1. education
2. school

County
Certain information has been removed or redacted from the text to protect the rights of the submitter or other State employees.
Information that is personally identifying, including names, addresses, email addresses, and telephone numbers, has been removed.
Personal medical information has been redacted. Information relating to individual employees that may warrant further internal
investigation by the agencies has been redacted. Information that, if disclosed, may violate an employee’s right to confidentiality or
Suggestions
Anne Arundel
Dear Sirs,
One significant way that you could reduce costs and improve "Health Care Outcomes" for many people would be to put every single disabled person in
Maryland to work in competitive employment, teach them not only to work and to contribute to the community, but to manage their own resources, pay their own
bills (starting with Health Care Expenses), pay taxes (it is avctually a privilege to be able to pay taxes; not everyone has enough income to be able to pay taxes).
Health Care coverage should a part of what everyone is able to earn with their work. Everyone should be trained to be able to not only pay for their own
In addition, everyone should be trained to not only work, but to participate in "lifelong learning" and "continuing professional education". The best vehicle to
deliver "continuing professional education" and "lifelong learning" is through our nationwide system of community colleges (mostly in night school). The
community colleges offer the best quality of training for the least possible cost. They will accept anyone who wants to try to learn, no matter what. They have the
capacity to take people from "where they are" to "where they want to be" for a minimal dollar cost. It is also important for people to not only study such things as
Math, Science and Business, but it is also imoportant for people to study such things as Psychology, Sociology, Political Science, Philosophy, Cultural
These are but a few ideas. Thank you for listening.
Respectfully,
Retired IT Professional
Small Business Owner
PS - One more thought would be: "Technology is not really a toy or a source of entertainment; it is merely a "working tool" that can be used to perform work and
xxx
Anne Arundel
Have more troopers on the road writing traffic tickets. I live near exit 8 at the Baltimore Beltway, and it sounds like a raceway most of the time with speeding cars,
trucks, and motorcycles. It would make the roads safer and riase money. Please do it
Sell off surplus land holdings to individuals for the sole purpose of eco-friendly homesteading.
make every government form and process easy enough for the average citizen to utilize with out having to deal with a government worker to explain the form.
Dear Governor O’Malley—
I commend your exploration for honest, achievable solutions to align the state’s budget with the current economic phase we—and the nation—have entered.
Having worked on the health policy side of Maryland initiatives, I can knowledgeably say that opportunities do exist for broader economic efficiencies. Health care
reform does not place exclusive demands on changing the industry but requires collective self-examination and innovation by all stakeholders.
I recommend that the Governor’s office perform an assessment to eliminate the duplication of services. When multiple organizations provide similar, even
identical information and output, the value brought to public health does not increase, however, the costs of redundancy do increase expenditures unnecessarily.
For example, the Maryland Health Care Commission does quality reporting on hospitals, nursing homes, and health plans. The facility reports are derived from
data collected and processed by CMS, which also publishes the information for consumers’ use. Maryland neither facilitates consumerism by echoing the work of
I can expand on efficiencies through de-duplication of efforts should you have an interest in further details.
Regards,
Montgomery
Harford
Montgomery
Baltimore
Baltimore
Allegany
Montgomery
If we keep cutting the budget, families are not going to be able to receive the services they need. This is not fair in this type of economy to leave out low income
Please don't cut funds for education and public health services.
Thank you.
How about cutting funding to programs that don't work. or! how about smaller goverment. You cut goverment jobs by 100 but create 250 more. Thank god they
don't run a business, they would go broke. Let us keep more of our money. How about making thoughs on welfare.... yes welfare!!!! do some community services
hours for the free money they receive every month. 20 hrs a month should be a good start. Independent card? It should be called a dependent card... they
please keep the adult literacy program.
Put an end to your use of the MD PSC as a personal attack dog against one utility in the State. There are several utilities, all with comparable delivery service
prices and there are Electric Choice options that every electricity user and many gas users have. Why have we singled out one utility to wage war on? It made
Your attempt to make yourself somehow look better in the eyes of Maryland voters has not worked. Put an end to the abuse of power and save the taxpayers the
The costs associated with the continued investigation into the sale of 49.9% of nuclear assets from one of the utilities. (The judicial branch has served up a
hollow victory but ultimately must follow the rule of law.) How much has this farce cost the taxpayers of the entire State?
The potential loss of jobs with the construction, operation and maintenance associated with the addition of a third nuclear unit in Southern Maryland. (How much
And the embarassment that unrestrained egotistical power delivers. (Priceless?)
Best wishes with the budget.
I understand all of the problems were inherited from the previous administration. All of the rest of Marylanders understand too. ;-)
Do not change the voting system in Maryland. There is no reason to change voting systems in Maryland. This will save 20 to 30 million dollars. It is not practical
or warranted to change to another system. The current (Diebold) system won't be paid off until 2012. No fraud or other crime has ever been committed with the
current system. We don't need a paper trail. There are only a few noise makers that want a new system. Let those that want a new system pay for the new
system. As a Maryland tax payer, I am happy with the current system that is in place! Save the money that was to go towards the new voting system. Way fix
Increase The Inmate Copay For Medical Treatment From 2.00 To 4.00 By Charging A 2.00 Copay For Medications
Serior Inmates 70 Plus Years old Who's Crime Was Not Murder
And Who Has Served Atleast 3/4 Of Thier Sentance Release.
Defund the ICC
Withdraw from No Child Left Behind and put the millions of dollars now spent on standardized tests into art, music, drama afterschool programs and during
Reduce energy use in all state buildings. Turn off copiers at the end of the day, use only compact flourescents or LED builbs and turn off lights; lower air
Ask Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood for help finding transportations funds to restore the rest stop positions. The stimulus is supposed to preserve jobs and
Eliminate subsidies for biotech businesses.
Ask Obama for funds given to the banks to keep homeowners from foreclosure.
Promote a buy local food campaign; keep telling hospitals and restaurants and consumers to buy from local farms and farmers markets; that could be a lot of
revenue for the state, and healthy food creates healthy people and lowers health care costt.
Promote holistic medicine to also lower health care costs; a 1995 State of Maryland Legislative Study compared allopathic with holistic remedies, and the holistic
outperformed the allopathic in every category--efficacy, safety, outcome, side effects (none for holistic treatments) and cost.
Focus on preventive health by reducing the chemicals assaults we confront in our consumer products. Reduce the use of chemicals and mowing on state land by
promoting watershed and pollinator friendly parks and yards that capture stormwater and attract and feed pollinators. These could lower costs.
Do not fund any more new roads, and defund the ICC (the Purple Line should be underground so the land will be available for businesses and vibrant economic
Eliminate the million dollar gypsy moth spraying; Rhode Island stopped spraying in the 1970s when lobsters started to die from the chemicals sprayed, the same
ones the Dept of Ag is using in Maryland--how STUPID. What kills lobsters can kill crabs--DUH.
Defund the ICC. No more new roads. We can still save pristine parkland needed for the health of the Bay and billions of dollars if you defund the ICC.
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Allegany
Defund the ICC
Governor O'Malley:
In response to your public views regarding the budget cuts for the State of Maryland, here is my suggestion. I work at a State Agency and I would like to see a
change in the (EAFC) emergency assistance to families with children. This is a very good program however I think that it needs to be reviewed to help more
This particular program the way it is now you must have a minor child in the home to be eligible while this is good, I would like to give you my suggestion.
In the particular agency that I work we have some good guidelines that if the rest of the state is not using maybe it would help with the budget. They are as
Your must be within the income guidelines for MEAP
A household can only receive $200 within the fiscal year.
The change that I would like to see made is the fact that you must have a minor child within the home, as there are some seniors that could use this help. I would
also like to see a restriction stated that the household must have made a payment of maybe $15 within a 90 day period, as some households have not made a
Baltimore
Baltimore
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
Allegany
Montgomery
Worcester
I think these changes would help those on fixed incomes as well as save the state money if all the agency's followed the same guidelines and had the $200 cap.
1. Cut back on TV/Paper advertising. Instead, have existing staff use Twitter/Facebook, Craigslist etc to post and interact with constituents for free.
2. Cut back on library funding for new books. Most of us haven't read books that have been on the shelves for years. Libraries buy tons of copies when a book is
3. Encourage teleworking where possible.
I suggest to eliminate the use of the front license plates required for automobiles. Motorcycles are not required to use a front plate. License plates are always
being made and it cost money for materials and to manufacture these plates. By eliminating the front plate, there will be a savings as not as much money will be
IF THE VL FACILITY LOCATION COMMISSION SELECTS ARUNDEL MILLS, AND THE COUNTY COUNCIL APPROVES ZONING, WE WILL BE FORCED TO
FILE A REQUEST FOR DECLAIRATORY JUDGEMENT TO ENFORCE OUR RESTRICTIVE COVENTANTS, WHICH WE HAVE THE BENEFIT OF OVER THE
MALL PROPERTY. YOU WILL LOSE $400 MILLION PER YEAR IN REVENUE AND LEAVE THE AA CO. VLT LICENSE IN LIMBO. OBTW...EMINENT DOMAIN
SUGGESTION: SAVE $400 MILLION/YEAR IN REVENUE BY FIXING THIS PROBLEM.
1. Sell the Governor's Mansion and live in your own house.
2. Give up your paycheck, go back to practicing law, and do governor work on evenings and weekends. You will do much less harm that way.
Do away with PDTD and go back to Maryland Correctional Training Commissin.
Do Away with ACA.
mandatory lights out at 11:30pm Back On At 5:30am in all correctional institutions state wide.
Serve A Cold Lunch In All Correctional Institutions State Wide.
Please keep funds for Adult Education.It's vital!
1. Immediately cut all political employees and elected person's salary by 25%.
2. eliminate all state funded pension plans
3. cut all (every) state employees salary by 10%
Dorchester
City
Caroline
Baltimore
4. eliminate all free 'take home cars" for every state employee and politician.
5. have only one (1) health insurance plan for every and all people receiving a state salary (employees, politicians, apointees etc) and require every - all persons
6. reduce every teacher's salary by 10% and require all school employees (including teachers) to work 12 months per year (like most taxpayers) with 1 day
7. require all fines received by the state (traffic tickets, etc) be paid to food banks.
8. purchase a bankrupt hotel or motel and require all elected personnel to stay there overnight when in Annapolis.
9. reduce all per diem for food to $20.00 per day with a receipt required. (Go to DENNY's and McDonalds)
10. Require the State Police to open a MEDICADE FRAUD Investigation Unit.
Like other employees, I would rather not see cuts, however, I felt that the furlough system implemented last FY were fair and created minimal burden by
spreading out the reduction over several months. I prefer this method to seeing across the board pay reductions. Thank you for your consideration and may God
I suggest the state shift nonessential state services to four ten hour days, closing buildings on Fridays. As a majority of the larger state office complexes are
open longer than "9 to 5" already, make the most of the time when lights, air conditioning/heating, and other energy-consuming services are already in use, and
give them a longer break over the weekend. This will cut utility costs significantly, and make MD "GREENER" while saving the state money. (Not to mention
How about a 5% pay cut for all of the elected officials of the state. Many of the people who work outside of the government are out of work, and the price of living
is increasing. The one most recent is the change in the EazyPass. What were our representatives thinking?
I see more and more MTA Taxi's through out the area and MTA mini buses. Usually I see 1 passager in the vehicles. I believe there is alot of fraud in this area
and the State needs to stop this program or sub- contractor this program so the taxpayer are not paying for a free taxi ride. I have seen your taxi pick-up a lady on
Willowdale Ave in Overlea and was surprised to see the lady was in her late 50's and healthly. I thought this program was for disabled people. I am a firm believer
that is what Family and friends are for. If a member of your family is sick and needs to go to the doctor you take them. If your neighbor is sick and needs
MTA Political Liasons are another waste of money. They go to meeting to let the public know what is going on at the MTA. As a pass Association President I felt
this was a total waste of State money because of the Media we have today.
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Welfare and Section 8 Fraud- I would like to see the State Government give rewards for information on Section 8 housing participant that are commiting fraud.
This would save the government millions of dollars a year. I would set up the reward program payable for information which must lead to the conviction of the
We need to stop given Minority Scholarships to under educated and non- legal residents. Let's look at the graduation rates at Morgan,and Coplin State. Boy have
we wasted money haven't we. Maybe we should build them more stadiums and party rooms , sorry I meant dorm rooms
Baltimore
City
City
Democrat
There are many commercial trailers with Maine tags that should be registered in our state. there are landscape trailers with Maine tags also. We are missing out
Stagger starting times! If I leave 1/2 hour earlier than I usually do I don't hit any traffic. If people would get up a little earlier they wouldn't have to drive like
On another front, run smaller buses at night. How many times do you see big empty busses going past?
Dear Governor,
My name is
There is a lot I would like to say but, I don't want to write a book. First I can tell you I have not worked since October
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx. I have not asked the STATE or anyone else for help. Most people who
need it, get turned down. The people who do not need it get it every month! That is one way you can save money! Have these people checked out to make sure
they really need it. The Lottery. That is a JOKE! When people win a Million or more and want to cash out they do not get all of it, where does the rest of it go? All
of the other LOTTERY games and even the some claim it is for the stadium. There is nothing wrong with it and if there were cut some of the PLAYERS money!
Thank You,
Anne Arundel
Baltimore
Anne Arundel
Baltimore
Baltimore
Anne Arundel
First of all - calm down - try not to throw the baby out with the bath water - I am sure that fear will cause many to make impulsive suggestions/ and those with an
axe to grind to make other irrational proposals. Of course employees cost a great deal of money- but severe cuts will last much longer than this recession and
will become political fodder. 1.Do give some sort of incentive to those in the "old" retirement system - then they can make their choice to stay or leave, the
retirement system might take a small hit - but in the long run these employees are going to leave anyway. If you are afraid of a "brain drain", allow the retired
employees to stay contractually for 12 months at 50% to teach another person their duties and responsibilities. If they choose to stay, all of their future benefits
ld ballowl MD
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The taxpayers don't want to pay for this.
More furloughs. I'm a State employee and I would rather take some furlough days and keep my job and have my colleagues keep theirs as well, than not give up
Make the MTA charge what it actually costs to operate the system
The Light Rail is typically empty when it comes through Hunt Valley. In the business world this would never fly and it shouldn't in MD government either. The
1. In medians and other grassy areas along highways and even in urban areas, plant lirope or turf grasses that doe not need mowing. Lirope never needs
mowing, it flowers and will get thickenough to keep weeds in check. This would beautify areas, absorb more co2, cut back on mowing and limit the use of
2. Get rid of the Board of Contract appeals like the legislature has recommended many times in the past. The few case they hear could easily be heard by the
3. Eliminate most licensing and regulatory boards and Commissions, as was done with the Inmate Grievance Office in 1991. The exceutive function could be
assumed by an single commissioner, with investigations, etc. continuing as is done presently. Hearings would continue to be done by the State's hearing
4. Statutes/regulations should ensure that when agencies take actins that affect citizens/licensees, that the person affected must request a hearing if they believe
the action taken was improper. Right now, too many agencies send notices and set up hearing for persons who dio not wish a hearing and do not appear. Much
time is wasted by agencies and AGs preparing for hearings, when the allegedly affected person has not asked fora hearing and does not show up for a hearing.
Because of the limited number of AGs, this results in delays for those who do want a hearing. It also wastes valuable hearing resources when no citizen appears.
Agenccies should also stop "holding hearings" when the citizen/licensee does not appear. Everyone should have the opportunity for a hearing to challenge what
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1)
jobs.t Stop
they are being reclassed in. (i.e a grade 19 for a director of a 2 person program that can be handled by 1 employee at a grade 14 or 15. (Land/Property Leasing
2) Stop allowing employees (gtades 18 and above) to earn compensatory time for hours worked at home when the offices are closed, i.e. employee at a grade 19
or above can not sleep so they get up at 2 a.m. and work for 4 hours then go in to work or they work on weekends 4 to 6 hours when the work is not needed to be
completed by a deadline date. Too much compensation given to state employees in grades 18 and above, they employees know how to work the system. They
can't get the work done during normal work hours due to long lunches, coming in late and then chit-chatting at their desks either with other state employees or on
3) Cut programs that are overlapping in departments. Too many permits needed from too many different agencies. Let your local juridictions be accountable for
seeing that citizens follow the law and get the appropriate permits to get work done on their property, piers, etc.
Too many CHIEFS that do not know what the other CHIEF is doing or following the state regulations on many projects starting at SHA, to MDTransportaton, to
4) Cut out the personal days given each year to State employees instead of having the employees take furloughs.
Carroll
City
Montgomery
7) FREEZE all reclassification actions for a year, that would help the budget, since many employees request a reclass because they can't meet their financial
issues, they feel they are owed a reclassification because of time in service with the STate of Maryland. Not many state employees understand what an MS-22
I think management should be accountable for who they are promoting and the reason someone gets
promoted.Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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Declining numbers of income tax payers in Baltimore City is a big issue. Yet, many of the people who work in Baltimore City live in the surrounding counties,
Delaware, and southern PA. Why not introduce a wage tax, similar to Philadelphia and Washington D.C. Workers who work in Baltimore City but aren't residents
would pay a wage tax that would be deducted from their pay. It could be a way for the city to close some of its revenue gap and keep some of that income in the
Dear Governer O'Malley,
I mentor a 9 year old African American student whose family that depends on the services of the Coolaboration Council for essential parenting and counseling.
Montgomery
Cecil
Sincerely,
-Parent Advocate
Instead of maintaining rest stops on upper 270 and 70, lease them to commercial intities (i.e. Starbucks, McDonald's) I'm guessing there may be other routes but
I heard, perhaps too late, about the proposed possible cuts to the Educational Budget. I am not well versed in politics, but I do know that your Adult Education
Program makes a huge difference with the working poor in Maryland. Education is the ONLY way we can make a difference in an economically difficult time!
People who can't read, or write, or haven't got a high school diploma, cannot compete, well, for those elusive jobs. Therefore, they drain the state and federal
budgets in other ways. Please... there has to be other ways to cut costs. What about vacation pay? Can those who have the good jobs do with a week vacation
instead of two? What about asking people with the good jobs to pay more for their insurance? What about eliminating that benefit, for a little while (until things
Well, like I said, I am not political. However, my friends wanted us all to write to you (to protect Adult Education). Since I see firsthand, what a difference those
select your county
Talbot
Baltimore
Baltimore
Montgomery
Caroline
Anne Arundel
Carroll
Wicomico
Washington
Good luck with your struggles.
Eliminate some of the layers of supervision, etc. and place them in the vacant positions(i.e. I am told in some divisions people are called supervisors who may
supervise one or no people). People will still keep a job with the State and vacant positions no longer need to be filled.
Mandatory ten hour days for MD State Police to reduce manpower overtime, sick leave usage, and reduce commuting costs (e.g., gas consumption, wear/tear on
Year-round public school for 1st to 12th grade- to save money by choosing the year-round model over new construction, increase the school capacity by 25
percent, and reduce staffing while reducing class sizes! Students benefit from a more continuous learning pattern, and a reduced need for review! Other states
Please take a look at the cost of privatization of child support in Baltimore City and have a cost analysis completed to measure profit vs cost. I am a state
employee of 32 years and strongly feel that privatization did not save the state. Most private companies are doing business for profit at the state's expense.
Please end privatization and reinvest in the hard working state employees. I am willing to accept furlough days to prevent losing my job. I pray that you will give
d f l f ones and let younger ones take care R
ll stop ihiring
d for a while to let the others to keep their jobs in order not to add
Ihi
think weil should hretirehthe greedy
of the jobf and
The Montgomery County Collaboration Council for Children, Youth and Families has taken a 25 % reduction for the work it does to support afterschool programs,
home-visiting services and wraparound services supporting our children with complex needs. Currently, there are waiting lists for services and those waiting lists
are only going to grow if we don’t act now. These cuts are a combination of what occurred just as the fiscal year began and the most recent action of the board of
I would like the state resources from the Children’s Cabinet Interagency Fund to continue to support our most vulnerable children and families in Montgomery
County. Montgomery County young people need the Governor's leadership to protect these resources and prevent additional cuts to this fund - it has been cut
Do away with the front auto plate
1. Cut back drastically on the number of "public information" officers serving in the state agencies, including support staff. Many of these employees perform far
too much political campaign work, distribute pedestrian information and get mired in questionable "warm and fuzzy" activities creating signs and other fluff for inhouse functions. Many of these staff units waste time idling as entourages for their agency heads at public events. In addition, they often fail to provide
comprehensive, measurable and effective contributions to support the core missions of their agencies. They should focus more on helping their co-workers serve
2. Close all state offices one day a week and reduce the total number of field offices managed by state agencies to save expenses on energy and infrastructure.
3. Convert employee service hours to a 10-hour, four day week.
4. Increase the effectiveness of ALL agency Web sites to provide more online services and downloadable resources to offset the reduction in agency hours and
5. Offer an early retirement plan to employees with 25 years or more of service, to downsize the employment ranks more speedily.
I live in Westminster and commute to work in Balto County. I share the road with too many commuters from Pennsylvania. They move to PA to avoid paying MD
taxes. They add to the traffic congestion & pollution, yet pay NOTHING to MD. They need to pay their share for our well-maintained roads. JUST THE
How about taking a step like California is with the legalization of Marijuana? So many people smoke it anyway and if it were to be legalized you could tax it and
Eliminate the "Bullet Fingerprinting Law" for new Handguns sold within the State of Maryland. This law has cost the taxpayers of Maryland millions of dollars
since it was enacted back in the Glenndenning administration and has not solved any crimes. It was created solely for the purpose of aggitating firearms
manufacturers so they will not seek handgun sales in the state. If your truly interested in saving money in the state budget, eliminate this law. Annual Cost:
Thank you,
Allegany
Anne Arundel
Baltimore
Anne Arundel
City
Anne Arundel
Montgomery
Worcester
Anne Arundel
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I am a contractual employee at a state agency and as you are well aware, we don't have any of the benefits enjoyed by our "state" counterparts although we are
expected to work just as hard for less money and no benefits. In my case I work harder than anyone where I am employed. We are aware you have a meeting on
8-12-09 with the ASFCME reps. Last year when you did furloughs at the holidays it unfairly and unnecessarily impacted we contractual employees the hardest.
Mr. O'Malley, just like our state counterparts, we have families to raise and bills to pay. I am asking you this. Please do not have the furlough days in conjunction
Sorry to hear you are not doing well controlling the budget. I believe it to be very inflated. percentages is the only fair way. Cut 5% off every check going out and
add 5% to every check coming in. Oh and don't forget to trim the exspense accounts atleast by 40%. Then naturally you would trim the excess fat and don't be
Take away some of the monies that are given to those who hold high postions. Example:THOSE THAT MAKE THE BIG SALARIES IN THE GOVERMENT AND
lesson the number of "use or lose" days for govt workers OR give money incentives for not using all of the "use or lose "days on a prorated basis of some sort.
In the state office workers, get rid of the contractual and temporary workers because it cost more time to train them and get little access to necessary functions.
The executives that serve at the pleasure of the administration, take a very careful look at their salaries and duties. You have 4 assistant administrators that 1 or
correct me if i am wrong this state spends 2 million dollars a year have death row inmate living in a cell 24 hours a day. execution is a great for the states money
Eliminate the required 10,000 mile requirement on all state vehicles. This is costly when not necessary. Some state employees work in areas close to their work
Temporarily shut down the rest-stops along Maryland's Interstates. These are large buildings that use up electricity and manpower to run. Yet they provide almost
no utility. If people need to use the bathroom or buy some candy, they can just drive to the next exit and use a gas-station.
I am assuming that we State Employees are facing more furlough days. Don't stagger the days throughout the year. Close all State Offices on the first Friday of
every quarter. You will save on energy, water, janitorial services and payroll. When the employees choose the day they take as furlough days, the offices are still
By the way, Worcester County is spelled incorrectly - there is no "H".
Thanks for listening.
xxxx
As a state resident and state employee (USM employee) I feel that one place cuts can be made is in the retention and maintenance of real estate owned by the
state. One way that can be accomplished is by reducing the amount of people required to commute to various State of MD office building throughout the state.
Not every employee has a job that will allow for this transition to working part-time or full-time from home. However, with the advances made in information
technology infrastructure, more and more job functions can safely be moved from large office buildings to home.
The resulting solution could reduce operating costs if those employees left working in state office buildings are consolidated into common locations. The excess
real estate can at the least be shut down where the money saved is realized in less climate control costs, lighting costs etc. However, if the unused office
Employees would also realize savings in their own personal budgets. Less commuter traffic on the roads equate to less fuel consumption. In addition, less
commuter traffic will ease congestion on state roads, negating the needs to expand/widen highways and will likely contribute to driver safety with less accidents
City
Washington
Baltimore
As an added bonus, companies (For example, Sun Microsystems) who have instituted telecommuting have experienced increases in productivity among
employees and have actually reported gaining back and average of 2.5 work weeks that was otherwise lost during employee commute times.
Merge University of Baltimore Law School with the University of Maryland Law School. During these diffcult financial times, there is no reason to support two law
schools in Baltimore City and the State of Maryland. There was talk of merging the two schools during the Schaefer governorship. This is something that needs
Reduction of essential services such as public safety and education should be no where in any budget. In fact increases in thier budgets would benifet the state.
Dear Governor O'Malley,
There are many pieces of government that need to be addressed in these times of budget crunches. And the burden should be carried not by a few but all the
citizens of Maryland. I have heard of the furloughs suggested for state employees. I don't believe that is appropriate as they too are affected by other cuts as
I would be happy to assist in the budget preparation process if you would allow me. I have been an analyst for almost 30 years in managing projects. This
balancing of the budget can be accomplished. But the people and the legislators have to start being more fiscally responsible. There are items, such as new
contracts for services in the state that could be delayed. When the pocket book does not permit it, then we don't spend it, especially when less is coming into the
coffer than projected. Areas like state contracts that are entered into now might better be gotten out of by paying the penalties for such action of termination
instead of continuing to expend the finances depending on the stage of those contracts. And I could go on. I would welcome the opportunity to try if allowed.
City
Wicomico
Wicomico
Montgomery
Montgomery
City
Harford
Baltimore
Thank-you.
I am going to use two jails, Baltimore City Jail and Baltimore Central Booking. Each jail has a Warden two Assistant Warden A Security Chief, two facility admim
not to count the number of civilian staff thats oversee what security personal is doing. The jail has a Commissioner ,Deputy Commissioner, a assistant to the
Commissioner. These two Jails alone has so many made up jobs its unbelievable. How can a place have an Asst Warden of maintenance. The amount of money
that the State is paying for these made up jobs is millions. I am saying these thing because i see it everyday I have worked at the jail for twenty years. I see over
I understand the budget has been cut again for the After School Program - we really need the funds to keep these programs active. The youth are the ones that
suffer when these programs are cut. In particular, the high-risk individuals. Please re-consider. Thank you and I hope my plea is taken into consideration.
In the Multi Service Centers that house multiple state agencies, there is alot of money spent on updating landscaping, replacing light bulbs with energy efficient
bulbs,etc these might be things that could be put on the back burner.
Dear Governor O'Malley: We need your leadership to protect the state resources from the Children’s Cabinet Interagency funding and prevent additional cuts to
We need continued state support for our vulnerable children and families.
Thank you.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Would it be possible to retire some of the state car fleet and just reemburse employees for their milage? Of course we would have to have some cars for those
emloyees that don't have their own cars to do State work, but we should be able to reduce the fleet substancially. We might also just keep our vehicles running
I do not believe that it is fair that state workers keep taking the fall for the budget shortfalls in Maryland. State workers are having to endure furlough days, no
raises, no match to 401K while being expected to remain calm and supportive while providing services to customers. State employees are in need of supportive
services as well. How are we to maintain what we have with salary cuts and no way to make up for them. All state workers are not well compensated and work
hard to keep their head above water and unlike many other Marylanders are not able to seek help from the state with their financial problems, problems that
increase due to salary reductions and less benefits. Maybe other avenues could be explored, increase tax for lottery, have medicaid recipients pay a small copay
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Dear Honorable Governor O'Malley:
The following are ideas I have on how to realize cost savings and realize more revenue for our wonderful State:
1) Increase the tobacco and liquor tax;
2) Increase tuition at State Colleges by 10%
3) Ensure that we get Slot machine casinos open and running by the end of FY 2010. There must be red tape that needs to be cut. If not, introduce legislation to
4) Reduce reimbusement for Stem Cell Research & Development Costs;
5) Temporarily reduce repairs to roadways until the economy improves;
6) Reduce any increases in Medicaid that were implemented in the last three years;
7) Recruit more volunteers to assist in cleanup projects for the Chesapeake Bay;
8) How about a Fat tax on Cakes and Candies and Red Meat throughout Maryland to offset the cost of Heart Disease;
Caroline
Harford
9) Raise the tobacco tax by $1.00 a pack. We know its bad to smoke so let us increase the tax;
Maryland legislators (including the governor) need to have furlough days as well as state employees; put the MD State Police to work to enforce the speeding
Re: Maryland Unemployment Insurance requirements
Harford
City
City
Anne Arundel
Calvert
Baltimore
Harford
select your county
Baltimore
Currently, benefits are available to those receiving full severance pay as long as they are not continuing to accrue leave. Why? As long as one is receiving a
"regular" paycheck, and in some cases, benefits, severance pay is not deducted. I checked this on the official site today. One shouldn't need additional benefits
paid for by former employers, who, in turn, pass these costs on to consumers. How much could be saved if this unnecessary policy were stopped? Dare I
Quit the rediculous spending at the end of the fiscal year
by all agencies and allow for a carry over of unspent funds.
The practice of blowing all an agencies surplus funds to ensure they get as much or more funding for the next fiscal
year is absolutely absurd
I suggest using a flexible workweek schedule such as 4 days per week @ 10 hours a day for office professionals. This will save on office utilities, as well as
reduce transportation time. It will increase productivity as it allows more time to complete work responsibilities. It will also decrease a need for
I also suggest returning to the 35 hour workweek if the above suggestion is not considered. Again, this will decrease use of office utilities.
I think a tuition increase is in order for all state colleges & universities. PLEASE do not further cut budgets for our The University of MD (all various campuses. It
has taken much work & diligence for our university branches to gain the very fine reputation they now enjoy and many of us would hate to see this be diminished.
I'd like to suggest a two-part approach to transportation issues with the goal of (a) saving money on gas spent (benefit: consumer), (b) saving strain on the aging
infrastructure (benefit: state and counties), (c) reducing pollution, traffic, and traffic accidents (benefit: all), and (d) improving traffic flow on congested roads
(benefit: all). I propose (1) that the transportation department devise an incentive program to reward businesses that convert positions that lend themselves to it
to telecommuting (yes, incentives--use stimulus funds to provide the incentives up front; reap the benefits/transfer savings netted from the initiatives to fund the
incentives once the stimulus dollars have stopped). And (2) institute a "Stay to the right except to pass or exit" rule on larger roads. As it is now, slow moving
hi l i ofl Maryland's
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i
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I suggest furlough days that are strategically decided on and determined by your office. I believe that designating one Friday a month for the next fiscal year
where the government is closed, except for mandatory emergency employees or other personnel. This would give the state employees the ability to know when
their paychecks will be lower than normal and also help on energy costs. I don't feel that a salary cut is necessary, and that majority of state employees would
much rather have furlough days than have a permanent pay decrease and/or furlough days. I have worked out that if we are required to take 12-15 furlough days
during this fiscal year that would be equivalent to the 3.5% pay decrease and 8 furlough days that have been rumored to be the next step in helping our budget. I
ld
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th h lmail their
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Maryland
nottl Pennsylvania.
I think all State of Maryland employees should take a pay cut that varies from 2.5% for hourly workers up to 20% for department heads. I work for a Fortune 100
company and we all took permanent pay cut to save money and hopefully the company. I think the state employees can do the same.
I that can not be done, at least force ALL state workers to take 1-2 day off a month with no pay until the state has more money.
Members of Maryland's Executive Branch and Legislature take a 5% across-the-board salary cut every fiscal year the budget is not balanced. Lead by example.
Dear Governor O'Malley,
Thank you for the opportunity to suggest cost saving actions for Maryland.
An idea that I hear many in my community voice would save the taxpayer $2.8 million.
Newspaper accounts report that you will purchase private land, for $2.8 million, to relocate the Court House in 21228 (Baltimore County). The courthouse is
currently located on the UMBC campus. Rather than allocate funds to purchase land, the courthouse could be relocated to the Spring Grove State Hospital
Grounds. In addition the saving the taxpayer $2.8 million, this outcome would have the added benefit of relocating the court house to an area within half a mile of
its existing location. Moreover, there is community support for relocating the District Courthouse to Spring Grove, and a move to this campus is also consistent
Although funds would still be needed for construction, this would be true at either site. However, the savings resulting from not purchasing land unnecessarily
Thank you for the opportunity to share this with you.
Sincerely,
Montgomery
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Catonsville, Maryland
Members of Maryland's Executive Branch and Legislature take a 5% across-the-board salary cut every fiscal year the budget is not balanced. Lead by example.
My husband xxxxxxxxxxx, works at xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx in Frederick, Md. We have been discussing the financial situation of the state of Maryland . We feel that
who are close to retirement (possibly within 5-6 years)
should be given the opportunity to retire early, with full
retirement benefits and a severence pay for retiring early.
thanks for your consideration of this suggestion.
Sincerely
xxx
I clearly understand that there are difficult decisions that need to be made. However, the Children's Cabinet Interagency Fund has already taken many cuts since
2008, amounting to a 30% cut overall for FY10 with an additional cut at the most recent Board of Public Works. Please do what you can to protect this fund and
other programs serving our children, youth and families from any further cuts. There has to be other places to look for cost savings. Everyone has to share in the
pain of our current economic situation. I am taking an 11.3% pay cut, reduced contribution to my 401k, higher copays for my health insurance, no pay raise all of
which will have an impact on my family of four. But, the alternative of not having a job or not having health insurance is worse. If it means saving jobs, state
l
h ld
t bfor LRT (light
t f railf transit)
l
h dsince iLRT is the
d worst form
f hof transit.
lth i
i
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i th is dexpensive
I thi k to
i i tunnel,
t
Eliminate
ALL
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LRT is slow,l consumes
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it ikillstilland
Harford
Elevated driverless monobeam (cantilevered monorail)on the other hand is fast (up to 70 mph) and travels above traffic and other sensitive areas such as
wetlands, and it costs about the same to build as LRT and costs about 60 percent less than LRT to operate.
Visit www.otg-inc.com and www.monorails.org web sites for more infomration.
xxxxx
Silver Spring MD
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Washington
Calvert
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Cecil
I believe that a great taxable income is being overlooked by not having prostitution legalized. I do not think this a job I want nor my daughter but just think about
the sales tax or income tax that is being missed out on. The business would be safer for the girls and health care ie spread of disease coukld be reduced. Now
believe me there would be heck to pay if my husband went to one but I have alway said this should be legalized. Lots of things are legal that my husband and I
Montgomery
Calvert
Please don't make additional cuts to the youth and families program. Our population is in need of these services and cutting the funds is hurting our families.
I would suggest making cuts on paid conferences for state employees and monitoring the spending of county health departments a little closer. I understand that
conferences are held to help expand the knowledge to our local government, but the cost that some counties spend may be a little obscene especially in a time of
number crunching for the state. By going paperless at these conferences, as well as others, would also help to reduce the cost of holding these meetings. Allow
Another issue that I also became aware of is the use of spending within a county health department. I understand that the state is in a financial crisis and we
need to work together in trying to improve our state’s deficit. The state vehicles are important for the safety of the employees who must drive them, but in a time
of budget problems is it necessary to trade-in an old excessively large Dodge Ram for an also excessively large GMC truck. A smaller, more gas efficient truck
Montgomery
Baltimore
Montgomery
I also agree on the going paperless route for saving money. I don’t understand why timesheets, activity sheets, leave reports, etc. must be printed out on paper.
We all live in a technology driven society that would much rather deal with less paperwork than what we have now.
I urge you to continue to support the most vulnerable children and families in Montgomery County by preserving the Children's Cabinet Interagency Fund funding
to the MC Collaboration Council. The services provided by the Montgomery County Collaboration Council are an invaluable investment in our children and youth
that are cost effective because they prevent future problems from arising. The Montgomery County Collaboration Council has done such a good job that the state
A voluntary furlough program for state employees should be implemented. Give those who wish to take unpaid time off the option to do so. Someone like myself,
who works for the General Assembly - where there is little or no work during the interim - would be more than willing to sign up. Thank you.
The City should re-open the bidding on a certain city contract and go with the lowest bid - Whiting-Turner and not the 2nd highest bidder which equates to almost
From my viewpoint - Each contractor didn't submit a 100% correct proposal and there may have been minor errors through-out - So why not save the city the
I do not understand the rational in this economic climate we are facing. Very disappointing.
Dear Governor O'Mally,
Please do not cut the resources from the Children’s Cabinet Interagency Fund and continue to support our most vulnerable children and families in Montgomery
County. We need your leadership to support this. The MC Collaboration Council for Children, Youth and Families has already taken a 25 % reduction for the
work it does to support afterschool programs, home-visiting services and wraparound services supporting our children with complex needs. Currently, there are
The work that they do in Montgomery County to support Children and Families is of great important to the future success of the state, area community and
Thank you for the consideration,
Washington
xxx
Instead of Furlough's for only certain workers in the state, why not a flat rate hit over the year for EVERY STATE WORKER, from the lowest worker on the ladder,
all the way up to and including the Governor. A 1% or 2% flat rate hit would have to save money, but it could only make an impact if EVERY STATE WORKER is
Montgomery
Thank you, Governor O'Malley, for the opportunity to share my thoughts on the topic:
1. Open up the books of all agencies to a volunteer group of non-governmental and non-NGO employees/leadership who do not depend on government contracts
for their own businesses, who possess sufficient business experience coupled with specific knowledge within the areas of each agency stated objectives.. Follow
2. Lower taxes. Many are moving out of state and my family is considering doing the same. We are not impoverished, yet not wealthy. Annually, we pay over 50%
of our income in taxes [Fed, State, Local, City, and Real Property]; this amount does not include stealth taxes: food, gas, cell, cable and so on. Since 2000,
between inflation and tax increases, either direct or due to inflated real property assessments, combined with a dreadful return on cash savings, we feel as if
3. Stop funding NGO's espousing identity politics, wealth redistribution, and advocates of amnesty/benefits for illegal alien residents. Beneficiaries of many of
these advocate groups result in addition expropriation from productive to non-productive individuals. In the interim, Maryland should no longer offer driver's
licenses to all and sundry AND should verify the eligibility for those in existence. A non-drivers ID or Driver's license that states 'This card may not be used to
determine citizenship or eligibility for benefits.' I say this as a former employee
. The program I created and
implemented received two
awards. Volunteer based, the xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx program saved the county considerable financial resources, providing
3. Investigate unions and NGO's and prosecute those acting outside of legal charter, tighten state regulations as needed. Ensure ALL government contracts are
not aiding union thuggery by pressuring contract recipients to hire union only. RICO may be applicable. Ripe for investigation are SEIU and their sister
4. Renegotiate government retirement and benefits packages. Government salaries and retirement benefit increases have far exceeded that available for
4. Permit more schools to operate on a voucher system with non-union employees. Ideally, all schools would operate this way. Teacher's salaries would become
reflective of their results; teachers who may wish to move would not be trapped in the pension/benefit game. At the same time, more ‘apprenticeship’ programs
for new college graduates would be helpful. Additionally, competition in the free market for those with an ability to teach others and critical skills absent in many
public schools, such as mathematics and science would encourage early retirees, displaced workers, and disillusioned attorneys to contribute to society in the
most meaningful way by improving the quality of education of our youth. Additional educational reforms should include the option of voucher schools specializing
5. Take back state sovereignty. Maryland, my beloved Maryland, is the Free State, yet ranks lowest in personal freedom. Multiple unfunded federal mandates
have a real cost in implementing programs by diktat that may not be in the best interest of Marylanders.
6. Encourage opening or expanding small business by removing disincentives for those with entrepreneurial spirit. 74% of all new jobs in the past decade were
created by small businesses. US hires at Fortune 500 jobs have remain flat or declined in the past decade. Small business/start up owners take considerable
financial risk, generally work in excess of 40 hours week, do not have multiple benefits, and find themselves in regulatory/licensing hell. There are only so many
Federal jobs that can come to the state and state agencies are oft rife with incompetent people who will retire with a far greater stream of income than most small
Government can play a part by staying out of the way in many instances, yet is key to snuffing out corruption, cronyism, and theft/misuse of public funds. If wellinvestigated, I would estimate a significant amount of fraud, abuse, and waste would be discovered. Prosecute fully those acting outside the law; including
In conclusion, federal legislation, including Cap & Trade, Healthcare, Food Act, and soon to arrive immigration reform are all designed to create a central,
planned economy, which will expropriate more money from the productive classes. Small businesses and the services and innovation they provide to society will
be further crushed. As I see it, the legislation will further shift employment to governments and NGO's. Neither run with efficiency. This is not an America or
Maryland based on our Constitution and the freedom of it's people to make decisions in their own best interest and accept personal responsibility for the outcome
of those decisions. As for the jobs created by all of the recent federal legislation, most will end up being jobsworth jobs. Look to the UK and see what is
Thank you again for the opportunity to share my thoughts. Should you or a member of your office wish to contact me further for clarification or additional
information, I would be pleased to offer any assistance requested. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Very best regards,
xxx
Anne Arundel
STATE EMPLOYEE'S HAVE BEEN THROUGH ENOUGH AND IT IS TIME TO PICK OTHER AGENCIES WITHIN THE STATE OF MARYLAND. COUNTY
EMPLOYEE SALARY HAS NOT BEEN TOUCHED.I KNOW THAT THERE ARE STATE AGENCY THAT GET PAID OVERTIME, AND OTHER AGENCY CAN
ONLY GET COMP-TIME. YOU HAVE DIFFERENT STATE AGENCY THAT USE STATE CARS, THAT REALLY DON'T NEED THEM. YOU ALSO HAVE TOO
MANY PEOPLE DEPENDENT ON STATE AID THAT NEED TO BE WORKING.THERE IS TO MANY PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT CITIZENS COLLECTING STATE
Worcester
As a state employee, I believe that this is the 3rd time that I am being asked to assist with the budget.
I would appreciate a furlough system for the registered nurses and licensed professional nurses being included in the mix. I know of several RNs who are sitting
behind a desk, not doing direct care and were not subject to the furlough becuase of their status.
City
City
Which brings on the next statement - How is licensure granted to RN/LPN who do not provide direct care and where is the tracking system for competencies and
continued education? With the new computerized renewal system...who is watching the store?
FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN HERE IN OUR OFFICES, AND I'M SURE IN MANY HOMES, IS THAT LIGHTS ARE LEFT ON AT NIGHT AS WELL AS
COMPUTERS,FANS,COPIERS, ETC. STATEWIDE,IF THIS PRACTICE WERE TO BE CURTAILED, IT WOULD ADD UP TO A SUBSTANTIAL DOLLAR
AMOUNT, I'M SURE. AS FAR AS COMPUTERS ARE CONCERNED, THEY SHOULD BE "SHUT DOWN" COMPLETELY AND NOT JUST "LOGGED OFF". THIS
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS E-MAIL.
As an employee at DHMH headquarters, I frequently think about what a cost savings it would be to close the building on Fridays. Week after week on Friday, I
notice the number of empty cubes as I walk to and from my desk, and wonder if it makes sense for the state to pay gas/electric to light/heat/cool this and other
buildings, when people often telework, take personal days or work a compressed work week - thus leaving the building only half full on Fridays.
In an attempt to reduce utility costs statewide, Maryland, could truly benefit from closing the doors of state office buildings on Fridays. Currently, many
administrations, and even units within those administrations, make their own rules about compressed work weeks, so there's no real continuity and thus no true
cost savings for the state since employees can choose which days are best. If the state created a four day work week (Monday-Thursday), the benefits would
certainly outweight the costs to consumers, as they would have for days of extended service hours for all state agencies. Presumably a two hour increase to the
Washington
Calvert
The argument that services should be convenient for Maryland residents to utilize is a valid one, however budget cuts across the state have made for limited
resources being spread very thin. In an effort to truly become more environmentally conscious, and to provide a higher level of service during four extended work
days, the state should strongly consider closing on Fridays so that services Monday through Thursday are even stronger. By doing so, the state could also
if state employees who have worked more than 25 years would get mandatory retirement, we could save a lot when hiring new workders, not to mention giving
Take a close look at the State run motor pool needs. I see all kinds of Maryland state cars, typically with only the driver, traveling in Calvert County. I even see
them on the weekends. Why is it necessary for only one person to be in the car? Have you considered getting rid of most of the cars in the State fleet and having
people teleconference instead of driving everywhere. I don't think any State employee other than the governor or active State Police officers, not those in desk
jobs, should have a take home vehicle. Have you considered limiting welfare payments to a two year period similar to Pennsylvania? Stop providing any support
to illegal immigrants since they do not pay taxes in our state and they are breaking our laws by being here. You need to stop delaying and get the slot machine
xxx
Talbot
Gov. O'Malley,
Help pull Maryland through this recession: fully fund adult education!! We are a vital link in the economic chain.
I have seen a marked increase in the number of unemployed among my students, many of whom are desperate to improve their lot and are taking this
Tough budget year; tough choices. Adult education is too important NOT to fund.
Carroll
Respectfully,
xxx
Adult Education Instructor
1. CODE ENFORCEMENT TEAMS THAT HAS A STATE WORKER TEAMED UP WITH A COUNTY WORKER. NOW ONLY THE COUNTY DOES WHAT THEY
Worcester
Howard
2. DGS- HAVE A ROVING UNIT THAT TRAVELS AND DOES MAINTENANCE ONLY NEEDING ONE OR TWO AT EACH SITE. TEACH THE STAFF HOW TO
USE RESOURCES IE, COMMUNITY SERVICE'S FROM COURTS AND JUVENILE'S NEEDING TO FULLFILL COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS TO HELP KEEP
3. TAKE HOME VEHICLES-NEED TO BE LOOKED INTO
4. CUT GRASS ON HIGHWAYS AND BALE IT FOR HAY OR FEED
5. ALL COUNTIES NEED TO REGISTER THIER RENTAL PROPERTIES-THIS WILL CLEAN UP AREAS AND PUT MONEY INTO THE GENERAL FUND WITH
PROPERTIES FOUND OUT OF COMPLIANCE WITH LEAD LAWS AND OTHER HEALTH ISSUES. ( I HAVE MORE ON THIS )
6. SET UP LOTTERY TICKET THAT PUTS MONEY INTO THE STATE RETIREMENT SYSTEM
7. OFFER STATE EMPLOYEES THE OPPORTUNITY TO START PAYING FOR TIME THEY WISH TO BUY BACK NOW AND NOT ONE YEAR FROM
8. ASK FOR SPONSORS THAT WILL BE NAMED ON WILD FLOWER BEDS ALONG THE HIGHWAY
9. LET IT SNOW BEFORE WE GET THE TRUCKS OUT
10. MORE ALTERNATIVES FOR COURTS USING COMMUNITY SERVICE WORKERS TO DO MORE.
11. STOP BUILDING- LET THE COUNTRY BE THE COUNTRY
12. GO BACK TO RAISING TROUT FOR STOCKING
13. GET RID OF THE BEEPERS
14. MAKE BUILDING MANAGERS GET THE APPROVAL FOR ALL MAINTENANCE OUTSIDE OF THE CONTRACT AGREEMENTS.
15. STOP THE USE IT OR LOSE IT MENTALITY.
I HOPE ONE DAY I WILL BE ABLE TO HELP AND WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP AN OPEN MIND-GOOD LUCK
I am writing in support of the Local Management Board for Worcester County. I am a
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx. We have already witnessed the severity of the drastic cuts in funding for these
programs over the last 18 months and are currently operating our entire program in the absence of an Executive Director with three staff members and the board
With regards to spending for these programs I would ask you to consider what is the value of a childhood? Our programs have demonstrated tremendous
outcomes including our Sages (Strengthening Adolescent Girls through Education and Support) program which is credited with an 86% rate of lowering teen birth
rates and school dropout rates, 100 % increase of participants’ knowledge about sexuality and improvement on the behavioral emotional rating scale reflecting
Data has demonstrated that through student involvement in our programs our county has experienced a 23 point improvement in advanced MSA proficiency and
the Maryland State Department of education recognized our program as one of the finest in the state. Our local warden credited our Family Asset Building
initiatives as a tremendous help to the CO's when dealing with Hispanic inmates including an improvement of 33% for one of the Jail INS classes.
Over the last 6 years through the funding associated with our HIPPY program our county experienced a 23 point improvement in full readiness, surpassing the
statewide gain of 18 points and our Just for Girls program demonstrated decreases in substance abuse and alcohol consumption, a 62% reduction in the teen
birth rate, 10 % decrease in substance use risk factors and a 12% increase in knowledge and attitude supporting an abstinent lifestyle.
