion.

A hiring freeze has already been implemented and we do not expect to fill any vacant positions. No new projects or programs beyond those already funded will be implemented.

Unfortunately, we expect that further cuts will be needed after the revenues are projected again in December and FY2011 looks to be even bleaker. I will be working with state, county, and municipal government partners, as well as the Maryland Municipal League to seek solutions to this problem.”

For the past two fiscal years, the financial picture has been deteriorating for local governments, with reductions in revenues from the housing sector, transportation, and property tax assessments to substantial increases in utility costs, gasoline costs, and health care. Unfortunately, at the municipal level, government provides basic quality of life services—and when these services are reduced, citizens suffer.

To cope with the reduced revenues and increased costs, the City of Westminster instituted staff lay-offs, postponed the street repaving project and increased the employee share of health benefits in FY2009. Merit increases and cost of living adjustments were eliminated and a new health care plan and provider were implemented in the FY2010 budget. City of Westminster

Page 2

We will continue to provide information on possible reductions as the Mayor and Council discuss the options and develop a plan to balance the budget. Updates will also be provided on the website
www.westminstermd.gov.

###

The City of Westminster Administration Department is located at 56 West Main Street. This department oversees all of the departments in the General Government and is the central location for the City. For more information, call 410-848-9000 or visit www.westminstermd.gov.

20090918 Westminster City Discusses Budget Cuts

Here you can read about the City of Westminster in previous articles that have been published.

http://www.westgov.com/news/news_main.html

Nonprofits benefit from FallFest, Carroll County Times
FallFest to set aside time for children with special needs, Carroll County Times
September 20, 2009 Proclaimed National Neighborhood Day, Press Release
Westminster passes public decency acts, Carroll County Times
Maryland budget reductions mean 6% cuts to Westminster, Carroll County Times
Westminster City discusses budget cuts, Press Release
Toilet Rebate Program a success, Carroll County Times
Water project earns stimulus grant money, Carroll County Times
Westminster buildings to undergo energy audits, Carroll County Times
City linking to crime website, Carroll County Times
Electronics recycling program set to launch, Carroll County Times
Red-light cameras awaiting final OK, Carroll County Times
Recreation and Parks News, Press Release
Toilet Rebate Program, Press Release
Westminster Comprehensive Plan maps out water future, Carroll County Times
Westminster housing variety highlighted, Carroll County Times
Westminster OKs Streetscape bid, Carroll County Times
Plan takes look at future of Westminster water woes, Advocate
Cutting a ribbon on history at the Westminster Water Treatment Plant, Westminster Eagle
Shop with a Cop, Carroll County Times
Building to undergo reconstruction, Advocate
Westminster Clock Tower restoration, Carroll County Times
Westminster: City likes what it sees in Carroll County's Comprehensive Plan, Carroll County Times
City promoting water conservation through grants, Advocate
Upgrade could be done by winter, Carroll County Times
*****
Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://www.westgov.net/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/
*****
Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/
My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/

Friday, September 25, 2009

Flight of MD Millionaires Haunts O'Malley Budget Policy

Flight of MD Millionaires Haunts O'Malley Budget Policy by: Mark

http://yrnetwork.com/blogs/2905/view.aspx?article=560

The #1 Republican Network of Young Professionals, Students, Entreprenuers, and Young Business Leaders: http://yrnetwork.com/
“Of course millionaires are leaving Maryland,” exclaimed Anirban Basu as he discussed the deteriorating economic conditions facing Maryland’s citizens and businesses.

Basu, an economist and CEO of Sage Policy Group, was the keynote speaker at the Maryland Association of Counties (MACO) summer conference last week. In analyzing the decline of revenues from personal income taxes paid to the state, Basu attributed part of the decline to Governor O’Malley’s initiative last year to raise the tax rate on earners of $1 million or more.

