Maryland, nicknamed the Old Line State, was often the main
battlefield of pivotal Civil War conflicts, including the bloodiest day of
battle: Antietam. Maryland was the home and developing ground of Republican
abolitionist Frederick Douglass, yet seats the dysfunctional, widely loathed
federal capital. From Mason-Dixon to Baltimore riots, Maryland would hardly
qualify as a merry land today, but for one man and his conservative political team
effort to restore his state.
battlefield of pivotal Civil War conflicts, including the bloodiest day of
battle: Antietam. Maryland was the home and developing ground of Republican
abolitionist Frederick Douglass, yet seats the dysfunctional, widely loathed
federal capital. From Mason-Dixon to Baltimore riots, Maryland would hardly
qualify as a merry land today, but for one man and his conservative political team
effort to restore his state.
Larry Hogan, the son of former Congressman Lawrence Hogan
(who voted to have Richard Nixon impeached following his connections to the Watergate
cover-up), coalesced with Marylanders frustrated with tax-and-spend,
regulate-frustrate Annapolis. They started Change Maryland, and they have started
changing Maryland, with Hogan at the helm.
(who voted to have Richard Nixon impeached following his connections to the Watergate
cover-up), coalesced with Marylanders frustrated with tax-and-spend,
regulate-frustrate Annapolis. They started Change Maryland, and they have started
changing Maryland, with Hogan at the helm.
Three months ago, I contacted the Maryland GOP headquarters
for more information, including confirmation about a key tax cut. Happily
obliging to trumpet the success of one of their own, I wrote about Hogan’s “Unsung
Hero” status.
for more information, including confirmation about a key tax cut. Happily
obliging to trumpet the success of one of their own, I wrote about Hogan’s “Unsung
Hero” status.
Today, I write to inform conservatives nation-wide that
Hogan’s victory then is building momentum, and then some.
Hogan’s victory then is building momentum, and then some.
Unlike New Jersey Governor Chris Christie (whom Hogan
invited to his 2015 inaugural), Hogan has been a team player from Day One. Catch
an extended glimpse of his ease as well as strong character to share his
victories with his staff
in this clip following his first one hundred days in office.
invited to his 2015 inaugural), Hogan has been a team player from Day One. Catch
an extended glimpse of his ease as well as strong character to share his
victories with his staff
in this clip following his first one hundred days in office.
Media savvy without being servile or selfish, Hogan was
blunt about Maryland’s fiscal and governmental dysfunction in his first State
of the State address. “Marylanders are among the nation’s most hardest working and
most educated people”, Hogan
announced to the General Assembly. He then indicted the high taxation,
spending, and regulations hurting businesses and pushing residents out of the
state.
blunt about Maryland’s fiscal and governmental dysfunction in his first State
of the State address. “Marylanders are among the nation’s most hardest working and
most educated people”, Hogan
announced to the General Assembly. He then indicted the high taxation,
spending, and regulations hurting businesses and pushing residents out of the
state.
He stated one litmus test for his new agenda:
“Will this law or action make it easier for families and
small businesses to stay in Maryland?”
small businesses to stay in Maryland?”
He intended to balance the state’s budgets and shore up the
flagging pension system without raising taxes. And he did it.
flagging pension system without raising taxes. And he did it.
In fact, unlike his two-term Democratic predecessor Martin
O’Malley (now a single-digit also-ran running for the 2016 Democratic Party
nomination), Hogan is rolling back taxes and fees, seeking to make government
work for Marylanders rather than working them over. Indeed, he repealed the
universally hated rain tax. Marylanders visiting Torrance, CA told me how much
they hated that levy, and were thrilled to learn of its repeal.
O’Malley (now a single-digit also-ran running for the 2016 Democratic Party
nomination), Hogan is rolling back taxes and fees, seeking to make government
work for Marylanders rather than working them over. Indeed, he repealed the
universally hated rain tax. Marylanders visiting Torrance, CA told me how much
they hated that levy, and were thrilled to learn of its repeal.
About public transportation, Hogan
drew a red line on public spending, and killed a proposed Red Line.
Regarding another rail line, Purple, Hogan studied hard and bargained harder,
ensuring that the two counties which would benefit, would shoulder a greater
part of the cost, and include private sector input to trim an already slimmed
down budget projection.
drew a red line on public spending, and killed a proposed Red Line.
Regarding another rail line, Purple, Hogan studied hard and bargained harder,
ensuring that the two counties which would benefit, would shoulder a greater
part of the cost, and include private sector input to trim an already slimmed
down budget projection.
He cut all state departments by two percent, but increased
funding for K-12 and higher education.
funding for K-12 and higher education.