With our states teen pregnancy related costs approaching $200 million dollars per year, it is clear that increasing sexual activity among young teens is a function
of too little too late. Our program have effectively implemented a strong core focus on self-esteem and academics that will ultimately save our state hundreds of
thousands in welfare, unemployment and dependent care in the future. With the proposed reduction aimed at the Rehab options our program was virtually
eliminated. Care for our children with mental or developmental disabilities will require options outside of our community. Children needing care must wait, and
I hope that I have demonstrated how the funding we received directly impacts the children and families in our community. Our programs rely solely on volunteer
involvement, community support, and funding through our state and federal governments. Our meetings are held in church halls and loaned community rooms.
Our volunteers use their own cars for transportations and we even borrow paper from collaborating organizations to cut cost so that we can put every penny
towards benefiting our programs. There is no excess, there is no trim and we share every success as a community.
I hope this has helped you to understand how our children, families and community will suffer the results of the proposed reductions. Giving kids a future they
can believed in makes all the difference in the world. To do this we need these programs to build a strong infrastructure supporting families in our community.
The programs supported through our LMB funding all have demonstrated data driven prevention results identifying positive outcomes that will save hundreds of
thousands of tax payer dollars by keeping kids out of gangs, negating the need for increased funding for educational intervention in our schools, lowering teen
Again, if the issue boils down to spend now or spend later, on behalf of the Worcester County LMB, we ask you not to view the funding for our programs as an
expenditure, view the funding as an investment. Consider this as an investment in our children, an investment in our families, and an investment in our future.
Daily MTA vehicles for the disabled line up in front of 4201 Patterson Ave. There are three types of vehicles, large cards, specially equiped vans, and specially
equiped buses. There are typically two or three buses sitting there with their motors running for long periods of time. Usually the buses are empty when they
arrive and empty when they leave. Rarely has there been more than one person riding on a bus. Suggestion, eliminate the buses and let them use cars or vans.
City
I suggest that you fold both the MDTA and MTA police into and make them divisions of the Maryland State Police. Doing so would reduce some of the number of
administrative positions - including costly salaries for repetitious police chiefs. Further, having different police departments with different cars, different weapons,
different policies creates additional costs. Simplifying things so that there is one police department with divisions responsible for specific areas would allow costs
City
xxx
They do away with National Board Certification until the economy is in better shape. This would save the State at least 1 million dollars or more. Also the State
pays towards APC stipens which also should be eliminated. Teachers do not need to get a bonus when State workers are being laid off. I know there are
teachers working in schools that are tough but so do police officers work in bad aeas. Do police officers get stipens because they are in a rougher area?
Compile a list of State Employees that abuse the State Sick Leave Policy. I.E. if employees have used on average of 2 weeks/year or more with out a
documented medical condition these employees are abusing the system. If this has gone on for over 5 years consecutive then should be grounds for termination.
I know numerous State Employees with more then 10 years in the system that have no sick leave. Why??? Should they be working if they are sick all the time
one of my main suggestions is to stop harboring illegal aliens. we have a large state population of illegal aliens based on the fact that they can come here and
receive services from the government including the issuance of driver's licenses to the receipt of a public school education. by denying education, the state will
Build your Red Lines, Purple Lines or whatever lines make an actual break even point for the MTA but do aay with the non traveled portions, especially North to
Hunt Valley. It has been a running joke to watch the 2 - 3 people consistantly on in the cars while sitting at the Shawn Rd. ( Hunt Valley ) stop light. As much fuel
that the vehicles waste sitting and waiting you could hire a taxi and deliver the riders for less then riding the light rails. Heck for that matter take up the tracks and
Double the State Employee Co-Pays for Health Care Services, this will help reduce the Health Care costs for the State and put it on the individual. The more the
The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Office of Health Care Quality (OHCQ) has both Federally and State mandated licensing and survey programs. I
suggest that we maintain the licensing parts both Federal and State for all programs as this is a revenue generating activity. However, some of the survey
programs are generally duplications in the Federal and State requirements. I suggest we review these programs and stop duplicating activities on the state level
that are being covered (perhaps not completely but close enough) by Federally funded programs. That way we keep the federal money but can cut back on the
number of surveyors and support staff that the Federal funding does not cover. In fact in the area of Laboratory surveying the Federal budget is cut in half every
CMS I-83
b again and
h again...
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if
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Baltimore
ago and is undergoing repaving again!!! Spend the money purchasing other things that will help stimulate the economy.
Dear Sir-
Baltimore
City
Carroll
Baltimore
City
Anne Arundel
City
Montgomery
City
City
Baltimore
City
While State Employees are suffering and scraping together what they can to pay bills, there is no reason to continue to pay inmates daily/monthly wages at all
during these times. I am sensitive to the fact that some of the monies go to restitution; however, not all working inmates pay restitution, and, given the state of
Reduce the Public Transportation, this is a lose lose situation. Many times the buses are empty. By cutting the Bus Lines in half, this will require the consumers to
fuller buses and allow cut backs in employement. Reduced bus operators and Fleet will provide the State with additional funds to be spent else where and the
services will still be provided and fees collected will still be around the same amount. This will also help the State reduce pollutants in the air.
The most precious resource Montgomery County has is its families. As a parent of special needs children and xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, I
realize how important it is too maintain resources for this population. I sincerely hope you increase founding for programs that support children and families,
xxx
Manditory retirement for all State Employees w/ 30 years of employement or more. See early post of earlier buy out.
Allow individuals an early out for retirement, providing employees with a buy out option will help eliminate numerous employees that are overpaid and "waiting" for
retirement most of the upper management or employees tend to use sick leave and take extended vacations the last 2 or 3 years of employeement and rarely
contribute to the work load. Giving an employee the option of retiring early w/o penalty will allow these individuals to collect the full term 30 year retirement.
I believe the cost of MD state employee benefits, particularly health care and retirement, need to be addressed. As I understand it, state employees have virtully
no deductibles for health care/ prescriptions and the state pays a disproportionately large share for health care premiums and retirement benefits compared to
private workers. In these times the state employees need a reality check and should be paying what the average citizen pays. Also, I don't understand how 5% of
the hundreds of thousands of state employees can't just be eliminated for efficiencies sake. i realize this is a politically sensitive issue but as I'm sure you know,
Finally, no new taxes and don't pass them down to the counties--CUT SPENDING!!!.
- Eliminate or limit travel and hotel expenses. Video conferencing will work just fine.
- No catered business functions
- Four day work week from management on down. Or at least a four day week every other week.
- Pass some of the burden to local government instead of the state always taking the hit
City
Baltimore
Calvert
Washington
Frederick
Howard
Baltimore
City
Anne Arundel
City
Howard
Baltimore
Harford
Howard
Baltimore
Howard
Baltimore
Harford
Reduce State Employee Sick Leave from 3 weeks/year to 2 weeks. Only indiviuals who need that much time abuse it. This will help employees to become more
responsible and will allow the State to eliminate some contractual positions with the time extra time that is not used.
I suggest we remove some of the luxuries from the prison system. I know of too many men who continuously return to jail or prison, and it would be my guess
that is because it has become a recreation facility. While the hard working people are suffering job losses, furloughs and pay cuts, the ones who steal, rob and kill
for what they want, are living off of those who put in all the work. I think it's high time jail and prison become what it was meant to be. A place of restoration and
rehabilation. How can that be when all they want and need are behind bars....recreational sports, television, three meals a day. How is it that the ones who get
up and go to work everyday are unable to afford these very things, but those who commit crimes are handed them as a form of punishment or rehabilitation. It
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them on the weekends. Why is it necessary for only one person to be in the car? Have you considered getting rid of most of the cars in the State fleet and having
people teleconference instead of driving everywhere. I don't think any State employee other than the governor or active State Police officers, not those in desk
jobs, should have a take home vehicle. Have you considered limiting welfare payments to a two year period similar to Pennsylvania? Stop providing any support
to illegal aliens since they do not pay taxes in our state and they are breaking our laws by being here. You need to stop delaying and get the slot machine
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Please
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cutting
salaries
The Governor should work for free. If he truly cares about the state it should not be hard. It would show that he Maryland's interests ahead of his own. Also,
incentives to attract business would be wise. Making a budget cut is only a temporary solution. If we do not attract new business these cuts will be meaning less.
I think it would be worthwhile to look at the trend toward legalizing marijuana and then taxing it. California has figured that it would make millions by taxing it and
people would be willing to pay. This would allow the government to step in and tax it and employ farmers, processors, and retailers. It would also take the
criminal element out of it thus reducing the amount of people incarcerated for this offense. This, in turn, would perhaps allow the State to close one of its
dilapidated and dysfunctional correctional institutions and reduce the number of correctional officers needed to man these institutions. The cost per inmate per
year would also be eliminated from the state budget. The national sentiment is at least 50% towards legalizing marijuana, and there is a coalition of judges,
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don't
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- no caps. The last furlough capped at 60K (5days) - meaning middle class people got stuck with the bulk. Granted, I don't like furloughs but I would rather save
Hello Gov O'Malley, I feel we should speed up the process on slot machines/casinos in this state. Ocean City would also be a great attraction since tourist
already go there. Baltimore City should be the second place to add them. Reduction in salaries for state workers would be beneficial to avoid layoffs. In addition
more funding should be available for housing assistance-especially in Baltimore City. I lost my job and I have a medical situation. I am tired of hearing we have
STIMULUS 101***across the board 10% tax cut on EVERYTHING.
take a pay cut. theres thousands of people that live on 10 dollars an hour. i challenge you and any one else to trade me lives for a week. you people couldnt live
Providing an incentive for long serving employees to retire would reduce payroll without terminating any employees involuntarily. This would shift some costs to
My suggestion: Eliminate, or greatly reduce, mowing along interstate and state highways. (There might be some safety reason for the continuous mowing, but it
Eliminate annual increases for any employee of the state that is making $100,000 of more. Freeze these salaries for the next 3+ years.
My suggestion would not only save millions of dollars but would also prevent the State from providing funding to defeat an easement co-held by the Maryland
Historic Trust and Preservation Maryland. Howard Community College acquired the historic Belmont Estate in November 2008 for $4.4 million from the College’s
foundation after a failed attempt to develop the property with a private development partner. Despite the MET/Preservation Maryland easement, HCC has a
master plan to develop over 100,000 square feet of new buildings on this “preserved” property under the auspices that this development is needed to run its
culinary program. This undertaking is already draining the college’s resources (approximately $14 million to date) and funding requirements to fulfill its master
l like
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tl
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reduce spending on education, healthcare and safety is ridiculous. No one wants to see jobs cut, but the private sector is already dealing with it. The state can
as well! The days of tax and spend MUST come to an end! Our money will soon be worthless if the fed continues to print money out of thin air. Shrink the state
The State should reexamine the scope of work/mandate for a child serving,cabinet level agency associated with less than 1% of the State budget, specifically the
Department of Juvenile Services. Public expectations and mandates which impact DJS' continuum of services is extensive, and includes everything from
In reviewing the stream of alternate funding sources and in comparison to other child serving cabinet agency, DJS does not even have access to the federal
portion of the budget allocated for the Federal State Plan associated with Department of Justice/Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
Redirection of the OJJDP funds and any federal funds associated with delinquent youth in relation to State Plans associated with MSDE, DHR, DHMH, DLLR
I think the Governor should consider what they are doing in Howard Co. Gov't this year. If we have to be forced to take days off, do it when most state workers
would like to be off anyway. Christmas time, the week between Christmas & New Years. And he gets the added savings of not having to open state buildings. Still
Dear Governor,
I believe that the state should stop frivolous spending. My suggestions for this would be:
Let all consultants employed by various state agencies go. Any full time state personnel, that want to keep their jobs, must take up the slack. In return for the
state employees loyalty and dedication, return all benefits that have been taken from them in the last 20 years. Cut the work week to 3-4 days per week for all
agencies and go back to a 35 hour work week. This would save on commuting for the employees, telephone use, gas and electric, and many other expences.
Eliminate the use of state vehicles at SHA for senior management. As a benifit to senior management at State Highway they are given state vehicles and all gas
There should be no state funded travel expenses or seminars or other expenses incurred for meetings without a lot of reason and presidential level approvals in
various agencies. No parties or food should be funded using state money. After we are out of the red we can resume such activities.
All SHA projects should be put on hold; building new roads or bridges, planting trees, putting up new signs, creating pretty barriers such as the areas in the
median, no new ramps from the highway. All regular maintanence should continue.
Howard
Montgomery
Thank you for the opportunity to send you suggestions.
Lease State land to utilities to house wind and solar power farms. There are 100's of acres of unused State-owned land that could be put to use scaling up Md's
green power grid, and the State could make $$ by leasing the land or getting discounted energy.
I'm sure you have received this one hundreds of times, but why not offer an early retirement option. I think of several people that I work with who would find it
attractive to retire with some incentive. Also, why not allow agencies to hire employees contractually for short-term projects and allow the agencies to give a
Eliminate the TOBACCO TRANSITION PROGRAM, and restrict reimbursable and state funded travel by state employees and politicians to intra Maryland & DC.
Hello Governor O'Malley:
Baltimore
As a parent and a former suppported employment job coach I can't stress enough about how spending dollars in the community far outweigh the results and
costs of providing services in institutions. Please ensure that the state resources from the Children's Cabinet Interagency Fund continue to support our most
vulnerable children and their families in Maryland. The waiting lists for services continue to grow and these families are truly struggling to keep their children with
Sincerely,
xxx
Dear Governor,
Baltimore
Baltimore
A friend of mine was tried and convicted solely of a wrongly accused hainess crime of child abuse. Her name will be Mary. Mary was wrongly convicted over 25
years ago. Her record today ios totally clean but, Fingerprints for an occupation worries her. Any help on this touchy subject would be kiindly appreciated.
Harford
Calvert
City
Washington
Howard
Montgomery
Signed, Yours truly xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Increase the automobile inspection fee. $14 is too low. $25 is not unreasonable. The 20% sales tax increase was a bad idea. I believe I read that state sales tax
revenues have actually decreased since 6% took effect. If that truly is the case, then it is logical to conclude that returning the sales tax to 5% would increase
Consider liquidating some of the 'treasures' currently maintained by the Archives (collectible art, collectible documents, etc.) Many of these collectible archives
are not on display to the public and are being maintained and/or restored by the Archives.
In looking at State Staff that make over $ 101,000.00 a year, why can't they take a pay pay cut. There are some state workers who live off of pay grade of $
26,000. and up; so if they can manage at this substantial amount. I feel that other could also Manage on this amount and put MONEY BACK INTO THE
Govenor O'Malley: I can see that many cost cutting measures have been made that will help our State of Maryland. But, I do not think that closing the visitor
center at Sideling Hill in Hancock is a viable method of saving money. That area is one of the natural wonders of our area and the geological information in the
The State should explore consolidating all youth services and treatment under one umbrella organization in MD. This makes it possible to maximize federal
sources without being territorial over the specific population served. The expectations on each of the child welfare agency as a public service agency is far
Dear Governor O’Malley,
Please ensure that the state resources from the Children’s Cabinet Interagency Fund continue to support our most vulnerable children and families in Maryland.
Please protect these resources and prevent additional cuts to this fund. More money will be spent in the long run if we cannot keep our most vulnerable children
We have already witnessed the results of limited access to community-based services. For example, the Montgomery County Collaboration Council for Children,
Youth and Families, a Local Management Board, has taken a 25% reduction for the work it does to support afterschool programs, home-visiting services and
wraparound services supporting our children with complex needs. Currently, there are waiting lists for services and those waiting lists are only going to grow.
Families are struggling to keep their children with intensive and complex needs in their home and community. They are facing tremendous obstacles to accessing
Thank you for your unwavering support for children and families in Maryland.
Baltimore
Harford
Howard
Baltimore
Baltimore
Anne Arundel
Howard
Caroline
Howard
Baltimore
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xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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Put a new toll on I-83 south at the MD/PA line. Thousands of people commute from PA into Baltimore each day, clogging our roads, polluting our air, taking jobs
from people in MD, yet don't pay taxes to MD. It's time to make them pay their fair share.
Eliminate pensions -move to 401ks like the rest of us.
Cut all salaries from top to bottom 10% - much of the private sector has already had to do this to stay in business.
Other than the "Welcome to Maryland" roadsigns, do we need to design, cast, ship, affix, take down, etc. road construction signs stating that Martin O'Malley is
our governor? I imagine the cost savings will be minimal, but it seems unnecessary.
1. Eliminate the $90 million dollar MITS Computer progam system that the Comptroller's Office is supposed to recieve
2. Elimante illegal aliens from receiving services such as wic, foodstamps, medical assistance, daycare vouchers, or any type of service that legal taxpayers have
3. Stop outsourcing jobs that State Employees can preform.
Due to the budget cuts, I had to switch from using Communter Bus Service to regular. Since that time, I have observed several days when the bus toll boxes are
not functioning and passengers basically ride for free! I am left wondering how much money the MTA loses daily/weekly/monthly by not repairing toll
Please, fix the toll boxes and collect the fares that the State is due.
In an effort to cover the shortfalls in Medicaid and Education costs and in an effort to decrease unemployment, every company who employees a non-legal
resident should be assessed a fee of $1,000 per month per employee who is not a US citizen. Additionally every landlord who rents to a non-legal should be
The proliferation of non-legal residents, from where ever they originate, continues to be a drain on the fiscal resources of every community in the state in a
manner far more than they contribute. By making the state less of a haven for non-legals we can provide job availability to Maryland residents and decrease the
burden on every county and the State the need to provide healthcare for illegals. This will also decrease the burden on each school district in the state for
Encourage State educational institutions to share training and meeting spaces on campus, as available, with State agencies.
I commute daily from Northern Caroline county to Annapolis, during my commutes the quantity of both state and local government vehicles on the road traveling
to their place of employment is absurd, most of these vehicles (98%)are occupied by one driver and most likely commuting to or from there work. By reducing the
amount of vehicles maintained by the government will make a huge savings across the board, if someone need to use the vehicle for work then check one out
from the motor pool not just use when they want or feeel the need to. The amount of justified/elegible personnel that need to use a vehicle to drive home I
Thank you.
The MSDE Office of Child Care is spending stimulus money on new laptop computers for the 120+ Licensing Specialists to use for inspection of day care
facilities. Each Specialist now has a new desk computer as well. At $5,000. a piece,I believe it is a waste of taxpayer money. THe money could be put to better
use on hiring the very much needed staff to regulate these facilities. The laptop computers will not help improve the quality of the care to the children. The
existing inspection reports are more than sufficient. Let's put our federal and state tax dollars to work on improving the quality of education to our children rather
Reduce number of public officials,ie:Deputy mayor,congressman to cover more than one district.Reduce number of councilman by covering more than one
district.Reduce overtime in police department by having more foot patrolman.(saves gas and mechanical repairs).Monitor pharmacies and physicians more
closely for Medicare and Medicaid fraud. Negotiate with drug companies to reduce high cost of drugs. Utilize the Army Reserve in high crime areas.( This may cut
Baltimore
Cut all lotery advertising; lets face it, the people that buy lottery are going to keep buying it regardless if you advertise it. Plus, the rest of the people know it's
there, don't worry. And please, don't give the argument that you will lose revenue if you don't advertise, you know that isn't true. Look at how many people bet on
Times are tough, but I garauntee that someone would rather take a 5%-10% pay cut rather than have no job at all...so, you should cut EVERYONE that works for
the state a pay cut; and the more you make, the higher the cut...capping at 10%. I really don't know why more companies don't do this, it does work. As long as
you do it soon enough, which usually means you need a smart enough financial officer in charge (which obviously isn't the case most of the time). This way you
save hundreds of thousands if not millions of dollars...hello, is anyone there? People can do with less, what hurts people is losing their jobs out right, someone
Caroline
Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore
City
City
Dear Governor O'Malley,
The local management boards (Human Services Councils)support important programs in our state. Without them, many children would not have access to
critical prevention programs. Please do not cut the Children’s Cabinet Interagency Fund. The funds provide a safety net for many children in our state especially
I just visited the Govenors staff page. I would start the cutting there. Also why does the first lady need an assistant? Is the first lady on the pay roll? Cut her and
End practice of taking state vehicles home, especially SHA.
Layoff the Lieutenant Gov. Don't know him, probably a nice guy but what does he do or has done.
Layoff 1000 of the employees who make over $100K
Layoff 20% of all state employees. This state employees more people per capita than any of neighboring states.
Change pay scale for managers- give them an incentive to manage with less not more employees.
I honestly think that if government officals would take a look at their own salaries and benefits, purhaps our state would be in a much better position. I think the
medicaid and welfare systems need to stop carring those who wont work.
all state offical drive their own cars to work .
There are several options to increase revenue:
- Focus on incarcerating only violent criminals and put non-violent offenders on devices such as home monitoring.
- Tax marijuana sales. People use it tax free. It might as well be used as an income source instead of a major expense (police, court cost, incarceration costs,
- Revenue from approving concealed carry and renewals applications. Criminals will own guns despite the law. That is why they are called criminals.
Baltimore
Washington
City
Anne Arundel
- Allow Maryland to host internet gambling servers and charge a fee. Fight the federal government with the 10th amendment.
Suggestion #1: Furlough all government employees starting from the governor on downwards. Friday seems to be the perfect day. For starters, that will cut 20%
from administrative costs without cutting much from achievements. It will also expand their week-ends. If truthfully informed and enlightened, state workers will be
extremely grateful to at least maintain their jobs. In a real way, they will also link hands and hearts with all other Americans who are worse off--all those without a
Suggestion #2: The governor should set the highesttone by his won personal example. He should forego his chef and his limo, as well as chauffeuring services
for his family. He should also halve his staff, forego helicoptoring and close up his private on-line publication My Maryland--or whatever it's called. He will thereby
Eliminate the freeze on tuition increases and raise then tuition in direct relation to increased fixed budget costs.
State agencies in the city that provide free parking to their employees should start charging a fee for a parking space. Those employees who carpool or ride
share (with other state employees or with other workers in the Balto. City area) should be allowed to have first preference to a free parking space. We should not
Submitted by Anonymous
“I think the health of our civilization, the depth of our awareness about the underpinnings of our culture and our concern for the future can all be tested by how
I am writing to suggest and recommend that State funding be restored to the public libraries throughout Maryland.
In Anne Arundel County and throughout the State, usage has increased in every category. More individuals and families depend on their public libraries--using
computers, accessing the Internet, and educactional and enrichment programs. Storytimes, family nights, basic and advanced computer traininge, and access to
If you doubt the importance of the public library, then you should know that recently published research by Karl Alexander, professor of sociology at JHU, shows
that public libraries are deterinative in school success. Further reductions in state funding for public libraries would be exceptionally short sighted.
Unlike schools, public libraries foster life long learning. You just never have to graduate from your public library. At the public library, children see their parents
and other adults of every background engaged in acquiring information and knowledge. They learn about caring for shared community resoucres, they learn to
be responsible for returning borrowed items, and they practice having respect for others in a public institution. Receiving your very first library card is a right of
passage through which children are given access to information and knowledge for the rest of their lives. Frankly, I believe that our communities could function
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
As a tax payer, the greatest return on my investment is at the public library. And, most importantly, the public library is essential in a free and democratic society.
If anyone thinks that public libraries are no longer relevant, just drop by a couple of branch libraries in the middle of the day. They are a bee hive of activity, with
In addition, public libraries are important "quality of life" indicators to employers and homeowners. Any further cuts by the State to public libraries will have a
negative impact throughout the State. Maryland has been known as "library heaven." Let's keep it that way!
I believe that if you set up speed cameras on the major roads and charged $300 for doing over 20 mph over the speed limit, the hardest part would be protecting
the operators who have to change out the film. Clearly while Maryland has speed limits posted, the citizens in mass don't pay any attention to them. If people
don't slow down then the revenue continues, if they do then traffic fatalities and injuries go down. If anyone is concerned about rights, just drive 95, the betways
To help sure up the Transportation Trust Fund, increase the gas tax by 5 cents. Since gas prices are down about one dollar per gallon from last year, the pain of
an increase will be much easier to bear. Also, the toll on the Bay Brigde should be raised 50 cents to $3.00.
Allow each of the counties to levy a .5% local sales tax. This revenue would supplement each jurisdiction proportionate to the amount of sales generated in each
Reduce funding to local districts.
Raise college tuition.
Cut lottery advertising.
Montgomery
Washington
Reduce spending of state activities that are not necessary (receptions, parades, entertainment, travel)
- Do not fund light rail lines in Baltimore and Montgomery now. Maryland can't afford them right now and they will be an expense for the forseeable future as they
- Cut funding for the arts, except in schools. Sell all artwork owned by the State.
- Stop outsourcing government IT work to contractors who overcharge by a factor of 3 or more. Hire unemployed IT workers like me instead.
- Cut "stem cell funding" further...to zero, and any other type of dubious research funding. Leave this research to the private sector. Encourage the private sector
- More aggressively compete with Northern Virginia for high-tech corporate HQs through tax incentives.
Cut spending to cut the budget deficit, don't raise taxes which will be counterproductive. Examples of what to cut: irresponsible and wasteful spending like
tearing down perfectly serviceable rest stops on I-70 at the Washington/Frederick County line and closing them for over a year while rebuilding them. A total
waste. Go over the budget line by line and eliminate waste and "like-to-have" items and hold spending on other necessary items constant. Cut back on costs for
auto emissions testing by waiving the test for cars less than 3-4 years old because roughly 99% of these cars will pass the test anyway. Eliminate spending any
Baltimore
While there are budget cut, jobs being lost, the MTA is rewarding its union employees for doing what is expected of them in the first place. That is working
responsibility. The MTA, effective January 1, 2009 is paying the union employees a bonus amount every three months for perfect attendance. In the memo from
the administrator it reads "In order to encourage better attendance the MTA is issuing a new attendance policy". It is written as follows: "Absenteeism Review
Do they have this right and or authority? Is this a "Comar" issue? Why does the tax payer have to take this large dollar burden on when these MTA union workers
are governed by the state employees (union employees) discipline rules in effect that would deal with any employee who does not do as expected of them, come
to work, get fairly disciplined, if necessary . If they do not want to work, let the process get rid of them, fairly and hire those that need a job and that will do the
right thing, follow the state (union) employees guide lines. Do away with this extra payroll and follow the rules already in place.The state could save many
thousands of dollars. This money is an insult for those that do the right thing. The public did not sign up for such a scam. This bonus is ridiculous. If every state
thi
t f
t especially
ll i
k all of
f the recent
i t positive
k press,
thbut something needs
ld b tokibe done
f
ti
th bspending.
d t t In particular,
I know thisidis a tpolitically
unpopular
idea,
with
aboutl education
City
the Thorton Bill. It seems too coincidental that the budget has been a yearly battle since its adoption, and from being friends with many teachers, they see tons of
that funding wasted in their schools every year on corrupt discretionary spending by the school administrators. I'd suggest going back to the old funding formulas,
then perhaps establishing a pool of money (half the size or less of the current Thorton) that each school district can competitively apply for a piece of each year to
be used for facility construction and equipment/supply purchases. It would reduce some of the State spending, and increase accountability for the money spent.
I d salary
t savings
t t b - offer people
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i
For
period
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
The concept of a buy-out of some state employees could be one effective tool to help reduce our state budget deficit.......... several other states are using that as
part of a larger strategy. The following e-article describes the steps several states are taking with regard to employee buyouts. As with just about any action,
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2009
Tracking the recession: Buyouts lure 9,000 state workers into retirement
By Rob Silverblatt, Special to Stateline.org
Montgomery
Looking to shield their work forces from tumultuous cutbacks...
How can state lawmakers continue making deep cuts into the budget when we now know for sure that combined reporting, which is law in 23 other states and
merely enforces the intent of existing tax law, would recoup for Maryland's coffers at least $100 million per year on taxes dodged by big multistate corporations?
Will lawmakers do right by regular voters and small businesses that play by the rules -- or will they continue to allow big multi-state corporations like Wal-Mart to
For more information on combined reporting, go to:
http://progressivemaryland.org/page.php?id=2422
Charles
Calvert
Sincerely,
xxx
Dear Governor O’Malley:
Adult education in Maryland needs your continued support. I know that in these trying economic times you have heard this frequently, and that many in our state
Our adult learners – the working poor of Maryland – already have to do more with less, I strongly urges you to maintain level funding for adult literacy and English
Regulation.
Many in Maryland are still without high school diplomas, have inadequate job skills, or cannot speak English fluently enough to realize their full potential.
Adult educators in Maryland have a consistent record of success, but demand for our services continues to outpace available resources, with only 5% of those in
need being served through approved state grantee and correctional education programs. The professionals in the field of adult education have made Maryland
Thank you, Governor O’Malley, for your past protection of our efforts – you have been a champion of adult education, and we appreciate the consideration you
have given our learners in recent years. Clearly Maryland cannot afford to
move backwards in state funding to provide crucial educational services that promote employment and help adults compete in today’s economy.
Maryland taxpayers deserve to know how much $$ the State pays to subsidize education, housing, incarceration, driver licenses and health care for illegal
immigrants. This alone, is a BIG contributor to the deficit and one which should be cut immediately.
You are in office to protect and serve the legal CITIZENS of this State, not illegal immigrants.
Washington
Harford
Fine businesses who hire illegals ($$ in State coffers) and send ALL illegals back across the border at Mexico's expense. If Mexico ignores, reduce aid for
Mexico at the Federal level - - that money would be re-routed > State of Maryland.
I feel that the mva offices do not need to be open on Saturdays. This would save water, electric and maintenance one day a week. Secondly, State Police
officers should be assigned in the area they live or not be able to take their police vehicles home with them. This would save on gas and wear and tear on the
cars. I have a son in college but I would not be opposed to a small tutition increase after all everything else is going up and I do want him to be able to have a
good education. I really don't think that the state employees should have to be the ones to shoulder the cuts. They are employees and also residents in this
state and usually get hit twice as hard such as if you raise taxes or they get furloughs. If you have to hit state employees with furloughs make it long weekends
th t t tanother
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1. Institute
Base P
the amount
by income
level,
paid
2. Increase the employee portion of health insurance premiums by $10.00 per pay period.
3. Increase college tuition by 5%. (lower then most, but unfortunately, the time has come for an increase.)
4. Eliminate (may be done already) any car service/state paid automobiles for state employees.
5. Freeze state employee travel.
6. Continue hiring freeze for any and all positions.
7. Offer early retirement and then eliminate position
Baltimore
Anne Arundel
Baltimore
Howard
8. Raise tax on cigarettes and alcohol.
9. Raise gas tax by 2 cents/gallon
10. No futher reductions in medicaid payments.
11. Shorten the work week to 4 days for energy savings.
12. During the winter months return to 5 days, but reduce hours to 6/day to reduce energy use in State buildings.
13. Reduce or eliminate State funded celebratory events, such as holiday celebrations. They are nice and can always be reinstituted when we are on better fiscal
14. Eliminate as much use of paper as possible by using electronic communication; direct deposit, etc. Eliminate paper production of newletters, bulletins, etc
DBED should put more money into its incentive programs and spend less on the Secretary's driver to get him less than a 1/4 mile from his condo to his office,
sponsoring galas at conventions such as Bio, and the trade shows it participates in overseas. And all State staff should use their own car and just be paid
Would it be possible to get the Arbitrator (I hope that's it) like they have in Arizona ? From what I've heard it's something that can be put into a vehicle (marked or
unmarked... preferably unmarked so violators won't know where it's coming from, and will think twice about being stupid) and records everything around it. This
way as the vehicle is travelling along it's getting those people speeding, tailgating, threading the needle, and other forms of aggressive driving.
The benefits should start with revenue production. It also means when an officer comes across someone doing any of these violations it's instantly noted. The
officer will be safer since he won't have to get out of his vehicle un heavier traffic because of someone's stupidity. He (she) will be able to get more violators. He's
not stuck on the side of the road if another type of emergency happens, so, it quickens his response time. And, if the violator doesn't know where it's coming from
The later benifits should include those following the posted speeds more carefully and, hopefully, that will mean if there is an accident it will be less severe. And,
hopefully the accidents will also be fewer with this. It should also have a benefit of lower insurance premiums for those of us who still try to stay within the law out
there. It should also be able to alert the officer if the tags of the vehicle that passed were tags that were wanted for whatever reason. (and if he was on the side of
I'm sure there are quite a few other benefits that will also show themselves in the long run, too. (an on my lunch break and don't have enough time to get into too
Do hope this will help.
xxxxx
All State govt ADMINISTRATIVE staff earning $100000 and above to take pay cuts. If the governor is serious he should take a pay cut.
do away with unnecessary govt functions that require food and drink
instead of traveling for meetings have conference calls
Instaead of building new buildings e.g. Concilor Moxley approved building a library and youth recreation center that was heavily opposed by the community, use
turn off office lights when leaving work.
Cancel stem cell funding
DO NOT furlough people because it will mean less salary and hence less taxes
Projected Savings: $4 million per year
In May 2009 at the Howard Community College Budget Hearings, the Howard County Council documented misallocation of over $1 million as part of the
College’s and Howard County’s $14 million bailout of Howard Community College’s Belmont Conference Center. While assessing this Belmont bailout, citizens
scrutinized the Maryland Association of Community Colleges data book. The January 2009 edition documented over a 50% variation in administrative staffing
patterns for Maryland community colleges. For example, Prince Georges Community College has 0.76 administrative staff per 100 students. Montgomery, Anne
Causing Maryland community colleges to function at or below the administrative staff per students at Prince Georges would reduce approximately 45 FTEs.
Approximating those FTEs at $90,000 per year including benefits would lead to a $4 million annual savings. These savings would repeat and, thus, be costs
avoided for several years. State contributions to community colleges should be reduced if the college has administrative staffing markedly higher than
comparable institutions. If counties have extraordinary administrative needs (e.g., to manage the money-losing Belmont Conference Center) and this requires
In the short term, Howard County can afford bad investments, such as Belmont and its bailout, but eventually it impacts all Maryland taxpayers. If funds are
available, they should be allocated to faculty rather than supporting selected colleges to build and maintain very high administrative staffing ratios.
City
Thank you for your attention to this and please contact me if you wish the detail supporting these analyses.
Hello,
Cecil
Anne Arundel
Kent
Washington
Harford
Anne Arundel
I believe that significant money can be saved by eliminating the waste of paying toll booth workers an extraordinary amount of money for such a basic job. Toll
booth workers should be paid no more than employees working at the grocery store collecting money. Also, Maryland should set up a highway system whereby
EZPass users pay a regular toll rate and those using the toll employees pay a higher cost for the toll. That way, a significant number of people would switch to EZ
I work for xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx. On March 20, 2009, each of our branches received a box from the MD State Dept of Education containing more than 400
booklets entitled "A Parent's Guide--Maryland's plan for preK-12 education 2008". Not only were the booklets a year out-of-date, but the number of booklets was
way out of scale for our library system. ONE box of 400 probably would have been enough for all of our branches, yet we received a full box at each of our 7
branches. I know there are plenty of other forms and booklets that are provided in large numbers. Perhaps the organizations on the receiving end could be
Do not pay overtime and leave in the same week. Make it so workers must WORK (be at work) for 40 hour week before they can get overtime.
I think we should consolidate trash pickups to once a week instead of twice a week and include the recycle bin with the trash pickup instead of having seperate
I saw that WV has a $65 million surplus. How is that possible but we have a $700 million deficit. My suggestion is to stop all transportation projects that are not
Eliminate the need and expense to produce front license plates. Many other states only require a rear license plate.
First let me commend the Governor and his Administration for opening the lines of communication. As a state employee of over 17 years, I have many ideas but I
will address two main areas in this correspondence. The areas I am mentioning are complex and affect all Departments, however, I am hopeful that the
My first suggestion centers around the letters drafted in response to letters received from constituents. Many people write to the Governor, Lt.Governor,and the
First let me clarify that anyone that writes regarding a personal issue such as a need for a resolution to a problem or a service, deserves a personalized
I am aware that the Governor's office has instituted use of a web-based letter tracking system (IQ) but I wonder if it is being used to its full capability.
I suggest that constituents who e-mail their correspondence should be emailed the approved response. This will save the cost of the ink, letterhead, envelopes
and postage. Same for the many individuals, who are cc'd on each letter, send an e-mail copy to them.
Many individuals and organizations write, send preprinted postcards, or sign petitions regarding a topic that they are passionate about. Letters like these are
especially prevalent during the legislative session or during times of pending budget cuts. They should be acknowledged but do they each need a personalized
reply? Since they are often writing asking for increased funding for public service programs, I believe that they would prefer the savings on office supplies (ink,
Not only does this cost taxpayers office supplies and postage but it takes staff inordinate amounts of time to set up mail merges, stuff envelopes, make copies for
My suggested alternatives include
- a pre-printed post card which has a thank you and a place to acknowledge receipt or an email with the same or
- posting of the replies on a page set up by the Governor’s office to which writers can be directed to see the approved response regarding their topic.
Secondly, if state employees are going to receive a pay cut through either a salary reduction or furlough days, why not encourage tele-working? The recently
revised tele-work policy written by DBM is certainly not user-friendly to either employees or supervisors. I believe that there should be some guidelines for
teleworking but supervisors know if an employee's position lends itself to tele-working. Tele-working is a privilege and should an employee prove they are
Cutting back on employees having to pay for gas and other commuting fees would be seen as caring by state employees who are more than willing to share the
burden of the budget crisis. This would also be environmentally friendly and perhaps the state could pave the way for other Maryland businesses to follow.
Anne Arundel
Baltimore
Montgomery
Anne Arundel
Thank you again for taking the time to review suggestions from state employees and taxpayers.
I am probably not saying this correctly but I read that some States have declared themselves 'American speaking only' which eliminated the state expense of
hiring translators. This has become a big business for bilingual persons and therefore a big expense for the State. Just a thought.
Early retirements,,, Get rid of anything in the budget that doesn't deal with fire,safety & schools... I feel that spending money on beautification projects, sports
facilities etc should be burdened by the counties. Also get rid of the perks that the representatives in Annapolis can use like the handing out of college grants to
Put a line on the Maryland individual income tax return for payment of use tax and instructions in the tax booklet about use tax.
I would suggest cutting garbage collection from 2 times a week to one and reducing the amount from 4 to 2 or fewer garbage cans. People might even recycle
more. Or, as is done in some european jurisdictions, charge by weight the garbage but not for recycle. This might be more a county policy, but if the county
Howard
Parole at least some inmates who are serving life sentences, if the parole board determines that they pose no threat to society, and if they have served at least
15 years of their term. By paroling some low-risk lifers, the state could save millions of dollars, while still preserving public safety. A recent report by the Justice
Policy Institute, "The Release Valve: Parole in Maryland," notes that in 2007, the state spent approximately $1,422 per person on parole or probation, while it
spent $33,310 per person on incarceration. Just by paroling an additional 100 people, the report concludes, Maryland could potentially save about $3 million over
Baltimore
I would encourage all state agencies to utilize recycled toner cartridges as much as possible. Toner cartridges are usually the most expensive items on the office
supplies budget. There are local companies that provide the products which will further reduce cost while boosting the local tax base and helping the
Cut out mandatory vehicle inspections for registration of vehicles. Lengthen time between license plate renewals to 2 years minimum.
The state budget should not be continually balanced on the state workers. The services are provided to all Maryland citizens so all the citizens should assist in
balancing the budget whether it be with paying a certain percent of extra tax but by ALL and Not just the state workers.
The state budget should not be continually balanced on the state workers. The services are provided to all Maryland citizens so all the citizens should assist in
balancing the budget whether it be with paying a certain percent of extra tax but by ALL and Not just the state workers.
I am a state employee through the Comptroller of Md. The printing budget is out of site. My suggestion is cut out the time state employee evaluations (PEP) they
consist of numerous pages they serve NO purpose since no one is getting raises (yearly) or mid cycle. Every 6 months the manager/supervisor has to fill out
Baltimore
Wicomico
Wicomico
Anne Arundel
My other suggestion is "Request for Leave or Absence cards". These are filled out eveytime someone wants to take leave. Why???? Every Manager/Supervisor
has a date book they write in when someone wants to take leave. It is already recorded why record it again. These cards never never repeat never leave the
managers/supervisor possession. They are not forwarded to Annapolis no one ask for them and the state keeps printing them. The time the employee uses is
Harford
Why wasn't this suggestion sent out to the state employees I heard about this over the radio on the last day. Do you think that state employees are not worth
listening too. We are aware of the budget crisis what better ways of getting ideas then from the people who work directly for the state.
I'm not sure the following suggestion will win friends or influence people, but here goes. O r maybe it is not even novel?
The areas of maintained, or even increased funding, seem solid to me. In particular, education funding is impressive.
In business, especially during tough times, it appears that models with more than one revenue source are least impacted (fare best).
How about, for example with an item that makes sense, we have those using the system contribute extra? Doesn't work - per se - for public saftey, health, etc.,
Forgive me if my numbers are off, but on quick web search appears MD educates +850,000 school children. How about if those that are economically able (I
expect there is some difficulty in defining this) contribute $1k/child/year?
Seems like a solid investment any parent would make (hey, most parents I know suit up kids for sports at a few hundred per year without even thinking twice) and
would take some getting used to the idea (as it has been a "freebie" forever)
but let's think about it.
Say there are 850,000 students and that 60% of parents are deemed able to "afford" the $1k/child surcharge that would leave 510,000 "payers". Multiply by
Taken further, if somehow incorporated as a state income tax many, but not all, folks would end up paying even less (after itemized deduction on their federal tax
Again, maybe not the perfect idea (maybe even far from it) but thining creatively on matters of the public budget that are perceived by most to be value-added is
an area to focus. Further, adding a "use" component (unlike, say, cigarette tax which is deemed prejudicial) and getting a second revenue stream (if you will) is
the way to go - if following successful commerical practice is of any interest. Hey, if the coffers fill once real estate transactions, etc. reinstate then offer a credit
Happy to think about or discuss further - this was just an initial reaction once I heard that Governor O'Malley was soliciting ideas (which itself is a great idea).
Washington
Thank you, in advance, for your consideration of my idea.
I think it is time for those on public assistance to have to tighten the belt like the rest of us. You want to close the Sidling Hill Center, why not divert funds from
welfare to keep the center open . Everyone should contribute , not just the working class. You see those on welfare with cell phones, cars, current fashions, ipods
Washington
Baltimore
Wicomico
Anne Arundel
I am employed xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx with the DPSCS xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx. The last couple of years we have been required to purchase
supplies through grangers and small business many times 50 to over 100% of we could normally buy the same products for. Example 3-4 week supply of typical
plumbing supplies Grainger 1838.70 Quality Plumbing (small business) 1096.00. I think there should be a 10 or 15% limit on the contracts and preferences. This
Consolidate various State Police related agencies into one central policing authority, i.e MTA police, State Troopers, University Police, etc.
Centralize GIS data acquisition so that the state and counties
are not collecting the same data and spending duplicate funds.
State could give funds to counties in return for data
I suggest the State of Maryland create a state wide IT policy that fosters the use of and contribute to “open source” IT solutions. Here is an article about “open
source” and Governments dated 7/29/2009. I offer it to show the value of “open source” IT solutions
http://lwn.net/Articles/344119/
Anne Arundel
Harford
The article source:
What is LWN.net?
LWN.net is a reader-supported news site dedicated to producing the best coverage from within the Linux and free software development communities.
Get rid of energy zapping appliances like old refrigerators in state buildings and weatherize state office buildings, implement other ways to save energy. Use staff
more efficiently re auto use to save fuel and fuel reimbursements. Use Work Where You Live program to the extent possible perhaps? Thanks for this
Governor-This is a great idea! Here's some suggestions:
1. Reduce state holidays. I believe we have more than most states.
2. Zero based budgeting. Make all State agencies justify their continued need and staffing. Eliminate duplicate agencies in state government.
3. Reduce the state sales tax back to 5% for a 90 day trial period and see if this stimulates more sales and net increase in sales tax revenues.
4. Reduce top level positions in Maryland's bloated college oversight agency. Increase college tuition slightly and do not provide any in-state rate breaks for
Anne Arundel
Respectfully,
xxxxxxxxxxxx
I have a suggestion on how to save some tax dollars and bring in some extra revenue at the same time, and my way will be completely painless for all involved.
1.
Do away with the requirement to have two license plates on vehicles registered in the state. I know this would cut the cost of
manufacturing/shipping/storage of tags by at least 50%. I do not know what it cost to manufacture a vehicle tag, probably just a few cents each, but when
multiplied by the number of new tags issued each year the saving would be substantial. I think this could be done without changing the fees paid for vehicle
2.
The increase of tax revenue would come from the sale of aftermarket tags for the front of vehicles. I am sure you have seen the type of tags of which I
speak, on vehicles registered in other states. If 1 million vehicle owners bought aftermarket tags for their cars at an average of $10 that would add $$$ to the
3.
Harford
The only downside I see from this would be the potential loss of the money from fines if the police stop you and you do not have a front license tag on your
I know that the amount of monies saved and tax revenue generated would only be a drop in the bucket, when compared to the deficit we currently are looking in
the face. I think this would be an easy thing for the public to accept since there is really no additional cost to the individual, unless they choose to purchase an
Stop requiring front license plates. The state would save money if it made just rear license plates as many other states do.
Baltimore
Washington
Baltimore county is so flush they are giving raises to all employees and the teachers got a 4% increase. State workers have less in their check each year. Since
they are in such good fiscal shape, they should NOT receive so much aid from the state. Also each county should fund the teachers pensions, not the state. It is
Where do I begin? How about cutting back on the welfare system and make people get out and get a job like the rest of us. You should only be able to collect
these payments for a short period of time until you can get back on your feet. Right now, people have more babies because they can get more money.
Next, make all state employees take furlough leave, not just certain employees. All state employees earn leave time and their shift can be covered to take a
Next, let's clean out state government. How about an early retirement package. Or even get rid of some of the troublesome employees.
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If I think of anything else, I'll submit later.
Baltimore
Thank You!!!
Budget Suggestions
1. Eliminate the subsidy to private institutions of higher education.
This taxpayer support is questionable public policy under any economic circumstances, but particularly under current economic circumstances. These institutions
have endowments and alumni in addition to their higher tuition to support them.
2. Examine the athletic operations of the university system and other public colleges and universities with regard to how the millions paid for television,
endorsements, etc. can be redirected from the high sports staff salaries and other luxury expenditures to the general benefit of the schools and students. Support
3. Share the pain. Impose cuts to salaries and benefits among academic, legislative, and particularly local government personnel at least equal to cuts already
incurred and planned for state employees, the second class citizens of Maryland. County government employees in some jurisdictions have continued to receive
increments and in some cases raises, while state employees’ salaries have been cut and increments frozen for more years than not under the Erlich and now the
4. Close Coppin State. There is little justification for maintaining two historically black colleges in the same geographic area when one of these has such poor
performance and graduation rates. Alternatives exist in Morgan, community colleges, and other minority focused institutions in Baltimore or through out the State.
5. Eliminate the ‘legislative’ scholarships that are awarded at each legislator ‘s discretion. Eliminate the funding outright or transfer it to the financial assistance
programs administered by the public colleges and universities. This would ensure assistance is awarded in accordance with need based or other educational
6. Transfer responsibility for funding the Teacher Retirement System to the local level. Currently state taxpayers are held hostage to teacher salary decisions
made at the county level. State funding goes disproportionately to support wealthier jurisdictions who can afford higher salaries.
7. Controversial and more of a long term suggestion, but consider decriminalization of drug use. Treating drug use as a public health not criminal issue and
controlling its use, ala alcohol, could greatly decrease the costs of law enforcement and incarceration, as well as promote treatment.
Harford
8. Require the legislature to observe similar travel reimbursement rules as state employees, e.g., no overnight accommodations if reside within 30-50 miles of
Annapolis unless the mileage reimbursement exceeds the cost of lodging,
You could open up the Concealed hand gun permits. Do it like the state of Florida. Charge out of state people $200 dollars and in-state around a $100 and that
will bring in a lot of cash. Make easier for people to get a concealed permit and this will work. Just look at the money Florida is bring in.
Thank you for your time
Baltimore
Reduce the number of MTA buses that travel empty or nearly empty each day
Baltimore
Anne Arundel
I see 10 to 20 expired stickers on license plates all over town. If these cars are not properly tagged, they are more likely to be uninsured motorists. The state
could raise a lot of revenue, just from the licensing fees that are being avoided. Is a revenue enhancement as good as a budget cut? A team of ticket writers
could help to identify these cars, as the police are unable to keep up with this. Cabbies, chauffeurs, or any other civilians might help in the effort. I would do it for
I'm glad I saw in the Sunpapers that today is the deadline for submitting suggestions. I've been meaning to write.
My suggestion concerns the use of prison labor. I think the state should put prisoners to work doing more than road-side litter pickup. They could be used to
paint state buildings, build state parks, drive state trucks, maintain state properties, etc. Since state government is already paying others to perform these
functions, we could probably save many millions of dollars. Also, with a skills training program in place, prisoners could be used to build new schools (and other
Please keep up the good work. I look forward to hearing from you. And good luck with the budget. I think the idea of asking the public for ideas is terrific.