Under the O’Malley proposal enacted into law in the 2008 Session, the top marginal tax rate was increased from 5.5% to 6.25%. When coupled with the local income tax, some Maryland filers are now taxed at a combined 9.45% personal income tax rate – or they can move to a low tax state where there is no personal income tax.

Prior to the O’Malley tax increase, a miniscule 0.3% of Maryland taxpayers (taxpayers with $1 million or more income) contributed 15% of the total revenues for the state's personal income tax receipts.

We can expect the Comptroller’s office to provide final figures on the flight of millionaires from Maryland in October, but the initial analysis was not good. As reported in the Wall Street Journal (
click here) in May:

“One year later, nobody's grinning. One-third of the millionaires have disappeared from Maryland tax rolls. In 2008 roughly 3,000 million-dollar income tax returns were filed by the end of April. This year there were 2,000, which the state comptroller's office concedes is a ‘substantial decline.’ On those missing returns, the government collects 6.25% of nothing. Instead of the state coffers gaining the extra $106 million the politicians predicted, millionaires paid $100 million less in taxes than they did last year - even at higher rates.”

This ill-fated policy decision represents a $206 million shortfall of the current $800 million hole in the O’Malley deficit. It is likely that state employees will be forced to cough up at least $34 million (if the furlough is comparable to last year's furlough plan) although many analysts expect even deeper cuts into state employee salaries. O'Malley told local officials at the MACO conference that they should expect $250 million in cuts to local aid.

This is just one of a great number of bad policy decisions made by the O’Malley Administration. As state employees, local governments and others face the day of reckoning this week for the announcement of the next round of cuts, they will realize that it’s not just the “Great Recession” but also the misguided O'Malley budget policy that places on them the burden of cleaning up the state’s budget crisis.

- - Maryland Senate Republican Caucus

_______

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20090825 Flight of MD Millionaires Haunts OMalley Budget Policy
*****
My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/

Sunday, March 29, 2009

From the Maryland Senate Republican Caucus Friday March 27 2009

From the Maryland Senate Republican Caucus Friday March 27 2009

March 27, 2009

As the Maryland General Assembly realizes the end of the session is in sight, things are getting interesting…

From the Maryland Senate Republican Caucus Friday March 27 2009

A threatened filibuster over legal presence for drivers' licenses, statebudget shortfalls, death penalty repeal and self-defense for domesticviolence victims were highlights of "cross-over" week in the MarylandSenate.

To see our posts on these topics, visit our site at
www.mdsenategop.com.

20090327 From the Md Sen Rep Caucus Fri March 27 2009
Kevin Dayhoff www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/
Kevin Dayhoff: www.westgov.net Westminster Maryland Online www.westminstermarylandonline.net http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Red Maryland: Way to Avoid Maryland's Proposed EZ Pass Fee


Red Maryland: Way to Avoid Maryland's Proposed EZ Pass Fee

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

My wife called this to my attention the other day and we are less than pleased…

Ya know – this is nuts. Maryland should be encouraging the use of EZ Pass as it saves the state a great deal of money in personnel expenses and other assorted overhead with efficiency fueled by technology.

Way to Avoid Maryland's Proposed EZ Pass Fee

Despite the tough economic times, I knew Governor Martin O'Malley could never resist the urge to raise some form of tax/fee.


Read the rest of Red Maryland’s post here: Way to Avoid Maryland's Proposed EZ Pass Fee


Kevin Dayhoff: www.westgov.net Westminster Maryland Online www.westminstermarylandonline.net http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/

Kevin Dayhoff E-mail him at: kdayhoff AT carr DOT org His columns appear in The Tentacle, www.thetentacle.com; The Westminster Eagle /Eldersburg Eagle The Sunday Carroll Eagle - Opinion: http://explorecarroll.com/opinion-talk/ www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/ www.westminstermarylandonline.net http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ http://www.youtube.com/user/kevindayhoff http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1040426835 http://picasaweb.google.com/kevindayhoff

Friday, December 19, 2008

State $50,000,000 Better Off Than In 1939

If only this were true today:

State $50,000,000 Better Off Than In 1939

Democratic Advocate, December 20, 1946.