In a smart yet simple business move to curry favor with constituents
and invite tourism and commerce, Hogan
signed off on lower tolls and fees to come into effect on July 1, for bridges
and toll roads throughout the state. This reductions to travel levies
throughout the state will help commuters, taxpayers, and tourists enjoy their
lives. Local media have conceded that their Republican governor
is making all the right decisions.
and invite tourism and commerce, Hogan
signed off on lower tolls and fees to come into effect on July 1, for bridges
and toll roads throughout the state. This reductions to travel levies
throughout the state will help commuters, taxpayers, and tourists enjoy their
lives. Local media have conceded that their Republican governor
is making all the right decisions.
Now international freight shipping
lines are returning to Baltimore ports for the first time in decades.
lines are returning to Baltimore ports for the first time in decades.
On education, Hogan and his Lieutenant Governor Boyd Rutherford
presented
a planned, expansive, freedom-based set of proposals. The legislature watered
down most of them, but Hogan signed off on modest progress in the final bill.
presented
a planned, expansive, freedom-based set of proposals. The legislature watered
down most of them, but Hogan signed off on modest progress in the final bill.
Military
retirees will get a $10,000 tax credit, a step in the right direction to
ensure that Marylanders stay in Maryland.
retirees will get a $10,000 tax credit, a step in the right direction to
ensure that Marylanders stay in Maryland.
Even the negative press against Hogan turns out to his favor
One letter to the Baltimore Sun even identified
Hogan as “Maryland’s
Scott Walker”. Despite the letter’s negative tinge, Hogan actually comes
out stron:
One letter to the Baltimore Sun even identified
Hogan as “Maryland’s
Scott Walker”. Despite the letter’s negative tinge, Hogan actually comes
out stron:
. . . Gov. Larry
Hogan's only purpose in proposing tax breaks on military pensions was an effort
to divide a normally cohesive bloc of voters.
Hogan's only purpose in proposing tax breaks on military pensions was an effort
to divide a normally cohesive bloc of voters.
On the contrary, honoring those who gave their lives for
this country is more than good politics. It’s good statesmanship.
this country is more than good politics. It’s good statesmanship.
His proposal involves
the exemption that allows charter schools to hire non-union teachers who are
not state certified. . each local school district would be required to turn
over to private institutions 98 percent of what they spend per pupil.
the exemption that allows charter schools to hire non-union teachers who are
not state certified. . each local school district would be required to turn
over to private institutions 98 percent of what they spend per pupil.
Do teachers really need all the bureaucratic back-and-forth
to establish themselves as good educators?
to establish themselves as good educators?
Governor Hogan appears
to be just like Govs. Sam Brownback of Kansas and Scott Walker of Wisconsin and
former Gov. Tom Corbett of Pennsylvania.
to be just like Govs. Sam Brownback of Kansas and Scott Walker of Wisconsin and
former Gov. Tom Corbett of Pennsylvania.
Walker and Brownback won reelection in 2014 following severe
tax and spending cuts plus necessary reforms in their home states. Corbett didn’t
walk the walk, and lost. First lesson:
do right by the taxpayer, then stand your ground. Another difference between
Hogan and his counterparts? The Maryland Governor accomplished his achievements
despite a stiff, recalcitrant, status quo Democratic legislature.
tax and spending cuts plus necessary reforms in their home states. Corbett didn’t
walk the walk, and lost. First lesson:
do right by the taxpayer, then stand your ground. Another difference between
Hogan and his counterparts? The Maryland Governor accomplished his achievements
despite a stiff, recalcitrant, status quo Democratic legislature.
![]("http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XdReyL4WqwE/VZbbNcRD_lI/AAAAAAAABRs/fKzveuJ5hhg/s1600/Larry%2BGetting%2BBetter.jpg") |
| Larry Hogan: healing and serving Maryland |
Not only that, but the first-term political neophyte
summoned up calm, courage, and resolve during the intense Baltimore riots.
Respecting local authority until the last minute, Hogan took charge, announced
a state of emergency, and declared “Criminal activity will not
be tolerated.” He got national press for his leadership, and
justly so.
summoned up calm, courage, and resolve during the intense Baltimore riots.
Respecting local authority until the last minute, Hogan took charge, announced
a state of emergency, and declared “Criminal activity will not
be tolerated.” He got national press for his leadership, and
justly so.
A rising figure in the Republican Party as well as Maryland,
Hogan is
reaching out to African-American communities and helping his conservative
peers make stronger strides in future elections.
Hogan is
reaching out to African-American communities and helping his conservative
peers make stronger strides in future elections.
A Serious illness? Yes. Is he serious about fighting it? No
question about it.
question about it.
A day after his diagnosis announcement, Hogan is feeling great. On
his Facebook page, sitting with his lovely wife and daughter standing on
his side, he declared that he is still working while recuperating and healing.
his Facebook page, sitting with his lovely wife and daughter standing on
his side, he declared that he is still working while recuperating and healing.
Get well soon, Governor Hogan. Maryland needs you. This
country also needs your bold example that conservatives can fight back in blue
states and restore law and order, financial peace and prosperity.
country also needs your bold example that conservatives can fight back in blue
states and restore law and order, financial peace and prosperity.