Worcester
Allegany
xxx
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Suggestion for early retirement
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Howard
Charles
Montgomery
Allegany
Anne Arundel
Charles
In the audit area of the Comptroller's office, I came because a client was audited. I did not get to meet with the auditor. Instead, I sat and waited while a clerical
employee took all my clients documents to the copier and make a copy of every receipt (3 years, more than 100 receipts)
There is no need for this in a digital age. In addition, having a face to face meeting to resolve matters would expedite the process. Copies are incredibly
expensive, in addition to the time of the clerical making copies. If this happens for every taxpayer audited, there would be considerable savings if this stops
Develop tourist related sites along waterways - more than just Ocean City and Annapolis to bring in the additional money. Think - Put-In Bay, Ohio.
The State of Utah has implemented a four day work week for all state government services. I do not know how much money the State of Utah has saved by
implementing a four day work week. All employees must still work a 40 hours per week. Typically, this means that each employee must work 10 hours per day,
with Friday as the day off. The State of Utah believes that the have saved money by closing all State Government buildings on Friday. I do not know if this option
It seems that the state employees have taken a hard hit with the budget cuts. Furlough days and not replacing employees that retire or quit, like just taking pins
away. Well we had to take days off without pay, no RAISE at all and not even a person to replace an empty spot. Which gives more work. If you give us a week
off, at least let us get unemployment insurance. Something is better than nothing. Try shuffling it around. Isn't that hard enough. Hit ALL state employees and not
Encourage spending by rolling back state sales taxes to 5%. Maryland citizens need to feel they are getting a bargain. When taxes are rolled back, you
encourage MORE spending which will help small and larger businesses as well collecting more sales taxes on these new purchases. People want a bargain.
Less taxes = a bargain = encourage more spending. Raising taxes makes people hang onto their money tighter and tighter. Lower the taxes and psychologically
Eliminate the AVI sticker on the Hatem bridge that allows commuters to cross unlimited times in a year for $10. Create a commuter plan like other MD toll
Wicomico
Montgomery
Harford
First things first - cut all useless spending such as millions to help illegal immigrants with healthcare and health expenditures. Raise the state tuition at colleges
to curve the deficit. Next, consolidate some of the state police agenicies under one roof such as the Maryland Department of Public Safety. For example
combine DNR, NRP, MdTA and MSP. All under one roof then have dvisions - Bureau of Investigation (MSP), Highway Patrol (MdTA) and Marine and Wildlfe
Save money and STOP destruction of precious natural environmental resources by ending the terribly expensive/offensive/invasive/destructive construction of
your beloved ICC. Then use some of that money to maintain at least level funding for adult education in English as a Second Language and more of it to work on
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I think you should take a close look at contract hires. The MTA hires back employees that have retired and then brings them back at more thousands more
money then they made at the job they retired from. Half the time these are even working. They are just collecting the pay check. The chief of police that have
been there over the years, you keep putting police in there from other agencies, they want to change everything to their way, bring in their friends from the other
agencies, who by the way have retired from those agencies, and are not in management positions with these high salaries, but aren't there doing the jobs. You
Allegany
Anne Arundel
Wicomico
Montgomery
Anne Arundel
City
Washington
PLEASE, consider the impact on people when you make these cuts. I am on xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx serving adults with severe
developmental disabilities. In recent years, the reimbursements from the MD DDA has not come close to covering the cost of providing basic care for these very
vulnerable persons. We are talking about food, shelter and 24 hour staffing. Cuts in this area translate into less food, health care and staffing. Where are we to
cut? Now we hear of even more cuts this year! Before the economic downturn we were able to cover the States failure with fundraising but that is way off this
year. I understand that in spite of the budget crisis that you are planning to replace everyone's license plates this year (advertising the Star Spangled State) at a
f
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Salisbury
drives
Please continue to support early intervention programs and home visiting, especially those that through the years have evidence of effectiveness and saving for
the long run. As many of us know prevention is much chipper than intervention.
I would suggest that the state offer an option to allow state employees to retire after 25 or 27 years based on the number of possible candidates. Allow them to
leave at full retirement and hire new staff at lower salaries. Also allow anyone over 30 years to retire based on the highest year salary they had instead of an
Stop paying for unnessary training.
I think the Governor took a positive step by not paying out the retention, CO retention and finders fee bonuses.
I believe the Governor should make ALL State Employees use the timeclock. Only some state agencies make their employees utilize a timeclock. There are
state employees who take avantage of not clocking in and out. They are basically stealing from the state.
Baltimore
Perhaps eliminating some the numerous higher level positions within the DOC along with some the numerous administrative positions that support these higher
Revised version of my suggestions...
To: Governor of Maryland
From: xx
Date: August 7, 2009
Re: Budget Shortfalls Facing Maryland
I would like to take this time to thank the Governor’s Office for the opportunity to share my voice in addressing the crisis that is affecting not only Maryland but the
country. Soliciting public comments on cost saving methods associated with State agencies is commendable, as many individuals of all status have innovative
I must briefly state, the estimated cost to place a youth for in-state and out-of-state placements range from $75,000 to $250,000 per year. Unfortunately, many
youth spend years in the juvenile system, to include community-based services, at the expense of the state. If a parent has to pay child support to another parent
or guardian, why aren’t parents paying child support to the Department of Juvenile Services, especially when a child is in the Department’s custody and care?
• A special department be implemented to oversee child support processes and payments to the Department of Juvenile Services
• Parent/Guardian salaries be garnished for child support while the youth in the custody and care of the Department of Juvenile Services. Garnishment will ensure
• Families receiving public assistance from a state agency - the percentage of funds received by the family for the youth in the custody and care of the
Department of Juvenile Services will be diverted to the Department of Juvenile Services. This will a) close the illegal loophole that exists within the Department of
Rationale: Youths who have violated the law are detained for the following reasons: (1) a danger to themselves or (2) a threat to public safety and risk of failure to
appear for hearing. However, the Department of Juvenile Services is used to many reasons, for example:
• If a youth is granted release by the court but parent/guardian refuses to accept child the youth becomes a CINA (child in need of assistance). At this point, DSS
should become immediately involved prior to parties leaving the court room. Instead, DJS detained and/or place the youth bearing total financial cost.
• If a youth is dual-committed to DJS and DSS, DSS is the lead agency. DSS will often leave a youth detained. Reasons could include: a) DSS knows where the
child is and he or she cannot runaway, or b) DSS does not have a placement for the child, or c) the child is difficult to place for several reasons: age, history of
running away, or mental health issues - mentally and/or emotionally disturbed youth which make them extremely hard to place. The Department of Juvenile
• If a child is detained under a Protective Custody Order many of the same youth that the child is running from in the street are the same youth that are detained
in our facilities. Often a change in family geography is needed. This type of services would come from the department of housing and maybe DSS should be
involved. Detaining the youth is not the solution, it is a temporary action. However, these youth are detained for long periods of time at the expense of the
• In Maryland and nationally studies have shown that as high as 75% youth entering the juvenile system have at least one mental health disorder, and are
undiagnosed and untreated. The focus is more on the behavior and not the disorder. The absence of mental health diagnosis and treatment has lead to a
significant increase in the number of youth being serviced in the juvenile justice system; rather then the mental health system. Because of this, the Department of
I hope you find my ideas helpful and I welcome further collaboration to discuss these and other ideas in detail. I can be reached at xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, anytime.
Talbot
Baltimore
Harford
Howard
Worcester
Montgomery
Sincerely,
Close all state offices 1 day each week (employee's work four 10 hour days--or for those who cannot work in the office beyond the normal 8 hr day--allow them to
work from home). This would save on oerational costs. Please NO MORE Fourlough's for State Employee's...
Provide more tax free holidays. In the past Maryland has set aside one week as a tax free week mainly to assist consumers with back to school expenses.
However, some years that's in effect and some years it's not. Personally, I have just found out during a recent trip to Pennsylvania that the State of Pennsylvania
has no sales tax on clothes or shoes (year round). This is a major incentive for me and one that will possibly have me spending the bulk of my income set aside
for clothes and shoes for me and my family and spend it in Pennsylvania. I don't want to do that..... Also I was told that Delaware doesn't have sales tax on
Significantly reduce the amount of mowing the grass along the roadsides statewide. I can only imagine the number of manhours, fuel usage and "wear and tear"
on the eqipment used for this expenditure. Plus think of the environmental impact by reducing emissions (especially since most of this equipment has no
This suggestion would save Maryland tens of millions of dollars – sell Howard Community Colleges’ (HCC) recently acquired Belmont estate. It is unreasonable
and unnecessary for a community college to own and operate a luxurious (HCC spent $38,000 on a piano rebuild for the manor house) historic 18th century
estate, complete with dozens of well paid staff (the manager makes $162,000 with benefits). HCC has kept Belmont spending below state radar so far by
HCC has planned an elaborate specialty campus with over 100,000 square feet of new construction on the Belmont grounds to expand their culinary and
hospitality program. As an example of how excessive the plans are, HCC is about to renovate and expand an old barn at Belmont. The projected cost has
already climbed to nearly $6 million, and construction has not even begun yet. This cost is doubly shocking because HCC proclaimed that Belmont would be self
I’m far from the only Belmont critic: among many others, the Howard County League of Woman Voters, the Howard County Citizens Association, The Maryland
Environmental Trust, Preservation Maryland, and even Howard County’s own Planning Board have opposed the college’s Belmont plan. HCC’s Belmont venture
is in fundamental conflict with the goal of a community college to operate with the highest quality of instruction at the lowest reasonable cost.
The suggestion I would have is to elimanate or severly reduce roadside mowing by the state highway administration and or mowing contractors. The roads by my
residence and this area are mowed frequently, as much as 5-6 times a year. Why? It is the side of a road not a yard. In my opion they could be mowed once a
Dear Governor O'Malley:
Baltimore
Harford
Howard
Please continue the same level of support for Adult Literary and English services through the Department of Labor, Licensing and Reghulations. I urge you to
endorse the views and goals expressed by MAACCE. I am a recent retiree who is pursing classes in adult education to prepare myself to volunteer my time and
I suggest cutting the training budget for unnecessary training. It is not a requirement of any job of the state to be a CPA, yet we pay for CPE credits. For instance
The biggest waste in MD state government is the continual use of "overlay funds" that each of the 7 MD SHA Districts uses every year to overlay roads that are
still in good repair, these jobs are often paved between april and june 30th in order to be able to max-out the budget and request even more funds the following
year...it's a waste and the people of MD deserve better monitoring of what the district managers are deciding on a whim to "maintain", some roads are paved
1. Strict use of green building methods. All new state buildings as well as existing state building (see LEED criteria for existing buildings) should meet at least
LEED Silver certification. Often people dismiss green building as too expensive but this is extremely short sighted. There are indirect savings connected to
healthier work and learning environments due to sharp reductions in volatile organic compounds from building materials and cleaning products, many of which
Retrofitting old inefficient building with efficient HVAC systems, windows, and solar will realize tremendous energy and maintenance savings.
2. Stricter use of IPM practices can drastically reduce pesticide use in state building and schools saving a significant amount of money and protecting health.
Please refer to IPM Star Certification: Profile Aberdeen Proving Grounds. Child cancer and asthma are linked to pesticide use.
http://www.ipminstitute.org/IPM_Star/ipmstar_profiles_aberdeen_md.htm
Also Boulder Valley School District IPM program
Baltimore
Anne Arundel
Montgomery
3. Strict Waste Reduction programs
Perhaps encourage more telecomuting and closing state offices perhaps the first Friday of every month.
Close all state government offices on Fridays.
Dear Governor O'Malley,
As you make the most difficult decisions in the next few months, I want to urge you to maintain the resources in the Children's Cabinet Interagency Fund.
Also, increases in user fees and taxes should be part of your strategy to deal with the budget shortfalls.
Baltimore
Anne Arundel
Harford
Anne Arundel
Dorchester
Harford
Thank you for your consideration,
xxx
With the switch to digital tv I checked the power of WBAL-TV
channel 11 and found that their signal is 7.5KW while MPT-TV transmits at 50KW. When I reduce my home kw's my electric bill goes down. I think reducing the
transmission from 50 to 25 KW should save some taxpayers' money.
Force employees that have soc sec age and can retire, to retire! Most are dead weight.
Working for a Doctors office, it has become a real bone of contentiont that patient who participate in Maryland Physician Care Insurance and other state health
insurances that come into the office and test positive for illegal recreational drugs. It should be mandated that any participant in state provided insurance that
tests positive for illegal drugs be reported to a state agency. One mistake forgiven,second time they should have their insurance dropped. We working people
if we have to furlough again maybe each agency can close down for one day (Fridays) instead of having to choose which day you need to take off and that day
being micro manage when you can. Having to do a furlough is bad enough, but when you are told you can't take it because someone else is off thats pouring salt
Budget cuts need to start at the top levels in government. When furlough days are mandated ALL state employees should be required to participate. State
employees should no longer drive state vehicles home at night. I personally know of cases where these vehicles are being used for personal use, such as car
shopping for children during work hours and transporting family members to and from airports. To deter from misuse. Employees need to keep an exact log of
dates, mileage and destinations. Closer review of cell phone use for business vs. personal use. This needs to be reveiwed at each agency. There are many ways
First,I would suggest that a deep cut in the use of consultants within MDOT. If our construction is being reduced and many projects are being placed on hold, why
are we still seeing consultant staffing levels unchanged. The work they are doing could easily be done by state workers . It is very unfair that these people are
My second point is why are consultants who work here being paid at full overhead cost eventhough they are "on site". They use our computers,desks, office
equipment, and our facilities , yet there companies charge the state full overhead costs for their services. Very unfair and maybe even illegal.
Third, I think that SHA managemnet should pay commuting charges for taking state vehicles home every night. The excuse given is that they are called out for
emergencies. The truth is that some if not most are never called out on emergencies. The non- payment of commuting is nothing more than a perk that
Harford
Anne Arundel
Calvert
Anne Arundel
i suggest that all incarserated people be given job that are not covered under the new budget. grass cutting at goverment buildings, painting curbs, replaceing of
flowers and mulch etc. also the individuals that are on our welfare system be given jobs so when they log in 40 hr work they receive 40 hrs of welfare payment.
Getting rid of temp and contractual in all agencies, not just some.
Eliminate some executive positions.
Take and look at who is really doing the work and who is not.
It's the lower grades that does most of the work in a agency and they are paid less and usually are the ones who hold the agency and the department together.
Stop paying for employees to go to big, expensive conventions. If the convention is deemed absolutely necessary, do not pay for expensive hotel rooms. There is
absolutely no reason to pay over $400 a night for a room (DHMH). If employees elect to not have health insurance through their state employment, give them a
small incentive pay. It would encourage married couples to go on the other spouse's health plan, therefore decreasing benefit money spent on state employees. If
the employee is not married, it will not hurt him at all. Do not pave/resurface roads until it is absolutely necessary. Broomes Island Rd. was just repaved... it could
One way to cut down on buget is to cut down on how many assistants to the assistant for high ranking officials.
Another way is those individuals that have been locked up for 20, 30, 40 years with good adjustment records and home plans that would have been eligible for
parole before the Glendenning era be giving a chance to come home with strict supervision. That would save the state millions. It would free space for these more
Some high ranking officials to take a cut in pay like lower state workers that have been furlough to save millions.
City
Washington
Baltimore
Calvert
Harford
Stop unnecessary overtime payment. Make state officers drive their own personal vehicle when off duty.
The State should implement incentives for overall State agency savings and shrinking of budgets. The goal should be a 6% annual reduction in overall agency
budget. If an agency reaches this target, 1% of the savings would go to the employees in the form of bonuses, the other 5% would return to the State. This
would encourage a frugal mentality in every State employee. It would be meaningful to everyone to spend wisely, b/c to do otherwise would be to take a potential
bonus away from your co-workers. If implemented, rather than seeing end of the year spending sprees you would see end of the year saving sprees by all
employees in order to try and get the bonus. Currently there is NO incentive in State government to spend frugally and shrink your budget, and arguably the
xxx
Incentives for those who are at or near retirement. Then look at necessity of the position. Those essential positions could be filled with contract workers, thus
Consider offereing adjusted work week on a voluntary basis. Work week would consist of four 9 hour days, totally 36 hours a week. Employee would maintain
full time status and benefits, would benefit from and extra day off and state would benefit by a reduction of 16 hours less pay per employee per month.
Energy reduction program focusing on thermostat settings, turning lights off, etc. Incentive for those offices which the reduction is greatest.
Look in to those employees who have state issued cell phones and the necessity. Those who are not using the phones, take them away and/or reissue.
Incentive or bonus for those employees who do not take advantage of the state health care benefits, including those currently not using as well as those choosing
Look into the use of state cars, specifically those employees who have vehicles they use and drive home. Keep the car at the state office.
Look at the necessity and practicality of training that is offered throughout the state. Bring the training to the office so you reduce paying milage and extra hours
beyond the normal work day, including lodging and meals that are provided.
Does the SHA always have to replace its highway signs so quickly when guidelines change? As an example: When caution signs went to a newer, brighter
orangle/yellow, perfectly good signs along state routes and interstates were quickly changed over. I am sure there is a compliance deadline, but MD always
seems far ahead of the curve. Would it not be better to implement the change at the end of a sign's useful life? When traveling to others states, it is quite evident
MD replaces its signs far ahead of others. While I would not like to see MD get like VT where it seems some signs date to the original opening of the interstate,
Another one would be the MTA performing an analysis of how close bus stops are outside the downtown area. Traveling Harford Rd, there are bus stops literally
within 100-200 feet of one another for the #19 line. Wouldn't fewer stops save fuel and brakes?
Only spend what is authorized in State Constitution. You have read it haven't you? Better pay attention to the suggestions provided by Tony O'Donnell.
1. Cut 5% of all state middle/upper management positions
2. 10% salary reduction all remaining State employess
3. Phase out all State pension plans. (Use 401K instead)
4. Suspend Davis/Bacon and Affimitive action on Contracts
5. Have State employees contribute more of Health insurance
5. Reduce the number of "Non Profit" orginizations
Caroline
These actions that almost all of us already experience will cut State expenditures by over 15-20% without reducing any services or programs.
SHOW LEADERSHIP!
To whom it may concern,
I am greatly concerned about the cuts that have been made to the Caroline County Human Service COuncil (and to the statewide fund that supports these
agencies statewide). The services provided by them are unique and desperately needed
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.
Getting help from Caroline County Human Service Council, Inc. has proven to be what was needed in order to connect all of the supports that she could gain
The cuts that have been made to the program are harmful to children in complex situations
. There are so very many needs, and there is often
no link or coordination between the services that a family is led to. . . and this is detrimental. Having the support of the programming offered by Human Services
Cuts to this program have been so very drastic.
is now afraid that the support she has been receiving will disappear (and out of necessity from
the cuts, much of it has already vanished). Stability is what kids like her need the most, and these cuts are deep and painful. All around her, she is losing
I want Children’s Cabinet Interagency Fund to continue to support our most vulnerable children and families in Caroline County, so I am emailing you today to let
you know that we need your leadership to protect these resources and prevent additional cuts to this fund - it has been cut enough!
Many thanks for your continued support of Maryland's children and families. I know you have a tough job and nobody wants to endure cuts. Please consider the
real children and stories behind the program titles, though, before making any more cuts.
Calvert
Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore
Wicomico
Montgomery
Baltimore
Baltimore
Frederick
Thanks,
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
stop arresting people over 18 for simple marijuana possesion.instead, impose a civil fine.this will increase revenue instead of wasting police and court time and
money.also,allow doctors to prescribe it, as other states are doing.thank you.
Dear Gov. O'MalleyCutting jobs and reductions in pay is a huge sacrifice to me,trying to keep my home together and not fall into the situation of those around me- falling behind in
bills, or loosing my home. While it is not what i ever thought i would ask for --I would hope that you consider raising taxes as a source for generating revenues for
the current economic crisis. In addition, I hope that your subsequent cuts are not applied any further to the LMB's as we are at the bare bones of maintaining our
With the recent budget cuts and budget shortfall, I strongly believe that a good plan of action would be to take a look at the vacant properties in the city of
Baltimore. The vacant properties in city that are boarded up and rest between residential occupancies should be viewed as a public health risk and therefore
condemned and confiscated under eminent domain laws if possible. These properties are eyesores and havens for rats, mice, pest infestation, and criminal
activities. Although some of these properties do generate income through taxes, the revitalization would generate significantly more through taxes and revenues.
1. Eliminate ALL travel by State employees, except Gov/LT Gov, With available communications there is no need for it.
2. Eliminate employees taking home state vehicles.
3. Revise routes for Mobility busses. Most I see have only one person on board.
4. Do Legislative members need more than one staff member? Probably not.
5. Eliminate most police attending officials, such as to events.
Please support programs for children, i.e., children of prisoners, etc. who depend on the community to assist them in reaching a productive adulthood. Mentoring
is particularly important when one and often two parents are missing...in their lives.
I would suggest all high ranking Maryland personal, for ex: the Governor and Vice Governor, take a 10% cut in their income, and no pay raise. It is time that the
people who get paid to run the county do something other then make bad choices for the rest of us. Us low-middle income families can't take tax increase or cuts
Since MD State employees were given furlough days... has the Governor, Mayor and staffs given back ANYTHING? Lets all do our share. Instead of needless
trips, luncheons, court/lawyers cost, etc.. cut backs should start with State Officials.
One suggestion would be to close State offices the week between Christmas and New Years to save on electric/gas costs. Those furlough days could be taken
from our pay gradually like last year. Schools are closed anyway and alot of other companies close down as well.
I think mopeds and minibikes should be required to have license plates and pay fees. They drive on public roads but can't be identified since they have no plates.
City
Howard
If we crack down on welfare/public assistance fraud we may be able to save alot. I have seen employees that refuse more hours and health benefits because it
can cut into their benefits. People driving around in escalades, lexus, mercedes, getting their hair and nails done spending $100 or more, then complain that they
cant afford to pay their subsidised housing after wasting their benefits. At the beginning of each month people come into the store and purchase high priced flat
screen tv's using their benefits cards and dont bother getting food and basics to keep their family clothed and clean etc... yet we still keep shelling out millions for
these. How about taking that money and require these people to take some kind of class to learn how to live within their means, and leave the rest of the funds for
th
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h lit
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i governments:
ll
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I have nol specific
suggestions
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police, fire, education, and infrastructure; not
necessarily in that order. There should be absolutely no cuts in these areas. Now, of course, there are peripheral expenditures, i.e., administrative costs everything from the electric bills at the state house, to paperclips. But any programs that do not fall into those necessary areas, painful as it may be to some
Thank you for this opportunity. I've worked for state government for 24 years in 3 different agencies. I think it would be revolutionary to find a way to disseminate
operating budget monies that creatively rewards fiscal conservation. I have learned that with all public monies, Federal, State and Local, that management is
forced into the mentality of "use it or lose it". At the end of every fiscal year we scramble to spend down our funds because we're so afraid if we were fiscally
conservative one year, we will not get as much the next year, when we may need it; therefore we spend taxpayer money on things we could really do without.
Baltimore
My first suggestion stopping make laws without funding them. If you have no finding resources do not pass the bill. That is main cause of this problem and the
Second suggestion is to find out which state employees can work from home. We have the technology to allow this to happen with Go to mypc.com. It would
save on having to keep building open that do not need to be. You can consolidate offices for the people that have to come in. Reports can be scanned and with
Third suggestions have state employees that can work the 4 10 hr days. Pick a day for office to be closed. Third suggestion stop the tuition freeze at least for
now. After the economy returns and things improve reinstate it. Three out of four years is good but we must all help out.
Fourth suggestion starts considering a hiring cap for appointees. It seems like every new administration the new bosses get more pay then the previous.
Fifth suggestion just sends the necessary people to conference. Limit the amount who can attend. If one or two can go and bring back the information.
Montgomery
Howard
Harford
Harford
Anne Arundel
If the economists are right the recession should be over by years end.
Eliminate funding for illegals and spend our tax dollars on tax paying County citizens (Millions)
Eliminate frivolous costs such as Ike's toilet which was such a disgrace to all of us.
5. Have DORS and State hospitals avail themselves of discounted purchasing of assistive technologies,therapy supplies and adaptive furnishings through nonprofit AT:LAST, Inc.- the MD A.T. Co-op--so they can save $1.95 million as the public schools have.
6.) Encourage more purchasing Co-ops that State government can avail themselves of...or at a minimum, completely overhaul the procurement system which is
7.) Reduce or elimnate taxpayer funded festivals and events.
8.) Stop trying to be FIRST. It's expensive. Remember: The early bird catches the worm, but it's the second mouse that gets the cheese. Let some other state
waste their money fumbling about trying to be first on everything. Let's learn from their experience, then do it right.
First- The unemployment rate isn't down. There are too many of us who have exhausted our benefits and hence are no longer in the system. I know, I happen to
be one of those people. So, Governor O'Malley, don't count your chickens just yet. If you really don't want to add on to the jobless rate by cutting people's jobs,
then, as we always hear, the buck stops with the man in charge. Start with yourself Governor by slashing salaries in half until we are able to get back on our feet.
Some of these politicans' salaries are beyond belief. While on unemployment, I had to live on $476 per month (that was before the added $25). If I can do it, so
You talk about not wanting to cut education, but seriously, have you seen what the schools are dishing out into society these days? We have more Mexicans in
the State of Maryland than in Mexico; yet they refuse to learn our basic educational skills (go to Harford, Frederick and Washington Counties Governor - it is an
eye opening experience). Next, cut those outrageous DMV tag rates (temporarily of course). As an unemployed Marylander, I can't afford to get those stickers for
my car (minivan - listed as a truck?) Or, since you have a good paying job with a steady paycheck, the $340 bill is coming due. Unfortunately, I have gotten use to
Raise the sales tax 1%.
10% cut for "everyone" receiving "state" funds. This includes services contrators; employees; consultants; vendorss; grant funding; elected and appointed
officials. The 10% cut must be levied on everyone and everything; there shall be "no exceptions."
Kent
Anne Arundel
Howard
Anne Arundel
Baltimore
Harford
Baltimore
City
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
City
Baltimore
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
I think it is time that the State of Maryland institute a yearly inspection mandate for all vehicles licensed in the state. This would be another source of income to
the state and also would make sure that millions of cars would be checked yearly for safety and mechanical repairs necessary for public safety.
I live and work in Maryland and Virginia but my company car is licensed in Pa. Because I had to have my car inspected this July it was discovered that I needed
new brakes. I probably would not have had this checked on my own.
Not only did Pennsylvania get a fee for the inspection, they ralized the state taxes on the parts that were used. (I had the repairs done in Maryland so Maryland
Another benefit would be that a valid insurance certificate along with the owners card be presented at the time of inspection. This would insure that vehicles on
insurance. A colored coded inspection sticker on the windshield would be a quick visual for law enforcement.
Benefits:
Safety , Sticker and Inspection fees to the state of Maryland, License Fees for inspection stations, Sales Taxes on required parts.
I live on the Eastern Shore. There are some vehicles on the road that are literally held together by Duct Tape.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Implement energy saving technologies in all state office buildings and data centers. Many technologies have fairly short-term financial paybacks, such as the
flywheel UPS system recently installed in the Annapolis Data Center to replace the old battery-based UPS system. Energy audits would identify many state
1.) Decrease insistance that State agencies must use State Industries for purchaseof furniture, printing services, etc. The general market is far less expensive.
2.) Insiston getting our money's worth on large contracts. Examples of horible waste previously--buying electronic voting machines that niether print nor are
capable of being upgraded OR the Bay Bridge resurfacing that need to be redone at taxpayer rather than contractor expense.
3. Find a less expensive contractor for road signs.
4. Decrease capital expenditures at higher ed facilities. Additional parking is the only thing REALLY needed on any campus--not new extravagent buildings-Start a recycling program in all state office buildings to sell paper, cans, and plastic. There is money to be made with recyclables, and it would be environmentally
friendly and save on long-term landfill costs. This may seem trivial, but small things add up.
A statewide buyout of all state employees with substantial years on the job. This would lower the cost of salaries while encouraging those with such tenure to go
out on retirement without reservation. These types of buyouts have been offered in the past as an effective way of lowering salary costs in the past. Employees
could retire knowing that they have received something in exchange for helping the state in its time of need. It would be a win-win situation for everyone.
We should start making people on unemployment/food stamps "earn" their money. Require everyone to put in at least 20 hours of work each week by either:
working in schools, cleaning streets, walking the streets of neighborhood to keep them safe, assisting in hospitals,etc. While I realise it is hard to find a job, I also
know some people have "worked" the system for years, make them work at least 20 hours a week for their checks, this will maybe give them an incentive to get
up in morning and be productive and help them set up a network so maybe they can become employed. This "free" help will supplement organizations who do
not have the funds to pay for help now and eventually when the ecomony turns around maybe employ some these people. Maybe offer a tax credit to business
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I think that the state should cut out some of the perks that some city officials have such as three cars at their disposal at all times and a 6-8 man security detail
could be trimmed back to 3-4. It may not be a huge difference but the taxpayers have suffered enough when certain city officials live in comparative luxury. Also I
personally play the lottery and if you raised Mega Millions tickets by even 10 cents I am positive most would pay it. It is not a necessity but a choice and there is
Californa has one good idle shift the illeals to the federal system. This does two things, one make the federal responable for immgration, and save the states
Californa has one good idle shift the illeals to the federal system. This does two things, one make the federal responable for immgration, and save the states
stop buying office furniture so much furniture that is throwed away could be fixed up by maryland prisioners we buy from them they can fix it up like new as
opposed to getting new desk for the higher ups insted of buying new, could you do your work better on a 1,000$ desk or one that cost less than half of origional
Require a deposit on all plastic drink bottles. State to keep a percentage when they are turned in. Less pollution, less cost of cleaning them up, more money for
Along the same lines as the Veteran's Affairs keeping VA money within their system by providing and paying for health care at VA centers... Maryland should
look at owning some nursing facilities,keeping the Maryland Medicaid money within the Maryland system.
Consolidate the state run web services in to a single site.
Consolidate the state employees that work on IT projects across agencies and departments.
Consolidate IT operations; servers, equipment purchases, ect.; to improve operational effectiveness and reduce costs by as much as 50%.
Baltimore
Howard
Baltimore
Washington
Washington
Baltimore
Howard
Baltimore
Howard
Kent
City
To ensure that MD tax dollars are spent on Marylanders tax payers and not people of questionable status require that all persons receiving state aide show proof
that they are paying MD income tax on earnings, or have aid in the last year, or are a legal US citizen.
When our founding fathers said, "The Land of the Free" I do not think they intended to give free food, free housing, free electric, free medical care to individual
citizens forever. People receiving State assistance should be MADE to take a urinalysis test for illegal drugs. Anyone driving a Lexis, Mercedes or a Corvette
etc. obviously does not need assistance. Those people who honestly need assistance can't get it. Middle class Americans are working hard to pay electric,
groceries, oil bills and house payments - I know I have to go to work so that my kids will have new school clothes and lunch money - not free/reduced lunch. A
young soldier that just did his three year tour said he makes more sitting home collecting unemployment watching his new baby than he could make by getting a
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Go to a compressed work week for government employees.stop hiring new high positions in DSS and other departments.actually pay a decent wage for workers
I'm president of a small business in the construction field. We've been holding on and begging for work.
We thought that once the fiscal years budget was available the work would begin, but no one is taking that leap of faith and begin working for tomorrow. Where is
The state needs to put more work out to bid. It's a know fact that contracted labor produces more and costs less!!
If the state has a deficit and salary cuts have to be made such as furloughs, it must be shared by all state employees and not just a few. Regardless of what
unions say, all employees must share the responsibility. This makes it fair to all and not create issues by only some receiving furloughs and others do not and
If the state has a deficit and salary cuts have to be made such as furloughs, it must be shared by all state employees and not just a few. Regardless of what
unions say, all employees must share the responsibility. This makes it fair to all and not create issues by only some receiving furloughs and others do not and
Rather then lay off state employees, what about an attractive early out offer for workers close to 55 or 30 years, and an enticement for those over 30 years.
Afterwards, younger workers can fill the vacancies and start at the bottom end of the pay scale. This had been done many years ago in the 90's. Many "green"
ideas are: Deposit fee for bottles, Change lightbulbs to CFL, charge fees/penalties for not being green or recycling, recycle paper and other materials used in
state offices to make a new supply, replacement of state vehicles should be with hybrids, increase telecommuting opportunities. Recycling vocational training for
i1.) Managed
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2.) Require generic drugs when available for medicaid recipients unless the M.D. documents brand name is required.
3.) State Hospitals are not at capacity; can they be combined so some may be closed.
4.) State owned property (unused) could be sold. Henryton property is vacant and probably prime land.
5.) MVA encloses a self addressed return envelope (no postage). When I offered mine for recycling since I went to the MVA to renew I was told to throw it away.
Could it be deleted and let the customer provide their own envelope?
I'm really not sure where to begin. But, I would start at the top. Everybody takes a hit, and not just the little people. I wouldn't waste any time or money jamming
cell phones in prisons. I would simply band all cell phones. No one may bring a phone in the building. Not even guards. Guards are there to guard the prisoners,
Also, I would make inmates pay for their stay in prison. Why should I pay for it? Prisons have free education, free health care, free room and board. I hear some
prisons have cable and air conditioning. Many people in society that work everyday can't afford to pay their own bills. Yet we pay for each prisoner's entire
I have watched with sadness as the Howard County Community College quietly ran a $3.5 million budget surplus last year but still pleaded poor to the county and
the state. They took that money and squandered it on trying to make their bogus purchase of the Belmont Conference Center work. This included $750,000
towards legal fees to break a MHT easement on the Belmont Estate (that is completely surrounded by the Patapsco State Park.) Over the past 4 years the
college has spent around $14 million-mainly taxpayer and student moneys-on this bogus scheme and there is no end in sight. It is time to tell the college to cut
I would be happy to discuss their budget numbers further with you.
If you decide to furlough or reduce the salary of state employees, do so ACROSS THE BOARD. For those who cannot take the time off, they should still have a
salary reduction. Furloughs and salary reductions should affect ALL employees.
1.Reduce/eliminate the perks that each elected official receives for example transportation( air line fly coach,use the smaller cars to save on energy and gas.
2.Projects for Maryland ex. rebuilding our bridges and streets. Use companies that use green products for our environment but saves money without
3. Have a task force that will review our budget. Hire retired CPA's - a checks and balances project.
Thank you for your team for the tireless work they all do for Maryland
Carroll
In 2005 I retired from state government after 32 years of service. Half of those years I spent working in my home county and the other half at DHMH offices in
Baltimore. I am most appreciative of the benefits Maryland offers its retirees and I am not writing out of malice. The agency I worked for when I retired was out of
control with spending. I left because I no longer felt productive.
. The personnel office is inefficient with
no discretion in its practice of personnel matters. I know first hand and would be happy to be more specific. The point I hope to get across is that now I am a
Montgomery
The Word of God proves to be right everytime. Romans 3:4 "yea, let God be true, but every man a liar"
When we take God out of our affairs and invite the devil in, the results are not good. its not the point that Maryland might not be as bad as California or New York
but our kids and families still suffer regardless with the budget cuts. We took prayer and the Bible out..the result? education is affected. now we are laying off
Why don't we start cutting the paychecks from those who approved the homosexual, abortion and anti-Christ agendas.
Pray, seek God's face and get Him involve that way it is a guarantee that Maryland will be prosperous.
what is it going to take for God to get our attention. He loves us through His Son Jesus Christ.
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
Baltimore
Washington
Love in Christ Jesus.
I know I'm not alone in this suggestion. The fastest way to reduce spending in Maryland would be to revisit the logic for enacting the Thornton legislation. Surely
the logic was and is flawed and perhaps the Thornton legislation is actully illegal or unconstitutional. It certainly makes no sense to spend 1.3 billion dollars a
year simply to raise scores on a test that may no longer even be given. Perhaps you can find a "friend of Maryland" who could file suit to repeal Thornton. You
I am a state of MD employee that works for the DOC. I am clerical, and had to take furlough days last year. My fellow correctional officers, however, did not, and
that is not fair. They all receive holidays every month. They could be treated as their furlough days, and could take a hit like I had to. They would be on a
Also, inmates could receive a reduction in their pay, those who get paid to work. The inmate programs could be scaled back, or eliminated altogether.
DO NOT MESS WITH MY BENEFITS!!!! That is another reason you have a good quality workforce. If you start to reduce or SCREW UP my future pension and
benfits, then you will not have a future work force that is any good. That is one of the reasons to be a state employee is for the future that awaits me when I retire.
I know times are tough, and MD is still in good shape, but you do not need to balance the budget out of my pocketbook.
I, like many others, have bills to pay, and need my pacycheck. I have had to cut back, too. That is what needs to be done in tough times.
Montgomery
Washington
Montgomery
Please consider my few suggestions. Thank you.
Cut the Maryland state sales tax by 2 cents to increase consumer spending and get our economy moving again.
At some State Universities, during semester breaks (especially summer) for the administrative staff, work comes almost to a halt. Arrange for these
administrative assistants during the down times to work in State agencies that have a backlog of work. This eliminates the need to hire extra people to get the job
Hi, As a state employee who took five furlough days last fiscal year and looking at more this year, I would like to see all Maryland Agency purchasing
requirements undergo revisions to ease restrictions on mandated small business purchasing and also mandated purchasing from Grainger under a state
contract!!!! How fiscally responsible is this? I remember in the 1990's and early 2000's we had to get three bids to make virtually any purchase and the lowest
bidder would be the vendor we had to buy from. I know for the last five or six years we have spent anywhere from 25% to as much as 400% more on materials
and supplies purchasing from small businesses!!! As for Grainger, I haven't calculated a percentage on additional costs to purchase from them, but I know on
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services and wraparound services supporting Montgomery County's children with complex needs. Currently, there are waiting lists for services and these waiting
I request your support for continuing state resources from the Children’s Cabinet Interagency Fund to continue to support our most vulnerable children and
Governor O'Malley, YOUR LEADERSHIP to protect these resources and prevent additional cuts to this fund is critical!
Thank you for your consideration.
Allegany
Montgomery
Dear Governor O'Malley, I am a librarian whose responsibilities include cataloging Maryland government documents so the public can find them in the library. I
have noticed over the years that I need to re-catalog many Maryland government documents that come out yearly because the title has been changed slightly or
My suggestion is: Do not change the department names or their publication titles. By keeping the names and titles the same, my staff could deal with the
publications in a shorter amount of time than I would need if I had to re-catalog the publications. The same would go for the department. We could all focus our
time, energy and financial resources on more important issues than making sure the department name change is correct in the library's catalog, the department
Dear Governor O’Malley:
Adult education in Maryland needs your continued support. Adult learners – the working poor of Maryland – already have enough challenges, and I strongly urge
you to maintain level funding for adult literacy and English services through the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.
Too many Marylanders are still without high school diplomas, have inadequate job skills, or cannot speak English fluently enough to realize their full potential.
Adult educators in Maryland have a consistent record of success, but demand for our services continues to outpace available resources, with only 5% of those in
need being served through approved state grantee and correctional education programs. Despite limited resources, the professionals in the field of adult
education have made Maryland one of the most successful systems in the country. Clearly Maryland cannot afford to move backwards in state funding to provide
Cecil
City
Allegany
1. Scrutinize spending. All jurisdictions receive funding. Are we really checking to make sure money is spent as promoted and are we really checking and
cutting budgets accordingly? Do we look at the rash of spending that occurs right before the end of the fiscal year? Frivilous spending?
Can a system honestly check itself? Money spent for furniture, computers, cars, adio-visual state of the art equipment could have fed a community, educated
someone or paid for a position. Look for efficiency in spending and service delivery. Make everything justifiable. If not eliminate or send in someone to make
I always thought that that would be a nice job making everyone accountable for spending the taxpayer dollars but was told that if I wanted that job they wouldn't
let me work in my own county. Why not? Are we not a system of checks and balances? If agencies saw this as their own money or tax dollars, there would't be
so much waste. I know there are areas where we do well but unchecked people don't see this as their money and spend recklessly. Whoever you send to check
but don't scrutinize for necessary/appropriate spending. If they ever found something inappropriate, would they require that jurisdiction to pay the money back
and put them under probation for the next 6 months of the following fiscal year to curb possible inappropriatle spending in the future?
2. Eliminating personnel. Are two to three people sharing the same job duties that could more efficiently be done by one person? Positions have been created
filled to present buffers between administrators, staff and the public. Maybe the fat needs to be trimmed. If we were less impersonal with the public, some of our
3. Offer early retirement. Some of us are within 1 to 2 years of early retirement. We might be willing to go if we could retire now as if we were 62. I looked at my
home working! That would trim off at least $2000 per month.
How many people are there like me?
4. You did those furlough days. Did you check to see how the money was spent? The community can see. We don't have a voice. Maybe you need to check.
5. When you do these contracts for insurance, repairs, service delivery, manpower and representation with other entities, why do we have so many middlemen?
It's unweldy and leaves room for the public and employees to not get
appropriate access to service. It creates barriers that are similiar to adminstrative structures. For example, if I had a problem getting a medical card, workers at
Social Services never answer the phone, all communictions goes from a machine or operator to voice mail. So, the desperate public has to call Baltimore and
may or may not get assistance. Kind of like federal government based. If they are in trouble financially and going through an overhaul, why would we continue to
6. We need to stop tunnel vision and start looking long term. This may mean beginning something in one administration and be willing to work with future ones
I know that you, the Governor, probably won't view or read my response but at the end of the day, I can go to bed knowing that I voiced my opinion at the 1st
opportunity, directly to a government that seems ready to hear from the people-me! It just makes me feel privileged to see a nation ready to embrace change and
now the state government as well. It makes it easier to deal with local jurisdiction limitations. If you want to respond, that's fine. If not, God Bless! Treat
xxx
You are hurting the work class with lay-off and furlough instead of looking at the real picture their all many citizen using welfare as a crutch. free food, tax payer
money, free housing, free daycare. Doing these hard time are i'm hearing more about people who want to work losing thier jobs. If own any property they can't
received assistiant. I know times is hard myself sometimes go without to make sure my children have. But to see somebody who brag about how much food
stamp and money they received when i may lose my golden dream is sad. And my politian don't see anything wrong.
as a state employee in a state hospital look at the cost of having the hospitals under joint commission standards.
Carroll
Carroll
Cecil
Montgomery
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx I am continually caring for pregnant women who arrive in this country usually from Afica to deliver their babies. These
women are not indigent and fly here in their 3rd trimester to "shop" or "visit family" and then conveniently stay to have their babies only to return in 6 weeks or so
to their native land with their new little American citizen. While here they are afforded emergency medical assistance to pay for their medical bills. Now, really,
what is WRONG with this picture ??? My father fought in WWII and the Korean conflict and he and my mom had to pay terribly high prices for their prescriptions
and we continually allow ourselves to be raped financially by citizens from other countries. When are we as a state and a nation going to stop this practice? The
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women are not indigent and fly here in their 3rd trimester to "shop" or "visit family" and then conveniently stay to have their babies only to return in 6 weeks or so
to their native land with their new little American citizen. While here they are afforded emergency medical assistance to pay for their medical bills. Now, really,
Delete front license plates from all vehicles. This will save 1/2 of the current expense for the metal tag. A majority of the automotive manufacturers today do not
provide a license plate bracket for the front of the car, suv or truck. If I were to purchase a new vehicle, I would not look forward to the prospect of taking an
I know this provides work for the inmates, but we are currently in the middle of an economic recession. I feel everyone, including the inmates, should be more
Dear Governor O’Malley:
I write to ask you to insure continued support from the state for adult education programs.
Education is investment - it is spending that returns a future dividend for the state. Adult education helps not only the working poor (who are hardest hit by our
current crisis) but their families. Literate, English-speaking adults raise literate children, and they grow up to be the next generation of skilled workers. We
I urge to to find cuts in areas that are not critical investments in the future of our state's workforce.
Anne Arundel
Montgomery
Sincere regards,
xxx
I think we should install more stop light cameras and speed cameras to fine drivers for failing to obey laws. We should also have a law banning cell phones while
driving unless using a hands free device. This will help with public safety, reducing accidents as well as bring in revenue for the state. We should also make I-95
a toll road to earn revenue from the motorists driving through and force locals on to trains and buses. This will help the environment, reduce gridlock, and change
Dear Governor O'Malley,
It is my understanding that the Board of Public Works, in the next few weeks, will be considering additional possible budget cuts. I would urge you, in the course
of this review, to maintain level funding for adult literacy and English services in the programs administered through the Department of Labor, Licensing, and
English literacy has long been the foundation for future success for individuals in the United States who do not speak English as a primary language or who do
speak it as a primary language but have such serious deficiencies that they are unable to master even its basic fundamentals.
The serious practical, emotional, and social problems that illiteracy creates are both pervasive and well-documented. Although many might say that we all have a
basic obligation to foster and promote the English language among all of the country's residents, even for purposes of purely self-interest, this is a worthwhile
effort. When you think of the devastating conditions that illiteracy frequently breeds, poverty and crime being not the least of them, it is clearly in our best interest
Thousands of citizens in Montgomery County and throughout the state rely heavily on the adult literacy programs funded by the state. The services they receive
through these programs enable them to live better quality lives and participate in our society in more productive and meaningful ways. Please allow this state
Thank you for your consideration of this request.
Sincerely,
xxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Talbot
Anne Arundel
what is needed is to cut the waste(fat) in all programs. I see along the roadside - 7 SHA employees watching 1 man work. We in the private sector have had to
cut employees and sell equipment for one-half its value, cut our salaries by one-third to one-half and still struggle. The government is way to fat and complacent.
1.25 million dollars in gift certificates is rediculous for trees that maryland has no control over were and how they are to be planted or maintained. I dont care
where the money came from, this is a waste. 50%+ of these trees will die, and all for political image, save the bay, and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, for
which we see no help from for all the millions they raise. My suggestion is to cut all overhead in all agencies. The visits I have made to The Department of
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Thank you for asking for my imput on ways to improve government. I have the following suggestions.
1. We can not afford the new light rail, subway mass transit projects at this time. When you do not have money you do not buy a house. Even if the federal
government and special interest groups come up with 60% of the money at the present time where is the state coming up with the other 40%. The state has more
2. Please put off buying land. The state has enough open space. Again when you do not have the money you do not buy a house. The state has more important
There will be other lands at other times.
3. Raise the taxes on beer and alcohol.
4. Raise college tution. You have done the best you could to keep tution low but now is the time to raise the tution for those who use this service.
5. Cut the salaries for those making over $200,000 at the University of Maryland System. These people make too much money at tax payer expense. Reduce
aid to college education. The state keeps spending more and more money on education. Education must take a higher proportion of the reduction in spending.
6. Cut education spending for grades K-12. Too much state money is spent for education. Since the state is having fiscal problems all must share in the
7. Reduce aid to private colleges and private enterprises.
Parents and students choose to send their children to private institutions. When times are tough they must share in the reductions.
Thank you.
xxx
Harford
I have multiple suggestions for revenue enhancement and cost containment:
In regards to health care:
In your note above you are going to cut Medicaid funding to hospitals. I am a nurse xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx where the majority of my clients are illegal aliens getting
Medicaid benefits while not paying into the system or they don't pay at all. It is irresponsible for a state to grant amnesty to people who drain the state while
Another suggestion is to double the current cost of cigarettes,snack foods, fast foods, sodas and alcohol. The money from this should go directly to the hospitals
who are treating these smoking and obese people with preventable illnesses brought on by their lifestyle.
Other state budget cut ideas:
Eliminate take home cars. Most people use their own vehicle to get to work. A take home care is gift, not a right. Use it as a reward only.
Cut MSP Executive Protection. You have more than enough assistance to drive around town.
Increase the MSP Motor Unit to at least 25. Motorcycles are less costly to outfit for police use, significantly more efficient in fuel costs, and are better able to
maneuver in accident situations. (Statistics for this proposal are available upon request).
Eliminate MSP mechanics. For the most part they are inefficient and work at a pace that would get them fired in the commerical world. Seek bids from
companies like Jiffy Lube and outsource this work. This would eliminate the need for the state to pay salaries, benefits, and retirements to people who really
Eliminate the 4 or so positions that were created by Colonel Sheridan (at $150,000 annual income each) to "take care of his buddies".
Dispense with the practice of punishing Troppers by sending them to Barracks far away from home. This is only costly to the state in fuel and wear and tear on
vehicles. Suspend the offenders for 'X' numbers days based on severity of offense.
Crime is a huge problems for our state. I strenuously urge you to lean on the judicial system to impose only the steepest penalties for all crimes from traffic
These are just a few of my ideas. I hope you openly and honestly evaluate all citizen input.
Montgomery
Sincerely,
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Dear Governor O’Malley:
Adult education in Maryland needs your continued support. I know that in these trying economic times you have heard this frequently, and that many in our state
Our adult learners – the working poor of Maryland – already have to do more with
less, and I strongly urge you to maintain level funding for adult literacy
and English services through the Department of Labor, Licensing and
Regulation.
Too many Marylanders are still without high school diplomas, have inadequate
job skills, or cannot speak English fluently enough to realize their full potential.