Fiscal Situation Vastly Improved During 8 Years of Office—Annapolis, December 16 –

The State's Annuity Bond Fund Reserve as of December 31 will be approximately one million dollars, Governor Herbert R. O'Conor made known today, following a checkup made by the State's fiscal officers at his request.

As of November 30, the report showed, the balance in the Fund was $913,701.54, with receipts from taxes for the month of December estimated at $70,000.00 allowing for interest payments for the month of December of $13, 823,75, the Governor pointed out, there will be available in the Reserve as of the close of the calendar year a total of $969,877.79.

Democratic Advocate, December 20, 1946.

20081220 19461220 State $50,000,000 Better Off Than In 1939

State $50,000,000 Better Off Than In 1939

If only this were true today:

State $50,000,000 Better Off Than In 1939

Democratic Advocate, December 20, 1946.

Fiscal Situation Vastly Improved During 8 Years of Office—Annapolis, December 16 –

The State's Annuity Bond Fund Reserve as of December 31 will be approximately one million dollars, Governor Herbert R. O'Conor made known today, following a checkup made by the State's fiscal officers at his request.

As of November 30, the report showed, the balance in the Fund was $913,701.54, with receipts from taxes for the month of December estimated at $70,000.00 allowing for interest payments for the month of December of $13, 823,75, the Governor pointed out, there will be available in the Reserve as of the close of the calendar year a total of $969,877.79.

Democratic Advocate, December 20, 1946.

20081220 19461220 State $50,000,000 Better Off Than In 1939

Kevin Dayhoff Westgov.Net: Westminster Maryland Online

Friday, September 12, 2008

Statement from Governor Martin O'Malley on the Board of Revenue

Statement from Governor Martin O'Malley on the Board of Revenue Estimates

http://www.governor.maryland.gov/pressreleases/080909e.asp

BALTIMORE, MD (September 9, 2008) – Governor Martin O’Malley today issued the following statement following the Board of Revenue Estimates:

“Today, the Board of Revenue Estimates announced a budget shortfall for the current fiscal year and 2010. Given the national economic downturn, national foreclosure crisis, and the increased price of energy, gasoline and food, these revenue estimates are not unexpected; and we are preparing to bring hundreds of millions in cuts before the Board of Public Works in the coming weeks to address this challenge.”

“Given the national economy, other states are facing the same or significantly worse budget pictures. In fact, the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities estimates that at least 29 states are facing a total budget shortfall of $48 billion in FY 2009.”

“In Maryland, because of the tough decisions we made to protect public education, public heath and public safety, and expand opportunity for our middle class families, we are ahead of the game. Working with the General Assembly, we have already reduced spending by $1.8 billion and taken actions to address the structural deficit that we inherited.”

“Without these actions and tough decisions, our State would be facing an estimated $2.5 billion shortfall in FY 2010. Instead, Maryland is a facing a shortfall that is significantly less that is the result of a downturn in the national economy, not structural in nature.”

“We have worked hard to restore fiscal responsibility and accountability in Maryland over these last two years.”

“In 2008 and 2009, our state budget grew by less than 4 percent annually – less than the Spending Affordability Guidelines set by the General Assembly – compared to 22 percent in the last two years of our Republican predecessors.”

“We have already cut $1.8 billion from state spending, eliminated over 700 state positions, and yes, we have asked the people of Maryland to play a role in this solution by increasing the sales tax by a penny and enacting a more progressive income tax structure. The people of Maryland will also have an opportunity to vote on a slots referendum in November that is expected to provide an additional $650 million for public education in our State.”

“As we have worked together to address the structural deficit that we inherited, we will come together in the weeks ahead to address this latest budget challenge presented to us by our national economy; and we will do so in a way that recognizes the burden and challenges faced by our middle-class families as the cost of everything continues to rise even as wages remain stagnant.”

