Free State Republican

Volume 1; Issue 2 News of the Maryland Republican Party June 2007

Red,
Red, and Blue Dinner First 100 Days of
On June 6th, Maryland Republicans from that he was Republican because “I love this One-Party Control
around the state gathered for the 17th Annual State and I want Maryland to be an exam-
Red, White and Blue Dinner. Nearly 300 en- ple of good government.” Maryland has become a dream-come-true for
thusiastic supporters turned out for the annual liberals across the country. With the return of
fundraiser to help the Party and rub elbows Governor Ehrlich rallied the Party faithful one-party control in Annapolis, the Democ-
with the “who’s who” of the to engage the Democrats at rats spent the 2007 Session of the Maryland
Maryland Republican Party. every turn. “Disengagement General Assembly pushing legislation that
Among the VIPs were former will cost us dearly at this makes it a test kitchen for liberal thinks tanks.
Governor Bob Ehrlich, former time. This is a new and very
Lt. Governor Michael Steele, extreme Democratic Party,” Vote Anywhere with No Identification –
and taxpayer advocate Grover Governor Ehrlich told the Both the House and Senate passed the so-
Norquist, the dinner’s featured dinner guests. called “Early Voting” Constitutional Amend-
speaker. ment, which, if approved by voters in the No-
Grover Norquist, the keynote speaker, vember 4, 2008 election, will allow voters to
Being the 63rd anniversary of D-Day, dinner warned dinner guests of the Democrat vote up to two weeks early in any of Mary-
guests took time to reflect on the historic day agenda to raise taxes at both the federal land’s 24 jurisdictions. Currently, the tech-
and honor those who put their lives on the line and state levels. Mr. Norquist stated in no nology does not exist to ensure that a person
in the name of freedom. Colonel Chuck Tho- uncertain terms that it is the Democratic does not vote more than once. To make it
mann, a World War II veteran, and his wife, Party that is fractured and that they will even worse, Democrats resisted all attempts
Joyce, President of the Republican Women of undoubtedly lose the “battle of ideas.” to require any form of voter identification.
Anne Arundel County, performed the National
Anthem. Republicans will continue to stand up for Ignore Maryland Voters/ Award Presiden-
all Marylanders against the Democrats’ tial Electors to Winner of National Vote –
Chairman James Pelura, the dinner’s emcee, plans to raise taxes, grow government, and The House and Senate both passed legislation
highlighted the differences between Republi- buck accountability. to award Maryland’s Electoral Votes to the
cans and Democrats and told those gathered winner of the national popular vote, circum-
venting the Constitution. This will only take
effect if states with a majority of the Electoral
Chairman’s Corner Votes join the interstate compact.
I am so excited about the accomplishments we have achieved together Expedited Voting Rights for Convicted
in a short six-month period. Felons – The House and Senate passed legis-
lation to allow convicted felons the right to
Communication. As I travel the state, one of the most common com- vote as soon as they have completed their
pliments I have received is that communication from the State Party terms. This means that convicted rapists,
has never been better. This publication, the Free State Republican, is child molesters, and murderers will have the
just one of those new tools we have used to communicate with Maryland Republicans. We right to vote as soon as they walk out of
have also expanded our e-mail network to share talking points on Taxes, Taxes, and More prison even without full restitution.
Taxes, and most recently, O’Malley’s Electric Rate Hike. You may have also noticed some of
the upgrades to our Web site (www.mdgop.org), including the addition of a Legislator of the Early Release for Drug Dealers - The House
Week, a more thorough events calendar, and just recently, a Republican Presidential Candi- and Senate passed legislation to allow drug
dates page. dealers convicted multiple times to qualify for
early release from prison. After outrage from
Legislative/Grassroots: On the first day of the 2007 Session, we held the first-ever MDGOP common sense Marylanders, Governor
Open House and nearly 100 people showed up at Headquarters to celebrate the MDGOP and O’Malley was forced to backtrack and veto
encourage our legislators. The Republican Caucus was successful in getting Jessica’s Law this bill.
and a Verifiable Paper Trail both passed and in-state tuition for illegal immigrants defeated.
At last month’s Spring Convention, we unveiled the Red, White and Blue Voter Registration Inflating Wages and Widening the Wage
Initiative, a new statewide effort by both the MDGOP and Maryland Federation of Republican Gap Between Rural and Urban Counties –
Women to increase Republican voter registration in each and every county in Maryland. We The House and Senate passed the Living
have organized two successful Support our Troops events at BWI Airport to give our troops Wage legislation that requires companies with
the proper welcome home that they so richly deserve. state contracts to pay a minimum of $8.50 an
hour in rural areas and $11.30 an hour in ur-
Fundraising. I am pleased to report that the MDGOP has been present at every county’s ban areas. This legislation is hypocritical
Lincoln Day Dinner, and we just hosted a successful Red, White and Blue Dinner. In May, when many state employees make less than-
we kicked off a new, exciting book signing series, The Great Communicator Book Series, this so-called living wage.
with Fox News contributor and author Angela McGlowan. Stay tuned for more to come! (Continued on page 2)