Adult educators in Maryland have a consistent record of success, but demand for
our services continues to outpace available resources, with only 5% of those in
need being served through approved state grantee and correctional education
programs. Maryland remains at the lower end of neighboring east coast states’
average spending per pupil; recent estimates have investment at only $213 per
adult learner. Yet the professionals in the field of adult education have made
Maryland one of the most successful systems in the country.
Thank you, Governor O’Malley, for your past protection of our efforts – you have
been a champion of adult education, and we appreciate the consideration you
have given our learners in recent years. MAACCE realizes that there remain
difficult decisions ahead, yet we are hopeful. Clearly Maryland cannot afford to
move backwards in state funding to provide crucial educational services that
promote employment and help adults compete in today’s economy.
Regards,
select your county
Kent
Montgomery
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxx
1...Make appointees (Secretarys, etc.) pay the same amount for use of a State car as regualr employees.
2...Set a pay scale for translators. Agencies are forced to pay whatever, rather than a reasonable amount -- especially if the source is used repeatedly.
3...Take a critical look at funds wasted in workforce training. Funds are processed through the Department of Labor (administrative) to local areas (Workforce
Investment Areas) to do trainings that are frequently offered at/through the community colleges. Why not skip the state overhead (Labor) and direct funds to the
4...Take a critical look at waste (i.e. rate of loss of equipment and supplies) in the Department of Transportation/Highways division, particularly with
Good luck. You have an unenviable job.
The people look to government to provide services - education, public safety, health, welfare, utilities, roads, bridges, and the like. The funding for all other
'extras' should be temporarily suspended in order to balance the budget...the test should be: is this expenditure necessary? Or is this expenditure an 'extra' that
Dear Governor,
I applaud your efforts to cut costs in the state budget, but as I am a physician here in Maryland I have some concern about additional cuts to the medicare
reimbursement structure that is currently in place. Your initiative to reduce the use of expensive medications in favor of equally efficacious less expensive
medications is absolutely on the right track. But the current physician reimbursement for patient visits is already dangerously close to a money losing proposition
which explains the massive shift toward concierge medicine that I am seeing from many of the primary care providers who refer patients to me. Any further
The irony of this situation is that Maryland already ranks 48th out of 51 districts in Medicare reimbursement despite extraordinarily high overhead costs due to the
expensive property values and relatively high taxes. Any further reductions may make the practice of medicine untenable here in the state.
Again, I support and applaud your efforts to reduce unnecessary costs. This is an effort that needs to be made across the board in the state budget in general
and in medicine costs specifically. And there are ways to do it without compromising access to health care within the state. The physicians on the front lines,
the family practitioners and internists, are taking the brunt of these cuts and many are leaving. We need to stem the flow of physicians out of the state and/or into
Sincerely,
Anne Arundel
Calvert
Baltimore
xxxxxxxx
We beliieve some are over paid such as super of schools found out that he or she gets a bonus when schools due well. Sorry but don't you think that credit goes
to the under paid teachers who always feel the cuts. Stop over paying gov't officials. Not asking you lay off because I am there and certainly would have rather to
We also believe that people entering our County or STate should pay tax's as we due. There should be now special treatment for people who enter wanted a
better life . WE All want that of course but if anyone making them pay when they keep handing down the business's to new family members? No, and we all
Give the same pay rasies, furlough days, etc. to anyone getting paid by the State. Meaning if the employees are going to be furloughed one day a month then so
should the legislature, eveyone should share the burden. If the State employees get a 1 percent raise the that the same raise the legislature should get. Some
business process re-engineering would be a great tool to save money. We are doing the same things over and over with the same results, more time and money
being paid out for redundancy. I can get better deals for our program by going local but if there is a State contract then we end up spending (sometimes an
outrageous amount e.g., priced out a PBX for 24K ended up sepnding 125K because there was a contract.) addition funds that could be used elsewhere. Let the
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collecting sales tax on their sales. I asked 20 photographers that I know are they a registered business in Maryland – 4 out of the 20 are. Out of those 4 I asked
who collects sales tax – zero. That is 20 people operating as photographers in the State of Maryland, making taxable sales and the state is seeing no tax income.
Florida has begun to regulate and research photographers and how they (the state) are losing tax income. Is it possible and or feasible for Maryland to regulate
Harford
Baltimore
City
City
Baltimore
Allegany
Baltimore
Wicomico
Baltimore
Dorchester
Wicomico
City
An independent review of all agencies would find any number of items/services/personnel that could be reduced. The very nature of the government causes
agencies to spend all money provided to them (or else they will have a reduced budget the next fiscal year). The review needs to be "very independent", as it will
accomplish nothing if staff reviewing the agencies have their own agenda. With the current economic situation you are in a position to do what has been needed
I believe the State will same large sums of money by requiring State agencies to utilize State-owned facilities for meetings and conferences (including
Change this state employee ID to a photo ID for employment purposes only. State employees can still receive a state ID pass for transportation at a cost of
$30.00 per year. But please no more furloughs, especially if the furlough does not help budget the state.
Mr. Governor:
In my opinion, in addition to Medicaid Match, we could do more to address the fraud with this program, and with Medicare.
I suggest that the state cut welfare checks by just one dollar.
i can safe the state alot of money why do inmates get paid to go to school and the medication they get cost $100.00 a month just at wci and bag lunch the
inmates on the midnight shift and we dont need all of them people in your cabinet cut some of the big paying jobs and dont tax the slots so much so they are
Physicians spend an inordinate amount of time taking care of Medicaid patients. They are commonly the sickest patients requiring the most attention. To cut the
miniscule reimbursement for their care is not well thought out. More physicians will just not participate with medicaid and those that do will get hurt the most for
As I recall, the small strip of bipass around salisbury,(<10 miles),has been resurfaced (blacktopped) atleast 5 times during last 15 yrs. Its a lot of waste of tax
Start selling “MD Reinvestment Real-time Bonds”to Maryland residents only. Offer a return of 10% (has to be a large return to spur buying). The bonds can be
redeemed when the states surplus reaches a certain level. Reinvest a portion of the money in new technologies and getting the unemployment rate down and of
Hello
I was always taught that in tough times you do without the fluff and only pay for the necessities. So before you cut the salaries of the state workers (necessities)
you cut the monies to the fluff. Stop giving money to the arts, the ballerina groups, the orchestras, the youth groups. Then and only then look to the state
employees. If we are to have furloughs, have everyone do the same day to alliviate an extra burden of trying to keep track of personnel (who has and who hasn't
taken their days) and trying to keep an office running with limited staff. I would rather close the office the last Friday of each month, everyone is off and on
furlough (no scheduling, bigger impact to the public that the economic picture is true! Also remember, you stress out an already stressed out state worker, how
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1. Increase
2. All state employees, including judges have furlough days and reduced pay
Baltimore
Anne Arundel
Baltimore
Anne Arundel
Baltimore
Baltimore
City
Allegany
Baltimore
Cecil
3. go to 10 hour days, have the work week as Monday-Thursday or Tuesday-Friday. close the building down to reduce utility cost and traffic.
4. stress that electricity be turned off when an employee goes home for the day.
5. Reduce the number of contracted work, historically they cost more and we lose expertise.
6. Have each family donate 10 to 20 dollars to the state.
7. re-access all procurements over 10,000.00. It may be time to re-bid some contracts, especially of commodity items.
Consider letting some park land to be used as community gardens in exchange for helping keep those parks clean and trash free.
Do away with county and state vehicles. Nobody gives the average person a car to go to work or to take kids to sports, activities, etc. How much is spent on
county and state vehicles? - not to mention the gas and upkeep of such vehicles.That is just one perk that people can do without. Why do government employees
Consider putting a few existing state employees in charge of tracking down those owed money from the state. A quick way to get more tax money.
In time of crisis, who in our state stepS up to the plate first? The tax payer & those who don't have. I have prepared people taxes for free the past several
years,and have found none of them are willing to donate to the presidential campaign. After several conversation with my clients they would consider a donation
to the budget if they were assured it would be USED ONLY FOR THE BUDGET. On the Maryland tax form (like the federal 1040) you could consider a box for a
Consider selling or donating those cash for clunkers in good shape to charities overseas to deliver food etc. Also make sure all cars junked have their fluids
Consider letting out early some of those jailed for non-violent crimes if they have non-criminal friends or relatives who will house them and vouch for them. Switch
to 4/10 hr days and allow telecommutes for those who can and want to. Let kids telecommute to school if they want.
Cut the fluff and keep the basics. PEOPLE NEED JOBS. No state employee layoffs. During difficult times people can manage without perks, some tightening to
benefits, caps on salaries or raises but not losing their jobs completely. Where are they supposed to go? There is so much wasteful spending in all areas of
Close all state agencies the day after Thanksgiving,Christmas Eve & New Years Eve.These can be used as mandatory furlough days & give satae employees
I am a State employee working at
. I think significant savings could be achieved if Maryland adopted some of the
economies practiced by other states, without severely hurting needy families.
- Welfare Reform Legislation passed in 1996 requires all states to offer TANF funds to adults with children for a minimum of 24 months. Maryland has been
most generous in offering 60 months, but because of this severe recession, we could limit our Temporary Cash Assistance (TANF) to 36 months or 48 months.
- Maryland raises the TCA grant if the adult adds a new baby to the household. In some states, the household grant must remain at the original amount set for
the family size when the head of household applied for TANF. Adopting this policy would save funds and educate adults about economic realities faced by other
1. Eliminate take-home vehicles for most workers. At average annual cost of $15,000. per vehicle, removing 1000 free commute vehicles would save $15 million,
not including the accident cost. Why do connected lowest-level staff need to take home brand new 4x4 trucks - I see them at church, the liquor & grocery store,
ballgames, their kids' schools etc. They speed past me with no reason to conserve fuel or carpool. It is pure corruption for those with friends in low places.
2. Eliminate free housing for state employees (hundreds in state parks) or charge rent.
3. Eliminate per diem and mileage reimbursements - they are being abused to "pay" some employees the cost of furlough days. Furloughs only take pay from
4. Eliminate "master" fuel cards that allow employees to steal fuel.
5. Create real whistleblower protections so state employees can report thefts without fear of retaliation. Or establish an anonymous fraud hotline.
In FY2008, $21,500,000 was contributed to the Stadium Authority by the lottery. I suggest providing a flat 5,000,00 to this cause.
I would reduce stem cell research to a flat 5,000,000.
I suggest that no state employee should have a "take-home" vehicle.
I would stop replacing state owned vehicles and equipment, on the basis of its age, rather it should only be replaced when the maintenance cost exceeds repair.
I would cut any "luxuries" provided to inmates in corrections centers, such as cable.
I suggest that any state employee that grosses over 100,00 be given a 5% salary reduction and 5 furlough days. employees who gross 75,000 to 99,999 per year
be given a 3% salary reduction, and 3 furlough days. Employees who gross between 50,000 and 74,999 be given a 2% salary reduction with 2 furlough days,
anyone grossing to 49,999 to 25,000 receive a 1% salary reduction and 1 furlough day. Employees who gross 24,999 or less should be exempt. (this kind of
All positions critical to hiring, should be hired into contractual status until the state of the state improves.
Raise the vehicle emissions testing to an even $15, generating $1 more for each vehicle tested. Any new non-commercial licenses increase $5 from $45 to $50.
I would cut %2 of the funding from the University of Maryland.
I think that abolishing positions within the public defenders office is a good idea, I don't think its right to provide free counsel to those charged with a crime.
Howard
Carroll
Consider the sale of any surplus state owned real estate.
Maryland should consider enacting a bottle and can recyling program like some other states. These states charge a little extra for the beverages however the
consmer gets money back via trading the bottles and cans in. The state makes profits by promoting particular beverage companies
Over 60 People listed on Govenors staff. Cut all Salaries Over 75K by 5% and reduce #of staff by 1/3rd
If you truly want to save the state of Maryland money, I suggest scrutinizing the hiring practices and expenditures of the Maryland Health Care Commission
(MHCC). While I am aware that funds are handled differently in the MHCC than in most state agencies, I still believe that much state money is being wasted.
Having worked for the state for 30 years (9 at the MHCC), I was appalled at the manner in which some employees were hired there. There was no interview
process for some employees. Instead, they just “appeared” because they knew someone who worked there. Some promotions occurred this way too instead of
opening the positions to everyone. People were often brought in at salaries much higher than employees who had worked for the state for many years and who
had earned their salaries the proper way, step-by-step.
There are employees who routinely do consulting work during state work time. It was not uncommon to overhear these personal conversations and wonder why
this was allowed after these people had attended ethics training.
Allegany
Howard
The MHCC practically duplicates reports and papers that are being done in other state or Federal agencies. One example is CMS’s Hospital Compare and the
MHCC’s Hospital Performance Evaluation Guide. To make matters worse, the MHCC contracts out for some work when it has more than enough “bodies” to
perform the duties. Many employees have little or nothing to do all day, but when they leave, their positions are filled. For instance, I retired a few months ago
and had little or nothing to do for 18 months prior to my retirement. However, the MHCC advertised for my vacant position and I understand it might be
People come and go and set their own work schedules. Several people openly admitted to me that they were not physically in the building for their required
working hours. Entrance/Exit cards could easily track when a person comes and goes, but Personnel does not do this. At least one person earns “comp” time on
Although thousands of dollars are spent on training each year, people are not offered an opportunity to use what they learn at the MHCC. Therefore,
expenditures for classes and out-of-state travel are not warranted. For example, software was purchased and training was provided to some people in order to
Chiefs are supposed to supervise in order to have offices. Some people have been chiefs for years and never supervised anyone but have offices. One person
was allowed to move into an office because she was using a breast pump, even though there were vacant areas where she could go for this purpose.
Because of its own salary-setting, employees are paid much, much more than employees in other agencies. Positions are “created” to promote certain
The MHCC pays for food and beverages at some meetings even during tough economic times. Commissioners are provided lunch at each monthly meeting even
though the building is surrounded by numerous fast-food establishments in which they could purchase lunch prior to entering the office. Retreats for directors
and chiefs have been held in expensive hotels. Individuals are allowed to travel unnecessarily to various conferences throughout the country.
Even though the MHCC only employs about 60 people, over 50 employees left the agency during the nine years I was employed. And, having known these
people and heard first-hand why many of them left, I can tell you it was not because of salaries.
The list goes on . . . discrimination, harassment, etc. However, this is not the place to discuss that.
You will probably refer this letter to the MHCC and you will be provided excuses for the above-mentioned items, but I suggest that you talk to the 50+ people who
Thank you for allowing me to voice my opinion.
Sincerely - One Happy Retiree
Don't allow the judges/state's attorneys to reduce fines. If they did the crime, they need to pay the maximum fine. Why should honest state employees have to
take reductions because criminals get reductions. The state's attorney in Allegany County is a big joke and you can get away with murder. The police try to get
Please cut out ALL advertising dollars spent for the lottery. While the $5 million cut is admirable 'any' money spent on advertising the lottery during a recession
should be directed to better use, i.e., housing, medicaid, food stamps, etc.
Any other advertising monies being used in a similiar fashion should also be directed to better use. While I am not against advertising, with so many people
hurting during these tough economic times, it is almost a crime against humanity to spend money so wastefully.
Calvert
City
Cecil
Baltimore
Howard
Anne Arundel
Charles
Thank you!
Adult Education in Maryland needs your continued support. Recent estimates put investment for adult learners at $213 per learner, placing Maryland lower than
its neighbor states. More adult learners need educational services to improve their literacy and/or their English speaking skills to remain in or to join the
workforce. Please maintain current funding levels for Adult Literacy through the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, so literacy programs can
Thank you for your past support, I hope you will continue to support the undereducated and underemployed adults in Maryland.
Raise the Toll on the Bay Bridge to $3.00 or even $5.00. Its only paid one-way- so most would be crossing the bridge for $2.50- less than a gallon of gas. There
should be a discount for daily users, and for business/truckers. It makes no sense in 2009,
.
This is so critcal to rebuilding the infrastructure that has been left to deteriorate over the previous 8 years.
And yes- we now live in DE. Maryland high costs- taxes, etc. dictated that decision.
Gov Markell has the right idea- we mus CUT government- salaries, benefits, retirements. It's absurd that all private sector people are seeing cuts- and
Consolidate- regionalize- Let's use some common sense, and creative governing!! Gov O'Malley go on record that you want MD to be the first state to regionalize
(Yes , we return for our annual Preakness, Ravens/Orioles games- and of course, the great Baltimore and Maryland seafood.
Take away take home vehicles given to supervisors that work for MDTA. There is no need for them to have these when there are VRT's, police, and fire personel
Restrict how many miles would be paid for by the state for take home use.
Stop buying big trucks for these employee's with all the bells and whistles on them just so they can commute back and forth to work.
Have an independent organization justify the need for the take home vehicles and the type of vehicle. Not the persons that are going to get the use of such
I work for MDTA, I see money wasted every day at the shop I work out of. One huge loss is through the HVAC system in our building. In the winter the heater
never shuts off, in the summer the air conditioner never shuts off. They leave the doors open all the time because of this. It's been like this since I've been
employed there. The reason I've been given, as to why it never gets fixed is this. It's under contract with a HVAC contactor and they cannot fix it. So year after
year it goes on operating like this costing,who knows how many $$$$$$$$ over and above what it would normally cost. Would anyone in their right mind run their
We also have a huge equipment building that is heated all winter, no insulation in this building and the heat runs 24/7 and for what. there is nothing in this
building that could possibly justify the cost. I would suggest another outside investigator to justify this.
I've got more ideas on cost savings but I'm out of time, Please consider the above mentioned, because this is only one government agency and building. I'm sure
all others have similar problems where tons of money can be saved.
Thanks xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Cut funds for "open space" purchases. Cut funds for illegal aliens and for CASA of Maryland,who supports them.
Also,the Md.Aviation Agency has a lot of land fenced off on Ridge Road near the airport,why ? It should be sold.
hello,
i recommend that the number of legislators in md.'s house and senate be cut by 50% . i know that we won't miss them. also i recommend all of the legislators
you could also put the state workforce on a four day workweek and close the bldgs three days in a row.
thanks,
xxx
I was brought up in New Jersey, they don't have our problems because of several reasons: everyone pays a toll to drive on turnpike, parkways ie. Even a quarter
adds up! If you can afford to troll a boat, you can afford ramp fees, pay additional cost to help clean up bay waters ( your boat fuel does harm water ways)
elimiate ( some state jobs) with unemployment so high what's the reason we need so many state workers? Have you EVER waited on a state worker to help you?
Good luck!People need to learn to share, work space ,computers, ie. Elimate company cars,trucks,vans, they can drive there own!! Like the mayor, she needs
three??? Too many FREE programs that people really are abusing! Hunting is coming in soon, if you can afford that recreation , you can afford to pay higer fees,
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individuals seeking unemployment, reduces the number of taxpayers, and increases the number of individuals who cannot pay thier mortgages? Then, the youth
programs that are pushed by the state are very reactive because they require the youth to be at risk of out of home placements as opposed to investing in
proactive programs that provide children with a more solid foundation to deter them from negative behaviors in the future. We need to re-think how things are
Worcester
#1. Consolidate agencies to identify redundancies, reduce overhead and create a more effective and efficient government structure. An example is the number of
police agencies. Why so many seperate agencies with so many of the same law enforcement responsibilities?
2. Remove double dipping employees (hired back) before removing career employees not eligible for retirement. I know of one agency that moved career
employees out who were paid at a lower wage to more friends who had retired back into those positions at a higher wage. 1 million in savings at one agency.
3. Stop promotions and upgrades creating a savings short and long term by causing the agencies to update their organizational charts and prepare for the future
4. Look at this as a long term problem and create responses designed to truely make the state more effective then more efficient. A department by department
5. Technology to create efficiency. Why so much paper? Paper equates to positions. Positions equate to more positions and more overhead.
6. Hold our leaders accountable. You raised their salaries early on in an effort to recruit and retain -OK. Well as a taxpayer, I haven't seen anything from any of
them that was worth that salary. They may be great people but not one of them has proven to be worth the salary. Ruduce their salaries, get more out of them or
Montgomery
Worcester
Montgomery
City
Baltimore
City
Montgomery
Dorchester
Anne Arundel
7. Stop with the low hanging fruit and start with real corrections for the future. Redesign, reorganize and reengineer everything. Get a Jack Welch (GE) kind of
guy to do what you said you would do at the beginning of your admistration - look at everything.
Being a volunteer tutor who teaches adults to read and write English, I implore that we maintain at least level funding for adult education in this FY budget. Those
funds are critical if organizations (like the one I volunteer at) are to vigorously pursue this important work that effects families and their ability to thrive in this
The Administration can not cut any more money from the LMB Budget. In fact, I call upon the governor to restore fund to the administrative protion that was cut.
Please stop cutting vital services to young children, which are needed for them to grow. Every cut represents a lost opportunity for some challenged young
children to thrive, a loss that will cost governments much more to remedy later. In particular, please keep the Children's Cabinet Interagency Fund and MSDE's
Close the State Offices down from December 24, 2009 - January 3, 2010. These will be furlough days for all state employees. Salary reductions will be spread
from October 2009 to the end of the fiscal year June 2010. The amount of the reduction is base on the daily pay of each employees divided by total number of
Ex: Base Salary 36,280.00 Daily pay 17.39 x 8 Hours = $139.12 per day total 8 days = $1,112.96 est 2,000 employees at the pay base . Reduction per pay
period (20 pp left until June 2010) salary per pay reduction about $56.00 each employee at the 36,280.00 pay base. With a comment of no lay off during the
To whom it may concern,
I would like to direct your attention to a certain population in this state who like clock work file for unemployment, and then collect it each time. I am talking about
school bus drivers. Each summer on the last day of school they file, and collect. Thanksgiving break, Christmas break, Spring break, if they have 3 snow days in
a row, they file, file, and file; and collect, collect, and collect. Look at the unemployment history and do a study. Take every school bus driver in the state, see
how often they file, and how often they collect. See what jobs they apply for as unemployment requires this, and what jobs they actually get if any. It is very
upsetting that these individuals have a 10 month job but get paid 12 months out of the year. I am sure it does not add up to much, at least I am hoping it does
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As a
mother of a son xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
,
+ Maintain DDA finding for transitioning youth so that these young people will not be on the waiting list until their parents are 91
+ Provide COLA for DDA funding of community services to prevent deterioration of existing services.
+ And - consider making Maryland taxation more progressive!
Having worked in restaurants including places the mayor of baltimore once played as an artist, and 30 years experience as a teacher....DO NOT CUT ANY
because we cannot afford to allow our children, young or old, to be on the streets!!!!!!!!!!!What other options are we giving our young adults if they cannot work;
they should be enrolled in GED prep or certification programs. adult ed please save our kids do not cut
1. I am a public school teacher and I feel there should be more furlough by public employees, including me, and including administrative state employees.
2. Make using a cell phone when driving a law and give tickets for it.
3. Tax foods and drinks that are unhealthy.
In this country no one wants to give anything up. It's sad.
Baltimore
Baltimore
City
Anne Arundel
People are always throwing items in land fills that are still usable. What if an area was designated like a tent, to drop off the items and I would think you could get
volunteers to price and sell the items and the money went back to the state. If not sold in x amount of time then off to the landfill
Why are the teachers in our pension system? If they want to be it then they should have a pension like the one state employees have, I believe, I could be wrong,
Dear Mr. O'Malley:
One suggestion for reducing expenditures to address budget deficits in Maryland is to cancel the 2010 General Assembly session. All expenditures related to
that annual occurence would be cut, including salaries and benefits for all legislators. Another benefit of that decision would be that no new laws would be
Another suggestion is to undo the massive tax increases you and the General Assembly inflicted on Maryland's citizens in November, 2007. That measure has
once again proven that raising taxes as you did stagnates an economy (as evidenced by the reduced revenues into the state treasury). Economic history has
I will take exception to one item in the second paragraph of your letter. You speak of protecting our most vulnerable families and yet the laws of Maryland
This recession can be a good time for all of us, yourself included, to reflect on fiscal responsibility. It should also allow further reflection on what our real priorities
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Encourage University System of Maryland to form a consortium to negotiate lower fees paid to distance learning vendors. Right now, each campus pays its own
Blackboard fees, which can exceed $100k/year for a small campus. If we bargained as a group, we could save $$ and get better software/services.
I also respectfully suggest that USM strongly encourage campuses to offer a certain percentage of courses online. This saves on building, maintenance and
utilities expenses while also reaching students who may be reluctant to commute to campus due to fuel expenses. Additionally, if we encouraged telecommuting,
Cecil
Another suggestion: Although there is a hiring freeze, we are spending unnecessary $$ on consultants to fill vacant slots.
As a State employee who has been affected by the furloughs this past spring and who is worried about further furloughs and layoffs in the future, I wanted to
know why the State has not looked more seriously at the possibility of some agencies going to a four day work week. I know that this may not be feasible for all
agencies, but for the ones that can do this you can avoid furloughs/layoffs and impacts to employee salaries by going to four 10-hour days instead of five 8-hour
days. Cost savings, rather than being in the form of one or two days' salary for employees already struggling financially, would instead be ongoing in the form of
reduced overhead for infrastructure and utilities. Instead of being a one-time shot-in-the-arm for the State budget, this would be ongoing, year-round, year after
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lay them
Cecil
2) Offer early retirement incentives for State employees.
1) Review the listings of State employees who do not meet standards on their performance evaluations and lay them off.
Allegany
Allegany
Howard
City
Allegany
Baltimore
Baltimore
2) Offer early retirement incentives for State employees.
I've already submitted a suggestion, but there is one more that has been bothering me. I have a neighbor that drives a state vehicle. I realize that her job allows
this, but I do not feel that non essential people should be allowed to take their vehicles home. She should have to park it at a specific location and get the vehicle
everyday. I do not get a company vehicle to bring home every night and save on gas money. This is probably 20 + miles a day. I'm sure there are thousands of
Cut all consultants from state employment. We spend way too much on overhead and profit for these private companies to supply an employee to fill the job of a
state worker. Hiring a state employee costs less per year, usually at a cost of $40,000 per head. Laying off another state employee means another family
becoming homeless and on public support. One more thing, why do we have soo many green card and visa employees working for the state? It's not fair to hard
The best way to do things, and pull us out of the recession faster is simple: hire more people. With more money going into citizen's pockets, more of that money
will be spent. More money spent equals more small buisnesses wanting to hire. With this solution in place, a formerly viscious circle has been reversed. Show
I work for the Maryland State Police- and our car situation is dangerous. Anytime an MSP vehicle is wrecked and the other insurance company pays out, that
money should go directly back to MSP to replace that vehicle, and not into the general fund like they are doing now! These cars are NOT being replaced and the
Second, printing and paper costs (while comparatively small) could be reduced a good deal by having our numerous THICK "manual revisions" put online with
our Power DMS instead of printing out the inch thick pile times 1600 Troopers. Then they could be accessed by the internet anywhere and be completely up to
date. The fact is, the troops aren't taking the time (an hour or 2 every month or so) to sort out these manual revisions and place them in their manuals.
Additionally, time and manpower could easily be saved by doing our timesheets online (like our stats, etc) instead of doing them manually by pencils and
Scantron (!). I thought I would submit these here since nothing seems to change in reference to these problems when brought up here. Thank you, Anonymous.
Light Rail revenue: charge state employees to ride, even if at a reduced rate. Keep fare machines working.
Dear Governor O'Maley,
I am writing to encourage you to maintain level funding for adult education in Maryland. I am an adult education instsructor in the city of Baltimore, and I feel adult
education is key in improving daily living and job opportunities for the citizens of Maryland.
Thank you for your past support of adult education. Please continue to support state funding of these crucial services.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
xxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Baltimore
Allegany
select your county
Allegany
Carroll
Montgomery
Montgomery
dear governor,i want you to understabd i would not be suggesting these changes if we were not in trouble. 1) all of our elected officials need to take a LARGE
pay cut, you can't ask us to cut back when the officials don't or won't. 2) take away the perks that officials get, cars, gas. food. expensive dinners, trips, i could go
on but i think you get it. plus none of you need these perks, we live without them. 3) give the state employees a break, everyone tries to solve there money woes
on the backs of these people. after all a few years ago schafer made them work 40 hour weeks and only paid them for 37.5, that means they are giving you 6 1/2
weeks a year for free. i see them hurting but not" THE DONALD ." this is all greed, i have never paid a bill late and i don't over spend, i lived within my means, i
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COMAR only calls for 1 Assistant Commissioner. The DPSCS budget has ballooned because of this name change. Eliminate the deputies and their staff.
Streamline the DPSCS budget by eliminating 33% of the "Case Management" positions at state headquarters. Job creep has signficantly increased case
management positions at headquarters over the past 5 years. Staffing analysis via efficiency studies should reveal the fat in this area.
Levy a "right to work" tax on non residents who work in the state. MD tax revenue is lost to neighbouring states [PA, WV, VA, DL] by refunding state income tax
so non residents can pay it to their state of residence. A 6% right to work tax will recoup tax money lost through this loop hole.
1. cut services to those in this State and ultimately this Country illegally.
"I want the state resources from the Children’s Cabinet Interagency Fund to continue to support our most vulnerable children and families in Montgomery County.
We need the your leadership to protect these resources and prevent additional cuts to this fund - it has been cut enough!"
Dear Governor O’Malley:
Adult education in Maryland urgently needs your continued support. Our adult learners – the working poor of Maryland – are already struggling to make ends
meet. I strongly urge you to maintain level funding for adult literacy and English services through the Department of Labor, Licensing and
Regulation.
Too many Marylanders are still without high school diplomas, have inadequate job skills, or cannot speak English fluently enough to realize their full potential.
Adult educators in Maryland have a consistent record of success, but demand for
our services continues to outpace available resources. (Only 5% of those in need are currently being served through approved state grantee and correctional
education programs. Maryland remains at the lower end of neighboring east coast states’ average spending per pupil; recent estimates have investment at only
Maryland one of the most successful systems in the country.
Thank you, Governor O’Malley, for your past protection of our efforts. You have been a champion of adult education, and we appreciate the consideration you
have given our learners in recent years. MAACCE realizes that there remain difficult decisions ahead, yet we are hopeful. Maryland cannot afford to move
Washington
Howard
Regards,
xx
* Move DOC HQ out of the Mall and into buildings already owned in Sykesville, MD
* All Correctional Officers not working directly in an Institution should work and 8hr 30 min or 9hr day since they are already outside of institution for lunch.
*Stop using herbicides at public buildings, the governor's mansion, along highways, etc. They are known poisons which leech into the water supply. Weeds are
*Decriminalize (or legalize) and tax marijuana.
*Plant orchards and vegetable gardens, and give the produce to schools, food pantries, soup kitchens, etc.
*Have hybrid cars for the state. (Howard County does this.)
*Eliminate paper mailings whenever possible. Give people the option to receive car regregistration notices completely by email/online. Ditto for state taxes.
*Whatever you do, do NOT raise Maryland state income taxes further. They are already high enough, and I will consider moving out of state if they are raised
higher. Look how high they are in California, and it's not doing much good.
*Don't pay for highway cleanup. Have volunteers and inmates do this.
*Have programs in prisons where inmates raise guide- and therapy dogs. Successfully done in many states. It reduces prison violence.
*Have solar panels on public buildings and rest stops, not the governor's mansion + bibbs insulation. Will significantly cut down on electric bills. BTW, I was at a
Baltimore
Baltimore
select your county
Harford
*Have windmill farms in the state. (More energy + business + tax revenues.)
I catch the Baltimore Metro and the escalators are constantly being worked on. I cannot imagine why there is ALWAYS something wrong with the escalators and I
know if the contractors were getting paid through a private organization, they would be fired for bad workmanship. I even overheard one of the contractors saying
that they get paid by the hour so he told the other contractor to slow down on the work. Therefore, I suggest getting a contractor that is more concerned with
CUT ALL SERVICES TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS. ILLEGL IMMIGRANTS ARE FLOCKING TO OUR STATE BECAUSE OTHER STATES HAVE PUT A STOP
TO THEIR FREEBIES. WHY IS MARYLAND MAKING ITS TAXPAYERS SUPPORT THEM WHEN CLEARLY OTHERS WON'T?
Increase tobacco tax and tax or increase taxes on liquor. Increase taxes on establishments such as bars that invite crime to help defray the costs of police time
and resources that are called to these locations as opposed to places that don't invite crime such as non-adult bookstores.
Some of these ideas will save more than other but all will make a statement
1) Reduce the size of the Governor’s, Lt. Governor’s and First Lady’s personal staff by one third. Hopefully the Legislative Leaders will then follow suit.
2) Eliminate the use of State Trooper from transporting any elected official. If they need a driver so that they can work while riding in a car, one of there remaining
staff members can perform these duties. Put the troopers on the street protecting everyone and allowing the State Police to fill fewer vacancies.
3) Eliminate Comp-Time for all State positions. This would require management to better prioritize what must be done, and also prevent individuals being on the
State payroll long after they have stopped producing. We both know that certain higher better connect individuals have been able to amass large amounts of
4) Require the Local governments not only to share equally in the retirement and pension costs of teacher but to share equally in the only to the Statewide
average in salaries. If a Local government chooses to pay its teachers more than the Statewide average, the Local government picks up the entire cost of the
5) All General Funds within the Department of Health and Mental not needed for federal match and awarded to eth Local Health Departments should be placed in
the Core Public Health Formula. While this would give the local more flexibility as they would determine the health needs in their jurisdiction, it would also require
6) Reduce the food package provided to inmates in State prison. If Neutra Systems can fed someone for $11 a day the State should be able to do it for far less.
7) Provide only the necessary minimal medical care to inmates that would reduce the spread of disease and eliminate unnecessary pain. Other medical care
8) Reduce State penitentiaries to penal institutions. Individuals are sentenced to prison for punishment. Rehabilitation should be available to those who served
only after they have served their sentence and then they can actually help support their rehabilitation
9) Require the State dollars only be allowed to be used to print State documents or documents used by State agencies in English.
10) The only State services that should be provided to undocumented residents (they are here illegally) is plane fair to their native homeland. When discovered
by any State agency, the State police should be contacted and they should be arrested. Upon release from jail they should be taken to BWI and sent home. This
Increase tobacco tax and tax or increase taxes on liquor. Increase taxes on establishments such as bars that invite crime to help defray the costs of police time
and resources that are called to these locations as opposed to places that don't invite crime such as non-adult bookstores.
Baltimore
Write into law about putting a cap or limit on the amount people are awarded in property acquisition cases during negotiations. Perhaps the cap should be 20%
over the appraoised value. Exceptions would be special circumstances such as life estates or owners with reverse mortgages.
To: Governor of Maryland
xxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: August 7, 2009
Re: Budget Shortfalls Facing Maryland
I would like to take this time to thank the Governor’s Office for the opportunity to share my voice in addressing the crisis that is affecting not only Maryland but the
country. Soliciting public comments on cost saving methods associated with State agencies is commendable, as many individuals of all status have innovative
I must briefly iterate that the estimated cost to place a youth for in-state and out-of-state placements range from $75,000 to $250,000 per year. Unfortunately,
many youth spend years in the juvenile system, to include community-based services, at the expense of the state. If parent/s has to pay child support to one
parent or guardian, why isn’t parent/s paying child support to the Department of Juvenile Services, especially when a child is in Department’s custody and care?
• A special department be implemented
• Parent/Guardian salaries be garnished for child support while the youth in the custody and care of the Department of Juvenile Services
• Families receiving public assistance, from a state agency, percentage of funds should be diverted to the Department of Juvenile Services if the child is in the
Rationale: Youths who have violated the law are detained for the following reasons: (1) a danger to themselves or (2) a threat to public safety. However, the
• A youth is granted release by the court but parent/s refuses to accept child. If a parent refuses to take his or her child’s status is now a CINA (a child in need of
assistance). At this point, DSS should become immediately involved prior to parties leaving the court room. Instead, DJS detained and/or place the youth bearing
• A youth is dual-committed to DJS and DSS, DSS is the lead agency. DSS leave youth detained for various reasons: they know where the child is or they do not
• Protective Custody
I hope you find my ideas helpful and I welcome further collaboration should you choose to act on this suggestion. I can be reached at xxxxxxxxxxxx. Thanks again
Anne Arundel
Baltimore
Sincerely,
xxxxxxxxxxxxx
As a current State government employee of over 2 years, I have noticed an astronomical amount of discarded paper around the offices in which I have worked.
In cooperation with community services for clients and local management boards, etc., I believe excess paper is produced, and in many cases wasted. I also feel
Perhaps if State government offices switched to utilize an electronic filing system (scanning of original documents into electronic document format) for paperwork
which is often copied, faxed, or mailed, then a more cost effective and efficient filing method could be implemented. State workers in my field have access to PCs
and internet based services (including e-mail) which are capable of Windows/PC and internet based filing. Furthermore, to save paper waste, documents would
be able to be e-mailed instead of copied, faxed, or mailed. When a document must be produced on paper, one could print and use the document as needed. A
In my mind, this would contribute to a more efficient filing method and will save the cost of excess paper supply and also contribute to a cleaner environment.
Thanks!
There have been serious budget cuts that will impact children, youth and families greatly. Please no more cuts to the Children’s Cabinet Interagency Fund to
support our most vulnerable children and families in Baltimore County and Montgomery County (primary areas of my work) and the entire state of Maryland.
xxx
Anne Arundel
Baltimore City and Montgomery County
1. Re-regulate energy production and distribution. Competition in basic needs such as utilities is not necessary and has only resulted in increased costs
wherever such a policy has been implemented - simply look around the country. This would not only save Marylander's money but also the State where the most
2. Although small and minority owned business purchasing initiatives at the State level are nice from a politically correct standpoint and sometimes a legislative
standpoint, are they truly the most cost effective method of procurement? Likewise with Maryland Correctional Enterprise purchasing requirements which result
3. Put more of an emphasis on state-wide purchasing contracts. Surely a single contract with one vendor to supply the entire State government with a product or
service would garner a better overall price. I realize that this is not practical in many cases but, where it is, it should be seriously considered.
4. All construction projects should be put on hold immediately and those funds redirected to annual operating expenses until the economy improves. It seems
extremely short sighted to consider laying off employees which would contribute to a downward economic spiral when other cost cutting options are available.
There are also additional operating costs associated with new buildings which would be deferred as well. I realize this requires special fiscal and political action
5. End the antiquated design of the Maryland Lottery System which provides funding for the Stadium Authority. This should never have been done in the first
place. Those revenues should revert to the general fund and the stadiums should be fully self-supporting. State support for such ventures is irksome, at best.
6. Is it really competitive to provide such a wide range of health care choices to State employees? Suppose only one good vendor were to be chosen and the
vendors knew that was going to happen? Wouldn't you think that there would be a lot of competition to garner that huge block of customers by providing the best
7. If the rainy day fund has not been hit, now is the time.
8. Furloughs are far preferable to layoffs under any scenario. Layoffs, as stated above, only escalate the downward spiral of unemployment and economic
9. Let slots be placed where ever Keno is allowed, maybe even where ever the Lottery can be played. The State would gain a lot in license fees and tax
Montgomery
Charles
Baltimore
Caroline
Baltimore
Anne Arundel
That's all that comes to mind right now. I hope the comments obtained through this web site (not just mine) are given serious consideration. Thanks for the
I urge you to reconsider the cuts proposed for the Collaboration Council for Children, Youth and Families. The Local Coordinating Council in Montgomery County
has provided wonderful services to children and families. If these families and children are not able to get these services, there will be so many repercussions.
Thank you for your consideration.
One thing that you can do with Medicaid, Medicare is allow for Pharmaceutical medication importation. Because with over 80 percent of our medication being
manufactured overseas in countries like India,U.K,Australia,New Zealan, and in Canada. Why shouldn't we take advantage of the the market profit that
manufacturing companies have and get by making profits within these foreign markets. Why shouldn't we have the same benefits of savings by allowing those on
Medicaid,Medicare allowing them to shop the global market to purchase their medications and being able to save 20-70% real savings on their medications. If
Restrict the use of consultants by any state agency to expertise from other agencies or the university system. With all the expertise in the various agencies it
There are so many important programs throughout the state that have lost funding in these budget times. But none of them are as important as the ones that
protect and impact lives of our children and families such as the mental health programs, family support programs, the local managment boards. All of this
Family Navigators and the Children's Intereragency Funds programs directly impact the lives of our citizens, the funds that are put into the prevention and
treatment programs save us so much in the long run, not only economically, but in pain and suffering. Please put these programs at the top of your list to protect
I would like to suggest, as an MSDE employee in
, that there be a charge for licenses issued for the operation of child care home and
centers. Perhaps this additional income could elminate the need to reduce our salaries. Although, if necessary, I would readily agree to a decrease in pay in
Moving non-essential state employees to a 4-day, 40 hour work week. The following quote in this Scientific American article
(http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=four-day-workweek-energy-environment-economics-utah) says it all:
"Local governments in particular have had their eyes on Utah over the last year; the state redefined the workday for more than 17,000 of its employees last
August. For those workplaces, there's no longer a need to turn on the lights, elevators or computers on Fridays—nor do janitors need to clean vacant buildings.
Electric bills have dropped even further during the summer, thanks to less air-conditioning: Friday's midday hours have been replaced by cooler mornings and
Saving money, helping the environment, providing better work-life balance without a decline in services offered? Yes we can.
Talbot
Thanks for letting us common folk participate. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I am writing on behalf of the Partnership for Children Youth and Families in Anne Arundel County. I serve on the Board as a volunteer representing the Business
Community. While we all recognize the need to conserve, over the last few months, our Partnership program (the local management board of the county) has
taken budget cuts totalling 25%. One in four dollars are gone. Even now, deeper cuts are threatened. For each dollar cut, another child is put at risk, to stall her
educational and personal development, to reduce his safety in home and community, to threaten his supports locally and force relocation to an out of state
placement, or to weaken her teen support networks. These are all fragile children whom we are putting at greater risk. As funds diminish, services contract, and
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Montgomery
sight, why must we provide them with a living. By continuing to pay for their preferred lifestyle, only perpetuates it. I am a State worker and simply marvel at how
we are continually asked to absorb the brundt of responsibility, through our pay concessions, forteiture of work days/jobs just so they can receive entitlements. I
was a single mom who worked two jobs to take care of my household; I had one son. That was my choice, but when times got hard, I simply got a part-time job.
It never occurred to me to ask the government for help. I am 60 now, and I am weary of paying for irresponsible people who feel they have earned the right to be
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services and wraparound services. Currently, there are waiting lists for services and those waiting lists are only going to grow.
Kent
Anne Arundel
Worcester
Anne Arundel
Charles
Cecil
Montgomery
Anne Arundel
Wicomico
Talbot
Talbot
Charles
Frederick
I urge you to continue to support our most vulnerable children and families and NOT to cut the Children’s Cabinet Interagency Fund.
Instead of milling and repaving the whole roadway just do the lanes of traffic and leave the shoulders of the roadway as they are the shoulders do not get
anywhere near the traffic save also on redoing the rumble strips I'm sure this could save some money
With the growing number of red light & speed camera's Maryland should recieve a higher percentage of revenue from them instead of giving the camera
companies the bulk of the profits. This money should be used in the school systems.
New National parks, like the 2 Harriet Tubman parks urged by Sen. Cardin, certainly do not fall in the NECESSARY column.
Institute a pilot program to operate State government just four days a week.
1.I would suggest that Maryland install ticket cameras at all state intersections in Maryland. Keep the ticket reasonable as this would bring in millions from
lawbreakers. Cameras could likely be leased with incuring the expense of the initial purchase.
2.Run above ground mono rails as Disney does from the remotest part of Maryland to the subway connections. We could use from the Potomac River Bridge to
3. Allow all the fuel stations that were closed down to reopen as bio diesel stations that is clean for the environment and would bring in revenue to farmers as well
as taxation from stations, produce jobs and cut into the monopoly of the big oil companies.
4. Reconsider the death penalty so taxpayers do not have to pay for severe criminals. Would save approx. $70,000.00 per serious criminal.
5. Bring in Nascar Racing and other sporting events. These events are for only a weekend or two and people leave after spending mega bucks and taxes. Revise
your tourism department. I will help you revise it to make MD. money.
6. Revise rediculous restrictions on stormwater management that does not work. Contain the problems at the tributaries. This would encourage more managed
To reduce the size of the state workforce, offer an incentive to all members of the employees retirement system and the employees pension system to retire.
Offer could be made to all employees with 25 years or more service in either system who retire before June 30, 2010. Offer could be 1 to 3 years of service credit
or 5 to 10 percent additional service credit. This would encourge people who are eligible to retire but undecided to make their decision. Savings would result
Increase our taxes
No more cuts in programs for our vulnerable children. Please protect the Children's Cabinet Interagency Fund!!
postpone high dollar technology projects until times are better.
Please spell the names of the counties correctly!!! Its WORCESTER not Worcester
Last year all the state emplyees had to take time off without pay. Maybe we could save a little more money if the higher up state people would take 7-9 days off
I think State employees should be required to punch a time clock like we do in the private sector. Then you could monitor tardiness and absenteeism and deal
with those who take advantage of the system effectively. At my place of employment more than 7 tardies in a year or 3 unrelated sick occurrences is taken very
If it is possible to monitor the mandate for motor vehicles to be taxed that are purchased out-of-state, would it be possible to imposing a MD sales tax on large
ticket items purchased in Delaware $500 or more). So many Marylanders go to Delaware to shop!
if state employees are mandated to take furlough days shouldn't the legislators have to do the same?
Start cutting the salaries of state employees that make close to or over six figures. It's always the low (Lowest paid) man/woman that take the hit. Also think
about holding a special session and stop the automatic pay raises that you and others get.I don't think lay-offs are the answer due to the fact you spend so much
* Cut from lottery advertising budget
* Abolish non-emergency vacant positions
Calvert
City
Baltimore
Montgomery
Howard
* Reduce spending on various non productive state contracts
*Renegotiate office space leases & reduce leased space
*Reductions in Medicaid payments to those owed
*Reduce any overtime pay for state employees except emergency personnel.
Turn in 250,000 mile state vehilces within the next month, get $4,500.00 for a clunker through the government program, cash for clunkers, for a vehicle woth
$500.00. The state can upgrade the state fleet of vehicles, ie police cars. This is a huge cost savings, especially if you buy a model with a rebate. You may end
Close the Clifton T. Perkins State Hospital in Jessup, Md.
It is nothing but a game being played by the State of Md. that is run by nothing but State doctors who have know no means of proper diagnosis of the mentally ill.
A lot of doctors have been fired from there for wrongdoings to inmates. It is truly a joke as stated during the 1980s by WJZ-TV. The Insanity Plea in the State of
Maryland should be done away with.
Close the Clifton T. Perkins
State Hospital just like the State did Rosewood State Hospital and save the taxpayers money. Nothing is being accomplished there other than employing a bunch
of bullshitters who if they did work for the State, the prominent private hospitals wouldn't even employment them. If they did, they wouldn't be working for the
Thank You
xx
Baltimore, Md.
how about taking those 25,000 temporary visas away since hiring immigrants will only ensure they send all that money back to mexico and HIRE 25,000
AMERICAN WORKERS WHO ARE OUT OF A JOB AND LIVE IN THIS STATE!!!
why not you the governor and your cabinet and ranking officials pass on your salaries for the remainer of your termsI am very proud to be living in the state of Maryland and often like to brag about the resources provided by the state to the most vunerable populations with my
extended family in other states. I am a clinical social worker who works with MD students with Emotional Disturbance and learning disabilities. I have referred
students and their families to wrap around services when I see a student who needs more support than the Level V school I work in provides. These services
been vital in my clients success and their families to remain together. I am concerned about the 25% reduction in the Collaboration Council for Children, Youth
I would be happy to explain more of how we see the success of students with the added support of the wrap around services provided by the state and how I feel
it will save money in the long run. Thank you for allowing MD residents and service providers this opportunity.
Governor O'Malley:
I attended the Board of Public Works meeting on Wednesday and heard you speak about the number of suggestions for cost savings you've received from
Maryland residents thus far. Someone had suggested more opportunities for telecommuting, and it gave me an idea.
As you know, the Board meetings are usually standing room only, and Wednesday was no exception. A number of agencies are represented at these meetings,
and some send several staff members. Quite often the this includes people at the top levels of the organizations, who are most likely paid fairly well by
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Those of us in attendance often sit there for a considerable length of time just in case there are questions. I would say the vast majority of attendees are not
called upon during the meeting. This doesn't even address the time and fuel spent driving to and from their offices in Baltimore or College Park or elsewhere in
the state to Annapolis. The State is paying a lot of money to have a these people sit and basically do nothing productive for several hours (no disrespect
1. The BPW staff and the Treasurer's and Comptroller's assistants generally review and identify those items that are questionable or confusing or maybe
sensitive in nature about 10 days to 2 weeks before the meeting. Why not contact (via e-mail) just the agencies that submit these items and tell them to attend
2. You can also consider going high tech. Televise the meetings. Install webcams on computers at each agency - especially for those who would otherwise
have to travel a long distance. People can attend in person if they want to, or attend via webcam. If I had a webcam at my desk, I could continue to work (and be
billable!) but still listen to the meeting and be ready to respond if necessary. You'd see me bigger than life on the screen (a scary thought on many levels), I'd
$ 5 (parking)
$ 20 (mileage)
$ 340 (salary+ admin costs)
Total savings = $ 365 (estimated) per meeting
Assume 10 mtgs/year = $3,650/yr
That's just for me, a lowly xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx who likely gets paid much less than a cabinet secretary or an assistant. I also don't attend the number of meetings
the others do; if I attend each mtg, the savings would be $8,000 - $10,000/yr. If 50 people do this, you save $400,000-$500,000/year. These people would also be
getting work done at the same time. While it's not a huge sum of money when compared to the deficit, it's an opportunity to reduce or eliminate unproductive staff
City
Anne Arundel
Garrett
Howard
Thank you for this opportunity to participate in such an important process.