“The investments we have fought so hard to preserve in public education, public safety, and public health are intended for one purpose only – to strengthen and grow our middle class over the long-term and create a more sustainable future for our children.”

“This has been our goal from the beginning, and it will continue to guide the actions of this Administration as we work to address this latest challenge.”

20080909 St from O’Malley on the Brd of Revenue Estimates

Sunday, September 7, 2008

OC Dispatch: Legislators Promise No Tax Increases

OC Dispatch: Legislators Promise No Tax Increases

By Shawn J. Soper, News Editor

Originally published September 5, 2008

OCEAN CITY – State lawmakers this week warned the current budget situation in Maryland could be worse this year than last when a special General Assembly session was called to address the problem, but each said further reductions in spending would likely supersede any new tax increases.

Ocean City’s Economic Development Committee (EDC) hosted a legislative meeting with several of the area’s state representatives this week to discuss the burning issues facing the General Assembly in the upcoming session. While the slots issue dominated much of the meeting, no less important was the discussion on the state’s burgeoning structural deficit, which is expected to come in at around $500 million again this year.

Of course, the two issues go hand in hand with slots being counted on in some circles to inject millions of dollars in new revenue into the state’s economy should voters decide in November to approve the gaming machines. Short of that, state lawmakers will likely have to make drastic cuts in spending to offset the budget shortfalls this year as raising existing taxes or creating new one does not appear to be an option.

Just one year removed from a special session during which Governor Martin O’Malley’s sweeping tax reform package was passed by the General Assembly in answer to the state’s deficit problem, many of the lawmakers in attendance at the EDC meeting on Wednesday said there is neither the political will nor the public support to suggest new tax increases again this year.

[…]


Read the entire article here: Legislators Promise No Tax Increases

20080905 OC Dispatch Legislators promise no tax increase

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Governor Martin O'Malley Delivers Address on Fiscal Responsibility

Governor Martin O'Malley Delivers Address on Fiscal Responsibility

[ View Video / Read Remarks ]

WASHINGTON, DC (July 31, 2008) – Governor Martin O’Malley delivered a major address before the Center for American Progress today, focusing on the restoration of fiscal responsibility in Maryland. As states work to balance their budgets in the midst of a rising federal deficit, a faltering national economy and mortgage crisis, Governor O’Malley addressed how to restore fiscal responsibility while making critical investments in our shared priorities, like public education, infrastructure, energy and affordable, quality health care.

“Many States have had to deal with budget shortfalls by carving into priorities like public safety, public education and healthcare,” said Governor O’Malley. “None of the options are popular, but while some of these choices pull us backwards, other choices can and will move us forward – even in the toughest of times.”

Governor O’Malley, facing an inherited $1.7 billion structural deficit upon taking office, worked with leaders in the General Assembly to virtually close the budget shortfall through a series of reforms, including nearly $1.8 billion in spending cuts and reductions, the elimination of over 700 State positions, and the implementation of a progressive tax structure that allows 95% of Marylanders to pay the same or less in income taxes as they did in the prior year.

“Nothing that we accomplished in the three week Special Session was easy. But, throughout the difficult consensus-forging work, we continued to proclaim the goals that unite us: to strengthen and grow our middle class, and family owned businesses and farms; to improve public safety and public education in every region of our State; and to expand opportunity – the opportunity to learn and earn, the opportunity to enjoy the health of the people we love and the environment we love to more people rather than fewer.”

The Governor continued. “We eliminated government positions and implemented performance based management practices that helped eliminate nearly $20 million in overtime costs, and saved our State more than $20 million in Medicaid fraud recoveries. We closed the arcane, violent House of Corrections, which not only turned out to be the right thing to do morally, it also saved taxpayers $10 million. We replaced well-intentioned funding indexes that had fueled unsustainable spending in the past and threatened to accelerate spending in the immediate future. And we passed a package of legislation that modernized our tax code while lowering the income tax rate for 90 percent of Marylanders, and increasing the State Earned Income Tax Credit for hard-working families and our aspiring middle class.”