www.mdgop.org
Page 2 Free State Republican June 2007

One-Party Rule TAXES, TAXES AND MORE TAXES

(Continued from page 1)

In-State Tuition for Illegal Immigrants – Following is a list of some of the
The House passed legislation to provide in- new taxes and increases proposed by
state tuition for illegal immigrants at all state Democrats in the 2007 Session. In
colleges and universities and community col- all, Democrats proposed over $4 bil-
leges. While the bill died in the Senate, sup- lion in new taxes for fiscal year
porters plan to bring it back next year with 2008. Whatever you do – watch
renewed force. your wallets!
• State Income Tax Increase
Surrender Your Car To California Stan-
• Sales Tax Increase
dards - The House and Senate passed legisla-
• Service Tax—NEW
tion which subjects Maryland consumers to
emissions standards set by California, forces • Restaurant and Bar Tax—NEW
car manufacturers to make cars specifically for • Hotel Tax—NEW
California and Maryland, and will be a finan- • Alcohol Tax Increase
cial burden on working families. • Cigarette Tax Increase
• Gas Tax Increase
If the first one hundred days of the return of • Assault Weapon Tax—NEW
one-party rule in Annapolis is any indicator, • Ammunition Tax—NEW
the citizens of Maryland are in for four long • Car Tax Increase
years of being the liberals’ policy guinea pigs.
• State Property Tax Increase
• Student Housing Property Tax-
NEW
• Supplemental Property Tax for
Prince George’s County—NEW
• Building Excise Tax—NEW
• Green Fund Fee—NEW
• Recordation and Transfer Tax
Increase—NEW
• Corporate Tax Increase
• Nursing Home Assessment—
NEW
• Driver Education School Assess-
ment—NEW
• Air Quality Emissions-Based
Permit Fee
• LNG Facilities Impact Fee—
NEW
• Unused Gift Card/Gift Certifi-
cate Assessment—NEW

Spring Convention in Annapolis

From May 18-19, the Maryland Republican Party held its Spring brave men and women in uniform. Convention attendees were en-
Convention in Annapolis. Nearly 190 voting delegates turned out for couraged to get involved in several projects to support our troops,
a productive weekend of business and a little bit of fun. including a Support the Troops event at BWI Airport later that day.

On the evening of May 18, after the Executive Committee completed
its work, Republican officials and members socialized at the various
hospitality suites held by presidential campaigns and one new tradi-
tion—the Gorgeous Prince George’s Karaoke Party hosted by the
Prince George’s County Republican Party.
At the May 19 breakfast session, Senate Republican Leader David
Brinkley and House Republican Leader Tony O’Donnell reported to
Convention attendees about developments in the General Assembly
and what to expect going forward.
With the Convention occurring on Armed Forces Day, it was only
appropriate that the Morning Session began with a tribute to our
The Convention delegates received a report from the Bylaws Review
Committee and voted in favor of three resolutions. One resolution to
amend the voting structure of the MDGOP Executive Committee was
heavily debated, but in the end passed with 75% of the vote. Atten-
dees also participated in workshops to better understand their role as
Party officers and to gain skills in voter registration and communicat-
ing with the media.
The Convention ended with an awards luncheon with Lt. Governor
Michael Steele as the keynote speaker. He gave a rousing speech
declaring that “the sulking, the moping, the wailing and gnashing of
teeth is over… We have to roll up our sleeves. We have to work hard.
We need to begin now to build this farm team and train and go back
at it.”