Dear Mr. O'Malley, I have been unemployed for almost 1 year now and recently I was interviewed for a position at the Maryland Unemployment office. The
position was contractual and I was told during the interview "If the Mayor calls and says that we have to lay you off if only after working for two days then the office
would have to let me go. My suggestion is to maybe to create some internships for individuals that are not working just so that they can shadow some Maryland
Refilling toner cartidges in house can save Anne Arundel county schools about $100,000. Refilling printer cartridges will help save the environment and provide at
least 3 jobs per county school system while still saving about 75% compared to buying new cartridges. The print quality will remain the same but the cost will be
cut. The State Police print shop may not need to closed. Using environmentally responsible cartridges will make the government more efficent. I have a plan that I
I just recently retired from the school system. I am also retired from the US Navy. I can access my military retiree account statement and my 1099R Online and
print it out. The State could save a lot of money if Maryland State Retirement System could do the same. “ Shut off the Paper”
Thank You
I hate to see any cuts in the medicare program, especially with the President's push for medical coverage for all Americans. Equally, I would hate to see any cut
I would like to see an increase in taxes on tobacco products, alcohol, junk food and soft drinks such as Coke, Pepsi, etc.
While I am not in favor of layoffs in the state government ranks, staff furloughs scattered throughout the fiscal year would seem appropriate as well as an
increase in telework. Telework may cut back on the amount of office space needed for employees.
While I am not a big proponent of higher taxes, perhaps a personal property tax on cars would help generate revenue. Again, I don't love paying more taxes but
Thanks,
City
Montgomery
City
Anne Arundel
City
Baltimore
Talbot
MANDATORY SALARY CUTS FOR PUBLIC OFFICIALS.
MAKE IT MANDATORY FOR ALL BUSINESSES TO RECYCLE.
MAKE SLOTS LEGAL IN MARYLAND
WE understand the difficulty but please make no further cuts in tthe local management councils(Montgomery's Collaboration council for Cccchildren Youth and
Families. this council veryy effectivally, provides preventive serices for at risk chldren and should not be cut further. thank
EVERYONE WANTS QUALITY CARE FOR THE RESIDENTS IN NURSING HOMES BUT WE CONTINUALLY CUT REVENUE FROM THEM. MOST
RESIDENTS IN NURSING HOMES ARE ON MEDICAID. I FEEL REALLY SAD WHEN WE TAKE MONEY AWAY FROM THE ELDERLY WHO WORKED AND
as a state employee, my suggestion would be to charge the bike riders a tag and insurance fee. Since they have the use of out public roads and we have to give
them the right of way, I feel that I pay for insurance and tags (let alone gas) to use the public roads this would only be fair. Even if it is just a $50.00 tag fee.
DECREASE TO THE OF DPW WORKERS IT TAKES TO REPAIR THE STREETS. WHY DO THEY NEED TO HAVE 6 TO 8 PEOPLE WHEN ALL YOU SEE IS 2Perform a comprehensive review of State government functions, with an eye toward eliminating duplication of effort by more than one agency, and eliminating
redundant effort within agencies by consolidating like functions which are currently split. Perhaps agencies such as DHR and DHMH could consolidate some
programs or functions which would seem to offer the same service, but from different providers. The same with DNR and Dept of Environment. Don't they
State of Maryland government, i.e.,County Executives, mayors, commissioners should take a cut in pay as other Marylander's have. All of us are learning to live
City
Frederick
Talbot
City
For public safety to take a hit in cuts by shutting down fire departments in PG County and Baltimore County/City only adds to the distress of Marylander's. Public
Safety needs to have the money there to keep these departments running and fully staffed.
Why are the state police force allowed to take cars home when other state employees have to commute to work. This appears to cost the taxpayers 3 times the
operating costs because a car is needed for 3 shifts of state police vs using one or 2 cars for the 24 hour shift. Plus the commuting costs the state police incur
If you are looking at renewing building leases and so forth, why don't you have more telecommuting? From what I have seen the majority of the people I work
with could do what they do from home - even meetings, using teleconferences. Look at it this way: you would save by decreasing your # of leases, the
government would be more "green", thus helping the environment and global warming, you would have less sick days due to the conveinence of work and the
environment, your workforce would be much happier and healthier spending more time with their family (decreased stress, this would most likely increase
volunteer times like running state booths at the fairs, etc. You would also be able to cut back on the cost of parking permits that the state supplies, decrease
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reconsider any further cuts to community programs in the Public Mental Health system!
Dear Governor O’Malley:
Adult education in Maryland needs your continued support. The Maryland Association for Adult, Community and Continuing Education (MAACCE) knows that in
these trying economic times you have heard this frequently, and that many in our state will likely have to do more with less.
Our adult learners – the working poor of Maryland – already have to do more with less, and MAACCE strongly urges you to maintain level funding for adult
literacy and English services through the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.
Too many Marylanders are still without high school diplomas, have inadequate job skills, or cannot speak English fluently to realize their full potential. Adult
educators in Maryland have a consistent record of success, but demand for our services continues to outpace available resources, with only 5% of those in need
through approved state grantee and correctional education programs. Maryland remains at the lower end of neighboring east coast states’ average spending per
pupil; recent estimates have investment at only $213 per adult learner. Yet the professionals in the field of adult education have made Maryland one of the most
Recognizing that cuts must come from somewhere, we suggest examining where the majority or higher levels of federal stimulus money is being allocated, such
Thank you, Governor O’Malley, for your past protection of our efforts – you have been a champion of adult education, and we appreciate the consideration you
have given our learners in recent years. MAACCE realizes that there remain difficult decisions ahead, yet we remain hopeful. Clearly Maryland cannot afford to
move backwards in state funding to provide crucial educational services that promote employment and help adults compete in today’s economy.
Regards,
xxx
Caroline
Representing a network of professional educators from across the state of Maryland, MAACCE provides professional development and advocacy for more than
400 adult education and literacy practitioners, including teachers, administrative staff, and volunteers.
To the Honorable Gov. O'Malley. Please Protect Maryland's Children's Cabinet Interagency Fund. We have children and families that we serve who have complex
needs. We need resources to be able to put effective interventions in place for these families. The majority of families and children that we serve have significant
mental health needs. Children will be forced into much more costly out of home placements, if budget cuts continue. Caroline County is committed to keeping
children at home in their communities and we have been very successful. The LMB has been instrumental in ensuring that this happens. I strongly encourage you
Caroline
1) Enact sensible entitlement/welfare reform. Require a urinalysis test for those that apply for State aid.
2) Require those that receive State aid to perform community service when not actively looking for a job.
3) Those that have worked all their life and paid into the system should be rewarded at a higher rate than those who do not (e.g. illegal aliens) Let's make a
4) I think it is ridiculous to consider allowing State workers to work at home.
Howard
Howard
Caroline
Carroll
Allegany
5) How about this one; don't spend more than you take in? Reduce taxes to spur the economy?
Please do not cut the Children's Cabinet Intreagency Fund. If anything lets increase the funding in this area. These funds are vital to the afterschool programs,
home-visiting services and wraparound services supporting our children with complex needs. Currently, there are waiting lists for services and those waiting lists
are only going to grow if we don’t act now. While academic growth is important equally important is the social and emotional growth of these children. And
Dear Governor, I just happened to be watching the news the other day, when I heard you say you had been taking suggestions on how to balance the budget. I
happen to be one of your employees, and I think you should have sent a memo around to the employees, asking for ideas. You say you only want ideas till
August 10. I don't even know how many people heard the idea on the news. But who better than us to tell you where the money is really wasted? I can tell you
For my idea, I can tell you we seem to spend a fortune on office supplies because we must buy from which ever vendor won your state contract. But some of the
smaller things are discounted or on sale all the time at Office Depot or Staples, and the other vendors can't touch those prices.
Employ evidence based practices in the field of criminal justice. For example, we know from research in the state and throughout the country prove that Drug
Courts cut recidivism rates 36% more effectively than our current community supervision programs at 73% costs savings to our taxpayers. Why not bring drug
court caseloads up to scale, create more drug courts and cut funding to the usual programs that prove less successful and more costly. I expect the state
1) All ELECTED officials take a 1%-10% decrease in their salaries.
2) All elected officials use personal cars for work like everybody else.
3) Stop reimbursement to elected officials for meals or travel (us regular citizens don't get that luxury)
4) No more outside contracts for hires (use the employees you already have)
5) Stop wasting my money that I pay you on stuff that I can't afford myself
Governor O'Malley,
I would like to bring to your attention my feelings over the continued 'dispute' (my words) regarding the 'possible' awarding of L-3 services for the new NMSIII
Network Maintenance contract for the Maryland Department of Transportation.
It is my understanding that - at the previous Board of Public Works meeting on July 22nd - it was proposed to award this contract to L-3 when their bid exceeded
At that meeting, it was decided to allow MDOT the opportunity to 'justify' this expenditure.
I ask you - as a fellow tax payer - what circumstances could possibly justify this 'luxury' when the state budget has been cut by $280 million with a proposed $420
It is my understanding that the current contractor (and lowest bidder by $17,000,000) has served MDOT for over 10 years.
It would appear to me that 'egos' are involved in this decision or perhaps 'favoritism', or worse.
These traits should not be permitted when one is tasked with the responsibility for making tough, fiscally responsible decisions – especially when one takes into
In the Cumberland-Times News, an article posted this morning indicates that your office is seeking recommendations from all state residents.
Well, I have one for your staff to consider:
If the incumbent (or any other contractor) can legitimately provide those services for $17,000,000 less, that contractor should be awarded the contract.
City
I'm just a simple man from the mountains of Western Maryland - and even I know that much.
Reduce the cuts in positive areas such as higher education and reduce the incentives given to negative areas such as inmates. People going to college (and
state employees) should not have to bare the brunt of the recession while people who are incarcerated are sheilded from it. The message is if you do wrong you
are rewarded. If you do right you are punished. That's backwards. Therefore, my suggestion is that most incentives/luxuries be cut for the incarcerated. This
Montgomery
Cecil
Anne Arundel
City
Anne Arundel
Washington
Anne Arundel
City
Interfaith Works, a coalition of more than 140 congregations works together to meet the needs of the low income community in Montgomery County. We urge
you to sustain the Children's Cabinet Interagency Fund to continue to support our most vulnerable children and families in Montgomery County. We need your
Thank you,
xxxxx
I wish I could offer a suggestion for a fix but what I would like to say is please do not cut DHMH or local public health any further. I am very familiar with budgets
and tough decisions but Public Health is on the hot seat and the fore front now and is trying to pull off a miracle. We need to handle seasonal flu, the flu mist
initiaive and the elephant in the room H1N1. This is on top maintaining all of our other important behind the scenes work that keeps our communities healthy! We
are severly understaffed, underfunded and underpaid, but our attitude remains strong and positive. We know we can do this but anymore cuts could take away
Thank you
Suggest a review be conducted on 1) grant payments made by state agencies which are not specifically identified or authorized in the state budget 2) work
processes and programs performed by state agencies which are not authorized by state law, comar regulation or federal requirements. If the process/program
can not be directly attributed or is not an extension of a law, comar or federal requirement the agency must provide justification for its continuation.
1. Instead of paying overtime to workers (highway maintenance, public works, etc) bring in second or even third shiftsusing people who have been layed off or to
2. Put the red line project on the back burner and funnel the money into the very poor and failing infrastructure of the state (roads, pipelines, etc.) using the labor
3. Quit the campaign to reactivate the mounted police patrol. This is wasted money for the sake of appearance in an economy that can not afford money spent
Shut down the State Office Buildings between Christmas and New Years. Take the deductions out of State employees paychecks over a year.
Operation HOPE-Hiring, Operations, Public, Employees
In effort to reduce spending and preserve state jobs the State of Maryland could consider the following:
Hiring:
-utilize more contractual workers either new employees or retirees
-utilize interns as potential new hires in effort to save on training of new employees
Operations
-Invest in newer more gas efficient vehicles
-Limit use of take home state vehicles being brought home for commuting purposes. Possible exclusion MSP.
-In jurisdictions where possible create an interagency network where multiple state agencies are located in the same building or complex. This would cut down on
cost of operating multiple office buildings and make it more accessible for the public to receive services in one central location.
-Make use of vacant state owned buildings and facilities or sell to reduce operating costs.
Public
-start and maintain mandatory recycling programs through the state and offices
-Fee for use of state parks, rest areas ect
-Increase of fees across waterways
-Utilize more inmate labor
-Invest in job training for juveniles and adults in effort to ultimately cut down on the number or incarcerations
-Impose stricter limitations on Public Assistance
Employees
-Extend pay periods to 1 or 2 times per month in effort to reduce payroll expenditures
-Reduce work week hours including lunch breaks and office hours.
-Encourage and accommodate telecommuting
-Reduce letterhead, envelopes and paper
-Offer early retirement, voluntary salary decrease or voluntary layoffs
-Authorize more PINS in areas that pay high rates of OT including corrections, direct care, nursing, ect
1. Offer an incentive for early retirement.
2. Overhauling the Medical Assistance program (MCHP also) with stricter eligibility requirements and a waiting period could same millions of dollars.
One of my suggestions, is one that I took from the Comptroller, take a look at all the programs you have also may be you need a in house sweep on what are we
Dorchester
Baltimore
Thanks so much for opening this up to the public, and may god bless you and the state of maryland.
My suggestion would be to decrease the salary of our elected officals at the State House. Then, stop giving to the "illegals". Educating our children should come
If not already being done, using two-sided copying in every State office and mandatory recycling of paper, plastic, glass and cans with bins on every floor of every
State office building would cut costs as to the former and in partnership with local recyclers, bring in extra revenue as to the latter. For example, in exchange for
supplying the bins and picking up the recyclables, the company would be in partnership with the State for an 80/20 split. The recycling company would reap the
In order to create better energy efficiency -- and cost savings -- in state buildings, I suggest implementing a green roofs project like the one in Chicago:
http://greenroofs.com/projects/pview.php?id=21, as well as the use of passive solar building design every time normal maintenance comes up and hopefully, in
retrofitting buildings and/or any new buildings that are planned: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passive_solar_heating. Perhaps a project could be initiated with the
local universities that would award a State prize for best retrofit or design of a new building in lieu of a monetary one; certainly for an architectural student hoping
to join a prestigious firm or go out on their own, such a prize would be a boost to their public profile and a way to use their skills to benefit their communities and
I would also look into the use of solar panels not only on roofs but there are now solar awnings that could be used on the windows that don't face street-side -- if
there is a issue as to appearance and historic preservation -- and small wind turbines that can be affixed to a roof or put in a small courtyard of a public building:
http://www.awea.org/smallwind/smsyslst.html. Using gray water for irrigation of lawns, flower beds and -- hopefully -- green roofs is another option. Small
Anne Arundel
I might also suggest a review of the need for and usage of cell phones for State employees such that perhaps some employees may not have an absolute need
for a cell phone paid for by the State at all and certainly, the usage plans and which carriers are given contracts with the State can be analyzed with a view to cost
Purchase ALL underware for prisoners from Goodwill or Salvation Army. Cut off all cable TV to prisoners. Only feed prsioners twice a day consisting of a
bologna and cheese sandwich (bread could be baked by prisoners). This could be follwed up with a glass of water and a multi vitamin.
Cut off all funding to Casa of MAryalnd. Cut off all funding to illegal imigrants.... ie schools, helahtcare etc.....
Roll back ALL payrasies given to your executive staff.
You know, maybe if you weren't against slots before you were for slots (remember you opposed slots under the Ehrlich administration) then the casions would be
up and running provideing some much needed revenue to the state.....
Calvert
Allegany
Baltimore
This should save millions of dollars....
Have employees work a 4 day week and make it a 9 hour work day. This will cut payroll up 208 hours per employee per year. If allowed to use 2 hr. Vac. time,
there will be no cost to the employee at all. They will save on gas and traveling time.
This could be voluntary to eliminate protests.
Two ideas whose time has come.1) Use only one license plate.This would save a million dollars.2) Make route 70 a toll road, but give generous discounts to Md.
residents.I am tired of paying tolls to other states when I travel their roads and yet Md. doesn't take advantage of this for our roads.
Dear Sir, Let me first say there should be no cuts in police, fire or medicare for seniors. Second, I've seen several elementary schools including our local Balt.
Highlands receiving a new parking lot. This is not needed. There was nothing wrong with the old one. Why is it that I have seen five highway and water dept.
workers on a job, two are working while the other three are watching?
Governor, hire me as a mole, and I will find thousands
if not millions of dollars in depts. throughout the state that are wasting our precious tax payer dollars.
.
We are both searching for jobs but have not asked to state for food stamps etc. I don't even bother, we probably wouldn't qualify. Years ago I applied and was
told my car, which was given to me when my father died, was worth to much money. So I guess we were supposed to eat the car. If I mass produced children,
then I would qualify for benefits. This is another dept. that can be cut. There should be a limit to the amount of time people are allowed to collect social service
In the Division of Parole and Probation there are several changes which could generate more revenue. At a Parole Hearing an inmate is asked if they have a
job. In order to enhance their chances of being granted Parole they will answer, Yes. Upon reported to the Division of P&P they are again asked about a job.
They have learned to answer they don't have one; therefore, they are granted an automatic exemption from paying the $45.00 supervision fee. As they have
There is supposed to be a $15.00 fee for urine analysis. An exemption is often requested, often for a test with a positive result! If they have the money to buy
In court cases resulting in Probation, a $25.00 fee is assessed. Often Agents submit a exemption request to the Court, without checking if the Probationer
meets the standards for the Poverty guidelines as directed in the Manual. ( and attaching to the request sent to the Judge)
Texas and South Caroline have programs that generate Millions every year. They have strong oversight by supervisors and management. In Maryland
, but would gladly help the Office of Management and Budget conduct random audits.
.
However, the Empowering Act creating the Division Mandated it to collect ALL monies as directed by the Legislative body.
Garrett
Thank you for any time you may give this suggestion.
Dear Governor O'Malley,
Garrett
If the Garrett office of md cooperative extension was closed the Allegany county office has a dedeicated staff that could share responsibilities with Garrett County
fine fashion. This would be a wise decision that would save many dollars and give us better service.
Thank you for your time
Dear Governor O'Malley,
Baltimore
Frederick
City
Baltimore
Cecil
Allegany
If the Garrett office of md cooperative extension was closed the Allegany county office has a dedeicated staff that could share responsibilities with Garrett County
fine fashion. This would be a wise decision that would save many dollars and give us better service.
Thank you for your time
Baltimore County (and any other county in MD where this applies) should be billing insurance companies for EMS and Fire services. Some counties do this
already. Baltimore County has made a strictly political decsion not to. This is worth millions of dollars to the counties. By the counties doing this, it would reduce
the need for other sources of funding. My suggestion is not to go after those that cannot pay. Simply bill the insurance companies. Due to the complexity with
Why not take a hard-line look at wireless usage by State employees. Do they really use text messaging for business purposes? photos? Do they have to take
Round up. By that I mean adopt a policy accross all agencies that generate any fees for services provided to either add another decimal place or round up to the
next dollar. Many years ago I worked at a bank and every quarter when dividends were paid our competitor paid pennies more than we did. I discovered that they
Especially on amortized interest! Add a decimal place or round up!
My suggestions are as follow:
a) Eliminate mailing check stubs to employees residences.
b) Retired employees that have over 35 years of service and eliminate some of those position.
c) An employee on sick leave for over 2 years should be on disability not payroll.
Put the Maryland State Police on ten or twelve hour shifts. Some Troopers travel up to two hours each way to work. It will save fuel, maintanance on vehicles, and
sick time taken. They currently work eight hours shifts on a constant swing shift.
Since Maryland has such high utility rates, energy efficientcy is critical. We have had to make improvements at home in order to keep up with our skyrocketing
gas and electic bills and our state should do the same. State buildings need to be well insulated, thermostats need to be set at reasonable levels and equipped
with timers for non-business hours. Check the temperature settings on hot water tanks - 120 degrees should be fine. Turn hot water heaters off when not in use.
Limit employee electric use as well - sure you can charge your cell phone while at work, but does every person need a mini frig and microwave? Public schools
Cecil
City
Baltimore
Baltimore
select your county
Montgomery
Carroll
Carroll
Baltimore
Close State goverment TOTALLY for one day each month. No contractual workers would also be allowed to work on this day. This takes stste vehicles off-line,
buildings are closed down, services are taken off-line for the day. Additionally to legistative and court personnel would be allowed to work on these days.
I would like to encourage you not to cut aid to Medical Assistance patients. Not all physicians are even willing to see these patients because reimbursement is so
low. I take care of these patients as a way to service the community, but I am concerned that if they lose their coverage and become uninsured that they will not
Thank you for your consideration
stop funding mpt stop money for casa and other charities let people that want it pay cut welfare payment and other social programs cut medical except for
to raise money tax pa that come to md to work but not live here that should raise most of the money or cut md,s unimplyments rate that raise more money eather
Several staff on my job have made suggestions that I thought would help:
1. Take all state workers Personal Days at the beginning of the year.
2. All state employees including nurses and direct care staff should give a furlough day a month.
lean management is needed in depatments and retirement opitons for workers that can.
Maybe if you had not been like a cheap pair of "flip flops" and stuck to your original campaign promises of not building the ICC and No Slots you might not be in
such a financial bind. Rent out the Gov's house in Annapolis, stop drawing a salary and STOP THE ICC might help.
You will not get my vote if you decide to run again.
Inventory all state owned buildings that are not being used. Then move agencies that pay rent to be located in buildings that are not state owned into the rent-free
state owned buildings. Then after all agencies are moved back into state owned buildings thereby saving the rent, take all the remaining properties and either rent
I believe that anyone receiving welfare, disability, unemployment or any other means of state funding should have to pass random drug test to receive the
monthly payout. As an emergency room registered nurse we see a surge in drug and alcohol use during the first week of the month because this is when they
receive the monthly check. I am a hard working citizen that pays taxes and I am like other Maryland residents that never really get a break. But the people that
receive state funded services are using and abusing the system. I think we could eliminate a good portion of wasted money by doing the random drug screens to
1.Until Maryland is more fiscally sound, suspend the subway expansion indefinitely.
2. If State employees have to take furloughs, then all State employess (Governor, Governor's staff, legislature, etc.) should be included.
3. If the law enforcement community (including correctional officers) is exempt from furloughs, then all law enforcement employees (including parole & probation
4. Layoff high level managers in State agencies and/or institutions of higher learning (ex. Balto. City Com. College has too many deans, coordinators, asst.
5. All of the employees in the Correctional Officer series should not be exempt from furlough days (ex. correctional officer dietary (a cook!) should not be exempt
when parole & probation agents who supervise sex offenders, parolees, mandatory releasee's, probationers are not exempt.
6. Raise the tax on cigarettes.
7. If State employees have to take furloughs again, shut down State agencies (like on a holiday) once per month on a Friday or Monday.
8. Mandate the use of only State vehicles thereby cutting travel expense reimbursement.
9. Have all high level managers (in all State agencies) turn in their Blackberry Cell Phones or do not renew the contract when it expires.
Montgomery
10. When a person applies for benefits (AFDC) through DSS, he or she should be required to take a drug test before any monies and/or food stamps are
disbursed. If there is a positive test, no benefits (except those people legally taking prescription medication) should be awarded.
OK. Suppose that we had a "Do Not Mail" program similar to the spectacularly popular "Do Not Call" program. Think of the savings in the re-cycling cost. I
estimated hundreds of pounds a year in junk mail I never want to see. In addition to saving money you are going to make people happy. If you do not want it, click
here becomes a requirement on circulars. I know the mail circular industry will scream but when "Do Not Call" was proposed telemarketers forecast a dooms day
select your county
Baltimore
A model used in other states was to go to a 4 day work week with 10 hour days for all state employees. Closing all state facilities one day a week would result in
significant savings across the state from not only utilities but would prevent the need for furloughs, and abolishing positions. In addition some type of retirement
package would be good initiative to encourage employees with 25+ years to retire and perhaps not replacing them depending on their roles....just a thought!
Create a 4 day 32-40 hour workweek schedules and close non-critical state offices on "Fridays".
Add auto lights off features on office space areas that will save on electric bills.
Baltimore
Anne Arundel
Cecil
City
Baltimore
Review the costs of "state" owned car expenses vs mileage reimbursement, for a savings on auto purchase and maintenance
expenses.
As a former State employee and a current City employee, I can firmly suggest that you give State employees the OPTION of taking days off without pay. How
many and when could be up to each agency, as duties permit. There are so many older--and younger--workers who would love nothing more than to spend
another week with the grandchildren, or simply have a little more time to themselves. A day at a time, a week at a time, would not negatively impact State
operations (except in critial positions such as fire or police) and even those positions would probably benefit from a day off here and there, when possible. I think
many times that I would LOVE to have three or four more days off, especially with the stress of things, and that would be such a perfect WIN-WIN situation for
i
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since the eighties. Have about 13 kids amoungst themselves and 20 years later having their rights be more than the interest of the child and the foster parent who
I have a suggestion on how to save thousands of dollars Put the people on welfare to work on some of the projects that need help. Think for a minute, you are
paying them to stay home get paid to stay there and they are not contributing one cent ot the economy but, they complain about not having anything. I am a
senior citizen and I would like to get my utilities paid, free food and a nice allowance for free. I pay taxes, have been working since I was 15 and pay at hte end of
the year, i also own a house in a very bad area, brooklyn park. If some of the people on welfare had to get out of the bed and clean up the area they live in, help
the eldery, work at hospitals and parks for the money they recieve from the government, how much money would you save? Some could do daycare for he ones
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Most State Employees just finished with furlough days since last year. I would suggest that one furlough per pay period for all State Employees positions from
Grade 11 up. This should include all State Agencies and Departments, colleges, hospitals, and public safety. The furlough should continue until the next fiscal
year, no increments, cost of living, or salary steps. In addition, the two pay periods when employees are not paying for medical insurance, forego the nonpayment for employees. The cost employees would pay, should show a marginal increase in revenue. Another area to review is outsourcing, privatizing, does the
State really save money in those areas. Require agencies and departments to review each operation for duplication. Review agencies and departments that may
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I would
State employeethlayoffs.
freeze tuition reimbursement and outside vendor training for not critical areas, use furlough and salary reduction as means of temporary layoffs, and restructure
contracts with vendors that had increased prices in 2007 and 2008 due to high fuel costs, which led to higher supply and delivery costs.
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
Please do not layoff State workers.
Many of the State Police cars have over 200,000 miles. Trade them In under Cash For Clunkers and Buy smaller cars that get better gas mileage.
I would like to start of by thanking you for this opportunity for me to share my views. My thoughts are to review people who have been on social services for an
extended amount of time, and put limits and set goals for how long people can stay on public assistance programs. Drug test these people, If they not willing to
be tested, they wont be able to get a job. If they come up dirty, cut the amount they received, and shorten the time they are allowed to receive assistance. Put
people who received assistance to work for the services to continue to the services by volunteering in the communities, such as volunteering for neighborhood
beautification, filing or office support for non profit organizations or youth groups, or help out with the elderly, cleaning state buildings, helping out at schools are
People receiving assistance, need to have plans in place when they receive services, what they are going to do when they stop. Just like working people who get
laid off, and have to depend on unemployment, it comes to an end after a while. People receiving assistance, should not have unnecessary expenses such as
cable, and high speed Internet, that is just ridiculous, they are expensive luxuries, and have been receiving a free pass for years. This has got to stop! The people
who have been laid off and lost jobs due to the recession, are the ones who really need the break right now. I thank the lord every day that I still have a job, and
Also, review people who are getting assistance, and not getting child support, and enforce child support, to be paid in a timely manor, or put these dead beat
Parents, Moms and Dads, to work by volunteering or community service, so the custodial parents can continue to received assistance. The state truly needs to
restructure these programs. My youngest child just turned 21, and my ex husband still owes over $10,000 back child support, the state of MD should have never
allowed this to happen!! by the time my youngest child turned 21, my ex husband should not have owed me anything, if I would have received child support when
Changes in these areas would benefit the state significantly.
Thank you for taking time out to read my views and opinions.
City
select your county
select your county
Baltimore
Howard
Anne Arundel
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I E-MAILED YOU THE TODAY BUT I WANTED TOO SAY SOMETHING ELSE,(ABOUT THE BUDGET),THIS IS ABOUT THE FAT-CATS, THEY NEED TOO BE
CHECKED OUT FROM DAY-ONE,THEN YOU WILL FIND WHERE THE MONEY IS.(EXAMPLE)IF THE FAT-CATS AT THE TOP,MADE TEN GRAND A
YEAR,AND TEN YEARS LATER,HAVE MILLIONS IN THE BANK TODAY,CHECK TO SEE IF HE DID ANY INVESTING AND GO FROM THERE. YOU JUST
spend to much money when the deneral assembly is in session is it really all necessary you make enough money feed your own self. same goes for thr the
public commission did they take a cut in pay no they got a huge huge pay raise couple of years go what did your normal state employees get 2% and furloughs
Take back the gigantic pay raises to your hire employees that you gave when you came into office,
Stop buying property with state money that you are not benifting from No tax money if the state owns property.
Did you take furlough days like the rest of the nder paid state employees.
Cut out your state paid lunches, cut your out your police force using their state vehicles for personal use Police cant respond if their family is in the car see how
much money you can save when you dont have to furnish fuel for police to do their family chores in state owned vehicles. stop putting the state as a business we
are not the state dont need to own hotels etc... Money you could save and the good lower paid state employees could have a decent pay raise upper
management doesnt make but 100.00 more then their employees they supervise. Sell the real estate that you shouldn't have bougxht any air planes, trips that
As the busiest urologist in
and the one that sees the most medicaid patients, I would like to comment. The recepients of the state Medicaid
program tend have more advanced disease and evaluation and work up tend to be more involved. I am in private practice and feel these pts are entitled to the
same quality of care as my private payer insured pts. Cutting such funding throws these pts into the university system and systems such as Hopkins where they
Hire an energy auditor per county (yearly salary $100k) to create and discover ways the county school systems can save MILLIONS of dollars... the key is that the
energy auditor can NOT serve the best interest of PEPCO and BGE. These tax saving measures could also be used as educational lessons for the students
1) Combine Maryland State Police with the other state law enforcment agencies. This includes MDTA, MTA and Natural Resources Police. Have one chief and
2) Let MSP recruits go home each night. Every county agency does this. This will save a ton of money in room and board.
3) No more take home cars for police or any state employee.
4) NO EZ pass for legislators.
5) No more hotel/ mileage perks for any Delegate/Senator that lives less than 30 miles from Annapolis.
6) Issue gun permits to law abiding citizens. You guys get over $150 per application.
7) Move offices to state buildings in Crownsville (hospital site). This beats payinghigh rent elsewhere.
8) Close Jessup prisons and build new ones in Western MD. The area is economically depressed and could use the jail. Like other jails out there, there would
be less turnover which naturally saves the state money. Besides, it's helping an area of the state that needs jobs.
Harford
9) Follow DC Mayors lead and trade Governor's SUV for a smart car.
I DO NOT KNOW WEATHER YOU ARE AWARE OR NOT ABOUT AN BRANCH OF THE SHA, CALLED THE COURTESY PATROL? THIS IS A SERVICE
THAT PATROLS ALL OF I95, 695, AND I83, CHANGING TIRES, GIVING GAS, UNLOCKING CARS, AND TOWING VEHICLES- FOR FREE!!!!
Cecil
Talbot
I KNOW THE COST OF PROVIDING THESE SERVICES. YOU ARE WASTING MILLIONS ON YEARLY PAYROL FOR DRIVERS AND MILLIONS ON
MAINTENANCE FOR VEHICLES. THE STATE OF MARYLAND SHOULD NOT BE COMPETING WITH TOW COMPANIES. THIS IS NOT A FREE SERVICETOW COMPANIES ARE IN BUSINESS FOR THIS WORK. THE PROGRAM SHOULD BE SLASHED AND ALL TOW TRUCKS AND SERVICE VIHICLES SOLD.
THIS WOULD GENERATE MILLIONS. WHY WAS THIS SERVICE CREATED ANY WAY? THE ARE BUSINESSES IN PLACE TO DO THIS WORK. WHAT
WOULD BE NEXT?- STATE EMPLOYEES COME TO YOUR HOME AND DRIVE YOUR CAR FOR YOU? OR MAYBE THE STAE OF MARYLAND STARTS
REPAIRING
PLUS away
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SERVICED
DO NOT
IN OUR STATE
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SERVICE?
END
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I offer the following suggestions as possible areas where I believe considerable cost savings can be realized. Certainly such savings would be very beneficial
now, but even if our economy wasn't struggling, I still think these areas are candidates for review. Thank you for the opportunity to speak.
#1 - merge the Department of Natural Resources Police (NRP) with the Maryland State Police and simply make the former NRP a section within the State Police.
NRP currently performs both inland game warden functions and waterborne law enforcemnt functions and I believe both could easily be incorporated into the
State Police. Both departments are doing essentially the same job and could very quickly be merged saving an enormous amount of money in both salaries and
equipment purchases to name a few areas. I know the political arguments that would be made at such an idea, but we are facing a serious financial future, so
#2 - merge the Division of Weights and Measures (currently under the Deparment of Agriculture) with the Field Enforcement Division of the State Comptroller's
Office. This Division includes the motor fuel inspection section which like Weights and Measures, visits all locations where motor fuel is stored or sold in the
State, conducting inspections. The Comptroller's Office already operates a nationally known and highly respected fuel testing laboratory in Jessup and I believe
continue to perform both with considerable cost savings and improved efficiency. This is not a new idea and is one that has been suggested in the legislature,
City
Carroll
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
Harford
Montgomery
Worcester
#3 - Create a State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) as other states have done. The current Maryland State Police would become the State Highway Patrol and if
idea #1 above were considered, also would include the uniformed section of the current NRP, with ALL other state agencies that currently perform investigations
becoming part of the new SBI. There are as I am sure your the members of your cabinet will tell you, an enormous number of state agencies that currently
perform there own versions of investigations that would fall into this new Department, but it seems ridiculous for so many different Departments to emply
countless number of "investigators" who all perform a very similar function. Not all need to have police powers and there would be no need for salary increases
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me to believe that far too mnay folks have been allowed this very expensive perk for dubious and weak reasons. Allow only law enforcement officials and anyone
else who has to respond to emergency situations to take vehicles home. Has there ever been a study conducted on how much money would be saved through
Since smoking has been removed from the bars and taxes on cigarettes have escalated, Maryland has lost a considerable amount of revenue from lost sales and
taxes. People are traveling to other states to purchase cheaper cigarettes and to drink in bars that allow smoking. Many bars and restaurants have lost revenue
due to lost sales. Lost revenue on businesses means lost revenue for the State. Why not allow smoking in the bars but charge an annual fee for a smoking
license that allows the establishment to have smoking. This will bring back business to the bars and create more revenue for owners and generate more taxes
for the state. Currently estabilshments are required to pay for liquor licenses, food licenses etc, so why not allow the smoking and charge for a tobacco license.
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I would suggest haveing the State Police put personnel in an area they live or near by. I know some drive as far as 75 miles 1 way and they drive SUV's or 8
cylinder cars. Each office needs to really see if all the employees are needed. Positions are just being shifted not eliminated. I think there are so many people
I would like to suggest that in the inevitable event, furoughs are required, that NO state employees be exempt. Your last Executive Order stated that everyone
below the rank of First Sergeant in the Maryland State Police not be furloughed. However, the Superintendent of the State Police exempted everyone, except for
the civilian State Police employees. Those individuals over the rank of First Sergeant are the HIGHEST paid employees of the State Police. Many are making in
excess of 80K per year, up to 100K per year. WHY were they exempt? Please Governor, what is fair for us lower paid state employees should also be fair for the
HIGHEST paid employees. The State Police officers have take home cars, the priviledge of using those vehicle in an off duty status, yet you exempt them from
Thanks for your consideration
Require proof of "legal presence" for all Maryland funded services and programs. Similar to requirement for new drivers' licenses. End all funding for CASA of
Have drop off spots at every post office for citizens to donated coin for the next 4 months to help the state budget.
First of all, please set Worcester County's spelling correctly in the drop down selection on this suggestion site. There's nothing worse than a state website that
has a county name spelled incorrectly. Worcester? Are you kidding me? It's actually kind of embarrassing.
I have several suggestions and areas of concern that I'd like to share with those that read this. There is a lot of talk about plans to cut all state worker wages by
2% sometime in the next month or so. While I understand the premise of the suggestion, it doesn't seem fair to those workers who put themselves at risk on a
daily basis, namely State Troopers and Division of Correction employees. How do you honestly expect to attract and retain valuable personnel in jobs that not
many others would take when you cut the pay for jobs like those? A wage reduction isn't really fair to any of our state workers especially since most have gone
I also don't understand why we aren't first making every attempt to eliminate or significantly reduce funding for all non-essential programs before we resort to
taking wages from our state workers who through no fault on their own are going to be asked to pay the price for the poor planning and management efforts of
One of the first places I'd look to make cuts would be to discontinue wages paid to any Maryland inmates. They're prisoners for goodness sake and aren't we're
already paying for their room and board? Another place I'd like to see some cuts made is for any and all inmate reform programs. While they theoretically serve a
I also understand that there are those that genuinely need unemployment compensation when they experience a loss of a job. I've had to rely on it myself once. I
just think that there are too many people, though, that use the state unemployment system as a way to make a living. I know that our state unemployment
numbers are reported to be lower than many other states, but I feel that there is still a lot of reform needed for this program. There should be a more restrictive
limit to the actual length of time that people are eligible to receive unemployment benefits. There should also be a limit to the number of times within a given 3
year period that you can actually apply for benefits. How else will habitual users get motivated to actually go out and secure a job...not just look for one. Granted,
I know it's a dirty word and certainly wouldn't win any popularity contests with most Marylanders, but we could always look at raising the sales tax again. I'm sure
that those state workers targeted for a reduction in wages would surely vote in favor of paying another 1% in sales tax. You'd get my vote on it.
Also, with respect to state road maintenance, I'd only look at keeping the roads in driving shape. We shouldn't need to have to worry about funding any
beautification efforts...no flowers or landscaping until things get better. Don't get me wrong. I love the flowers and having our highways beautiful, but times are
That's true for our entire state budget. We should honestly be asking ourselves for every single line item "do we need to do this or would we just like to do this?"
select your county
select your county
Allegany
Allegany
Allegany
Harford
Anne Arundel
Thanks for your time and consideration.
Shorten the state legislators time in Annapolis by 30 days
All state agencies need to have a mandatory 4 day work week
or a mandatory every other 4 day work week and shut the non essential agencies down every friday or every other friday.
Western Maryland State Troopers are traveling at excessive speeds to work locations in the eastern part of the state. It is dangerous and costly. Troopers should
live in the county to which thaey are assigned or travel at their own expense.
I am a State of Maryland worker at the Motor Vehicle Administration. I feel we have suffered a lot with the recent furlough days. I also realize that this was
something that needed to be done. Before we are hit again I hope that you will consider some other cuts. We currently are open every Saturday for a half day for
drivers license services. I realize that it is hard for the public to come in during the week but with all the different services we have through the mail, internet and
the fact that an individual can renew their drivers license through the mail Saturday could be a day that could be cut out and save. A lot of the offices in the
Thank you for allowing me to respond in these tough times.
Almost 2 years ago a law was passed to allow the cost of an individual's trade in to be deducted from the tax they paid on their newly purchase vehicle. Maryland
is one of the few states that allow someone to deduct the trade in on a vehicle that the consumer never paid Maryland tax on previously. If a customer is moving
to Maryland and purchase a new vehicle they are allowed to deduct their trade even though their vehicle was titled in another state and never paid Maryland tax
The State could really save a lot of money on energy bills if Governor O'Malley would make it mandentory that all State Office buildings were to set their air
conditioner thermostats to no lower than 75 degrees during the summer. I work in a State Office building and it is so cold in the building that personnel are are
wearing sweaters, jackets or both sweaters and jackets. It is freezing in our building. I keep my home thermostat set at 78 degrees in the summer.
Some sign and roadway lighting can be eliminated. This will save the state millions in maintenace contracts and utilities. Was done in the past during the energy
Stop mowing the highway medians and discontinue future landscaping. This is a constant cost & maintenance issue.
Revisit the 4 day work week, this would save energy cost in state buildings. They would be shut down 3 days versus 2 days.
Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore
Eliminate consulting firms, use in-house state workers.
Governor xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx is the largest urology practice in Maryland and we treat many Maryland residents with MA. Further reductions in reimbursements
to MA will make more difficult to induce may fellow urologist to care for these patients. We are already reimbursed for their care well below the already low
medicare rates. How low can they go before we are losing money by seeing patients? Please, keep these cuts to a minimum so
doctors
Governor O'Malley,
I have several suggest on how we can cut Marylan's deficit;
1. We have four Sate Hospitals, Spring Grove, Springfield, Rosewood & Crownsville, that are under utilized. My suggestion is to consolidate into one location
such as Springfield and sell off the rest of the land for development such as
proposed Promenade project in Catonsville.
Spring Grove could also be used to expand the UMBC Campus and research park as well as some much needed recreation facilities. It could also be used for a
new ploice station to replace Wilkens Avenue which is very dated.
The state would make money off of the sale of these properties, reduce the operating expenses of the hospitals and get real estate taxes on the improvements
2. I also beleive it is time for the state to evaluate the many grants that are given each year. This is an area that should receive much attention and reduce the
3. How many other state government facilities can we consolidate and sell off the real estate.
We all have to cut back and save.
Not knowing all the various possibilities for cuts that may be "available options", it is hard to give informed input--especially without reading and knowing the many
However, big picture: it may be time for state employee benefits and pensions to be considered as a place for cuts --given the large impact long term on the state
Also, cut more from higher education---we need to keep funding in adult education & literacy where the need is greater. We must support those who require help
to get into the workforce--or ultimately we will pay in many ways for not doing this.
Can we figure out a way to put less people in "jail" and cut back on corrections cost (which is also a major on going budget cost)? This will mean supporting more
rehab, interim, training, and transition type programs--but most likely worth the investment.
Certain areas are receiving more federal stimulus money or federal funding in general -- and those areas could possibily "give up" state funding.
But I am sure you who study the budget have already thought of all these things.
Please do not cut adult education & literacy--we have worked too hard to get to where we are and the funding currently in place is still not enough to serve all
City
Calvert
Dear Governor,
My Name is
. As a long time employee of the MTA, I came up with a plan to help Maryland save money. My proposition is selling bonds to the general
public. It will work on the same principle as that of the US Savings Bond. People will buy the bonds for the future generation of marylanders. The bonds will work
with a maturity growth over 7 to 10 years with an intrest rate slightly higher than that of the banks. These will be a great invesment for any businesses, small or
large, that is willing to invest in the state of Maryland. It will create large amounts of capital, and the return will not be back to the investor for at least 7 years. In
conclusion, I ask that you take a look at my idea, and the structure of the United States savings bond, and calculate the bonds growth to it's maturity. If you have
Good Luck,
x
Have you thought about getting rid of the numerous contract employees that the State of Maryland is paying for? Long before the contractors, state employees
did the jobs, and did them well. Now, the state of Maryland hires retirees as contractors, and pays them high salaries. This could help in the long run. Also, I
think those State Employees who DID NOT get furloughed the first go round should get furloughed this time around, and leave the rest of the state employees'
Allegany
City
Howard
Washington
City
Harford
Montgomery
City
Baltimore
Anne Arundel
Montgomery
Why does the state need an Office of Cemetery Oversight, We have not experienced issues like other states. When you go to their site, there are not documents
noting how they have saved tax payers money or intervened to correct misconduct only minutes of meetings
1)Reduce or cut the per diem of the state legislators.
2)Effective 10/1, have one furlough day per month for all employees and force corrections and public safety to participate as well (too many exemptions there), all
on the same day. Shut down all utilities on those days, or close the buildings down; shut off the utilities where possible (lights off and water to a trickle to prevent
pipe freezes and seals going bad); turn the heat down in all the closed bldgs. to 50 degrees or less. Make it a either a Friday or a Monday, to get employee buy
3)Shut down state government between 12/24/2009 and 1/4/2010 and close the buildings down; shut off the utilities during this time where possible (lights off and
water to a trickle to prevent pipe freezes and seals going bad); turn the heat down in all the closed bldgs. to 50 degrees or less. Force all agencies to participate.
Have a plan for on-call status for agency heads, in the event of emergencies. Employees are only to be paid 1/2 of their salary during the shutdown.
4)Plant either wild flowers or fruits/vegetables in the medians to reduce mowing and to provide food for those in the state institutions. This is something to do now
5)Have a personal tax amnesty week.
6)Have a business tax amnesty week.
7)Have a traffic fine amnesty week.
8)Have a child support amnesty week.
9)Have a "Bring Back the Book" Amnesty period from now until 9/30/2009. Let people drop it in a modified mailbox in any state gov't bldg. and work out a deal
with the Pratt to distribute to the correct branches and/or systems. Ask for volunteers to help the Pratt with the sorting (middle and high school students who
need credit for volunteer hours, college students, Boys and Girl Scouts who need community service projects and hours, a Red Heat Ladies Group, etc).
10)Have a "Happy Meal Appeal", like the York County PA mayor and police dept. did several years ago.
11)Have a 50/50 raffle, and make the raffle tickets $1 each.
Change the way budgets are handled in government. Instead of the use it or lose it mentality, give programs an incentive to not spend money unless it is
absolutely necessary. If they save the state considerable money, reward them somehow. Make it clear if they do need money for their program, they will get it. If
How about cutting all those Regional Assistant Commissioners and there Assistants that Mary Ann Saars created. Those positions are totally unnessesary. If
each Correctonal Facilities Warden are not capable of doing the job then they don't deserve to be in that position. Things worked fine without them before. Look
at the money the state could save there. Staffing was cut inside the institutions and those positions were created, therefore front line staff safety and security is
xxx
xxxxxxxx
Mr.. O'malley,
I had voted for you although state employee's that were in a supervisory capacity warned me it was in my best interest to vote Erlich and also warned me of
voicing my political preference. Also you won my vote as mayor of Baltimore City, you will also get my vote in the future. As a state employee I get to see first
hand how we have contractual employee's in supervisors positions that know nothing about the job their subordinates do, no knowledge of the time it takes or the
materials that are needed, most are retiree's of other jobs and are brought in contractual as a means to skip the normal hiring or interview process. I would think a
Stop using affirmative action in hiring employees. Once they get hired they get lazy because they know how hard it is to fire them. Employees hired by
performance and qualifications are more bang for the buck. Just go to any state office and watch. You'll see. Thank you
Governor - Thank you for the opportunity to comment on what to do about the dire fiscal situation facing Maryland. Your first priority should be to immediately
stop subsidizing illegal aliens residing in the state. In particular, giving millions to the ethnic special interest group CASA de Maryland, is a slap in the face to all
Maryland taxpayers. These foreigners clog our emergency rooms, populate our prisons and receive medical care in free clinics which are not available to legal
Some of the State buildings are being leased would it be possible to buy the property instead of paying rent on the buildings. Also; twice a month have a four (4)
day work week for State employees and furlough them on either a Friday or a Monday that way State employees can have a long week-end. I think they would
MY SUGGESTIONS IS EARLY RETIREMENT FOR STATE EMPLOYEE WHO IS NEAR RETIREMENT AGE. THANK YOU
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Stop funding all the illegal aliens and giving away this state. anybody and everybody that applies for food stamps or medicaid get it whether they need it or not.
Nobody ever checks up on them. why isn't there a closer inspection when everybody is having a hard time making ends meet?
Just as the U.S. Postal Service is considering stopping mail on Saturdays, a closure of State Office Buildings one business day a month or every other month
may allow an equitable way for the State to save money by furloughing the non essential employees (both state and contract workers). I assume your
Montgomery
Please do not cut the Children's Cabinet Interagency Fund anymore. When you cut this fund you are cutting services for children in our school systems. Your
assertion that you are fully funding K-12 education is inaccurate. When you cut the interagency fund as you have in the last six months, by nearly 25%, you have
cut critical services that support our children's education - behavioral wraparound supports that make it possible for children with complex needs to remain in their
school and home community; after school activities that support academic acheivement and home-visiting progrmas that ensure children are ready to learn when
Baltimore
My suggestion is for the state to investigate what the county council members are doing in each county when it comes to cost saving.
