MD Gov. Larry Hogan to Propose Tax Cuts and State Funding Formula Changes

[Kingpoleon]

This is exactly what he said he'd do during the campaign, and therefore what the state wants. The legislature should not fight it.

Why even have a legislature?

Have to agree with publicunofficial here. The Governor is not a king and there is no reason why 188 elected lawmakers, elected to write laws of the likes which Hogan proposed, should have to capitulate to one man elected by a very modest margin during an low-turnout election where only 44% of registered voters actually voted.

While I agree with you in principle, a gerrymandered legislature is the only reason it's so Democratic.

[Kingpoleon]

Have to agree with publicunofficial here. The Governor is not a king and there is no reason why 188 elected lawmakers, elected to write laws of the likes which Hogan proposed, should have to capitulate to one man elected by a very modest margin during an low-turnout election where only 44% of registered voters actually voted.

While I agree with you in principle, a gerrymandered legislature is the only reason it's so Democratic.

Depends what you mean. Maryland's population is just shy of half non-white, with a third being African American. On top of that, the white vote in Maryland is several points more Democratic than the national average. There is gerrymandering, sure, but gerrymandering will not consistently give Democrats 60+ seat advantages in the state House and more than double the seats of Republicans in the state Senate. Even in a great year for the GOP, the legislature would almost surely remain Democratic. Veto-proof majorities would probably be a lot rarer, though.

I'm fairly certain that if it weren't for gerrymandering and all districts had to be somewhat competitive, this would pass, albeit within ten to twelve votes. As it is, it will probably be within three to eight votes.

[Kingpoleon]

The state is solidly Democratic, through and through. There is no reason that the legislature - which unlike the Governor, has to actually stand for re-election in high-turnout elections that resemble their electorates' populations half the time - should give one inch of ground to this low-energy loser who was elected with a bare majority of the vote by a paltry minority of registered voters. He has no mandate to propose policies - let alone lead - and should be content enough with holding his ceremonial title as Governor for the next three years.

I can't believe the stupid Republican thought he could get away with not governing exactly like O'Malley. Clearly the voters wanted the same, slightly aged, white guy, not new policies or evil tax cuts or ANYTHING DIFFERENT AT ALL.