House Republican Leader O’Donnell Chairman James Pelura addresses the audience of Lt. Gov. Michael Steele rallies the
and Senate Republican Leader nearly 190 voting delegates at the Convention Republican troops during the
Brinkley address the breakfast session. during the Morning Session. awards luncheon.
Page 3 Free State Republican June 2007

O’Malley’s Electric Rate Hike

Marylanders Forced To Pay The Price For On June 1st, Electric Rates Went Up By 50% For BGE Custom-
ers. “State officials reluctantly approved a 50 percent rate increase
O’Malley’s Broken Campaign Promises yesterday for the 1.1 million residential customers of Baltimore Gas
and Electric Co., saying they had “little legal option” to defer or re-
MARTIN O’MALLEY’S PROMISE TO “STOP THE RATE duce the utility company’s proposal. The increase goes into effect
HIKES” WAS JUST AN EMPTY CAMPAIGN PROMISE, AND June 1.” (Brian Witte, “Officials Approve BGE’s Increase,” Wash-
MARYLANDERS ARE NOW PAYING THE PRICE ington Times, 5/24/07)(emphasis added)

Last Year, Martin O’Malley Promised Immediate Relief From

THE O’MALLEY ELECTRIC RATE HIKE IS UNIVERSALLY
Electric Rate Hikes. “Martin O’Malley and Anthony Brown will
PANNED AND WILL CREATE A FINANCIAL HARDSHIP
work to provide immediate relief from the impending rate hikes for
WITHOUT ANY REAL NOTICE TO PREPARE
our families, small businesses and the most vulnerable in our com-
munities.” (O’Malley Campaign Web site, http://
The Maryland Gazette Reports That Rate Hike “Universally
www.martinomalley.com/content/591, accessed May 28, 2007)
Panned By Angry Ratepayers.” “The rate increase would bring
monthly bills to $136 for the average home, which uses 1,000 kilo-
Last Year, Candidate O’Malley Promised To “Stop The Rate
watt hours of electricity a month. Bills currently average $98. Dur-
Hikes.” “‘The special interests already have their governor - we
ing a public forum on the increase in Annapolis April 24, the hike
need one of our own,’ says a voice-over in the mayor’s commercial.
was universally panned by angry ratepayers.” (Andrew Childers,
‘Martin O’Malley: taking on BGE to stop the rate hikes.’” (David
“BGE rate decision may come this week,” Maryland Gazette,
Abrams, “Politicos jockey for credit on BGE rate deal,” Capital,
5/16/07)
6/25/06)(emphasis added)
Full research piece can be found at www.mdgop.org.

Maryland GOP Honors Exceptional Republicans

On Saturday, May 19th, the Maryland Republican Party hosted its annual awards luncheon as part of its Spring Convention.

Nat’l Committeewoman Joyce Lyons Joan Harris, VP of Citizens for Jessica’s Tara Buckley of the Republican Women of
Terhes congratulates Alice Wright Law in Maryland, accepts the Grassroots Maryland, receives the Youth of the Year
of Kent County on her induction Activist of the Year Award. Award, photographed with Patt Parker,
into the Emeritus Program. MFRW President.

Rev. Frankie Powell receives the
Aris T. Allen Award for the Baltimore
City Republican Party’s Voter
Registration Efforts, with Nat’l
Committeeman Louis Pope.
Worcester County Republicans, including Prince George’s County Chairman
Chair Marty Pusey, pose with Chairman Jim Mykel Harris accepts the Man of the
Pelura and the County of the Year Award. Year Award, with Chairman Pelura.
 Around the Free State

Chairman Pelura addresses the Maryland Federation The Maryland chapter of the Republican National
of College Republicans Convention in April 2007. Hispanic Assembly meets in Annapolis in April 2007.

Governor Bob Ehrlich addresses the Over 100 Maryland Republicans at BWI Airport greet
Cecil County Lincoln Day Dinner. returning Navy medical troops who were stationed in Iraq.

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