He is what happened last summer. I spoke with the Baltimore County Council about a proposed zoning change in the Upperco area of Baltimore County.
A friend of mine (merchant) had an opportunity to sell their small business property to a large business and retire. The plans called for the modernization of the
intersection of Route 30, and Route 91. The cost would have been $250,000.00 to which the new owner was going to pick up the entire cost to widen this
If money is to be saved, it has to start with the people we put in office who speak for us.
Had this transaction been approved, the county and state would have had a new intersection at route 30 and route 91, at NO cost to either government.
($250,000.00). These kinds of things must stop. When a business wants to locate in an area and is willing to foot the bill to make a dangerous intersection a safe
intersection, and one individual make no bones about how he negatively feels, then I think it is time to replace this type of politican. When you, our governor need
I ask that the state watch over what the county councils do, so it does not impact the state and put a financial burden on our states when the state needs financial
Thank You,
City
Howard
xxxxx
As an adult educator in literacy and drop-out recovery, i appreciate the governor not cutting state funds for literacy services. since higher ed and esp. community
colleges did well on stimulus money, i would suggest that they could stand the cuts better than the less educated just trying to get a high school diploma or skills
I think this survey is an excellent idea.
Our suggestions:
1. Lower corporation taxes to make it more friendly to
businesses. (Virginia is the business-friendliest state
in the nation. It is easy for businesses to move south a few miles to access those benefits.)
2. Eliminate tax on military retirees so they do not move
to Delaware and Pennsylvania. They are responsible citizens and consumers.
3. Quit mowing grass along the highways and let it grow
naturally.
4. Lower application costs and licensing fees costs for slot machines so people will actually install the slots and slow the flow of money to neighboring states.
The idea is not to make money through licensing but through the taxation of the business of gambling.
5. Require that anyone physically able who is receiving assistance of any kind from the state, county, or city (and federal)government perform volunteer services
as a repayment or a sign of appreciation. That will save the taxpayers from
spending more money to pay employees. These services could
be any kind of maintanence of parks, roads, open spaces, especially along the railroad tracks where travelers from all over the country could get a bad (or good if
6. Request that the same recipients of public funds attend
meetings every week which could provide them with employment opportunities, motivational speakers, parenting skills, ways
to volunteer, etc. If people are requested to enter a program offering ideas for improving their lives, they are more likely to break previous unproductive habits. If
parents with children attend an "improvement center" they can take turns watching each other's children, and take turns going to vocational training so that skills
Motivational ideas, vocational training, good parenting skills, work ethics (being present at a center on a regular basis and being away from unproductive
diversions such as TV), and developing a support system of professionals, and friends who will help cover for them so they can further their education would be
7. Offer nutitional counseling to all recipients of public aid so that obesity will become less a factor in our burgeoning medical costs. This is another reasonn that
encouraging people to be active in a variety of ways, would
make them healthier, more productive, and serve as a better model for our youth.
8. Encourage development of decaying neighborhoods so that
there is more available housing and businesses which will increase tax revenues. The 1970's incentive programs in Baltimore stimulated growth in the southwest
Baltimore
9. Please use some of the ideas submitted from Maryland citizens through the "Share your Suggestions" Campaign.
Thank you!
I think the solar panels are good idea for the Govenor's Mansion but the return on investment will be far down the road. I don't know if now is the right time to
spend $17 million that will not help our current shortfalls. Furthermore, I think cuts to the SHA would be a good place to start, instead of schools, police or fire.
When it takes 5 SHA trucks and 12 men to put down crosswalk stripes I think there is plenty of room to make cuts. Maybe the SHA would be more inclined to
work with Maryland residents if they were reined in a little. I've been trying to get a driveway entrance for 2 years with no cooperation. There are to many levels of
Dorchester
My suggestion is for the State Police officers riding around with their families on their off days be cut. I can understand when an officer is traveling for business
reasons maybe, but come on, half the time that I see these officers they are transporting their family to the grocery stores, dinner, etc. They feel they have the
right because they are State employed, but my tax dollars are paying them. Don't cut the education, but cut out how these officers use the State appointed
vehicles. I'd rather pay taxes and have it used for educational purposes than to ride these officers and their families around. Don't they own their vehicles, oh, I
Anne Arundel
Baltimore
Baltimore
Communication charges, cellphones, level needed for emp loyees. Such as Senior mgmt, mid-level, etc. Look at centralizing departmental subscriptions.
State employees can give up 1 to 2 days a month with out pay. They should not be driving state owned vehicles home. Pet state projects need to be eliminated
The Maryland State Police Medevac system is too large and inefficient. Similar sized states in area/population density are able to accomplish the same goals
with fewer helicopters. The MSP medevac system should be trimmed and streamlined to better serve the needs of the residents of Maryland. The purchase of a
smaller, more efficient and less expensive to maintain fleet of helicopters should be considered. As a former flight nurse I am appalled at the overuse of the
medevac system, lack of oversight and lack of a quality management program to ensure that the medevac system is actually a benefit. As a Maryland resident,
Harford
I can think of so many ways of saving the state money but all come with some sort of loss to someone or some agency. Maryland National Guard has an Armory
in Havre de Grace that does not seem to serve any real significant purpose other than providing jobs to persons who are working there. The essential positions
could be moved to Edgewood, or even APG with the realignment of military posts. The buildings are hugh and not cost effective to heat, cool, and maintain.
Each state maintenance employee on the post has a state vehicle that they drive home each day. I can understand why a painter or plumber needs a van to
haul their tools, equipment from job site to job site but they do not leave the post. Why maintain a fleet of vehicled for the maintenance staff to drive home, drive
t f l
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th
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th
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Hello,d H f d C
City
I am a state employee and am very concerned about my job. But there are several ways to cut money and here is what I purpose.
Number 1
Pick only 2 Agencies that you want to use for Temporary employment. Right now there are 9 different agencies under the State contract. Here is why I say going
with only 2 agencies. Using the Job Classification of Office Secretary III/Word Processing Advanced in the Northern Maryland Region - These are prices per hour.
Abacus charges the state $11.15
Proper Staffing charges $11.55
Beacon Staffing charges $12.98
Kelly Services charges $13.23
PAJ Business Staffing charges $14.16
Kennedy Personnel Services charges $15.73
Hutch Staffing charges $15.81
Mercer Staffing charges $16.75
and Mary Kraft & Associates charges $24.50
You can have a temp that is making $11.15 per hour or $24.50 per hour and they are doing the same job. If you only use the 2 lowest paying agencies you will
Number 2
If there is a network printer at a state faculty then that should be the printer that employees use, there are many employees with their own printers, which is
costing the state money because that are still buying toner cartridges for these printers. It is not that hard to get up and go to the network printer. But many
mangers believe that since they are in management that they do not need to do that and should have there own printers. I do understand that in some cases a
Number 3
The taxes on Alcohol have not been raised in more then 50 years and I believe that raising the Alcohol tax would be a very good revenue.
Number 4
I have been working as a purchasing agent for the state of Maryland for 2 years, and I can tell you that there are many supplies that just lie around and do not get
used in different warehouses. I believe that you could get a list of the entire inventory and see if other agencies could use it. This is an example of what I am
Let’s say we have 50 cases of 11 x 14 copy paper and it has not been used and is still in boxes, and since we do not use 11 x 14 copy paper as much as we use
to, it just sits there. Well lets say that there is an agencies in Annapolis that uses 11 x 14 copy paper every week and they are still placing orders for the 11 x 14
copy paper, what they could do is send a driver down with a withdrawal slip and take some of ours until it is down to nothing and then we could only order on an
Anne Arundel
Allegany
Kent
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
Baltimore
Howard
Anne Arundel
Dorchester
I am not sure if anything I have given you will help, but if you have questions please feel free to call me home xxxxx or work xxxxxxx
Stop providing taxpayers funded benefits to illegal aleins and organizations that promote and shelter their illegal activities. Citizen need help. Maryland can not
Please do not cut any more funding from YOUR STATE TROOPERS. Maryland State Police funding has been cut too much already. Thank You.
I have sent a message on our website, however will send this one also.
Please cut down on the numerous "supervisors" in State Government. They are way "overpaid" and do not do the work.
As a State Retiree after 32 years and paid a pidly amount and worked extremely hard, I saw many "supervisors" in name only who did nothing. The sparsley paid
did the work. There are many too many layers in State government and this would save several 100's of thousands of dollars!
The State shouldn't give health benefits to part-time employees. Or the state can offer the same benefits but the part-time employee would have to pay more of
If furlows are required this year, all employees should take the same days off, which would save more money on heating/air condition and electricity costs.
cut all state agencies by 5% - 10% across the board to keep the middle class from having to pay increased taxes. You won't respond.
There is a law on the books that has never had a fine attached because politicians were afraid it would make them pay a fine for putting signs on state highway
property, but I believe that they are exempt from this.The law states that you can not put a sign on state highway property without a permit,but every weekend
Maryland State Employees should be required to have direct deposit eliminating the paper check and use of envelopes. They should also view their leave & earn
I would rather take furlough days than to lose my job.......however, if furlough days become mandatory everyone across the board should have to take them - if
they are considered essential and are not able to take days off, then they should be docked the pay for it anyway. It is not fair for some to have to take unpaid
Also, instead of paying people to do gardening and things on the highways - have inmates/prisoners that are able to go out and work do this for free.
Harford
City
Thank you
When you were elected, we had a surplus of more than $ 1B. You immmediately hired on 6000 employees. It's not clear how many of these positions duplicate
tenured positions and how many serve as "promises" for their political backing. With average Md. gov't salaries, these positions represent over $ 1B per year.
thanks for the opportunity
Discontinue the purchase of buying about 4,400 acres of land for $57 million today 2:09 PM EST, January 28, 2009 ,which was approved by a Maryland board
Despite troubling financial times The approval of this land being purchase, state officials consider it too ecologically and culturally valuable to pass up.The Board
of Public Works, which includes Gov. Martin O'Malley, Treasurer Nancy Kopp and Comptroller Peter Franchot, voted unanimously to buy the land on four parcels
in Cecil, Charles and St. Mary's counties. The land includes about 20 miles of Potomac River waterfront, wildlife habitat and historic ties to Maryland's first
colonial settlement. The Conservation Fund, a national organization that helps government agencies acquire land.The group is being reimbursed about $600,000
Also why was
Anne Arundel
Baltimore
There is a lot of dead wood in state government: people who have very little if any work, and/or who are not pulling their weight (I am a state employee so I see
this first hand). As a more permanent alternative to the 10 furlough days, I suggest that you ask the Department Heads/Directors for names of employees whose
positions they would like to eliminate. Lay-offs are not the best solution, but at least then you will get rid of some of the wasteful salaries of positions that are no
Additional Suggestions:
16) How about a mandatory military program for petty criminals instead of housing them for $55,000 a year in prisons? Car thieves, purse snatchers, small-time
drug dealers, vandals, etc. can either go to prison or serve their state and country in a (inexpensively operated) newly created intergovernmental military initiative
(State & Federal) to help eliminate future criminal activity by teaching new skills and keep state prison costs down. How about them serving in the Navy or
National Guard? After they serve their sentence (or length of time in the program), they will have a new skill and be a viable candidate for a job. If they aren't in
17) How about making criminals work at farms and other minimum wage manual labor jobs for free. The farmers, crab meat companies, and other businesses
who need assistance can request their help at a discount instead of paying illegal immigrants.
Washington
Anne Arundel
Howard
Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore
Carroll
Baltimore
City
18) The long time practice of having to use a budget or lose it should be eliminated. I’ve seen different agencies waste money on silly purchases near the end of
the fiscal year just so they are able to maintain their budget at the current level. If an agency has saved money that fiscal year, they should be allowed to plug it
into programs, projects or initiatives that aren't funded adequately or use it to help with employee staffing, raises, reclassifications, and training.
Have all state employeess work four ten hour days. This would save the State in energy costs, fuel for state cars used, release no-violent offenders from state
prisoners who have served at least 3/4 of the time given by the court system. Have State Troopers leave their assigned police cars at their homes and have them
parked at the barracks. Close State parks during the week by 3:00pm or charge fees to enter all parks. Increase fee to cross Bay Bridge. Raise tuition in all State
To have State Employees take another pay decrease in unfair and not right. We have families and are trying to make it just as all other Marylander's. We have
bills, house payments, families that need fed just like all other Maryland families and most of the State Employees are middle class and very hard working.
Use some of the stimulus money that MD received to install more traffic circles (roundabouts)like those in Howard County. Traffic circles do not use electricity,
reduce vehicle idle time, cost little or nothing for the state to maintain, and beautify intersection landscapes. There has never been a fatality in a traffic circle.
This saves money for first responders and the State Highway Administration. As more are installed, decrease their budgets. Instead of speed cameras near
schools, add more speed humps or dips. A zig/zag island also slows traffic. Create toll roads along I83, RT 40, and areas with heavy traffic that lead in/out of
state. Many Marylanders have moved to Pennsylvania and Delaware to avoid taxes but still work here. Increase MVA fees based on engine size or gross vehicle
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out on retirement without reservation. These types of buyouts have been offered in the past as an effective way of lowering salary costs in the past. Employees
could retire knowing that they have received something in exchange for helping the state in its time of need. It would be a win-win situation for everyone.
During the next year the State of Maryland will lose over $72 million dollars in direct costs to workers' compensation for injuries to state employees. Prior efforts
with IWIF have hindered real success from most state agencies. Revised efforts need re-focused on improving accountability at top levels (through State Stat),
educate managers & employees, and effectively promoting safety culture. Prevention efforts remain unfunded despite many years of committees and
Management from the SHA Office of Real Estate should not go on so many conferences since information is generally not disseminated to the employees
anyway. Reduce the amount of state car use for take home purposes. Because of the 10k mile requirement, people just drive around to put miles on their car
when they really may not need a state car and utilize more pool cars. Everyone that has access to a computer or can get it from their HR person should be
required to print his or her check from the internet. Why can't we refill ink cartridges instead of buying new ones? SHA and MDOT should have direct deposit of
expense reimbursements instead of processing paper checks every two weeks. Should lower the mileage requirement of 10k miles because it discourages car
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Estate should not go on so many conferences since information is generally not disseminated to the employees anyway. Reduce the amount of state car use for
take home purposes. Because of the 10k mile requirement, people just drive around to put miles on their car when they really may not need a state car and
utilize more pool cars. Everyone that has access to a computer or can get it from their HR person should be required to print his or her check from the internet.
Why can't we refill ink cartridges instead of buying new ones? SHA and MDOT should have direct deposit of expense reimbursements instead of processing
paper checks every two weeks. Should lower the mileage requirement of 10k miles because it discourages car pooling to business meetings. For state wide
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Releasing prisoners that have nonviolent crimes related to drugs to 1-2 year(long-term) manditory drug treatment programs, perhaps in closing state
facilities,may drastically reduce costs of keeping prisoners in prisons. Reduce sentences for "rehabilitated" inmates.
Cut all dollars going to CASA. Illegal means ILLEGAL. Stop violating our constitution.
Baltimore
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
Investigate the cronyism and financial fraud in Maryland Government, starting at the top.
Don't waste money on Government House "going green" (LOL) until you do away with the SUVs for you and your entourage. Who do you think you are
Have a buy out program for state employees eligable to retire
Since motorized scooters are flooding our Maryland roads, they should be tagged & registered thru the MVA. Thus, creating a new revnue.
1. Eliminate the benefit of an employee using a state vehicle for their commute to and from work. This should be done for every state employee from the
Governor on down. Some of the employees live a considerable distance from work and the taxpayers are footing the bill. If it’s not state business, it stays parked
2. Evaluate the work loads of all non-essential employees who are appointed by the government to ascertain if a position actually should exist. If the position is
legitimate, the appointee should go through the hiring process as everyone else is required to. I have seen appointees put into place and high paying positions
created for someone who does nothing at all or have enough to keep them busy for even half of a work day. If the position is not necessary, spread the duties
3. Eliminate procurement contracts. Several vendors on contract may give a substantial discount on some items, but jack up the cost of other items to make up
the difference. One of my duties
is to procure IT equipment such as hardware, software, media, etc. One of the items we requested was
4. The long time practice of having to use a budget or loose it should be eliminated. I’ve seen many departments waste money on silly purchases near the end of
the fiscal year just so they were able to maintain their budget at the current level. Use it or lose it is a ridiculous practice. If an agency has saved money that
5. As state employees, we are required to take many mandatory training classes annually, bi-annually or triennially. Some are extremely necessary, but some of
them are a waste of time and money. All mandatory training should be re-evaluated.
6. If the state has a need for an outside consultant, then a position should be created for it. Consultant’s fees are exorbitant and usually charge extra for every
thing they do, including billing for the hours necessary to prepare for a meeting. They also charge for the meetings they have prepared for. If the cost of a
7. Our Elected Officials should take a look at their spending of tax dollars as well. Some of them seem to think that they can go on with “business as usual” while
the rest of us are forced to cut into the bone just to get by paycheck to paycheck.
8. Maryland Correctional Enterprises (MCE) is a wonderful program that supplies office furniture and office décor. If office furniture is not available from MCE,
9. I understand that there is a great deal of waste in the prison system. I know several correctional officers and they are appalled at the money wasted. Inmates
are given top-of-the-line exercise equipment, new televisions every year whether they are needed or not and various other unnecessary “benefits” that a law
abiding citizen must pay extra for. Eliminate those things and put the inmates to work! We taxpayers are “supporting” those criminals. The state prison system
should take a few tips from that famous sheriff out west. He has saved his state tens of thousands of dollars because he believes prison should be punishment –
Calvert
Baltimore
Caroline
Baltimore
Baltimore
Anne Arundel
OFFER CURRENT FULL TIME EMPLOYEES THE OPTION TO WORK PART TIME.
Eliminate current open positions and institute additional mandatory furlough days determined by salary range in place of layoffs or terminations.
Re-evaluate the use of state funded hotel rooms. Employees appear to drive only 1 hour to a location, do a 4-5 hour inspection and get a hotel for the night at
state's expense and do the 1 hour return trip. This should all be accomplished within the employee's 8 hour day. Additional inspections on subsequent days are
Upper management should help with the issue by taking a pay cut. Starting with the Governor- right down to the state Officials. If lower paying scale had to take a
1. Don't let State Police use vehicle for private use.
2. We don't need a State Trooper setting in every Motor Vehicle Building.
3. The State of Maryland should get out of running the crains at the Port of Md.
4.
Thank you for letting me be heard.
1. College tuition is going to have to increase whether you want it to or not. The State is just in too much trouble to avoid it.
2. Don't lay off State employees. If you lay people off or let them go they end up on unemployment and welfare and aren't paying the taxes which you need. Give
us furlough days instead and continue to abolish the "unfilled" positions.
3. I am a State employee and every year we go to a convention in Ocean City. Nice but it's not necessary and probably costs alot of money. WHY? We don't
learn anything that we don't already know. This year and next year 'seminars' that are not "critical" should be cancelled. It's ridiculus to spend the money for 3
days worth of employees to have more fun and still get paid too. Put an end to the seminars at resorts, we can live without them and I'm sure everyone would
4. Just cut or limit the things not critical, cut the roadsides a little less etc... Stop worrying about putting plants out in medians. These are little things yes, but they
5. Close a few librarys in areas where most people can afford the internet. (NOT the city)
6. Eliminate postal delivery on saturdays.
Anne Arundel
Baltimore
Anne Arundel
Caroline
That's it for now, thank you for listening.
do NOT just pass the buck to the counties ... raise tuition for colleges (my stepdaughter is in a MD college) and fees for parks, etc. Eliminate open positions and
Cut Maryland's Medicaid funding. It's beyond out of control. If people have private health insurance don't let them have the option of having Maryland's health
I understand that various state programs have different frequency for auditing. Some get audited once a year and others less frequently. It seems that once a
year is excessive and time could be saved if there was a standard such as no program should be audited anymore than once every 3 years. It would save time
senior employees should be offered a buyout option so they can retire with some degree of financial security and that would open positions for new employees
Replace expensive and insecure/problematic computer software with Open Source and free software. Efficiency is also increased.
1) 80,000 state computers x $600 in basic software = $48 million
Linux and Open Office are free to download and use.
2) 12,122 Servers x $1500 basic software = $18.183 million
Linux server software and open sourse apps are again free downloads.
Baltimore
Baltimore
Anne Arundel
Frederick
$66.183 million saved just this way. This does not count additional software that has free and open source replacements.
Additionally Open Source software can be modified and used by various state agencies without having to go back to the vendor for changes.
Other states have adopted this strategy to save millions of dollars as well as large worldwide and smaller companies. They have increased efficiency by modifying
the software for their needs without having to rebid every time software is changed or reused for different agencies. This is non proprietary software so it does
Tax each lottery ticket at point of sale.
Additional suggestions:
13) Stop spending millions on land preservation during a recession!!!
14) Do not spend millions to renovate the State Office Building Complex during a recession!!!
15) Do not spend millions on pet projects during a recession!!!
VOTERS REMEMBER THESE THINGS
Cut out any bonuses/raises to the highly paid government officials.
Being a Maryland resident for all of my 67 years on this earth, I have always been very proud to say; “I am from Maryland” as I have to other states in the Union.
I truly believe that PRIDE keeps America great and that most of my fellow citizens still feel that pride.
Please let Marylanders show that they can handle their own affairs and do all in your power to keep the Federal government out of the State’s (Maryland) affairs.
Worry over the outrageous spending bills being past in the last few months is my biggest worry. Leave it to the PEOPLE to make their own decisions; don’t let the
This comment might not be the proper answer to your request for “suggestions” but you, our State officials, are our (my) first line of defense against being overrun
by some very out of touch representatives currently holding office in Washington, DC.
Sincerely,
xxxxx
Anne Arundel
Somerset
Baltimore
Anne Arundel
Harford
Frederick
Anne Arundel
Baltimore
Somerset
select your county
Baltimore
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
Caroline
Allegany
Carroll
Baltimore
Carroll
Allegany
eliminate front license plates for autos.not a lot of money,i am sure but every littke bit helps. a lot of states dont use them so how important can they really be.
I work for a university in the state system. I truly believe there are so many things that could be done at universities to save money. First, consider closing the
campus on Fridays. Many students do not take classes on Fridays, and there is a lot of wasted utilities, gas, staff time, etc.
Second, I believe telecommuting 1 or 2 days a week should be an option for all state workers. I believe so much work could be done at home, and it again saves
in so many ways for the state. Plus, employees would be happy to not have to commute, saving on gas, etc when they are already doing more work with less staff
1. Put the incarcerated to work. Make people in jail earn their keep by doing labor intensive jobs on our highways. Let them dig holes,and work as labor in
Relax the laws on Marijuana. I think we spend too much money prosecuting people that were arrested with very little Marijuana in their possession . Prosecution
of these cases cost far too much considering the small amounts involved. Go after the large dealers if necessary. If you polled the majority of Marylanders they
feel Marijuana is really no different then Alcohol. In fact if Maryland stepped out and made it completely legal, they could tax it for revenue and probably would
Cut majority of the contractors that the State Of Maryland have and let state employee's do those jobs.
I see kids with cell phones & i pods getting FREE breakfast at our public schools. With WIC etc there is no reason why a parent cannot give a child a bowl of
cereal with milk and juice before school. I think that we need to make parents realize that their children are THEIR responsibility! If schools would be allowed to
Why cut only certain areas and just go with an over all cut in all phases of the budget ie: if the overall cuts amount to 20% than all areas should have a 20% cut
the increase in the states sales tax has lost much revenue in the state...myself,neighbors and relatives are now alternating car pools to delaware to do bulk
buying as well as large ticket items,as you will see higher taxes definitely does not work!
Go to 4 day work weeks w/ increased hours..madate buildings closed on one day a week...WHILE going green...introduce energy saver where all building are
closed and "off" where possible...air condition on at 9 AM and off at 2 PM...minimal lighting throughout buildings....energy costs will go down too!
Eliminate costly conferences. Hire on staff attorneys for Child Support Offices that have current contracts with local States’ Attorney Offices. Reduce unnecessary
A statewide buyout of all state employees with substantial years on the job. This would lower the cost of salaries while encouraging those with such tenure to go
out on retirement without reservation. These types of buyouts have been offered in the past as an effective way of lowering salary costs in the past. Employees
could retire knowing that they have received something in exchange for helping the state in its time of need. It would be a win-win situation for everyone.
You are proposing to stop paying reitement to retired state employees. My husband retired from the state police and has no social security, not his choice. I
think maybe you should put the red line on hold (good idea - bad timing) so the people that have given their lives to the state can continue to pay their bills. And
YOU SHOULD CUT WELFARE FUNDS TO THOSE YOUNG GIRLS HAVING BABY AFTER BABY AND JUST SITTING HOME COLECTING A CHECK. CUT
OUT LOANS FROM FOREIGNERS THAT DON'T HAVE TO PAY TAXES. MORE TAXES ON CIGARETTES. AND POSITIONS IN HIGHER UP OFFICES THAT
I see state vehicles commuting every day crossing the bay bridge. I also see state pick up trucks parked at peoples homes at nights and weekends. It looks like
the state is letting employees take home their cars and trucks at tax payers expense. so stop this now and save lots of money, in fact the state must have too
*Reduce spending by lessening the amount of meetings being held in the Baltimore area and requiring counties in Western/Southern MD to be present, this can
*Reduce use of State Police utilizing State issued vehicles for private use.
No furloughs or staff reductions. Raise the gas tax. That affects most people and not just state employees.
I suggest that someone take a hard look at the welfare system, getting some of these people back to work. I understand that we all need a helping hand but I
think that alot of people take advantage maybe put a cap of how many years a person can get assistance. I also wonder about all of the help going to Illegal and
No furloughs or staff reductions. The burden must be placed on ALL Maryland citizens not just state employees. Other cuts that affect citizens like tuition
increase affects state employees too. Just increase the sales tax from 6% to 7% TEMPORARILY to balance the budget. Then in one, two or three years (after
slots are in place) take the sales tax back to 6%. The burden of salary reductions and furloughs is only on state employees. (not my neighbors and family - whom
There are a number of things that can and probably should be done. Here are three:
1) Raise income tax. I know no one likes to think about this and certainly no one likes to do it, but when revenue falls, something has to be done. We can't
continue expecting services without paying for them. When the cost of the services goes up and the incomes go down, there aren't many options. This does not,
2) Raise sales tax. Again, an unpopular thing to do, I'm sure, but it can be done in a more palatable way by raising sales tax on only some things. Keep food and
"necessities" the same as it is (or even lower it if the resulting increase would still produce an increase in revenue). Raise the sales tax on "luxury items". You
could easily determine the average cost of normal items (cloths, cars, etc.) and introduce an increasingly higher sales tax on things that exceed the average cost.
The other issue here is that if enough revenue is not generated more layoffs will occur. The problem is that those most likely to be laid off are lower income
people. If you raise taxes on the wealthier people (who can afford it) it may help save jobs of people who are less wealthy.
3) Begin to actually grant licenses for slots. This was supposed to generate a lot of money, but if no one is being granted the licenses what's the point of making
Harford
Baltimore
Howard
A final word: Please do NOT institute "temporary" pay reductions. Instead use furlough days again. The result is the same, but the morale issue is very different.
And we all know that "temporary" pay cuts aren't so temporary. We'll never recoup the money that we lose in "temporary" pay cuts. At least with furloughs it's
truly temporary (even if it has to be done for multiple years) and when raises are given again, they will be based on current salaries rather than reduced salaries.
I work as a contractor at xxxx, so I know all about the wasteful spending that the government does. I think next you need to look at how unfair the child support
laws are and getting people who don't need welfare, off the system. Men are forced to take second jobs and work overtime, just to have their exes take them
back to court for more money! Women are taking advantage of men, and the men can't even claim it on their taxes! It's robbery! Then there are women getting
I read in the Sun not long ago how state employees we upset at the change TV stations made to digital signal. The reason they were upset was their TV's ON
THEIR DESKS did not work any more and could not watch their soaps. GET RID OF ALL OF THEM! I think we need to rethink work ethics of people in goverment
My suggestion goes one step further than cutting spending. My suggestion is for generating revenue.
Please fine slumlords who are ruining our communities by not doing adequate and thorough tenant screening. If after so many calls for service form the police
department for fighting, disorderly conduct, suspected drug dealing, drunk and disorderly, domestic violence, repeated noise complaints, etc., I believe the
The state should assist landlords in removing these terrible tenants that are ruining our neighborhoods. These slumlords and bad tenants are wasting our
Baltimore
Anne Arundel
Allegany
Anne Arundel
Harford
Baltimore
Respectfully submitted,
xxxxx
My suggestion is to eliminate the Travel Agent arranging travel for the Comptroller's office. They are booking travel at a higher rate than the individual can
receive for the Government rate or internet rate. This could amount to as much as 500.00 savings per week
One way to save money would be to turn down the air conditioning in the summer. It is so cold in the state building we work in during the summer months that we
have to wear coats, hats and sometimes gloves. This seems to be a ridiculous wast of money to me.
Cut the size of the state vehicle fleet and require employees with these vehicles to live within a reasonable distance of their work site. ie: State Police and State
Highway employees driving in excess of 60 miles each way to work in state vehicles. All departments need to be put under the microscope to find ways to reduce
1. I have worked at the state office building in Crownsville since 1993 and the temperature of the building during the warm weather months is always
uncomfortably cold. All of our staff have to wear sweaters, socks and even gloves sometimes just to be comfortable to do our work. An obvious way to save
money would be to increase the temperature of all state buildings from May til September to 78 degrees. If the men are too warm in their suits and ties, relax the
2. Explore the possibility for staff to work from home. We do field work and if we could access our computers from home we could reduce the electricity spent on
lighting, etc. in the office plus reduce the mileage reimbursement accrued from having to drive into the office and then back out into the field. Also have each
agency review their fieldwork requirements. Our agency used to require one visit to each provider a year, but that was increased to 3 in a 2-yr. period, 2 of which
are unannounced. Often the proivider is not home and we have to make repeat visits. Also the visits are required by a schedulle so they can't always be made
Why is it that we're looking at putting in a Red and Purple line? Seems like a huge expenditure that could be saved until the economy recovers further - and the
money that's not spent can instead be put towards lessening the effects on the higher education system in MD.
Mandating telecommuting wherever possible for state employees and contractors.
This is probably already a suggestion, but a statewide buyout of all state employees with substantial years on the job who are nearing retirement age might help.
This would reduce total salary expenditures while encouraging those with such tenure to go out on retirement without reservation. These types of buyouts have
been offered in the past as an effective way of cutting costs. Employees could retire knowing that they have received something in exchange for helping the state
City
Anne Arundel
Howard
Montgomery
Many programs are either not effect or not serving enoung citizens to make them cost effective. The each department secretary should look at their programs
and eliminate those that are working. Because this process may be time consumming, a head start might be to look at legislative audit reports. Many pilot
Raise the price to cross the Bay Bridge to $5.00 round trip. This could bring in enough revenue to avoid other cuts to State Services.
No one appears to be addressing the housing problem for renters. To rent a house or apartment is ridiculous. We need a rent freeze! That way people can
focus on jobs with out losing their place to live. Nixon did it, why can't the govenor? Renting a house cost $2000 a month or $24K per year. Renters are not
being helped because everyone is so busy helping the mortgage companies. Landlords keep going up on the rent while they are getting help! It is not fair!
Good afternoon Sir,
At this time if I may suggest that the Maryland State Gov. cut all welfare programs, all benifits, all freebies, and any and all funding to any and all illegal alliens
living here in this great State. As well as cut any funding to organizations to such groups as CASA MARYLAND whom help promote the breaking of Federal Laws.
Sir, I know this is harsh but look how CA took this action and was able to save millions of taxpayers money that would otherwise be going to illegal alliens.
Sincerely,
xxxxx
Montogmery County
Baltimore
Anne Arundel
Almost all State agencies supply vehicles to many employees. End this practice. Like most people in our Great Country, let them supply their own transportation.
The State will no longer have the cost of buying vehicles, vehicle maintenance to deal with, gas allowance, insurance, etc. I believe the savings will be
Hello Governor Omalley
I am a single 45 year old woman who depends solely on my job to survive. I would like to know if you must layoff State employees, will you lay off Contractual
and Part time employees before you lay off the Merit workers? My job is my only means of income and without I don't know what I would do.
Also, what about the County Government employees? They haven't had any furloughs or salary reductions. They were even rewarded two days of
Administrative leave because they will not be able to get a raise this Fiscal year. State employees have been furloughed and we will not be getting our COLA or
Step increase this year. Not to mention we will soon be contributing to Union fees whether we want to or not. It's just not fair. State employees are taking a
I am asking that you please spare the State employees from layoffs, even if it means more furloughs.
Carroll
Baltimore
City
Frederick
Thank you for your listening.
Please discontinue or dramatically reduce funding for college scolarships. Too many mediocre students get full-ride scholarships to universities such as FSU, just
to keep enrollment up. The college students or their families should be responsible for their own education expenses, not Maryland tax-payers.
Just like the court system, require some filing fee when appealing to the final level of any administrative framework.
Streamline your procurement process for local departments. Much money is wasted using a few select business retailers instead of using places like Walmart or
Staples to get your business and office supplies. I am a retired State employee. I recall how difficult it was for me to purchase comparable products for far less
money at places like Sam's, Walmart, Target and such because we were required to order from catalogs of companies who charged far more. You need to be
RE: ELIMINATE DUPLICATE SERVICES AND FIRST EXAMPLE THAT COULD BE ELIMINATED SAVES ALMOST $55 MILLION
Governor O'Malley:
Thank you for the opportunity to directly offer suggestions to your office. My suggestion is for the state to eliminate duplicate services. The FIRST EXAMPLE is
to explore merging two quasi-government agencies, Maryland Environmental Service (MES) and the Northeast Maryland Waste Disposal Authority (the Authority)
as provided in Section § 3-924 of the Natural Resources Article of Maryland’s Annotated Code. This merger provides a potential savings of almost $55 MILLION
Maryland Environmental System (“MES”) has the ability to perform all of the Northeast Maryland Waste Disposal Authority’s (“Authority”) functions and operates
at “not for profit”, which implies a savings over the costs charged by the Authority. For example, the Authority charges counties an annual member fee of
Finally, MES does not require participating counties to delegate a county employee to become a member of the Authority’s Board. This requirement has placed
respected county employees in a position that has the perception of a conflict.
§ 3-924. Termination of existence of Authority.
The Authority and its corporate existence shall continue until terminated by law, provided, however, that no such law shall take effect so long as the Authority
shall have bonds outstanding, unless adequate provision has been made for the payment thereof. Upon making adequate provision for the payment of all
outstanding bonds of the Authority, the Authority may merge into the Maryland Environmental Service, with the consent of the Maryland Environmental Service
and the approval of the Governor, by filing a statement of merger with the Secretary of State and the Department of Legislative Services. Upon termination of the
The Authority’s Staff Members:
Baltimore
City
1.
- Executive Director
2.
- Deputy Director
3.
.
- Director of Finance and Administration
4.
- Project Manager
5.
- Project Manager
6.
- Project Manager
7.
- Project Analyst
8.
- Staff Accountant
9.
- Part-Time Staff Accountant
10.
- Administrative Assistant/Network Administrator
11.
- Administrative Assistant/Receptionist
How about if our representatives, senators, etc., take a cut in pay the way the population has had to do. Why can't they take a furlough day. Not the lowly
workers who are struggling to make ends meet, but all the "higher ups" the ones who make entirely too much money for the little bit of work they do.
First of all, let me compliment you on the way that furloughs were handled last fiscal year. I appreciated the fact that the number of days required correllated with
the pay scale so that we continued to protect our most vulnerable employees. I say that even though I was in the group that was required to take 5 days.
Second, have you thought of asking if there were employees that would be willing to take extra days on a volunteer basis. I know that financially I could take more
Thirdly, have you thought of making it easier for people to work somewhat part time, such as working 90% time thus taking a 10% cut in hours and pay.
Talbot
select your county
Thank you for taking input from public opinion.
xxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Consider raising the liquor tax. Maryland and D.C. have the lowest liquor tax in the nation. Appreciate the opportunity to comment
CHARGE STATE WORKER THAT USE BUILDING PARKING LOTS 25.00 BI WEEKLY THROUGH PAYROLL DEDUCTION. IF YOU CHECK TO PARK ON
METERS IN BALTIMORE CITY THE COST IS .25 PER HOUR AT SOME LOCATION.
Baltimore
Baltimore
Carroll
Baltimore
A few quick ways to save money is to stop landscaping the roadsides and runoff ponds, just until the state is back on its feet. Limit take home vehicles to
essential personnel. As well, look for bargains at staples or office depot when purchasing office supplies.
Discontine tax breaks for people with children. It is unfair for the childless citizens of Maryland to bear the tax burden for the families who are benefiting from the
Short term:
Raise the tools on Maryland Highways $1.00.
Delaware raised their tolls on I-95 from $2 to $4,on State Route 1 from $1 to $2. New Jersey raised the toll on the AC Expressway from $2 to $3. Florida raised
the tolls 25 cents on all toll roads around Orlando. In the case of Florida, they received an additional 3 million dollars in the first 2 months of their toll raise.
Eliminate any toll discounts, eliminate any State Vehicle being taken home.
Raise the penalties for trucks that are overweight going through the state.
Place a fee for tire recovery and oil recovery fees in tire stores and service centers, ie: Jiffy Lube, Merchant Tire, MR. Tire, and all Service centers in car
Long Term:
Baltimore
Talbot
Extend the VEIP Program to ALL STATE COUNTIES, including the Eastern Shore and Western Maryland and not just the Baltimore/Washington corridor.
I think one of the ways to cut the budget would be for high level personnel in the adminis tration to take a pay cut. Also, there should be an early buy-out plan for
I'm currently a State Employee and I've been with the state for almost eight years. Instead of having to layoff workers, it would good to give those qualified for
retirement an early retirement package so they would retire early. That would eliminate layoffs. If you have to layoff employees, it would be best to give them a
great severance package. Anyone laid off would be upset, but it wouldn't be as bad if we went out with a severance package. Thank you for your time and
Anne Arundel
City
Carroll
Baltimore
City
City
Since a lot of workers have taken pay cuts this year maybe the heads of goverment can take a pay cut. I was told(by someone answering my email) that when
some heads of goverment took furlough days that they donated their salary for the day to charity. They get a break on their taxes so what do they lose. DO NOT
Governor,
Has anyone looked into how much money might be saved if off duty use of vehicles was prohibited for troopers? The savings may be significant, and then again,
Furloughing state employees is not the answer. I'm a state employee and cannot afford anymore furlough days. State employees have bills like every other
citizen. If you do decide to furlough state employees, ALL employees need to be furloughed. Not just those who make over $40,000. BGE, mortgage etc. doesn't
want to hear that you are being furloughed and can't afford to pay them. Our children can't afford to hear that we don't have money to feed them, yet we don't
My suggestion is to have field employees to work from home and report once a week to the office. This will save on building and BGE cost. Lift the tuition freeze
on state colleges and universities. Eliminate state contracts and fill the position with state employees.
If possible locate small state departments into one building vs leasing many building to save money on rent/lease. Try to reduce office space and allow state
workers to work at satellite offices to maximize space usage and renting less floors of the building.
1. No government vehicles for transporting from home to work
2. No cost of living raises
3. 10% pay cut accross the board like many in the private sector
4. reduce travel allowances to Congressional Members- no reimbursement for meals, mileage or hotels when members live within 50 miles of Annapolis
5. No Red Line save the money- when the money was flowing over the last 10 yrs the infrastructure needed to be addressed then rather then finding new
6. Increase government employees contribution to medical insurance
7. Colleges- tenured Professors need to teach more classes daily
8. Schools- reduce the number of administrators significantly and add more teachers.
9.Abolish the use of brokers and go directly to the companies = more streamline and less markup
10. Maintain what we have not teardown and rebuild.
11. Stop the growth of government
12. no more minority preference......cost and ability to produce the product or service should be the first consideration.
13. Stop the influx and employment of ILLEGAL ALIENS - what about ILLEGAL does this State governmental body not understand?
Your response to each of my suggestions is appreciated and expected
Harford
Kent
Anne Arundel
City
Thanks
Offer senior employees a buy out so they can retire with some amount of financial security thus opening positions for unemployeed people and thus reducing
Thank you.
I suggest that the Governor rethink purchasing 3 brand new helicopters in ONE YEAR!!! What in the world were you thinking?!? We could definitely purchase
ONE PER YEAR and remove the oldest helicopter from the fleet first, then the next year another new one to replace the next oldest, etc...Please do not cut health
anymore than you have already cut it. You are denying poor people of services they desperately need right now! With the money from two brand neqw
I have proposed this to Delegate Ron George, also.
There is rampant handicap placard abuse in our area. I have mostly observed this at Westfield Shopping Town and strip malls in the Severna Park area. There
are young and middle-aged, apparently health people that put up the rearview mirror handicap placards and park in the handicap spots. Some of them literally
bound out of their vehicles. A spin-off problem is that the truly handicapped people cannot park in their appropriate spots and then pull up alongside the
storefronts, impeding traffic and taking up the spot for any needed emergency vehicles. Suggestion: do a pilot program whereby a "meter-maid" type of employee
observes the misuse of placards. 1st fine = $100, then 2nd and 3rd offenses ramp up to $200 and $300, respectively. This also means that the placards need to
th the
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di of giving
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id l' and
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ith
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to have children
then
Cut the free ride to peolpe who come to this state. It is always been said come to maryland for free living and housing. Stop cutting the saftey of our state. There
is way's they can earn what is given to them, let them sweep our streets, let them help in our parks. this would save millions. If we would cap welfare it could save
our state.Let a poor person have a say like me. There is to much spending on contracts that are given out. They over spend to venders when you can buy it
Frederick
Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore
Anne Arundel
Baltimore
Cut out the funding for middle school afterschool programs. the program here in Frederick costs $250,000 for 5 schools serving 30 kids each which works out to
$1600 per kid, not to mention what the local OCF office takes to run. Use the money to improve education and resources that way. Parents have to pay for
why are we the people taking cuts and losing jobs,and you ,who work for the people are not. Time for the people in government to take pay cuts an perks cuts
Conduct a review of state government employees and lay off those who are not performing and/or not neccessary. Too many people work for the state and
federal government who do not do their jobs and just collect a paycheck at our expense!
Fist of all this is not true...first an inherited structural deficit.
You may want to think about what big blue chip companies are doing with the facilities/hardware and software departments. Sub out your working force to
small/minority owned businesses then the state doesn't have to pay benefits,vacation,pensions etc,.Then you don't need supervisors let the small business
supervise and all the state needs are inspectors/managers. Hey the state been fat for years the citizens voted for change so give it to them.
Stop spending money on welfare programs that produce no return for our state. Start allowing small business to do what it does best and generate growth and
economic prosperity. Also... Stop giving money to Baltimore City and make them accountable for themselves. Make them lower their property tax rate to spawn
some growth. I am not an economics expert, but I do know common sense and hard work usually amoutn to big savings and great returns. stop stealing from
1) Eliminate non-essential state government positions held by political appointees.
2) Five to ten percent temporary salary reduction for state employees who make $80k or more a year.
3) Stop using high paid consultants to do work that state employees are qualified to do and match the employees salary to the consultant's. The salary difference
can be divided amongst an entire office as well, as long as they perform the additional duties.
4) Use state employees with good financial backgrounds to review all invoicing related to projects and services from state vendors before the vendors receive
5) Ask all state employees for cost saving options for their agency. Ask them to find any waste in how their jobs are being performed or office operations.
6) Ask state employees to give up personal, vacation or sick leave hours before salary deductions or furloughs are considered.
7) Make the Comptrollers Office notify all vendors who owe state taxes that their future payments will be taken by the state until their back taxes are paid.
8) Train all managers and project managers in each agency on project management skills because money gets wasted when their projects are not planned
9) Put limitations on state furniture and decor purchases. I have seen agency's waste money on high priced furniture, rugs, etc. but won't purchase basic office
10) Since filmmaking is an art form, try to aquire stimulus funds for the Maryland Film Office. Put a spotlight on Maryland's film industry by focusing attention on
Maryland film makers, film resources, digital resources, film festivals, actors/actresses, crews, businesses, etc. so that film productions and other film industry
11) Give the current light rail trains the right of way when they go through downtown Baltimore to help decrease the time passengers get to their destinations thus
making the light rail a more attractive option for potential passengers. Keep all light rail trains, subway trains and buses clean and safe so they will be more
12) Awarding vendors contracts for submitting the lowest bid is not always cost effective because additional costs and subsequent change orders can occur
because of vendor errors and misjudgments. Change the laws and bidding process to better evaluate the potential vendors before contracts are awarded.
City
Baltimore
Cut the Subway expansion- All of it!!! No one will benefit from it if they can not afford to go anywhere.
I have worked in Accounting/Finance in both Higher Education and in Public Accounting. My suggestions are the following:
Regarding Higher Education Spending. The Private Colleges receive a per capita figure from the state regardless of the origin of the student. I would like to see
the State of Maryland only support those students who are Maryland residents, not the entire enrolled population. ie: Hopkins, which has a large endowment,
Also, regarding education, the Private K-12 schools who own significant parcels of land do not pay real estate tax on this, or personal property tax on assets.
Again, many have large endowments, are not associated to religious organizations, and pay no real property or real estate taxes on their assets. This is quite
Finally, my biggest pet peve; The PA residents who work in the State of Maryland, perhaps for the State itself, and other government agencies as well as the
private sector, and pay not a penny of income tax. If the reciprocal agreement for wages is too touchy to recind, then at least impose a commuter tax of sorts on
those who are employed in the State. They certainly clog our highways and use other resources without any contribution to the state treasury.
Wicomico
Thank you for the opportunity to share my thoughts. I have shared them with my legislators for years to no avail.
Governor:
Great idea!
Ideas:
Stop highway grass cutting for a while and use personnel in more pressing areas. It is a matter of priorities and may save fuel & Maintenance costs.
Clean up and clean out government warehouses, and offices of surplus property and have a big yard sale. That's what many Americans do to supplement
Sell or lease government owned land. We have a lot in this area. Lease it to a farmer to grow food, corn, soybeans or? Or get a % of sales.Charge for hunting on
Allow the state to take donations. People will donate in time of need. A penny here or there adds up. Or start a penny drive. Or add one's name to a brick at the
I am sure you have already looked at "Pork Spending"?
Many people are on unemployment and state subsidies.Allow them to do something for the money they receive. Help with the "State Yard Sale", previously
suggested or some other useful service. Help in a school, etc. No such thing as a free ride. Do it one day a week or every 2 weeks or?
Increase parking fees by 1 or 2 cents. Increase tax on liquor, beer or wine by 5 cents. It adds up quickly and no one will complain about 5 cents.
I am preaching to the choir when I say: "Keep things simple", balance wants vs. needs. People need jobs, a sense of involvement in their destiny - not handouts.
Lastly, health care is great and needed but it shouldn't be rushed through.We need to work on stimulating the small business and getting new business. People
need jobs to buy food and shelter first. Let's work on that in Maryland and show the rest of the country how it's done.
Anne Arundel
Thanks again, this is a great idea! We need more open government.
Have a great day!
xxx
1. Stop creating unnecessary jobs designed to hire retired people back into the work force and paying them good money, after they are already getting a pension.
They are commonly known as "double dippers". They get good money from their pensions, a lot of them make more in their retirement than those of us currently
working in the same field.
. This allows them to get two
This is a common practice.
2. Stop giving so much to illegal aliens, stop giving them drivers licenses, when the rest of us have to provide an enormous amount of documentation just to get a
license and we have lived here all of our lives. This would allow the MVA to eliminate a lot of disgruntled employees who are only there because we have so
3. Stop giving independent/food cards to people that allows them to shop and buy whatever they want. It is not being used to provide healthy food for their family.
We have personally witnessed them buying expensive seafood from restaurants and buying from convenience stores, which always costs more than a grocery
store. The cards should only be accepted in major grocery store chains. This would save a lot of money because they would be spending less.
4. Trash pickup could be cut back to once a week.
Allegany
Anne Arundel
Howard
Harford
Montgomery
Harford
Harford
Baltimore
Worcester
Montgomery
Carroll
If state employees have to endure furlough days again it should include all state employees and county employees. No one should be exempt. This would lighten
the burden on everyone. A state employee is a state employee no matter what your position.
Change the state lottery profits from it's current allocations to schools and roads. The lottery can be put to good use at this time.
Make a state tax on obesity causing products such as sodas, snack products and fast food items. Double win in the healthcare fight as well as helping our budget
The state and county have invested $14 million over the last four years in a for profit enterprise -- a wedding and conference center -- for Howard Community
College. Belmont Conference Center is a money losing venture for taxpayers. The only "benefit" to taxpayers that the college claims is that their culinary
students can learn there. However, their culinary students can do internships at any hotel/resturant/conference center. The college does not need to own a
Thank you.