“When faced with a crippling structural deficit, we asked our neighbors in Maryland to embrace, once again, the politics of posterity. The politics which embraces the duty we have, not only to our neighbors, but to the next generation,” Governor O’Malley said. “The politics that believes tomorrow can be better than today, and that each of us has a personal freedom and moral responsibility, by our own actions and by our own investments, to make it so. Just as our parents and grandparents built our roads, our schools, and our hospitals with their blood, their sweat, their tears, and yes, with their hard earned dollars, we asked our fellow Marylanders to join us in choosing a better future for our own posterity.”

Governor O’Malley discussed the circumstances surrounding the inherited $1.7 billion structural deficit as context for the reforms the O’Malley-Brown Administration implemented to correct it.

“While a slowing economy exacerbated our circumstances, the primary cause was of our own making. In a flash of bi-partisan irresponsibility we had locked in nearly two billion dollars in increased expenditures, primarily in public education, while at the same time cutting income taxes for millionaires and everyone else by a billion dollars. And despite the $3 billion in backhanded stealthy property tax increases, fee and toll increases, and 40 percent increases in college tuition of our predecessor, the chickens of our bad math were coming home to roost. In the words of the great Abraham Lincoln, we could no longer ‘escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.’”

Outlining the strong, sustainable fiscal environment in which these reforms now place the State of Maryland, Governor O’Malley recognized the challenge that all states face in difficult economic times and the opportunities for progress fiscal responsibility can present.

“By taking these actions we were able to address a huge structural deficit that was years in the making. Two weeks ago the rating agencies affirmed Maryland’s Triple A Bond Rating, meaning that we’re still one of only seven states to hold the highest rating of credit worthiness from all three major bond agencies. But the true value of restoring fiscal responsibility is found in the progress that we are now able to make for the common good and stronger future that all of us would prefer.”

Former White House Chief of Staff John Podesta founded the Center for American Progress, the think tank that hosted Governor O’Malley for his address today, in 2003. The Center’s experts cover a wide range of issue areas, and often work across disciplines to tackle complex, interrelated issues such as national security, energy, and climate change. The Center is designed to shape national debate through dialogue with leaders, thinkers, and citizens, affecting positive change and developing a position of long-term leadership for America.

[ Watch Video ]

Additional Press Releases

http://www.gov.state.md.us/pressreleases/080731.asp

20080731 Gov O’Malley Delivers Address on Fiscal Responsibility

July 31 Center for American Progress: Fiscal Responsibility July 21 Signing of Evergreen Marine Agreement Transcript July 25 Infants and Toddlers Program Announcement July 24 Testimony Before Senate Subcommittee on Government Efficiency July 17 Leonardtown Capital for a Day July 10 Announcement of Statewide Interoperability Strategy July 8 DNA and Bearcat Announcement

Friday, June 27, 2008

19470627 State Revenue Sharing

Carroll County To Received $531,108.73 Additional State Revenue Through Gov. Lane — Democratic Advocate, June 27, 1947.

With the beginning of Governor Lane's new fiscal program of July 1, Carroll County will start to receive $531,108.73 additional in State revenues annually for the cooperation of its government functions and relief of taxation at the local level.

The $532,108.73 is Carroll County's share of the $20,411,348.18 in additional State revenues to be allocated each year to the political subdivisions of Maryland.

Of the $531,108.73 increase to Carroll County, some of which will be shared by incorporated towns, $338,710.00 is for schools, bringing the total received by the County yearly from the State for this purpose to $739,087.00. The new school incentive fund adds another $42,416.00 yearly.

Additional road funds for Carroll County to be divided among Cities and incorporated towns on a mileage basis total $71,413,30, bringing the State's yearly allocation for highway purposes to $308,186.71.


Democratic Advocate, June 27, 1947.