Cross Purposes: Smart Grid, Shrewd Politics by Richard Cross

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Smart Grid, Shrewd Politics

http://rjc-crosspurposes.blogspot.com/2010/08/smart-grid-shrewd-politics.html?spref=fb

This week, the Maryland Public Service Commission approved BGE’s plans to deploy “Smart Grid” technology across Maryland, ending a saga which began in June.

Smart Grid technology allows consumers to better track and control energy usage, resulting in significant energy and cost savings. The PSC’s action preserves Maryland’s eligibility for $200 million in federal stimulus grant monies earmarked for Smart Grid projects.

The whole Smart Grid saga has received significant local media attention during the past two months. Absent from all the coverage, however, was the extent to which gubernatorial politics guided the outcome.

Flash back to 2006, when BGE customers were hit with 70 percent rate increases. Then-Mayor Martin O’Malley used the issue as a weapon in his contest again Governor Bob Ehrlich. O’Malley assigned all blame for the rate increase to Ehrlich and the members of his Public Service Commission, promising to roll back the increases if he won. And, he got away with it.

Of course, Governor O’Malley and his own Public Service Commission failed to deliver on these promises.

Now, as Governor O’Malley fights to keep his job...  http://rjc-crosspurposes.blogspot.com/2010/08/smart-grid-shrewd-politics.html?spref=fb

LABELS: 2010 MARYLAND ELECTIONS, ELECTIONS 2010 MD GOVERNOR, GOV EHRLICH-ROBERT, JOURNALISTS CROSS RICHARD, MD PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION, PEOPLE O'MALLEY-MARTIN

Cross Purposes: Smart Grid, Shrewd Politics by Richard Cross

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Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/ or http://kevindayhoffart.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/ or http://www.westgov.net/ = www.kevindayhoff.org Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ = www.newbedfordherald.net Explore Carroll: www.explorecarroll.com The Tentacle: www.thetentacle.com

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Westminster Maryland Online http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/ http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.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/

Commentary: Maryland's economic deterioration is 'progress'? By Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.

Commentary: Maryland's economic deterioration is 'progress'? By Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/06/AR2010080605931.html

Monday, August 9, 2010

By Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.

Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) often refers to his tenure in Annapolis as one of "progress," implicitly arguing that Maryland is better off today than when he took office.

Nowhere could this argument lack more credibility than on Maryland's economic climate, which is unquestionably less friendly to job creation than it was four years ago.

Consider the evidence: Unemployment in Maryland doubled from 2006 to 2010. Approximately 3,000 small businesses closed on the O'Malley administration's watch last year.

Neighboring Virginia easily outranks Maryland in eight out of 10 categories in CNBC's America's Top States for Business survey, including overall economy, quality of life, business friendliness, transportation and cost of living. Maryland has become a flyover state as businesses like Northrop Grumman move their corporate headquarters and jobs to the other side of the Potomac River. Since 2006, the Tax Foundation has dropped Maryland 26 spots in its ranking of the states' business tax climates.

The causes for Maryland's decline are clear. By passing the largest tax increase in Maryland history before a recession, Gov. O'Malley siphoned sorely needed dollars from job creators and families across the income scale. Second, regulatory agencies began treating small businesses as a source of new fines and tax revenue rather than a source of new jobs. Lastly, government spending in Maryland over the past four years increased by $22 billion compared with the preceding four years. Not surprisingly, a $1.8 billion deficit awaits the next governor and legislature.

As governor, I will redefine "progress" in Maryland by focusing on three priorities. ... [...] .... http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/06/AR2010080605931.html

20100809 RLE WaPo Mds economic deterioration is progress

Elections 2010, Elections 2010 MD Governor, Gov Ehrlich-Robert, Gov O'Malley Admin, People O'Malley-Martin

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Westminster Maryland Online http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/ http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.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/

Bryan Sears: Change and 'desire to compete' fuel Ehrlich 2010 bid

Click here for a larger image:http://twitpic.com/1nd3vr

http://tinyurl.com/27h8d4t

Change and 'desire to compete' fuel Ehrlich 2010 bid http://tinyurl.com/26ygyac

Former governor back on the stump

By Bryan P. Sears Posted 5/12/10

http://www.explorebaltimorecounty.com/news/106226/change-desire-compete-fuel-ehrlich-2010-bid

The sign in Bob Ehrlich's corner office reads, "No Whining."

Four years after his only political loss, the Republican former governor has decided to rejoin the political fray, challenging his political nemesis, Gov. Martin O'Malley.

He announced his intention to run April 7 at a rally in his boyhood home of Arbutus. Since then, he has criss-crossed the state, most recently speaking at a GOP spring convention in Ocean City.

Just an election cycle ago, Ehrlich was telling listeners of his newly christened radio show that Maryland had changed.