I'm with you on this one, State Jobs should be cut! The State departments work like no business ever could. People working for the State have more vaction
days, sick time, etc. than any business would ever allow. There is someone working in my office who just have her 35th anniversary. She is (and has been for 25
years) maxed out on the days of vacation she gets at 15. I've heard of people working for the State who get 2 months of vacation. This is ridiculous!
When you do cut the jobs. Make sure you are getting rid of the correct people. Do not merely cut people based on color! Cut those who do not perform well, like
any Business man would! Otherwise this state will never run efficiently!
1) No more overseas travel for any public officials.
2) No more conferences.
3) no redecorating of offices
4) Stop mowingthe lawns on 95 and other major highways
5) start having the public unions contribute to their healthcare premiums just like the public
6) increase the age allowed for retirement of all public employees
7) stop spending money on food or beverages for any meetings of officials
8) get rid of the public fleet. no town cars for any official. Use public transportation or get reimbursement for the use of your own car
We should allow advertising on our public school buses to offset fuel prices.
Please allow a buyout of all state employees with substantial years on the job. This would lower the cost of salaries while encouraging those with such tenure to
go out on retirement without reservation. These types of buyouts have been offered in the past as an effective way of lowering salary costs in the past.
Employees could retire knowing that they have received something in exchange for helping the state in its time of need. It would be a win-win situation for
I think that we can make better use of school dollars than providing cell phones and laptops for administrative office clerical personnel. I would think that the
money would be better spent on something that directly benefits the students. There should be a review of how the principals are allocating the dollars in their
First off....the Website has Worcester County spelled incorrectly.
The Department of Budget and Management has spent considerable money over the past 3 or 4 years on a contract to develop and automated time/leave system
for state employees. To date, the system is not functional, and indications are that if it is ever available, state agencies who wish to use it will be charged a
considerable monthly fee under the contract for "support" or the system. In contrast, most of the local Department of Social Services offices are currently using
or bringing online a system that was developed by a former DHR employee (John Mayo, now deceased). The system, known as PALS II, is functional but still
Please continue to support our most vulnerable children and families in Montgomery County - no more cuts to the Interagency Children's Cabinet Fund.
Dear Govenor O'Malley,
I have been trying to reach you to seek help, but to no avail. I have beeen cutting corners left and right to keep
City
Baltimore
Carroll
City
Baltimore
Harford
Howard
Caroline
Anne Arundel
Carroll
City
Baltimore
Harford
Anne Arundel
my family surviving these hard times. I would like to speak to you or thru e-mail. Please give me the opportunity to do so, I'm 56 years female, working 40 hours a
week with an hour and a half ride to and from work, plus am a caretaker for a disabled woman,plus she has more health problems,than
enough, depression on top of all others.Please ,let me explain everything to you I can't take much more pressure I'm one person, I know I'm not the only one but
so many people are able to speak to you, and then most are ignored usally before you even see them. I look forward to hopefully speaking to you. God Bless and
xxx
Offer those with 30 years or more of state service a financial bonus incentive to retire. Although there would be an initial output of funds, it would be less over the
long run that the state would be putting out for salaries, if they continue to work.
SLOTS, SLOTS, SLOTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I suggest that the health departments start to charge a fee for more services such as for PPD testing, pregnancy testing, etc. that are currently free of charge.
One consideration that I have never as an option is offering early retirement for the vast number of state employees who have worked over 25 years in the
system. (A recent recognition ceremony in my agency alone honored over 70 staff members who had served 25-40 years). We are in a climate where the baby
boomer generation, which is quite large, is staying in positions, which does not allow for people from the Gen-X generation to move into higher positions and
responsibilities (i.e. move along the career path) and I can only venture to guess has significant costs in overhead for the state. We are also in a climate where
There have been a lot of abolished positions, furloughs, etc. but there has not been a reduction of work load; in fact, the work load for many agencies has
increased significantly. Abolishing positions/furloughs does not solve the problem, it actually exacerbates the issues the state is facing as it leads to dissatisfied,
unmotivated, and inefficient employees, which in turn can lead to productive staff leaving for the public sector. State positions need to open up across the boards
and need to be filled with hungry, eager employees who want and need to learn job skills and knowledge, rather than be maintained by people who want to sit
In short, state agencies need to become leaner not in number of staff but in number of bloated salaries and overhead, and archaic processes. It is the same
sentiment that many in our country feel about the banks and car companies that have been bailed out and it apply here as well.
If you didn't spend all that rainy day fund when you first came into office you would'n be in as bad of shape spend thrift go play music
Governor,
My sugestions are; 1. Look for ways to increase revenue sources. 2. Increase the tolls at the harbor tunnels from $ 2.00 to $4.00. Then eliminate one side of the
toll boothes. 3. Reduce outsourcing of Architect/ Engineer design reviews and have those done by in-house staff. 4. Reduce contracts for building maintenance
and have that work done by in-house staff. Have in-house staff perform preventative maintenance to prevent and eliminate the need for costly contract
Eliminate the 2000 Patronage jobs the Governor has given out, hire them back when things get better. Most of the jobs could probably be done with in house
staff, people that actually have Maryland State Government experiance.
1. Discontinue policy of employees, officials, etc. having state vehicles at home. It would save save alot of money in fuel, insurance, wear and tear of state
vehicles if employees had to utilize their personal vehicles to get to their place of employment. Many employees who utilize these vehicles live in one county but
Early retirement for employee's who have longevity to decrease overhead in agency budgets.
1. Put information on the websites vs. printing out information in booklet form which could save money on the cost of paper, etc., and it's 'green'.
Not printing and mailing assessment notices each year will save the department of assessments and taxation hundreds of thousands of dollars (if not millions).
The information is readily available on the state's website, accessible 24/7, 365 days a year. This is a much more environmentally friendly option as well saving a
DELETE THE RED LINE FROM THE BUDGET
Discontinue funding for the "Family, Infant and Child Care Center, 332 W. Edmonston Drive in Rockville, MD. It is an extremely poorly run and poorly managed
child care center that has received millions of state dollars and continues to drain the state budget. The ARC of Montgomery County manages the program and
has done an extremely poor job overseeing the day to day operations as well as fiscal affairs. There is no accountability on the part of the administration of the
center or of the ARC to provide a quality program. The State of Maryland monitors the program and does monthly visits where serious problems have been
documented by these state representatives. The state has fined the ARC more than once for problems identified but somehow continues to fund the program.
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out on retirement without reservation. These types of buyouts have been offered in the past as an effective way of lowering salary costs in the past. Employees
could retire knowing that they have received something in exchange for helping the state in its time of need. It would be a win-win situation for everyone.
Why not reduce the number of Saturdays the MVA is open in any month. It would cut back on overtime and energy cost. The operating hours could also be
changed to accomidate people being able to come in after their work hours.
Make legislators use the same standards for perdiem as state employees. If they are within 50 miles of their district they would not be eligable.
Stop giving millions to groups like Casa of Maryland.
City
Baltimore
City
Baltimore
City
City
City
Temporarily stop study groups and committees
on projects that are not federally funded or have not started construction.
What about a buy out for older state employees (longevity) - you could hire two people for one person with 30 or more years service to the state of Maryland
Discontinue funding for the "Family, Infant and Child Care Center, 332 W. Edmonston Drive in Rockville, MD. It is an extremely poorly run and poorly managed
child care center that has received millions of state dollars and continues to drain the state budget. The ARC of Montgomery County manages the program and
has done an extremely poor job overseeing the day to day operations as well as fiscal affairs. There is no accountability on the part of the administration of the
center or of the ARC to provide a quality program. The State of Maryland monitors the program and does monthly visits where serious problems have been
documented by these state representatives. The state has fined the ARC more than once for problems identified but somehow continues to fund the program.
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easily
only that, but the turf wars and gang killings would end. It's a win - win.
Discontinue funding for the "Family, Infant and Child Care Center, 332 W. Edmonston Drive in Rockville, MD. It is an extremely poorly run and poorly managed
child care center that has received millions of state dollars and continues to drain the state budget. The ARC of Montgomery County manages the program and
has done an extremely poor job overseeing the day to day operations as well as fiscal affairs. There is no accountability on the part of the administration of the
center or of the ARC to provide a quality program. The State of Maryland monitors the program and does monthly visits where serious problems have been
documented by these state representatives. The state has fined the ARC more than once for problems identified but somehow continues to fund the program.
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a. Lights should be turn off in areas that are not being used for long periods of time.
b. Computers, printers, copiers and desk calculators need to be turned off on weekend’s and evenings when not in use.
c. Buildings that do not have staff working in them should have the air conditioning turned off or set to a higher temperature.
d. Look for more ways to help reduce energy cost in the work place.
FULL CASINOS: Instead of just slot machines, I would suggest that we create full casinos, complete with table games, sports betting, shopping, conference
rooms and entertainment / show / concert areas. To pull this off, these would need to be top-of-the-line establishments (I'm thinking Bellagio or maybe Borgata).
And to prevent Baltimore from becoming Atlantic City, we would only allow one casino in each of the following areas: Inner Harbor (Port Covnington or
Dear Gov. O'Malley,
I have two sugestions. First the state should put off purchasng new election equipment till the economy recovers. I know that people have issues with the
theories of how the units can be compromised and I know that you have issues with Diebold, but we need to put our personal issues behind us and do what is
best for the state. The touch screens are good machines that the majority of Marylands are pleased with. I think that if we postone any purchase of new
The other sugestion is to reduce the number of stops that the MTA busses make. I live in Federal Hill in Baltimore and so many of the Busses go by mostly
empty. To make things worse the stop at every other block to pick up or drop off people, I think that we could greatly reduce the number of busses and reduce
the fule consumption if we stop the overlap of routs and increase the distance between stops. To give you and example I believe that the 1, 31, and 61 all go
past my house. Sometimes they are just minutes apart, busses mostly empty and they stop about every 2 blocks to pick up or drop off people on any of the 3
routs. If the 1 goes from downtown to Ft. McHenry and the 61 goes from downtown to Curtis Bay then maybe the 61 sould only go from S. Baltimore to Curtis
Anne Arundel
select your county
Thank you for taking the time to read my sugestions. I hope they help.
xxxx
1)Revisit and rethink all projects being considred or under progress, for a) Actual need, b) Benefit to cost ratio for the people of Maryland, and 3) Check for
2)trying to balance the budget only on the back of state employees is hardly fair; 3)Require Unemployment and Welfare recepients to work at least 20 hours
towrads government assigned jobs/tasks for this benefit 4) Limit Trash/Recycle Pick up to only once a week. 5)Start the saving and sacrificing from the highest
level, from the Governor, the law Makers and the general public in fair and equitable manner.6) Rethink teh idea, that more money buys better education or
My suggestion would be a 4/10hr day work week. This would save on gas, over crowding commutes and on the environment due to less cars on the road.
Another reason would save employess gas cost which would give more money in pocket to to help boost the economy spending. Government offices would save
on enery cost. By staggering the 1 day off between the employees would not jeopardize the serves to our citizens. It would also give citzens a more flexable time
to conduct business with state services due to extended hours; instead of taking time off work and lossing pay to conduct business with government offices
Harford
Washington
Instead of limited groups of Maryland citizens, such as state employees and students, feeling the majority of the cut backs, all Maryland citizens should contribute
to correcting the deficit. One way to accomplish this is by dividing the amount of money needed to correct the deficit by the number of citizens and charging, or
taxing every citizen this one time fee. Everyone needs to contribute their fair share in correcting this problem. It should not be paid on the backs of state
Inmates commit crimes get locked up and get everything handed to them. Make them start paying for their meals, room and board, medical (even though its the
worst medical I have ever seen). You take pay from hard working honest people who try and do the right thing make things hard on them and their families. Start
make crimals responsible for their actions. They have jobs in prison, their families send them money. There is no reason why they (inmates)can't help. They are a
big reason why states are in this mess, because they are taken care of for free. What does it cost to keep one inmate a year $30 - $40 thousand? Maybe that will
Custody staff members receive 12 minutes overtime daily for roll call. If a staff member leaves 6 minute prior to the end of their shift, we as supervisors are
required to charge them 6 minute of leave whether it be vacation, comp time etc. Only because the overtime starts at the beginning of the shift. So if a staff
member is properly relieved and wants to leave within that 12 minute time frame prior to the end of their shift. Why not charge them the OT instead of their leave.
Carroll
Carroll
Baltimore
Baltimore
xxxx
I have observed prisioners picking up trash along the highways, sometimes the van pulls a trailer behind it with a Johnny on the spot behind it which seems like a
good idea. Sometimes a dump truck pulls a trailer on the back whth the Johnny on the sport following the van which seems like a big waste of gas and the
employee just sitting in the front of the dump truck with the motor running. What is wrong with the prisioner van pullling the trailer? BIG WASTE of money.
it is time to charge dirt bikes/ATV/4wheelers/bicycles,etc. the same as cars - tags and title. then when these vehicles run places they shouldn't be, a witness can
get a tag number and then charge them and fine them....more money.............
1)Raise fees for crimes
2)Raise taxes on cigarettes
3)Raise some of the prices of the scratchoffs
4)Lower the lottery advertising budget
Hello So, instead of thinking about cuts, how about increasing revenue? And why can't we do it at the same time as we help out the environment? It is so
disheartening to see tons of bottles and cans thrown out every day by citizens, bars, and restaurants. Why not implement the recycling program that states such
as N.Y. have? Add $0.05 to the price of each carbonated bottle and can and let people and businesses redeem the money when they turn in the empties. The
money from cans and bottles not redeemeed can stay with the state. The bottles redeemed for recylcing will not end up cluttering the environment. The only
Please consider this suggestion.
Respectfully,
Carroll
Carroll
xxx
You need to reign in on your spending. Installing solar panels on the roof of the Governor's Mansion is green and extremely expensive. Maybe now is not the time
to be focusing on such a grand project. Setting an example for Marylanders to save and conserve would not cost a thing but go a long way.
President Jimmy Carter conserved energy within the White House. He lowered the temperature to 65 in the winter and did not offer guests water.
All the little things add up over time.
• Budget cut back can be made to Open Space initiatives
• Much higher taxes should be placed on businesses, residents or other occupied spaces lining the Chesapeake Bay, and other major bodies of water. (should
not only be based on assessment of property and dwelling -- usage, accessibility and income potential should be factors)
• Competitive bidding within State and County government structures should be more stringent and monitored more closely. Often internal workers can be lax and
not readily willing to step out of a comfort zone with a continued vendor/contractor for possibly having to perform to their own job responsibilities. If not in place
already, there should be a three or more bidder structure where pros and cons should be itemized out to justify eliminations. In addition, bidders could pay the
state a standard bidder's fee to the state to help offset personnel expenses of the justification. It would also be beneficial that each bidder show their three highest
paid employee salaries (W-2 copies) similar, as non-profits must post. This would help bring insight for a bidding review committee (members from other internal
• Highway department vehicles and other maintenance equipment for buildings, infrastructure, parks/recreation should have a minimum shelf-life of 5 years
Reduce the purchasing of equipment, etc.
• Reduce some of the higher paid managers, middle managers and supervisors and develop department team committees with leads, and other responsible
officers within the teams. Have team committees make cost justifications with incentives for team cost reductions, etc.
•Both State and County (all) government employees should only get pay increases based on performance, good participation in cost reductions for Maryland, and
•State and county employees should have to reapply for their positions every two years.
•Hospitals and other (legal) drug distribution facilities, businesses should pay higher taxes or healthcare fees to the State without imposing this cost onto their
•Close Maryland State Print shop and vend out the printing through complying bidders
•Make some county governments pay for maintenance of some the state roads without raising county taxes (Carroll spends to much money on schools and their
incentives and does not encourage them to raise money themselves for their own pet projects or needs)
•Higher income families with children should pay more taxes to their counties for their public education. It should not be a redistributive cost.
•Reduce Dr. Nancy Grasmick salary to be reasonably less than Governor O'Malley This should never be in the government.
•Their should be equal Democrats and Republicans in any form of government. I have been in Carroll County for over 10 years and have not had a Democrat for
a commissioner yet. This would certainly balance spending more efficiently.
•Force agency, business to purchase and occupy vacant buildings not being used or not haven't been used within 2 years. Sell, occupy, or get higher taxes on
•Charge fees to aggressive drivers and imposed damage fees to State property caused by causing accident parties
•Reduce State costs of IT services
•Limit one car per politician Impose a reimbursement justification of event, luncheon and mileage expenses. Let them pay themselves upfront than get
reimbursed if the expense follows within the guidelines of reimbursement expenses.
•Reduce educational assistance to State employees
•Use some of the State lottery proceeds to help reduce the deficit
•Place more stringent requirements on State fundings and grants More justification and financial planning and monitoring of applicants
•Tax places of worship that have no structured denomination with other churches (7 should be the minimum they should be structured with)
•Impose paid clergy and officers of a place of worship publically post their salaries. Taxation should occur for clergy or staff making over $50,000 annually
•Have college students utilizing State educational assistance work in vacancy positions within the State (structure the assistance of applicant to pay back through
•Use prisoners to work on roads more and reduce the road worker costs.
•Reduce the minimum requirement to $500 from $1,000 of casual sales and use tax to generate more revenue for the state
Carroll
Carroll
Thank you for your time and consideration, xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
build all schools using the same design
STOP allowing state employees to take state owned vehicles home. What a waste of the taxpayers monies. We have observed state vehicles driven to other
Baltimore
We provided our own transportation to work and feel the state employees should do the same.
Raise all state park fees $1. close all state parks either 1 hour earlier or open them 1 hour later.
Baltimore
First of all please do not furlough any more state workers and please reinstate cost of living and or step increases one or the other. It is hurting everyone that
every thing is being is raised and some are unable to maintain a basic lifestyle. (1) suggest Freeze on all state jobs.until economy is in recovery mode. Please do
education. (2) Why cant top officials such as yourself, judges be affected by furloughs, no raises. it seems the lowest ones on the totem pole are affected the
most. The way of the world is the ones that make the less suffer the most.Why should we take on the brunt of the shortage of money? Stop building at this time
any new projects. I can't think of any more suggestions at this time. i know it's a hard decision but please think about the little man and woman. Thanks for your
Caroline
The state system is saturated with employees with between 25 - 29 years of employment who are merely holding out to get their full 30 years & retire. These
employees by far have the higest salaries & are the most costly to their employers. Why not offer an early retirement so that those of us who are working
because we want to & because we are financially dependent on our jobs can continue? The employees more recent schooling tend to be more savey with
Raise court fees $5 on all state filings including prisoners.
Baltimore
Cecil
Anne Arundel
Baltimore
MVA: CLOSE ALL MVA OFFICES ON SATURDAYS. OPEN ONE NIGHT DURING THE WEEK. CLOSING ALL WEEKEND WOLD BE A GREAT SAVINGS
BECAUSE ON FRIDAYS ALL POWER WOULD BE TURNED OFF, NO OVERTIME USED AND PEOPLE WOULD STILL HAVE THE SERVICE AVAILABLE TO
THEM. wE ARE A CAPTIVATED AUDIENCE AND WE MUST GET GET OUR DRIVERS LICENSE AND REGISTRATION WHEN IT IS TIME AND WE WOULD
Stop spending unnessasary money.
Cut 1 state employee from every department not involved in public safety.
Baltimore
Reduce mid level managers
Baltimore
True people need raises but by creating supervisor jobs and pay is silly To raise salaries
h
b k reductions
f in the
f budget in
hi the
h i areas
h truly
h PEP
d Th k the vital services to the citizens of Maryland. This is a better
Please
consider
in need of trinmming without disrupting
Also, please consider a special exemption for furloughs in the case where both spouses are employeed in state government and are required to take furlough
days....that creates a real financial hardship for those families. If furloughs are truly needed, only one of the employees in one household should be required to
take furloughs. There is a false perception by the public that there are far too many State employees and that they are lazy, unmotivated, and overpaid. The
truth is that State employees are some of the most dedicated, hardworking, and underpaid people that take pride in their organization and their state .....A
message that is almost never conveyed to the citizens of Maryland that they serve. There are so many services provded by state employees in transportation,
Cecil
Thank You for this opportunity to particpate in this process.
dear sir:
Baltimore
You could eliminate the National Guard at the Havre de Grace site. They do not warrant being active. They never complete a full week of work, they take 2 to 3
hour lunches arrive at work when they feel like it. Close it or move it to APG and sell the land to the city of havre de Grace or to a developer. I realize that much
Increase the % money the state gets from all vending machines in state buildings.
Carroll
Anne Arundel
First is to cut your pay in half with your entire staff by half before you make any cuts to the hard working state employees. Your staff show reduce pension plans
by 45 %. Show them for once you are willing to take the first step. Then anyone in general assembly takes a 25% pay cut, they should lose all medical programs
and go to the new fed medical program. Then we go to the school board and we cut 15% off the budget to start.. Every state dept must cut 10%.. NO INCOME
TAX RAISE..
. Start at the top before anyone else has to take pay cuts / job lost. Cancel all out of
Baltimore
Enforce no idle policy on all state vehicles.
Baltimore
Baltimore
Stop making Marylanders use two license plates. Why do we need one for the front of the car? Maryland is one of the few states that requires two license plates.
Cut all state employee benefits by 5%.
Baltimore
Require all state building to be heated 2 degrees less in winter and cooled 2 degrees less in summer.
Anne Arundel
First and Foremost cut all salaries on all the higher up asap, as soon as possible.......put the money back into the 700 million debt. I am 54 years old I work 2 jobs
and my husband is disabled , we leave off of $24,000. I am a educated women and this is where I am in life, I have $3,000
in a retirement!!! Please cut all your salaries and give back to the people. This will and can work.......
Light and Love and Truth to the people,
xxx
Cecil
select your county
Anne Arundel
Talbot
Baltimore
Cecil
Get back to me, please.....
I have only lived out here in MD for 7 yrs. Where I lived prior to moving out here, our State Troopers were allowed to have take home cars, but were not allowed
to use the state vehicles for any personal use whatsoever. I feel that if the State of Maryland would set the example, the counties and cities would follow the
example of not allowing government officials to use agency vehicles for personal use. I know this would save an enormous amount of money on all the budgets
No more paid holidays.
I am a retired state employee. I worked for the District Court of Maryland for nearly 30 years. Though I don't have any specific suggestions as to how to balance
the bugdet, I don't feel that our health benefits or pension should be reduce or eradicated. I'd rather see a tax increase on unhealthy products such as tobacco
I think the State should wherever possible contract with only MD businesses who employ MD workers in order to reduce MD unemployment benefits and increase
Charge all state employees for none work related phone calls and computer use.
Good Morning,
First I would like to say that my wife and I are very concerned about the budget since my wife is a state employee so we would like other things cut or reduced
before laying people off. Why can't the state take away ALL take home vehicles for ALL State employees (MSP, MDTA, and other take home positions). I am sure
that the cost of repairs, tolls and the cost of fuel will drop dramatically if this was to be eliminated. Maybe this can be reinstated when the economy picks up again.
Have another round of mandatory furlough days for this fiscal year maybe make some offices have off every other Friday or Monday as a furlough day to save on
Baltimore
Anne Arundel
Baltimore
Baltimore
Anne Arundel
Baltimore
Sincerely,
xxx
5%-10 pay cut for all state employees that make over $20,000 a year.
Instead of focusing on cuts, focus on raising revenues. Ban texting while driving and make it a $500 fine. Enforce the headlight law during inclement weather.
Have police officers track down people that owe the state money (such as parking tickets) while on shift.
Give adequate funding to public safety, education, transportation, and "reset" all other spending to zero. Determine how much is left over, and then prioritize
funding with the remaining money to "pet programs" that aren't absolutely critical to running the state.
After a long work record with State Highway Admin. for 20+
years, Everytime we got into a jam SHA was the one that had
to take the hit many times,1988,1999,1993,2001.
I had an idea the other day. As far as cutting money from the state budget how about we, oh I don't know, STOP GIVING DRIVERS LICENSES TO ILLEGAL
IMMIGRANTS!!! ONE OF ONLY SIX STATES IN THE U.S. TO OFFER LICENSES TO ILLEGALS??? THIS IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS AND A DRAIN ON
OUR STATE ECONOMY. DO IT NOW, TAKE SOME RESPONSIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY AND STOP PUTTING IT OFF UNTIL 2015 SO SOMEONE
Currently, much of the anticipated revenue from slots is slated to go directly to the horse racing industry. This private industry should be self sufficiant. As with
any business, if you cannot make yourself marketable, tough decisions need to be made. Any profits should be used to offset the deficit and for the benefit of our
That said, Maryland is behind the curve with regards to expanded gaming. Deleware has recently passed legislation that will result in basically full blown casinos.
Maryland needs to go beyond slots and match (or exceed) what DE and other states have done.
Basically, we (as a state) are either ok with gaming or not. To say we are limiting it to slots and lottery's only hurts our revenue generating potential. We should
either be ALL IN, or out. Let's not do this halfway. Thanks and good luck.
.
Baltimore
Harford
Baltimore
Howard
Cecil
Harford
select your county
Harford
Set all the thermostats to 72. Some of the government buildings are COLD! Especially at the UMB/UMMS. I know patients need to be comfortable, but my
husband works at one of the office buildings and it is FREEZING. All state buildings should be set at 72 degrees, at a minimum, and have timers to change the
Sirs, I have been a State Employee for over xxxxxx years with the Dept. of Juvenile Services, and am planning for the day when I can retire. To do so, I will still
need to supplement my income with part-time employment. I have had the priviledge of working within an office of dedicated Case Managers/Juvenile
Counselors, many of whom have recently retired or are also planning to retire. Many also need and or want , part-time employment. We are a generation of
responsible and mature employees with a strong work ethic and vast education and experience. I suggest that the Dept. of Juvenile Services develop a plan and
stategy to utilize our talents and skills with post-retirement , part-time employment. We do not need training, have the education and skills needed, and most
i
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business use. I have to pay for my own transportation why should MY taxes pay for their greediness.
Put Statestat on hiatus until better times. This waould save on the mileage and parking incurred by highly paid executive-branch personnel who report to this
weekly meeting. These folks could be managing state business more efficiently and the same oversite could be accomplished via conference calls.
Hello. Thank you for this opportunity. First - taxes CAN NOT rise. As a resident and small business owner, taxes are out of sight and need to be reduced in the
near future. The state needs to STAY WITHIN THEIR MEANS WITH EXISTING REVENUE! A SIMPLE and effective cost savings is to have MVA use ONE
license plate (like DE and PA) and ONE sticker for month and year (like DE). This would be a 50% savings in issuing plates and tags for motorvehicles in MD.
I suggest that residents be charged for trash collection. I reside in Aberdeen, Maryland and currently pay $0.80 for the collection of large trash bags and $0.40 for
the collection of small trash bags. Additionally, trash collection can be limited to one day a week, if it is more than one day. Making recycling mandatory, will
Where do I begin? 1. Eliminate the road patrol vehicles that seem to cruise the interstates waiting for a potential accident or vehicle in distress. 2. Stop paving
roads that don't need to be repaved (most recently the inner loop of I-695 near Wilkens Ave.) 3. Increase tuition at all state funded schools - it is ridiculous that
this has been fixed for four years. 4. Eliminate the state department of education entirely - let the counties handle this alone, or take over the education process
entirely. The duplication in effort, oversite and regulation is foolish at best. 5. Stop the "greening" of the state house. The solar panels recently installed will
Reduce state employees working hours from 8hrs to 6hrs. Shifts could be staggered:
Early shift: 8:00am to 2:30pm with 1/2 hr lunch
Late shift: 9:30 am to 4:00pm with 1/2 hr lunch
This would decrease payroll costs by 2 hrs/day per employee
or 10 hrs/wk per employee.
Full staff would be available during a core time of 9:30am to
2:30pm.
Another benefit would be a reduction of morning and evening rush hour traffic.
Baltimore
Anne Arundel
This could also eliminate the necessity to lay off state employees
Good morning,
My suggestion would be to make some full time positions part time or atleast give the full time employess the option. Ofcourse they would risk not being eligible
for certain benefits but it would be there choice. It would be surprising to find out that there are many full time state or city employees that may want there
positions to be part time if possible. Me, I am in school part time and I work full time and I would like to work part time in the same position if possible in the near
future. Also some agencies use to much energy where some of those employees can do their jobs at home with a safe state issued labtop. Please take some of
Thank You.
I think you should stop FREE transportation to the State employees, such as Light Rail, etc., they should have to pay to get to work just like all the rest of us
government employees. I work for Transportation and government and no one pays me to get to work. Look at the money to be saved there alone! And, if they
are not essential or safety positions, take away the take home cars for now and make them go to work to pick them up to use for their jobs, there is no real need
for them to take home all the time. And why is it that the retired employees are getting a 3.8% increase? The federal and local governments are not getting it for
retirees, letters went out to them not to expect a cost of living this year or next year. Stop that too, this is a serious budget loss and ALL the people should have
Thank you.
Baltimore
Howard
Carroll
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
City
I would suggest that state Senators, Representatives, the Governor, Vice Governor, and upper state employees take a salary cut of up to 15% over a period of a
few years to help balance the budget. I would also recommend that state employees try to be more productive at completing their daily work load. Watching the
state's work force at work when I went down to the state office building on Preston St. I concluded that you could eliminate about a quarter of the employees and
The biggest and most effective way to solve the problem is for you to step down and get out of office! That would be a great beginning to get this state back to
Instead of hiring outside consultants to conduct studies, why not utilize our own resources, let qualified state employees do this work?
Let me balance the budget. I balance my checkbook each month to the penny. I bet there is a lot of 'small' things that only a non-goverment worker could see
Make it illegal for government employees to use government cars for personal use. Saw a corrections officer parking on a no parking curb to go in and pay her
Sprinit bill. This was at Dobbin Center. Governemtn cars used to go to McDonalds and other fast food and restaurants filled with correction officers to include
Make government emplyees to follow spedd limits and not speed thus reducing fuel consumption.
Consolidate positions that current do the same process. This would reduce the number of people required and number of supervisors. Conduct a manpower,
work and position review which may cost money but would in the long run reduce work force and save money. Have each person write what their job description
Get rid of the vacant slots that are in the government. I understand that each slot is funded but things are tough and the cuts have to come from somewhere.
I was told there was a person getting paid a significant salary to manage black history. If it is true why? Even though it is important why do we need someone just
The state has valuable professional resources available through the body of knowledge that Chief Internal Auditors from various state agencies have via a host of
credentials (MBA's, CIA's, CFE's, CPA's, JD's) as well as others who may be well seasoned from past experience.
An Internal Auditor is defined as "providing independent objective assurances and consulting activity designed to add value and enhance an organizations
Baltimore
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
Baltimore
Harford
City
The Governor may want to call upon these professionals to solicit their assistance in helping to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of government
Some time ago, The Sun had an article about some people in the Transportation Dept. spending time at work, watching porn online. So my cost-saving ideas
would begin with getting rid of such money-wasters. Also, high-income government workers could reduce their benefits/salaries, and to get more money, traffic
violations should be enforced. For instance, on Pikesville's Old Court Road and surrounding areas, I constantly see drivers passing on the right and speeding.
I would like to see cuts that make a difference not just cutting state employees.
How about revamping the procurement process. We pay more for supplies based on having to use minority/ and small businesses.
Cut some of the directors of the agencies we don't need 50 chiefs.
Charge more for some services like accident reports, and replacment hunter and boater cards.
Step technology up to the 21 century. The state uses a lot of processes that are outdated.
Cut pay to prisoners they should work for free
If the state employees take furlough days then the city and county should also.
consilidate some of the agencies
Make the employees work faster. I was up at the Court house this year getting
Probation assignment and the woman behind the desk was elderly, very
slow, she took her time, stopped twice to get up and get a drink, I think she only typed at pace of 10 WPM. It took her 45 minutes just to process
paperwork. Go into the MVA, or courthouse 'in cognito' one time and go into some of these offices and waiting areas, and watch your people at work. You will be
Take all the vacant positions that are not filled.
Make a good offer for people who has 30 years or more to retire - preferably with all there money no percent and with full benefits
Reduce office space and negotiate lower prices for state buildings
Reduce the salary of staff with higher positions in the State
I work in baltimore city, I'm not sure if state or city is paying for beautifying main roadways like, Eastern Ave, Harford Rd, etc., but it seems to be an unnessecary
improvement. the relevance of tearing up perfectly good streets and laying brick inlay walk ways and center medians seems very wasteful in these economic
Also thru several business relationships I have become aware of much waste in the mechanics garages and service centers for the states road equipment. I
have been told of truck and vehicle maintenance that is a "throw it away" policy and replace with new instead of having competent people fix and "re-use" parts.
There are also many regular maintenance items that can greatly increase gas mileage and reduce repair costs that we sell thru one of my businesses. we have
been trying to introduce these products to the Bus gargage (mass transit) and the state highway admin but have not had a lot of luck getting to the proper people.
FIRST YOU MUST GO TOO THE TOP,START WITH THE FAT-CATS, CUT THEIR PAY-AND STOP THEM FROM STEALING,THEN YOU WILL GET 100% OF
THE BUDGET BACK.LEAVE THE WORKING PEOPLE ALONE AT THE BOTTOM.(THE POOR WORKING PEOPLE THAT HAVE KIDS,LEAVE THEM
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
City
Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore
Expense accounts - for employees who take people out to lunch, dinner, etc. - Put a cap on the amount that will be reimbursed and do not reimburse any costs
for alcoholic beverages (these can really make a bill add up), besides - they should not be drinking and driving while on Government business.
A few suggestions: First, there are many contracts presented before BPW for work that State employees already do or can do. The work should not be contracted
out when it can be accomplished by adding one or two PINS. Secondly, why are Union employees paid a bonus to come to work in addition to receiving sick time
to get paid for when they don’t? I believe it would be a great idea to abolish the bonuses before any furloughs or pay reductions are thought of. Lastly, instead of
Looking at the state manpower pool, offer a employee out plan. For employees with 20-25 years of service, give them five years of service credits. Under new
state retirement plan, they will only receive about 40% of their salaries and savings are great. For employees with 30+ years of service, entice them with five
years of service credits and pay their current health insurance premiums. This is a large "chunk" of expenditures and would save the state millions. This would
Again, the above targeted workforce would only qualify for about 40% of their regular salaries.
I wonder if the cost involved in mailing out a violation for going through EZ pass lane is worth the revenue received? I mistakenly got in the wrong lane recently
and was mailed a violation notice to send in my $2.00. It struck me that the cost involved in mailing out the notice cancelled out the revenue to be procured.
I am amazed when I watch 8 men standing around a hole in the ground and only 2 men are actually working. We could save alot of money not paying the other 6
to stand around all day and watch. Make the crews smaller. Also why is when you need a permit in Balto City you have to see 5 different people(all on the
payroll) when it should only take no more than 2 people. There are 7 cashiers and you still have to wait over 30 minutes and there is no line (being paid to sit
around and talk). I don't like to see anyone lose their job but in this recession and deep budget cuts I feel the government needs to look in their own back yards.
The Mayor of Baltimore surly does not need all those cars. I just think the government needs to clean up their own mess before they start to cut out programs the
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so
people who to not do their job.ex: last november more than 6 people who brought in their information for food stamps including medical documentation ( can be
used if you are disabled ) instead of working the cases , letters were sent out saying nothing was turned in( all of us had signed receipts) and all our food stamps
Howard
I've never worked for the government in any capacity and yet most of my friends and family are employed by either local, state or federal government. As an
employee from the private sector who has managed employee benefits for a few large corporations, I have never seen leave time offered to my employees at the
rate in which government employees seem to receive paid leave. In fact, in some cases I understand many government employees have not seen regular pay
increases however they have received additional paid leave. This is an expensive benefit. For every hour/day/week an employee is away from their job we as tax
payers are paying for down time. For instance, did you know that it has been a common practice for years for employees who work at DHR in Baltimore are
Everyone needs time off and that's a proven fact. But to stand on principle and talk about how the poor state employees haven't had a raise, is very misleading.
Minor details? Perhaps...but if you're asking how to save money, the devil is in the details.
Baltimore
Baltimore
City
Baltimore
Anne Arundel
Get rid of the state chef and wait staff.
TAX TAX TAX companies that outsource work. BRING THE WORK BACK TO THE U.S. You would create millions of jobs if you would give tax breaks to
companies that keep the jobs here and TAX TAX TAX companies that outsource work. Problems started when more and more jobs were outsourced - KEEP THE
also when work is done on the road, how come 2 guys are working and 5 are standing around watching. Employees are paid to stand around and watch? Where do I
Furlough Monday's for everyone would recover the budget quickly. It should apply to everyone not according to salary brackets.
From everything that is being said about budget cuts. My thought is you are laying off the employees that make a difference everyday. I think you should take
the salaries of the employees that make over $60,000 and cut there pay. (that way you can afford to pay the smaller salaries) By doing this you are not laying off
the employees that make a difference. Everybody will still have a job. By laying people off the economy is going to get worse because the people you lay will not
be able to afford to buy things. Unemployement Benefits are only $700.00 every two weeks. If you have a mortage of $1000.00 a month and other expensies we
cut the governor's paycheck
charge the governor rent for staying in the governor's mansion.
Cut back on the previous governor's pension (most of them have other jobs).
Cut the pay of the legislators and the governor's staff. Return the new websites, they weren't necessary
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
Wicomico
Cecil
Carroll
I suggest that you do away with employees taking home Government owned cars and trucks. The tax payers are paying these people to drive back and forth work
each day. I have to drive my own car back and forth to my job each day and I don't get reimbursed for gas. Perhaps you should build a private garage where the
employees can drive their own cars to/from work and they can park there, pick up the Government car for 'WORK USE ONLY' and then park it at the end of the
Stop printing direct deposit advices for employees. If an employee would like a printed copy they can go to the web site and print it out. Most of these are not
Give state employee's the 4 day 10 hour a day option and close buildings down for one day
I think we could focus on all the out of state cars that are parked in parking lots in Apartment and Housing developments. These are people who are living here
1. Perhaps if SOME of the State Centers went to four ten hour days to cut utilities, I’m aware that not all buildings can do this but if some do what would be the
2. Please don't lay state employees off..... Perhaps if we were to give up holidays or if ALL employees take more furloughs this would keep workers employed, I
feel it is very important to keep people employed, it would only add problems if the unemployment rate went up in the state of MD.
3. Cut “luxuries” employees, inmates, etc…. Go back to overheads, employee/students should write notes and stop the use of so much paper with hand outs. In
short employees order and waste to many items. Cut what inmates are allotted.
select your county
Baltimore
Harford
Anne Arundel
Calvert
Carroll
Montgomery
City
Frederick
City
Harford
Baltimore
Baltimore
I hope this helps or that we as a state can come up with something.
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Give an incentive for State workers who are eligible for retirement to retire, such as 4 weeks of additional paid leave or whatever seems reasonable. This needs
This would accomplish 3 things: 1. get a big salary off the payroll, 2. create a vacancy where salary savings can be gained, 3. create a vacancy that can be
Take automobiles away from State workers when they are off work. This would cut down on the gas, insurance to cover them and their families for personal use
and the wear and tear on the vehicles that are needed to do their jobs.
How about getting rid of all those grossly overpaid government officials? You know the ones... who do nothing but want to "research" what they already know the
results of. You know the bay bridge needs updated, there is no need to research this, it is fact. How about getting rid of dishonest government like Dixon? You
know she took bribes and still she is paid how much money? How about cutting back on perks to criminals in jail? They dont need cable, weigh rooms, and huge
libraries. They are being punished for crimes commited against the other law abiding citizens of this state. Use non violent criminals to clean the roadways, there
are not nearly enough of these types of crews out there. Instead of sending state workers out to clean up carcuses on roadsides >which they dont do anyway<
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a dfew benefit
stop state trucks from being taken home. and stop them from going to homes in pa. i see them dailey after 4:30 thru 5pm . there should be no!!!!!!! need for
these vehicle to go home with workers or to pa..!!!!! itizens are watching!!!!!
Reduce or eliminate air conditioning in selected buildings. Turn OFF all equipment, routers, electronics; allow employees to wear shorts and tank tops to keep
cool. Use led night lights at night. Compost in gardens to eliminate / reduce watering requirement. These policies have worked phenomenally for me at home.
For any residential state-run institutions, or any institution that uses laundry: I have a working clothes line that is phenomenal with savings. Regarding
telecommuniting: I work at home and it's a big headache, so I don't recommend that across the board (equipment problems are my biggest issue). Double and
Cutting jobs is definitely not the way to fix the budget. People are already on the verge of losing their homes in most situations. Cutting education is not one of
them either. I am a State Employee and a single mom of three who just moved into an apartment six months ago. The last thing I need to hear is that I'm losing
my job and have no income to support me and my children. It's not fair. Some of these big suits in the state of Maryland should get some furloughs like we did.
We mananged and now you want to do it again?? To us?? Not fair! If I can make if off of less than 30,000 a yr with only Medical assistance than we really need to
look at that. I know people have different types of lifestyles but we all voted for change and I don't think this was the type of change we were expecting. I'm willing
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My suggestion to save money, and reduce crime, is to cut off any state support through social service programs (ie Section 8 housing, food stamps, food
vouchers, etc) of immediate families in which a member of the household commits a felony crime, either as an adult or juvenile. As example, 15 year old child, in
a household headed by mother who receives public assistance, is convicted of a crime, the mother's support should be curtailed as she is basically being paid by
Take money from the new proposed light rail lines, or stop perchasing land that is already catagorized as swamp or marshland. Give state employees a break
First of all, I really don't understand why your state workers have to take so many cuts. We have lost raises, cost of living, 401k match,increments and furlough
days. In atleast the past 5 years Maryland has lost billions of dollars by not having slots. It very hard to understand why the state would let this type of revenue
keep passing us by. People complain of locations for slots, take for instance Pennsylvania, they took an old steel mill building in Bethlehem and transformed it
The state could save a lot of money if the Loaned Educators at the Maryland State Department of Education were returned to his/her jurisdiction. Some Loaned
Educators make 2X or 3X what other State employees make at MSDE.
Baltimore
Harford
Harford
Anne Arundel
Howard
Baltimore
City
City
Cecil
Harford
Carroll
Take all state employee that had 25 years are more, let go.and all other workers take a 10 per cent pay cut. Thank you. and save 20 million.
When I talk with State Employees I am always amazed by the amount of time off they have. I've worked in the private sector for almost 40 years and there is no
doubt that private sector employees are much more efficient than govt employees. My simple suggestion, reduce the number of state employees and reduce the
benefits they receive. Stay away from teachers because when you consider less than 40% of kids in Baltimore graduate, we cannot afford to compromise
I am a disabled veteran and am very limited to the funding that I need to fix my home to make it safe for me to get around. My suggestion to the Maryland Gov.
and the federal Gov. is that you should do what we are expected to do. Cut your wages just like we askedto do to help. I can't understand why the pay to any one
that is working for the people can justify the amount of money you take from taxes for a salary! Get a real job for the rest if the year when your in your nice homes
with all the perks! Maybe that would be better than robbing the lottery money from the schools and veterans and needed services! Just stop the statium fund and
Legalize and tax marijuana. Maryland could bring in hundreds of millions of dollars by taxing the sale of Marijuana. This would also cut back on law enforcement
spending by allowing police to focus on violent crimes, and cutting down on prison population and spending. Remember: Marijuana is "dangerous" because it is
criminalized and forces otherwise law-abiding and tax-paying citizens to deal with criminals. Allow us legal access to Marijuana and you will save millions in law
-Decrease K-12 education spending by $52 per student
-Raise gas tax by 1 cent
-Cut bonuses
-Raise the cigarette tax
-Raise toll violations
-Have move government officials work from home
-Have government officials cut back on travel
-A fee for each animal slaughtered within the state (Wisconsin attempted to create this bill)
-Entry fee for strip clubs
-More work study programs in place of scholarships
-Put a freeze on new state construction projects
-Close a rest area on the highway
-Close a post office.... e-mail!
-Encourage recycling by using a private company that pays people to recycle (such as Recyclebank)
My suggestion will be to raise the cost of the Bay Bridge. In order to get to the beach by the way of 95 to route 1 the cost is almost triple.
1.Fiscal agents that are hired to replace state workers usually end up costing state government double then they aquire the bid to operate said services.
2. To make changes that will allow deadwood (staff) to be release from state service faster and much easlier. It takes years to release someone that can not
Recently Maryland's media has repeatedly reported on Govenor O'Malley's calls for budget-cutting suggestions from the public; however, I have not seen
anything reporting on suggestions submitted. Has consideration been given to making suggestions available to the public on-line? I'm sure many Marylanders
would be interested. A state resident reviewing submissions might spot what is to him an obvious omission and generate additional suggestions.
We need more fraud investigators for the Department of Social Services. If we had more investigators possibly they could catch and remove the people from our
welfare rolls that are fraudulently receiving public assistance. After living for the past 6 years around people who collect public assistance, I can tell you there are
many who are committing fraud. I have personally turned several in to the "hot" line and nothing has been done. Get more investigators out there and get these
Encourage the public (and businesses)to support their local fire house and police thru community fund raising events. Events could be held at neighborhood
churches, stadium parking lots, or anywhere there is room to park/land fire, rescue, and law enforcement equipment. Closer relationships are formed between the
public (especially the youth) and it gives citizens the opportunity to support the heroes who protect them and keep them safe. The state emergency agencies
receive donations collected at the events and profits from sales made by local vendors at the events. The money is then used to reduce the cost to the state of
maintaining emergency and law enforcement agencies. We own a timeshare in Massanutten, VA where every October a fundraising event is held for the local fire
Just a thought.
I'll make this brief, but as a resident of MD, I could go on and on about this situation. Since budget cuts are inevitable at this point, I think a higher tax on alcohol
would be appropriate (not on smoking products because I think those unfortunate residents have been taxed to death - and no, I'm not a smoker). Alcohol abuse
is a major problem and I think it's time to place some burden on that bad habit. An increase on that tax would affect the abusers rather than putting a gas tax on
the average hard-working citizen. I would rather see an increase at state colleges rather than cuts to the K-12 education program. This is the level where
children get their basic education and they deserve the best we can give them. Rather than layoffs for state employees, I suggest furloughs to begin with so
l d 't t ll l
j b S l
i
t th t t l
l h ld b
d d
ll
b
f
til th b d t i t bili d I
k df
City
With times being as they are I feel that no budget or department should be left out including education. I understand that funding to schools is important. But a
modest cut of say 1% would not hurt the school to much. It the only way to be fair across the board. If one suffers, we all should suffer.
Carroll
Baltimore
Talbot
Anne Arundel
City
Allegany
Baltimore
Allegany
Anne Arundel
Allegany
City
- stop paying welfare for the illegal aliens
- stop contributing towards college tuitions for illegal aliens
- stop purchasing dead racetracks
- stop purchasing foreclosed on theaters
There are a lot of state employees who have more than 30 years employment and who are literally retired in their positions, I think before furloughs and before
layoffs employees with more than 30 or maybe even 35 years should be told to retire. Either way, if the agency can prove the position needs to be filled, it can be
filled at a much lower wage (probably the beginning of the grade) whereas these individuals are most likely at the top of their pay grade. This should more than
Maybe some of the huge sums that Maryland pays to independent contractors could be cut.
Reduce or eliminate use of state cars and/or drivers for most state and county officials.
No one ever wants to see folks loose their jobs, but you just have to walks around state offices and see how many people are doing nothing. This is one of the
biggest expenses any business has. Look at road crews...two are working three are standing around. Appoint someone to walk around state offices. All
businesses are having fewer people do more and that can be done at the state level as well. The Sunpaper laid off 61 reporters in one day. How many will you lay
Agencies are presently compiling Overtime data to show that Patient Care staff (RN's,LPN's & Nursing Assistances) should be exempt from future Furloughs.
What the OT fails to show is the reason for the OT. At my hospital,as with most State Agencies, 90+% of that OT is to cover sick leave used by the same staff.
Nursing Management DOES NOT cover for absences, they pay Premium OT,and Management RN Positions account for an average of 20-25% of budgeted
Patient Care Positions (and they are hiring more,we have RN's falling over themselves and still pay OT for their absences). I have worked 30+ years in State
Instead of cutting, think of enhancing or asking Marylanders to give back instead of take so much....For instance, you could do a Lottery where all Marylanders
are eligable to buy tickets and win, sort of like the Big Game....The way people love to gamble you're bound to get a good penny for that....Plus this will go for the
Continue to maintain and repair roads, but suspend all new construction. Levy a ten percent wage cut on all employees making over $100,000 per year. Be less
aggressive in snow removal operations. For example, don't send out trucks unless snow is actually falling. I see a lot of personnel sitting in plow trucks prior to
perdicted snow. Do not permit State Police officers to use cruisers to travel daily distances over 20 from their home to their duty station. Thank you.
I work in the Maryland University system and think it is past time to look at tuition increases. I understand the rationale behind the hesitation to do this, but it's
time the students and their families shouldered some of this burden. It should not always fall to state employees who have given many years of outstanding
the state starting in september to close all offices the first monday of every month
State employees:
1. "Personal leave" days--Could some or all of these days (except possibly the three days originally established for observance of Jewish holidays) be
2. Maryland's annual leave policy is quite generous (without including personal leave)--after mid-December many agencies are almost deserted due to the "use it
or lose it" policy and those employees who take little leave during the year. Would cutting the annual leave earning rate help the budget for the long-term?
