The full ramifications of unfunded liabilities have not been fully examined yet.  As taxes rise, jobs are lost.  As businesses and jobs move to a better business climate, tax revenues shrink – just ask California.  In addition, Senate Bill 848, Education – Maintenance of Effort, mandates yearly increases in county spending which will force local tax increases and forces county governments to ignore property tax caps.  This means the 1978 Tax Reform Initiative by Marylanders (TRIM) is effectively dead in Prince George’s county, and no one is protected from excessive property tax increases.

On top of this, in January the current federal tax rates are set to adjust upward – the largest tax hike in American history.

It’s time Annapolis keeps its promise to the teachers and fully fund their pensions.   The State should not be allowed to run up a county’s debt, nor should Washington run up the State’s debt.  It’s time for a tax and spending freeze in government, and for the legislators to look beyond this year’s budget to see the full impact on citizens.

Raising income taxes in the Special Session will stall job growth, by driving businesses and citizens out of the state.  As businesses leave, so do the jobs and the tax revenue Annapolis thought they would garner.  They will not save this money, pay off debt or use it responsibly – they will simply spend more.

The largest tax hike in history is coming our way in January from the federal government.  Our congressman made it happen – instead of focusing on jobs.  Now he’d rather engage in partisan politics and finger pointing, raising money in Puerto Rico to campaign in New York.

It’s time this cycle ends. Annapolis must freeze spending and live within the balanced budget already passed.  It’s time for Washington to do the same. It’s time for a new congressman – who represents us in DC, and will stop increasing taxes and irresponsible spending.

Growing up I had an incredible role model, even if I didn’t fully appreciate her at the time, my mother.   As the youngest of 7, my mother had already been well tested and prepared for any challenges I may have presented.  As I recall our family life, my mother’s presence and influence is felt in every memory.  Her tender loving care, dedication to our family, and firm steady hand made me the man I am today.

In this Congressional race I am blessed to meet so very many women who have my mother’s traits.  Women who take care of their families in every way they know how; women who take care of the people around them and make our communities a much better place to live;  and strong women who look challenges in the face and do not back down in fear.  I am humbled by these women and I strive to be the very best representative I can be for them.

So to all the mothers, take time today to reflect on your blessings and those you share and have a very Happy Mother’s Day.

Sincerely

Tony O’Donnell

and celebrate

Marlborough Day 2012

Saturday, May 12, 2012
Upper Marlboro, Maryland
Parade kicks-off at 10 am

Check the Marlborough Day 2012 website for additional Festival information.

WP Editorial: Cove Point Means Business

O’Donnell Statement on April’s Jobs Report

Today we take time to thank and honor the teachers in our life – both past and present.   Teachers endure long hours, challenges, and stress all for the joy of seeing a child understand the lessons and apply the knowledge.  Take time and remember how your teachers shared their knowledge with you and helped you develop your building blocks of success.  Be sure to send  a quick note to let them know you are thinking of them.

Thank a teacher today!

9am – 11am

Meet Tony at the Pancake Breakfast

Berwyn Heights Town Center

5700 Berwyn Rd

Noon

Tony will be in the Parade!  Be sure to shake his hand and pick up your yard sign!

It’s time for a Congressman who supports the XL Pipeline on the House floor. The XL Pipeline is expected to add 20,000 jobs immediately and many hundreds of thousands of more jobs eventually to this failing economy. I agree with organized labor that this project should go forward now, not delayed “until after the election”. It is unfortunate Congressman Hoyer hesitated in his support of this venture. We must tap into our vast natural resources to create jobs, lessen our dependence on foreign oil, strengthen our national security and cut the trade deficit.

It’s time for a Congressman who supports the planned expansion for the Cove Point LNG plant right here that will create thousands of good paying jobs and economic expansion for Prince Georges County, Anne Arundel County and all of Southern Maryland. An average of 750 construction workers would be employed during 3+ years of construction, a majority of them good Union jobs. There will be between 2,700 and 3,400 jobs associated with the project in Calvert County alone at the peak of construction activity. These jobs will be filled by workers from all 5 counties in this congressional district. We could grow as many as 14,600 more jobs in several industries once gas exports begin.

It’s time we had a Congressman who is not afraid to lead and take on the challenges facing our citizens and country. Representative Hoyer no longer represents the economic interests of the citizens of Maryland’s 5th Congressional district. His “tax, tax, spend, spend” ways and policies have contributed to the terrible Unemployment Report today. We need a Congressman who will step up and fight for American workers and free enterprise, and work to facilitate job opportunities where all Americans can pursue their own American dream – it’s time.

In a letter from the Coalition, the founder Phyllis Schlafly stated,

 ”We appreciate your heartfelt, truly pro-life stand. We wish you the best of luck in your race and look forward to working with you in the future to protect the inherent natural right to life of every innocent American, born and unborn.”

The NRC/Life supports Republican candidates who are pro-life and who do not justify abortion for babies conceived as a result of rape or incest, or, who have a handicap or genetic defect.

O’Donnell stated, “I appreciate and am humbled by their support. I am saddened when thinking about the lives lost every year to abortion. Our society must change to value life as much as we value freedom and liberty.”

Three weeks ago, President Obama stated at his press conference, “I’m confident that the Supreme Court will not take what would be an unprecedented, extraordinary step of overturning a law that was passed by a strong majority of a democratically elected Congress.”The law, known as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (more commonly referred to as ObamaCare), voted favorably by Congressman Hoyer, includes a federal mandate requiring every American to buy health insurance or pay a penalty collected by the IRS.

In March 2012, the Supreme Court, exercising its power of judicial review, heard oral argument regarding the constitutionality of ObamaCare. The case is an appeal from an Eleventh Circuit decision that held the legislation unconstitutional under both the Commerce Clause and the Taxing and Spending Clause of the Constitution. Proponents of the legislation argue this federal mandate falls within the power of Congress to regulate interstate commerce under Article I, Section 8. Unfortunately, over the last century, the Supreme Court has incrementally expanded Congressional power under the Commerce Clause and has upheld a wide range of legislation that has regulated everything from professional sports to individual consumption of wheat. Many judges have played linguistic gymnastics in their opinions and have stretched the interpretation of this clause to jurisprudential absurdity. Sadly, these decisions have resulted in the loss of liberty that we should possess as Americans today.

Citizens, on the other hand, understand this health care mandate exceeds the power of Congress, even under the Commerce Clause, and creates an undue infringement on the rights and freedom of Americans under the Constitution. Upholding legislation like ObamaCare would grant sweeping powers to the federal government and give Congress the potential ability to regulate every aspect of our lives. One is left asking the question, “Where does should this government intrusion stop?”

A decision by the Supreme Court on ObamaCare will likely live or die by the Commerce Clause and ignite a heated national debate on what extent the federal government can infringe on citizens’ freedoms. ObamaCare represents an overreach of federal government authority. Hopefully, under its power of judicial review, the Court will take the extraordinary, but correct, step in overturning the law even if it did pass by a strong majority in Congress. Many legal pundits, however, believe that the legislation will likely be upheld in its entirety. Now, more than ever, is the time to elect a Congressman that will legislate with principles we Americans value–individual freedom, limited government, and curtailed spending. I strongly believe in these principles.