Read the entire article here: http://www.explorebaltimorecounty.com/news/106226/change-desire-compete-fuel-ehrlich-2010-bid

Labels: Dayhoff photos, Dayhoff photos people, Elections 2010, Elections 2010 MD Governor, Gov Ehrlich-Robert, Journalists Sears-Bryan, People Amedori-Carmen, People Murphy Don

Click here for a larger image:http://twitpic.com/1nd3vr

Sears: Former governor back on the stump http://tinyurl.com/27h8d4t

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/05/bryan-sears-change-and-desire-to.html

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Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/ or http://kevindayhoffart.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/ or http://www.westgov.net/ = www.kevindayhoff.org Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ = www.newbedfordherald.net Explore Carroll: www.explorecarroll.com The Tentacle: www.thetentacle.com

*****

Westminster Maryland Online http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/ http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.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/

Dayhoff: Amedori to run for Maryland lieutenant governor

Carroll County resident Carmen Amedori to join the ticket of Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Murphy, as his lieutenant governor running mate.

Amedori, who was present at last night’s Westminster Tax Day Tea Party, in the parking lot at Legends Café, on Route 140 was found in the back of the crowd sporting her newly minted “Murphy – Amedori for Maryland (Governor)” signs. Photo by Kevin Dayhoff April 15, 2010 [20100415 CA WsterTxDayTeaPrty 37] Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/1gz42c

April 16, 2010

By Kevin Dayhoff

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/04/dayhoff-amedori-to-run-for-maryland.html

See also: Amedori to run for Maryland lieutenant governor Posted 4/16/10 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle http://tinyurl.com/yyno68w http://www.explorecarroll.com/news/4233/amedori-run-maryland-lieutenant-governor/

Today, at 4:30 p.m. on Lawyers’ Mall in Annapolis, Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Murphy will hold a press conference to announce that former Maryland Delegate (R-District 5A, Carroll Co.) Carmen Amedori will join his ticket as his lieutenant governor running mate.

Brian will be joined by Jim Pelura, former Maryland GOP chairman; Charles Lollar, candidate for U.S. Congress; Jerry Walker, candidate for Anne Arundel County Council; and Eric Cary, candidate for State Senate, according to a Murphy campaign press release..

Amedori, who was present at last night’s Westminster Tax Day Tea Party, in the parking lot at Legends Café, on Route 140 was found in the back of the crowd sporting her newly minted “Murphy – Amedori for Maryland (Governor)” signs.

It was earlier on Thursday that word got out that Amedori, who most recently served on the Maryland parole commission member until January, is abandoning her bid for the Republican nomination to oppose U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski (D) of Baltimore.

She had been appointed to her position on the parole commission by then-Governor Ehrlich, who is now her opponent in the upcoming September 14, Maryland Republican primary.

The buzz at last night’s Tea Party was that Murphy is adding Amedori to the ticket to reach-out to conservative voters in the upcoming primary contest; although with so many Ehrlich supporters in the crowd, no one was willing to speak on the record.

Last night Amedori praised Murphy’s small business credentials noting that it was actually Ehrlich who has been on record as saying that it will take someone with a business background to beat incumbent Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley in this fall’s November general election.

Amedori had previously announced in February that she was going to run to unseat the four-term incumbent, Mikulski, by participating in a crowded Republican primary but recently changed her mind to join the ticket of Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Murphy, as his lieutenant governor.

This latest development is certain to make the summer political season that much more interesting.

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http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/04/dayhoff-amedori-to-run-for-maryland.html http://tinyurl.com/y55wm4q

Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff

Carroll Co res Amedori 2 join tkt Rep gov cand Brian Murphy as Lt gov running mate http://tinyurl.com/y55wm4q http://twitpic.com/1gz42c

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Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/ or http://kevindayhoffart.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/ or http://www.westgov.net/ = www.kevindayhoff.org Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ = www.newbedfordherald.net Explore Carroll: www.explorecarroll.com The Tentacle: www.thetentacle.com

*****

Westminster Maryland Online http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/ http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.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/

Brian Murphy for Governor of Maryland—Special Announcement in Annapolis on Friday

For immediate release

Wednesday, April 13, 2010

Brian Murphy for Governor of Maryland—Special Announcement in Annapolis

Chevy Chase, Maryland — Please join Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Brian Murphy on Friday, April 16, 2010, at 4:30 p.m. on Lawyers’ Mall in Annapolis, MD as he announces his candidate for Lieutenant Governor. 

Brian will be joined by:  Jim Pelura, Former MD GOP Chairman; Charles Lollar, Candidate for U.S. Congress; Carmen Amedori, Candidate for U.S. Senate; Jerry Walker, Candidate for Anne Arundel County Council; Eric Cary, Candidate for State Senate; and friends, supporters, and members of the media.

Following the conference candidates will be available for Questions and Answers.  A post-launch party will be held at Reynolds Tavern -  7 Church Circle, Annapolis, MD 21401.

In case of inclement weather, an alternate location will be communicated via email.

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Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/ or http://kevindayhoffart.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/ or http://www.westgov.net/ = www.kevindayhoff.org Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ = www.newbedfordherald.net Explore Carroll: www.explorecarroll.com The Tentacle: www.thetentacle.com

*****

Westminster Maryland Online http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/ http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.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/

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