3. Furlough scheduling: December 26 and January 2 were mandatory furlough days which fell on Fridays, saving not only salary monies but also building
operating costs. If furloughs will be in the FY'10 cost-cutting plan, I'd suggest further use of a statewide mandatory furlough day on the day preceding or following
a scheduled holiday that falls on either Monday or Friday (e.g., Labor Day falls on Monday; mandatory furlough day could be either Friday or Tuesday or both
days). Otherwise, plan furlough days for either Friday or Monday. Aside from salaries and building operating costs, this would give the employees a longer period
to be with their families, and, since it would be scheduled in advance and announced through the media, would cause minimal disruption to public services. This,
Montgomery
Harford
4. State aircraft: The state owns a twin-engine aircraft utilized mainly for prisoner transport (operating cost estimated at approximately $1,000/hour [fuel and
maintenance] [information from an acquaintance familiar with the aircraft]). Would an alternate method of transportion be more cost-effective given the budget
situation? If security issues and utilization of this aircraft necessitate its retention would it be feasible to charter the aircraft to adjacent states for prisoner transport
Apply adhesive graphic wraps to MARC locomotives and cars that can generate advertising revenue. See the link.
http://www.lynnimaging.com/images/bus.jpg
TOO EASY! But drastic measures need to be taken seriously - less talk more action:
- Go after the mis-use of disability, welfare, doctors offices, etc. Pay rewards to people to turn in these "criminals"
- Switch back to odd - even driving days. Let folks get to know the transportaion system, and contribute to it.
- A 4 day work week is a must - schools too - PEOPLE ADAPT. If it means the differance between a paycheck and no paycheck they will ADAPT.
- Police Statewide - need to be all hands on streets. They signed up to do a job they need be on the streets. Beef up the K-9 unit. They do deter criminals and
-Higher back the retired folks at the lesser pays. Retirees are not your grandparents senior folk. They are energetic, loyal, eager, etc. Are a wealth of knowledge.
Let them work in Day cares while the welfare folks "earn" their checks. Put them to work in the Police Departments as back fill to answer phones, files, etc.
-On Gang, Murders, Crime... these thugs are plain and simple - terrorist, they terrorize communities. If they were illegals they would be handle as terrorist if they
did what these gangs are doing. It is time to call in the National Guard until this situation is stabilzied, declare these criminals terrorist. Over and done. They will
Anne Arundel
Baltimore
Thank you for allowing me the "freedom" to express my concerns.
I think the landscaping idea is a good one, just cut the grass, also there are much cheaper and still good looking ways to landscape that aren't so fancy. I also
think that the higher up people should have their pay cut, there is not way some of these people need the LARGE salary they are getting, they have too much
money. Also people higher up should not get over time and bonuses. There are middle class working people with children that are stuck in a furlow struggling
while these high paid people are sitting pretty with more money then they know what to do with. I think it is ridiculous that the people needed the most, police
1. Delay or opt out of the planned expansion of part C of IDEA which is being forced on the counties by MSDE and which most of the people on the ground feel is
a terrible idea at a time when preschool is being promoted for non disabled children.
2. Carefully review all PIN numbers created or upgraded in the past 12 years, especially those which do not require professional licenses or certifications. These
are almost all political appointees. In many cases there are 3 people doing the job 1 person used to do.(Yes, your administration is guilty too.) Too often these
3. Don't force people into retirement as recently happened
.
,
.
Anne Arundel
Baltimore
4. Look carefully at all contracts for training and services and see if another department might be able to meet the need. Promote more interdepartmental sharing
5. You can preserve money going to the counties for education while cutting some of the fat from MSDE.
6. When considering salary cuts look at what the average state employee who is not a political appointee is making. For lower level employees it is barely livable
Thank you for asking. Don't know if you are really going to use them but it is a great public relations move.
Baltimore City shouldn't have bought the stupid Senator Theatre and then maybe they could afford something much more important ... the cops on horses!
Someone else did bid on that Theater and then the City would have been getting property taxes on it also but NO the City had to out bid for it??? What sense did
that make?? State Officials need to learn how to spend money we have alittle smarter and then we wouldn't be in the mess this country is in! As far as the cash
for clunkers deal, I am sick of it, I can't afford to buy a new car, but because of that now I am paying taxes for OTHER PEOPLE to buy a new car!!! I think the
government has totally lost their minds with this spending spree. If I was going Bankrupt, I wouldn't go charge up my credit cards to the maximum but that is what
th
P a id
i d i
d ti ki it t
t
! Wh d 't
li t t "W th P
l " d t th
di !
Here's
few tsuggestions:
1. STOP TAXING AND FEE-ING US TO DEATH. If you hadn't increased taxes and fees like you did, maybe the state would have made more money from people
SPENDING money instead of you taking it away from us. YOU ARE TURNING US INTO THE TAXING BRITTAIN THAT OUR FORE FATHERS LEFT.
2. TAKE A PAY CUT YOURSELF BEFORE YOU CUT ANYONE ELSE'S PAY -- LEAD BY EXAMPLE! The highest earning people in my office (at the largest
employer in the state) took pay cuts so no one had to be furloughed and it resulted in me not having to take a pay cut.
3. STOP SPENDING. You can't make any money if you're just wasting it on things like fancy confrences to OC or you're huge fleet of cars and whatever else you
YOU are here to SERVE us. Stop lying to the public. You may be able to fool some, but there is a large group of people who you have not fooled. Be smart. CUT
FROM THE TOP DOWN. Everyone at the bottom has already made incredible sacrifices -- YOU SHOULD TOO. Try living on a salary of an average middle
Oh and maybe you could stop giving illegals and deadbeat drug addicts so many benefits. If you made it harder for them to get FREE TAXPAYER MONEY
maybe you could save some money. I'm tired of my money going to pay for wellfare when the people getting the wellfare can keep playing the system and never
have to get a job. If I'd known living like that was so easy, I would have dropped out of high school, had a few kids and gotten a handy little addiction to crack.
Carroll
Howard
Baltimore
Worcester
City
Do what's right OWE'MALLEY.
YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE GONE INTO OFFICE AND GAVE YOURSELF (GOVENOR) AND ALL YOUR ASSOCIATES THAT BIG FAT RAISE!!!!
I've been a state worker for 4 years now and I just dont understand why we must have furlough and salary reduction. Everything is going up but our paychecks
and I feel like I will never get ahead with all of this. BGE seems to go up every year which I dont understand. There has to be a better way.
Cut everything. No exceptions. I don't want anything from the state government except less taxes.
Hi, 1. I would add 50 Cents to the Bay Bridge for education. It would also facilitate faster traffic due to people not searching for change. 2. As a pharmacist I have
worked in West Virginia, Delaware, Maryland & Virginia. Why not do what these states do and limit the number of prescriptions and doctors people on medicaid
can get; also stop granting benefits to out-of-state people who become ineligable in their own states. I am retired now and if Gov. O'Malley should ever need me
h i
fM l dd
I'd b h
i h hi H
h k ih
d i l
Sir,h l
I can tell you a couple of things that should have already happened, then I will get to my more helpful suggestions. Slots should have been legalized and already
in place without some hefty and unsubstantiated license fee costing millions of dollars. How much revenue still goes out of state on a daily basis? More than we
can afford, as is apparent! You need to get a leash on BGE (making record profits and executive salaries), if I can't heat my house this winter or afford to keep the
lights on, I will be gone from this great state in which I have lived for all 41 years of my life. Mass or minor exodus of working citizens does not help any state's
Now to help - our state economy needs to stimulate itself. Hefty taxes, furloughs which lead to a loss of wages equates to less money consumers will have or be
willing to spend. From a historical standpoint, Henry Ford increased his plant workers wages at a time when everyone else was decreasing wages and down
This also ties in with getting a handle on BGE, people are scared to death of their next bill!
I believed in you when you ran for this office, as did many of us. Follow thru on what you promised. You can lead us thru this, but we can only act TOGETHER (as
you always emphasize) with a leadership in front of us that we believe in!
Baltimore
Wicomico
Somerset
Baltimore
Respectfully,
xxx
For employees to take furlough days.
Consider four ten-hour workdays for some state agencies. Though they can be an adjustment, they can in some cases save quite a bit of money on energy and
add $.50 to the bridge
take away the free pass to cross the bridges
send illegals home
drug test all on welfare and if they are postive stop payment
increase college cost
give more money to education
up the sales tax
Saving money isn't always the result of massive cost cuts, but sometimes it's the result of smaller, cumulative efforts. With that in mind, I have some suggestions
I was a state employee for a few years, and operations do differ from agency-to-agency. At Towson University I found capable employees who were dedicated to
their work. At the Department of Education I found an apathetic bunch who had to turn in pencil stubs to get a new pencil. To keep positions open we had to
temporarily fill them with low bid temps, who couldn't even perform the basic skills required of the jobs they were filling.
Recently I had to renew my Maryland driver's license. I continue to be stunned by the lack of efficiency and professonalism in this agency. Yes, there is a system
in place to ensure the prioritization of clients, but the pace at which some employees move is at a snail's pace. For example, one employee was adjusting the
drap where photos are taken...that task took about 10 minutes. Perhaps a manager from the agency should go "undercover" to all sites, wearing jeans &
sneakers, and observe operations. Also, are performance metrics in place for state employees? If not, perhaps they should be (they are in private industry).
Recently I went to court to contest a parking ticket. The judge in the courtroom spent quite a bit of time ragging on the insurance industry, telling jokes, and telling
defendants that they should be sentenced to the French Foreign Legion for speeding violations. My time was wasted, as was the time of every employee in that
Baltimore
Wicomico
Wicomico
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
I know that many state employees receive low rates of compensation, but sometimes we pay for what we get....
Get rid of goverment,boyh state and federal.
Stop subsidizing the MVA's of other states at the expense of Maryland employees. Twice I asked the Comptroller how much money was flowing into Maine
because Maine plates were being used on trailers in Maryland. I provided the documentation explaining how individuals could get Maine plates. I provided
In these tough budget times, all state agencies need to purchase supplies, materials and services as economically as possible. I would like to suggest either
suspending the MBE program temporarily or reducing the 25% MBE requirement back to 5%; and I would also suggest that all state agencies, as well as USM be
I would give a 10% cut to all state employees including the Governor. If state employees don't want the cut, let them seek employment elsewhere. There would be
thousands of people standing in line to take there place and probably do a better job. I'm sure however you will place the burden on the middle income folks and
Dear Governor O'Malley, During these tough economic times every person is vulnerable and equally concerned with being able to pay bills and provide for our
families. As a state government employee, I feel particularly vulnerable at this time as state workers are looked to for pay reductions, furloughs and layoffs. I
would like to ask for your help in encouraging state agencies to think outside of the box when considering alternatives to reducing salary expenditures. For
example, employees could be asked to take voluntary furlough days in addition to the required ones. Or employees could be asked to volunteer to work part-time,
instead of fulltime. In many cases a part time schedule may be exactly what an employee wants or needs to balance both work and home life. Employers could
I have not heard that options such as these are being explored or discussed. I hope that discussions such as these will take place. Times are tough for everyone
and hopefully with God's blessings, our economy will improve in the near future. But until then, asking for help from state workers, citizens of the State of MD,
Baltimore
Anne Arundel
Baltimore
Kent
Cecil
Anne Arundel
select your county
Baltimore
Harford
Harford
Harford
Baltimore
Thank you for your consideration.
Stop makeing the medium strips on the roads. What a waste of the taxpayers money. For what reason are they wasting all the cement and man hours in the
process. This money can be used some were else. We don't need any more obstacles in the way of driving. And then their are the circles are more of a hazard
After 34 years in Government, I have learned that, altough federal and state budgets are complicated, finance is not. If you spend more than you make, you need
to do one of two things. Raise revenue (taxes)... not smart or cut spending. I propose a 10% (or whatever it takes) cut across the board in ALL programs..no
exceptions! (discretionary spending not entitlements). Freeze hiring...don't fire or furlough people. That will hurt what you are trying to fix...less wages mean less
WE NEED TO DITCH THE FREELOADERS. MY HUSBAND AND I ARE IN OUR SIXTIES, HOME OWNERS, HARD WORKERS and taxpayers. i am tired of
watchng WELFARE FOLKS sitting on thier butts as we stumble off to work. THEY GET SECTION 8, food stamps and disability payments, which they sell and
trade for cigs. and drugs.there is also the kid who lives in a home with retired grand parents who have a new car and he is picked up everyday in a taxi (paid for
all computers need to be shutdown at end of day would save some on electric bill,turns lights off in areas not being used,change to energy saving light
Instead of State employees having to take additional furlough days and pay cuts, why doesn't the Governor offer early retirement/butout to employees with 25
years service and eliminate thier PINS after they except the early retirement? This would help cut the fat and also save jobs for those State employees whom
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Restrict out of state travel for state agencies or limit it to one person per trip.
If cuts must be made, they should be from the top 5 largest jurisdictions in Maryland who normally get the most funding.
Enforce immigration laws look at the companies doing business with the state and all the illegals they have working for them. Example the 95 express lanes being
Compensation and benefits have to be the largest budget expenditure. The state should focus on the costs of pension and retirement. Compared to private
industry, the state is overly generous with the retirement benefits that it provides to state employees. You should consider making adjustments to this plan, as
has private industry over the last decade. People are living longer and yet the amount of time needed to work has remained the same. Over time, any
Compensation and benefits have to be the largest budget expenditure. The state should focus on the costs of pension and retirement. Compared to private
industry, the state is overly generous with the retirement benefits that it provides to state employees. You should consider making adjustments to this plan, as
has private industry over the last decade. People are living longer and yet the amount of time needed to work has remained the same. Over time, any
Compensation and benefits have to be the largest budget expenditure. The state should focus on the costs of pension and retirement. Compared to private
industry, the state is overly generous with the retirement benefits that it provides to state employees. You should consider making adjustments to this plan, as
has private industry over the last decade. People are living longer and yet the amount of time needed to work has remained the same. Over time, any
Get rid of the comute drivers. It will save both on gas and the maintenance of state vehicles.
Harford
City
Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore
Cut Section 200 from I-95. The cost far exceeds the benefit once Section 100 is finished. The beltway and White Marshe is where the problem lies, not here.
And to promote Smart Growth do not bulldoze acres of forest and wetlands for a Park & Ride in a no-growth area of the County on Route 152.
How about 1)Selling parking spaces on the streets, and fines of $250. City, counties and states. Fines shoud be $100 dollars (half to state, half to owner) plus
towing and sforage of vehicle 2)Deportation of illegals.3)Fines for owners of abandon houses or homes that are eyesores in the neighborhoods. Allowing the
Eliminate MBE program.
One good place to start is by down-sizing the amount of vehicles that elected officials have for their use. Example: the mayor has three vechicles for her use that
the tax payers are paying for. Two vechicles could be eliminated without it causing any problem for her getting around. Most people are more than happy to have
Enforce all laws regarding code violations in Baltimore County, especially Dundalk, North Point Villiage, WatersEdge, West Inveness, Graceland Park and other
surrounding areas. As I travel throughout Dundalk. I find many garbage cans without lids, trash at curb side not in covered cans, trash in yards, untagged vehicles
etc, name it claim it. Access the fines and generate more revenue for the state. Only one time in Graceland park were residents cited a fine for uncovered
Baltimore
Pass legislation to stop assistance to children having children. In this generation we have too many children having children, let their parents support them. No
more day care in our schools. These type of programs have to be eliminated, we as taxpayers and a state cannot afford all these give aways, somewhere it
Enforce all laws regarding code violations in Baltimore County, especially Dundalk, North Point Villiage, WatersEdge, West Inveness, Graceland Park and other
surrounding areas. As I travel throughout Dundalk. I find many garbage cans without lids, trash at curb side not in covered cans, trash in yards, untagged vehicles
etc, name it claim it. Access the fines and generate more revenue for the state. Only one time in Graceland park were residents cited a fine for uncovered
Baltimore
Pass legislation to stop assistance to children having children. In this generation we have too many children having children, let their parents support them. No
more day care in our schools. These type of programs have to be eliminated, we as taxpayers and a state cannot afford all these give aways, somewhere it
Enforce all laws regarding code violations in Baltimore County, especially Dundalk, North Point Villiage, WatersEdge, West Inveness, Graceland Park and other
surrounding areas. As I travel throughout Dundalk. I find many garbage cans without lids, trash at curb side not in covered cans, trash in yards, untagged vehicles
etc, name it claim it. Access the fines and generate more revenue for the state. Only one time in Graceland park were residents cited a fine for uncovered
select your county
City
Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore
Pass legislation to stop assistance to children having children. In this generation we have too many children having children, let their parents support them. No
more day care in our schools. These type of programs have to be eliminated, we as taxpayers and a state cannot afford all these give aways, somewhere it
Eliminate State employees who are using State vehicles to go back and forth to home and are commute exempt. This not only isn't fair to other employees, but
reduces the amount of tax money going into State coffers from gasoline tax.
We have several medicaid recipients assigned to MCO and Pac providers. These providers are paid each month and the recipient has never taken the time to
call that physician and/or provider to make an appointment to be seen. These payment continue to the providers sometimes for years. I believe that if a recipient
does not make an initial contact with a provider within 120 days they should be canceled from the program. Additionally, they should not be able to reapply unless
they had made an attempt to contact the original assigned physician and/or MCO. The closing of the recipients that does not care to take care of themselves
As a resident of Hunt Valley, I suggest the light rail is curtailed to rush hour and stadium events. I have calculated that I sit for 8.6 hours/year in my car waiting for
let every employee including executives take a pay cut that is proportional to their salary. That way ,everyone keeps their job.
Eliminate public spokespersons for all government agencies.
Have prisoners pick up trash along hiways.
Do not hire retired employees as contract hires.
Do not allow illegle immigrants to receive social services.
Have state senators, delegates, governor,etc. take 10% pay cut.
Increase rate for water, waste management, etc.
Close all tax loop holes for big business.
Make people who file for unemployment do some sort of work for their benefits.
I suggest that the Maryland Legislature meet every other year. This would save a small fortune and eliminate 50% of the opportunities for the legislature to think
I suggest that the Maryland Legislature meet every other year. This would save a small fortune and eliminate 50% of the opportunities for the legislature to think
Stop replacing red lights-poles and new lights, where the lights that already there, Still work fine, you know the saying. dont fix something thats not broke.
Increase the cost of health insurance paid by employees and retirees, thereby reducing the amount of insurance paid by the state. This would then decrease the
cost being paid out by the citizens of Maryland through income taxes as well as the state of Maryland itself.
City
Howard
City
Do 10 furlough days during Thanksgiving and Christmas weeks. Historically nothing gets done productive during this time so the state saves on salaries and heat
may be shut down in state buildings to reduce cost. Employees may handle these furlough days better because they get time off with their families during the
Honestly, if my family can make it on what we make, about 50,000 a year. Why not freeze pay raises and cut some of those big paychecks the "lawmakers" take
home. Also stop buying all these new toys or technology , like the LED lights on the police cars. START ENFORCING the speed limits on the roads and
highways, stop the violators and ticket them. Do the same for the road rage drivers. Watch the advertising for the Lotto , it is crazy with the percentage of the
money going to advertising. Start installing Speed cameras all over the place, kill two birds with one stone, safety and money. Tax the crap out of the millionairs,
1. A statewide furlough for all employees,and lawmakers. Employees should have between 3-5 days and lawmakers at least 2 days more.
2. Cut all post GED programs for prison inmates.
Frederick
City
Allegany
Anne Arundel
select your county
City
Harford
Baltimore
3. Freeze raises for state employees and lawmakers.
Parole prison inmates that have been encarcerated for the USE of illegal drugs to reduce the prison population.
Gov. O'Malley,
I'm a state employee who formerly worked in paperless offices
, and who observes inefficiencies in my dept. on a daily basis. My
1/ Electronic time-keeping. At MSDE, we fill out our time sheets by hand and they are manually calculated. My recorded leave time is NEVER current, and I
haven't worked at any organization with manual timekeeping since 1997.
2/ Teleconferencing rather than travel to personal meetings whenever possible. Attendance rises when people don't have to travel far. To discourage travel for
personal meetings and promote teleconferencing, strictly prohibit food from being provided, or place a strict limit for funds for food provided, at personal meetings,
3/ To further encourage teleconferencing, follow-up workgroups should be required to communicate by Sharepoint or Docushare web-based programs, rather
4/ Meetings/outings/conferences/retreats should take place at state buildings rather than at resorts or expensive hotels.
5/ Teleworking for state employees at ALL agencies - production and morale have noted increases when allowing teleworking at least 1-2 days per week.
6/ 4-day workweek to allow buildings to close an extra day.
7/ Consolidation of office space and renegotiation of leased space.
8/ Examine fees for services!! For example, teachers pay only $10 every 5 years (i.e., $2/year) as a teaching certificate processing fee. Perhaps raise it and
similar fees to $25 every 5 years (i.e., $5/year). Astounding that these fees have remained the same for 20+ years, even though staffing has necessarily
9/ If necessary, continued mandatory furlough days rather than layoffs accompanied by a TRUE hiring freeze.
Thanks for your time
xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Eliminate troopers taking home their vehicles. We have 3 in our neighborhood and it doesn't deter crime. Waste of money to allow them, who are paid well to use
all lawmakers should take a 5-10 percent pay cut, lets start leading my example, and show the people of Maryland that you are doing your parts as well, instead
of making an 11th hour, back room deal to get yourselfs a pay raise, while people are lossing their homes
i was born in baltimore and i have lived all my life ,, i have never seen crime like it is now ,, i am a contractor here in baltimore and i will not go in to soom areas.
Too save money,, check on were the checks are going in your welfare system. YOU HAVE TO POLICE THIS SYSTEM,,
I think that alot of money could be saved if the state was not paying for alot of extras for the prisioners in Maryland. Now they are getting Md State Id's free, they
already get Birth Certificates free and i have two daughters who had to pay for their new born childrens birth certificates. This seems to be a new process of
paying for their State Id's and it is costly, if the state spends money on 300 state id's last month and is continuing to do that look at the money that could have
Make it only 1 year for the welfair and have day care at each and every job for all of those mothers who are on welfair and make them go to work even if it means
just flipping burgers.That will save alot of money and thay will get off of welfair and section 8.That will save alot of money.
Make it mandatory.
Good leaders in the past lead by example. Budget cuts need to start with top leaders and their families. Cut payroll 1-5% throughout entire employees.My
income is beiung cut 30$ 3-1-10 . I have prepared by downsizing my residence
Shopping at 3 different groceery stores. Cutting coupons Buying clothes
when only absolutely neccessary.Shop WalMart, instead of Norstroms, Penny's and Macy's Buy $80. pair of shoes instead of $100 to 500. Buy $200 suits
instead of $1000. Cut all programs whatever percent it takes to balance the budget. Education, health, safety. Don't pick and chose. Maybe some of your more
elite employees need to put their children into the public school system. We bray wehave the best schools in the coiuntry. our leaders doubt that?. Stop state
Great leaders lead by example. It must start from the top. Do it and you will become the saviour of Maryland, if not
you may not have a second term. Put people first, politics second.
Baltimore
City
Try selling the open space land that you bought as you asked State workers to take up to five days of furloughs. Also start putting common sense into practice (
like lowering taxes to give people more money to spend, we can spend it better than you)
The State of Maryland could see an increase in revenue by electing to choose to use more speed camera's on Maryland Highways.
The University of Maryland Police Force would be more effective by being under the supervision of Maryland State Police instead of having individual police
chiefs at each campus. Thus saving in salary's by the elimination of these high paid positions.
Baltimore
Anne Arundel
Somerset
Anne Arundel
City
Baltimore
Harford
Harford
Harford
The University of Maryland Police Force currently uses different equipment at each campus instead of using the Maryland State Police surplus equipment thus
costing more from the State of Maryland Budget. Being able to purchase same or like equipment in volume is cheaper than individual cost from each campus with
I DRIVE AROUND MOST OF THE DAY AND SEE MANY MTA TRANSPORT CARS. MANY HAVE NO ONE IN THEM. I'M SURE THE PRICE OF THE
CARS,MAINTENANCE,GAS AND SALARIES IS EXPENSIVE. WHY NOT JUST CONTRACT LOCAL CAB COMPANIES TO ASSIST. IT WOULD HELP THEM
Put off all Project that are not really need and does not affect public safety and well being. Reduce the number of State Vehicles. Start purchaseing fuel efficent
vehicles. For example hybrid, natural gas, or electric vehicles. Look into using USED COOKING OIL in the Deisel vehicles.
The most important thig is not to cut anything from Education. Keep in mind the Children are our future! They will be the future leaders. They will be taking care
of use adults when we get older. What we do today is what they have to deal with.
As a tenured college professor i recommend we offer 3 year - 12 month undergraduate degrees at the state universities. Our university just sits during the
summer with the buildings all being open and maintained for just a few summer students. What a waste.
With all the hoopla on sports both hagh school and other activities it seems to me a lot of the bill is footed by the counties and the state. If the parents want their
children in these let them foot the bill. Just think how much would be saved. I know of one High School field thet cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and it
cut back use of state vehicles.
MANY MTA POLICE EARN SIX FIGURES A YEAR DUE TO ALL THE OVER TIME THEY DO!!! CONSIDER SEVERAL PART TIME POSITIONS. OT FOR
SEVERAL EMPLOY. EVERYDAY FOR YEARS MEANS THAT THESE ARE SPACES THAT NEED FILLED AND PAID STRAIGHT PAY. WHAT A WASTE!!!
I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE URGENT NEED FOR A LIGHT RAIL CONNECTING WEST BALTIMORE (THE HIGHEST CRIME AREA)TO EAST BALTIMORE
(THE MORE AFFLUENT CANTON AREA) IN THESE ECONOMIC TIMES AT A COST OF 1.6BILLION? LETS PROTECT TEACHERS, POLICE, STATE
Having worked in state government at DHR during the Ehrlich administration I saw first hand the amount of waste each day. There are too many people close to
retirement age who are just biding their time who look for obstacles to the use of technology and process changes to make government more efficient. Why not
offer early retirement packages to people 55+ to reduce staff. The state bumping system when there are layoffs should also should be re-evaluated because
often seniority and once doing a job years ago doesn't equate to efficiency and knowledge now. Combine many similar state support departments in different
agencies under one centralized umbrella. Hire people like me who can analyze process and flow and facilitate changes for efficiency/cost savings and motivate
l
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i
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b i th i ht
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t i h
th t h
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th
Greetings
Mr.
Governor O'Malley
First, I would like to thank you for alowing Marylanders to offer suggestions. I would like to make a suggestion that would save quite a bit of money for the State of
Maryland. Just in my 90 home development alone there are at least (20) twenty officers of the law that use their patrol vehicle back and forth to work and other
personal duties. I even have a fireman that brings the hooking ladder engine home and it takes up at least 3 spots on the street. I'm sure this will not save the
deficit, but it sure will assist in a drastic decrease. If there are this many in my community, just imagine the dollars being wasted on state and local work vehicles.
Baltimore
I would like to see a stop of prisoners and the people doing community services cleaning up the streets as the policy now.I see a 15 passenger van with two
driver behind that a porta potti truck-one driver then a truck with the flashing single to move over with another driver and four guys picking up trash.This happens
a lot and drives me crazy.I worked at
for twenty years and saw this all the time.Somebody get real-do we really have that much money to
Next I would change the way Maryland punishes criminals.Lets say yoy get twenty years-you do twenty years or you can put them to work on
highways,roads,cuting grass or what ever and cut there time in half.If they dont want to do it-all twenty.That would send a message to the crimenals that if you do
the crime you do all the time.And when they here how hard its going to drop it in half-and that gets back to the streets-maybe they will think twice about doing a
crime.You could even sub them out to companys on big jobs and the city gets paid.I know they would need supervision but the savings would well over ride
Thanks for reading this- xxx
Harford
1)Stop getting rid of the Indians and start getting rid of the chiefs; 2) Stop the give-away programs designed to buy votes (e.g., CASA); 3) stop cutting services
and education first (as punishment) and get rid of pork-barrel (pet) projects; 4) Maryland is one of the wealthiest states in the union (3rd or 4th) and one of the
smaller ones, but we do not have enough money; 5) I am retired and find living in this liberal paradise is becoming increasingly more of an economic difficulty
because of rising property and income taxes. In fact, this state is economically hostile to retirees. 6) Have a state-wide audit by an out of state auditor and get rid
Baltimore
put all on welfare too work----clean the city and county
find absent fathers---make them pay child support==if unemployed add them to the clean city county program
upper class school teens--use public transportation--we did
Montgomery
Anne Arundel
approve slots
Make budget cuts - don't raise taxes!
I have attached a bio on Sheriff Arpaio, Mariposa County, Arizona. What he has accomplished and saved the taxpayers in Arizona is amazing. His plan of using
prisoners for free labor and cost savings are extraordinary. Please contact him re: saving money. Joseph M. Arpaio
You probably know him as “America’s Toughest Sheriff,” a name given to him years ago by the media. It’s a name he certainly has earned as head of the nation’s
third largest Sheriff’s Office which employs over 3000 people. But even before he became Sheriff in 1993, Joe Arpaio was one tough lawman. After serving in the
U.S. Army from 1950 to 1953, and as a Washington, D.C., and Las Vegas, NV, police officer for almost five years, Arpaio went on to build a federal law
He began his career as a federal narcotics agent, establishing a stellar record in infiltrating drug organizations from Turkey to the Middle East to Mexico, Central,
and South America to cities around the U.S. His expertise and success led him to top management positions around the world with the U.S. Drug Enforcement
In 1992 Arpaio successfully campaigned to become the Sheriff of Maricopa County. Since then he has been reelected to an unprecedented four 4-year terms.
During his tenure as Sheriff of Maricopa County, Arpaio has consistently earned extraordinarily high public approval ratings.
With over four decades experience in law enforcement, Arpaio knows what the public wants, “The public is my boss,” he says, “so I serve the public.” He has
Arpaio has over 10,000 inmates in his jail system. In August, 1993, he started the nation’s largest Tent City for convicted inmates. Two thousand convicted men
and women serve their sentences in a canvas incarceration compound. It is a remarkable success story that has attracted the attention of government officials,
Of equal success and notoriety are his chain gangs, which contribute thousands of dollars of free labor to the community. The male chain gang, and the world’s
first-ever female and juvenile chain gangs, clean streets, paint over graffiti, and bury the indigent in the county cemetery.
Also impressive are the Sheriff’s get tough policies. For example, he banned smoking, coffee, movies, pornographic magazines, and unrestricted TV in all jails.
He has the cheapest meals in the U.S. too. The average meal costs about 15 cents, and inmates are fed only twice daily, to cut the labor costs of meal delivery.
Another program Arpaio is very wellknown for is the pink under shorts he makes all inmates wear. Years ago, when the Sheriff learned that inmates were stealing
jailhouse white boxers, Arpaio had all inmate underwear dyed pink for better inventory control. The same is true for the Sheriff’s handcuffs. When they started
disappearing, he ordered pink handcuffs as a replacement. And later, when the Sheriff learned the calming, psychological effects of the color pink—sheets,
Arpaio has started another controversial program, the website WWW.MCSO.org, so that all those arrested (about 300 per day) are recorded on the Sheriff’s
website as they are booked and processed into jail. Just under a million hits daily come into the website, making it one of the most visible law enforcement sites
In addition to these tough measures, the Sheriff has launched rehabilitative programs like “Hard Knocks High,” the only accredited high school under a Sheriff in
an American jail, and ALPHA, an anti-substance-abuse program that has greatly reduced recidivism.
As chief law enforcement officer for the county, Arpaio continues to reduce crime with hard-hitting enforcement methods. His deputies and detectives have solved
several high-profile murder cases, including nine child murders. The posse, whose ranks have increased to 3,000 members under Arpaio, is the nation’s largest
volunteer posse. Posse men and women help in search and rescue and other traditional police work as well as in special operations like rounding up deadbeat
No wonder Sheriff Arpaio has been profiled in over 2,000 U.S. and foreign newspapers, magazines, and TV news programs. His leadership and the excellent
work of his staff have catapulted the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office into the ranks of elite law enforcement agencies.
On a personal note, Sheriff Arpaio and his wife Ava have been married for over 51 years and have two children, both residing in the Phoenix area. The Arpaios
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
Baltimore
select your county
City
Anne Arundel
select your county
Anne Arundel
Allegany
Arpaio looks forward to many more years as Sheriff of Maricopa County.
The legalization of marijuana is something that I thought should have been done nation wide a long time ago, not just for medical use but for any adult. Not only
will it help the economy by creating jobs via farming, regulating, selling, packaging, and so on, but it will help with over populated prisons, with criminals from
victimless crimes such as possession of marijuana. Marijuana is the kind of drug that mellows people, unlike with some people with alcohol. It isn’t addictive like
alcohol or cigarettes or even some prescription medications. We could make the same kinds of laws about under age smoking or consumption of marijuana, and
driving while under the influence. Frankly the type of people that would drive under the influence are the same people that are drinking and driving now. So I really
d ’tisf another
l th
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li
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based
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ind September
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it - the idea still
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text...."The Governor and the Maryland Legislature are trying to soften the blow of raising taxes with smoke and mirrors instead of actually closing the gaping tax
loopholes that currently exist for the benefit of corporations over the average taxpayer. It must be very embarrassing for the Maryland Transit Administration to be
paying a Maryland business located in Millersville for commuter buses and services when the buses are corporately registered in Florida and other states to
possibly avoid Maryland taxes and maybe get around Maryland emission rules. The MTA slogan should be changed to “Ride the MTA because Florida loves our
t decrease
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state
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need to allow a system here so we can report waste within our State agency and not get in trouble from our bosses for reporting the waste.
Idea to add income to the state. I work with the telecom companies. As we deploy antennas throughout the state we find the state's existing towers are a perfect
match. However, we've learned the state is so difficult to work with and so terribly unresponsive that we try to avoid working with the state at all costs. As a
I wrote a letter to the Editor of the Captial in July 2007 about a novel way to stem the loss of tax revenue. I guess no one read it - the idea still stands. Here is
the text...."I find it very interesting that the Governor and certain members of the Maryland Legislature are finding it necessary to cut programs and probably raise
consumer taxes to balance a state budget that is suffering from shrinking revenue without considering an important fact. Statewide some of the national-chain
stores to include some local names in hardware and grocery sales are significantly cutting employees at their cash register lines and replacing them with
automated self checkout machines. This swap is creating fewer employees thus generating fewer income withholding taxes as well as the chain stores
th
l Troopers
i fDrive theirl cars 100's
l t of
d tmiles toMwork
l Overtime
dh
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f do not support
t h the
i State
t
t Of Maryland.
l
li i Troopers
b thi sit on the
l side of
iththe Road
Maryland
assignments
that
at the National Security Agency (NSA) drawing their overtime rate. They use their State cars to drive 100's of miles to this assignment. Make the troopers pay the
The Maryland MVA pays State troopers and other Police at their Overtime rate to provide security at MVA offices. This equals up to 50$ ann hour and more. They
could Hire Delta force commando's for that much.Either elliminate this security or sned Police as part of their normal patrol
I cannot understand reducing payments to nursing homes as those that depend on these resources are among the most vulnerable. If we can't take care of the
elderly, the infirm and our children then what does that say about us as a society. I realize that cuts have to be made but surely there are other options to cut.
It is also hard for me to comprehend State employees having to take furlough days. How can people be expected to help the economy by spending when their
income is being taken away. To me when a commitment is made by a government, it should be binding. When a person is told when they are hired that their
salary will be a specified amount, that is what it should be. Perhaps instead of furloughs for state employees, it could be considered to give those retired
employees who have taken contract positions with the state while drawing their pensions an indefinite furlough. The money alloted for those contracts could
Baltimore
Baltimore
I know that these are not going to solve the deficit; however, there has to be a way to cut costs without the two situations mentioned above.
Hello Governor O'Malley. I suggest that the revenue or a portion of the revenue from the Maryland Lottery that now currently goes to the Maryland Stadium
Authority should go to help balance the state budget. The Maryland Lottery makes nearly 1 billion dollars every fiscal year. The Maryland lottery benefits from
Maryland citizens. I don't see why some of that money should not go to help the state finacial budget. Why should it all go the Maryland Stadium Authority, since
Dear Governor O'Malley
The State would save 18-20 million dollars if the lost children from the Hickey School were sent to live and receive training at the Workforce and Technology
Center on Argonne Drive. This facility is part of the Division of Rehabilitation Services (MSDE) and has its own police/security and specialty personnel (vocational,
addiction, psychology, assistive technology) whose knowledge and training would greatly assist these individuals who have up to this point been "left behind".
Maybe you could find room for me somewhere as I really enjoyed working for the State of Maryland.
Good luck with this idea and your future career.
Baltimore
Respectfully,
xxx
Dear Governor,
I am writing this as a citizen of Maryland although I am also a state employee of 29 years. So, I am your employee with obvious limitations. I have been working
for 21 years as
Fiscal Officers are the ones who may know where financial waste happens and where savings can happen. You may benefit by calling a meeting of Fiscal
Officers of all State budgetary units allowing them the freedom to speak their minds? You may hear a lot. I can give you some idea too.
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Fiscal Officers are the ones you may need to take into confidence at this time to find out possible solutions.
I wish you all the best in this trying financial times.
Yours truly,
Worcester
xxx
Enact sensible entitlement reform. Require a urinalysis test for those that apply for aid. Require those that receive State aid to perform community service when
not actively looking for a job. Those that work all their life and pay into the system should be rewarded at a higher rate than those who do not (e.g. illegal aliens) I
How about this one; don't spend more than you take in? Reduce taxes to spur the economy?
Thanks,
City
xxx
I am aware that there are people that have jobs in state agencies where the "job" itself really does not exist. They are either political appts that dont really have a
clue or people hired by the appts just because they can do it.
. Others have been reclassed because of politics yet they dont even have a real job and they brag about doing
nothing all day and getting paid in upwards of $70,000 while others who are doing the actual work get turned down and looked over for the same jobs. I am not
against people getting help but in times like this it makes it really difficult for those people who actually love Baltimore and the State of MD to understand what is
going on. The MTA seems to have dumped a lot of people off on other agencies and some of the people dont have a good ethical background and are making
d i i
th t
d bt i t
t
d t i th
t l ti
A dI
ll d t
tt
th
bli
t t
Anne Arundel
Carroll
Baltimore
Cecil
Baltimore
Howard
Harford
Howard
Carroll
dear sir, I have sent this to the state comtroller on how to save this state on money only to get some cock and bull story. If our state would only have one rear tag
on our autos and trucks this would save lots of money on materials and labor. if we need to cut this is a great place to start. also lets do like other states on
recycling. give 5 cents on all glass bottles charge at the store extra moneys. look at all of the glass we could save at the bars and grocery store on returns of said
What a joke. I calculated that the $400 million cuts that you are looking for amount to only 3% of the $13+ billion budget. You should be ashamed of playing
politics when any good manager could cut 5-10% of their budget, particularly in a bloated bureaucracy like the state government, with no effect on continuing
1. Eliminate all senatorial and delegates scholarships. They are not based on need - they are based on nepotism.
2. Offer state employees the option of working a 80% work week.
3. Offer state employees nearing retirement an early out incentive.
4. Eliminate all funding education for people with green cards and illegals and their children - or make them pay for services.
5. All legislators living within 50 miles of Annapolis should not receive expenses for overnight stays.
6. Eliminate rehabilitation services for illegals and people with green cards. Put a cap on amount to be spent on each consumer receiving MSDE DORS services.
Put a monetary cap on the amount paid for contractors providing services to DORS consumers.
Do away with the Maryland Transportation Authority Police and move thier resources and responsibilities into the existing Maryland State Police.
How about shutting down all CIVILIAN parts of DPDS on holdiays. This would save money as well as give 24 hour CIVILIAN employees a chance to stay home
with their families. Also furlough all people who make over $100,000. LEAVE ALL OTHER PAYS ALONE WE HAVE SUFFERED ENOUGH!
1. enforce niose laws for motorcycles...will produce ticket revenue...reduce noise pollution...employ mechanics to replace illegally removed mufflers 2. only rear
I think it's time to give State Troopers a pay raise. They haven't recieved a raise in several years. Not only do the Troopers protect the citizens of Maryland, oh
yes, they protect the Governor 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. The worst part, they don't even work the road, criminal investigation, homicide, narcotics,
etc...They just cover you. How about giving some pay raises to one of the lowest paid state agencies in the country. The ones that represent YOU and
You have thousands of freeloaders in this state and now is the time to do something about it.
These people would be the bicycle riders, not the kids on the sidewalks, but the Lance Armstrong imitators.
Make them get licenes just like motorcycles and pay a fee and require that they take a safety coures.
Require that they get tags and pay the same as a car or a motorcycle.
If they could be identified by thier tag number and be lible for fine, maybe they would behave better.
Fair is fair they use the roads too. If we have to pay so should they.
1. State vehicles picked up and dropped off at State shops. No more taking the big yellow truck home. (Saves gas/wear and tear/insurance). (Better than being
2. Make it harder to have positions get through the hiring freeze (exempted) ... some offices have existing employees that can pick up the slack. Some offices
3. Make any furlough days coincide with holidays ... save on heat in winter/opening buildings/turning on computers.
4. No travel to conferences that are not work-related or necessary and no setting up tables at any fairs/conferences, etc. to promote a given agency. (State Fair,
5. Compressed workweeks for all employees/job sharing rather than lay offs. Some employees may even volunteer to go 90% weekly if asked.
Whatever is necessary to save jobs.
Thank you.
Howard
Baltimore
xxx
Get rid of, or at least reduce, the the number of consultants employed by the state. In conclusion, do not feel the need to spend monies only for the sake of
getting matching federal dollars or loosing those matching dollars if you decline. Sometimes you can't afford to buy the one even if the second one is free.
Use prisoners for state labor jobs. No reason we have to pay people to cut the grass. Prison labor is free labor. Drive them to the work zone, give them some
tools and let them work. Saves gas money for the equipment we currently use and pay of those state workers. You're paying the prison guards anyway.
Cut welfare! No more free rides. You want to be on welfare, then come help cut weeds or do some type of manual labor for the state. You're getting paid, do
Sell the governor's mansion. Buy a house like everyone else and commute.
Somerset
City
Reduce pay of MD elected officials. Obviously you're not doing a good job, so why shouldn't you get a pay cut.
Make state offices work a 4 day work week at 10 hrs. per day.
Look at the cost savings for energy consumption, commuting,
etc. Obviously all agencies can't do this but where possible
the state and taxpayers can net a significant savings. Initial public response might be critical but eventually
people will learn to adjust. A quick way to look at this is to look at the days the state shut down the extra days during the holidays (the days at Thanksgiving,
The illegal latin immigrant problem is a major burden to every state. Seems no one wants to admit this is what is Bankrupting CA. Maryland is no exception to this
huge problem. I have seen it with my own eyes. I have seen illegal's on commercial job sites, New home construction sites, State Highway projects, Telephone
companies, Electric Companies trimming trees around power lines and just about every Landscaping Co. This is a huge problem that is getting worse by the
month. There are way to many companies in Maryland using illegal's. BIG companies! Maryland is losing massive taxes from these illegal workers and
Companies that use them as well. Sad to say, every working tax payer is also paying for this huge problem. This is a crime but Illegal's receive: Drivers license,
I personally have no problem with any Latino that is in the US legally, has a S.S. number and pays taxes. It is the illegal's and the sad sack companies that hire
1. Increase ICE and go after these illegal's and every single company that employees or hires illegal immigrants.
2. Any company caught using illegal's should be fined $1,000 per incident. (The state of maryland would raise tens of millions a year doing so. )
3. Unemployment benefits, Maryland drivers license or welfare should not be give to any illegal immigrant, period.
If this problem is not addressed Maryland will wind up just like CA.
Wicomico
Governor O'Malley,
I would recommend offering an early out immediately for all state employees across the board (State Highway to State Police) who are within 2-3 years of
retirement with no loss against their full retirement. Before reducing the pay of all, see if there are enough willing to leave early. I believe this will help maintain
the moral of all state employees even if you have to eventually inact a pay cut to reach the budget. Thank you for your time and look forward to your response.
xxx
Baltimore
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
select your county
City
Howard
Carroll
Cancel all the budget increases, that the past legislative session made. In addition cut all welfare payments to illegal aliens. The y are in the Illegally, so should
Schools: Instead of having grandparents day toward the end of the year, why not have it at the beginning of the year, or, better yet, send home with students, a
letter addressed to their grandparents. In this letter would be a list of things that that child's classroom could really use to make their day of learning easier or
better. Things that teachers either buy on their own or more expensive things that could be bought for the class from a collection of cash donations from
For schools: I suggest students pay for uniforms for sports teams in schools. They either buy it or pay to use it and the next year someone else can pay to wear it.
A large inventory of uniforms will then be available for all students, but the school still makes money to purchase needed equipment.
My suggestions would be to discontinue the annual child support conferences. In my opinion, these conferences are nothing but a big party on the tax payers
dime. Half of the people don't actually attend any of the seminars, they go shopping, etc. I also think we should cut vendor contracts. I think there is alot of "fluff"
in some of these contracts..i.e. $ alotted for snacks, gas cards for vendor employees..etc. I have heard that both the conferences and the vendor contracts are
Eliminate the per diems, honorariums, and all forms of payment for the State's appointed Board members especially the USM regents. These are honorary
positions which the appointees are holding to enhance their own credentials, and the taxpayers should not be paying political appointees hundreds of dollars just
Marc train prices are very cheap-- When I worked in the district of Columbia I could not believe the price that I would pay to travel from BWI to Union Station. The
amount was only $150 per month which included parking. If they would raise the price by just $2 dollars per day or a total of $40 dollars per month we could a
Last Friday I took my car for a Emission Inspection. The service was good there were 12 Technicians and my car.One tech. pluged in the (OBD) in less than one
minute test was finished. Recived test results and I was out the Door. A tech told me they were doing away with the Treadmill test for the (OBD)test so close the
stations and let local gas stations witch some are State Inspections stations do the test. Sell the property this will save money plus give you cash for dept
Baltimore
select your county
Howard
City
Carroll
I would suggest an early retirement enhancement plan for State employees that have at least 25 or more years of service. You eliminate at least half of the
positions vacated and hire new replacement for critical vacancies at a much lower salary rate.
I would suggest an early retirement enhancement plan for State employees that have at least 25 or more years of service. You eliminate at least half of the
positions vacated and hire new replacement for critical vacancies at a much lower salary rate.
Dear Governor O'Malley,
I am fortunate to be a retired state employee with a pension.In light of the challenging times for our investment portfolio, I would suggest that retirees receive their
monthly pension checks on the first of the month rather than the end of the previous month. This would provide an additional day for the portfolio to earn interest
and perhaps one day less of interest costs to the state if money is borrowed.This would provide 12 additional days of intrest accruing to pension account on an
annual basis. I have no idea what the fiscal impact would be(no doubt modest) but it is a virtually painless way to generate some additional income for the state
xxx
Sir,
I think you should look at how Police Officers are driving their cars unnecessarily. Cut cost by cutting back on the amount of police cars put on the street daily.
Have Police Officers put back on bikes or on foot patrol. This will also help officers get back into shape. I saw an officer here in Baltimore City who looked like he
1. Raise the toll on the Bay Bridge and Harbor Tunnel bringing them in line with other jurisdictions that charge as much as $5.00. (not going to be popular, but
2. Raise the cost of lottery tickets.
3. Raise the tax on whiskey and cigarettes. In the long run it will save on health care costs and lives.
4. Stop paying prisoners for doing work on work details, and stop giving them all the modern ammenities. They are there for punishment, not rewards. That's why
5. Put every able bodied person on welfare to work so they can earn the money they're getting such as trash pickup and removal, street cleaning, highway
beautification and picking crops for farmers, etc. It might cut down on malingerers who only want to get the check, but they could work but choose not to try.
6. Charge a heftier fine for individuals caught committing misdemeanor offenses and more serious traffic violations.
7. Freeze all state public employees salaries for 2 years, including yours and elected state house officials,and eliminate all take home cars for supervisors of
various departments. They should use their own cars like everyone else.
Baltimore
Arrange baltimore city community detention program to operate the same way as the central region mainly baltimore county. We have five workers each has an
area of youth on community detention and we manage our case load 24 hours a day 7 days a week flex schedule. Working this way will cut out the need for
unecessary workers, shifts, and less likely for youth to fall through the cracks. If you notice the city has so many issues with the program but has more workers
baltimore county has less workers and way less problems.I aslo think providing youth in the program with a trade and job placement maybe for both the parent
Cecil
i suggest that instead of hiring consultants/contractors, that the hiring exception be relaxed in order to hire permanent employees. Consultants/contracts may
make the agencies look like they have less FTEs but in order to get mandated work done, agencies are forced into hiring private consultants at a much higher
cost. At the end of the fiscal year, the overall actuals are much higher for each department. Also, instead of direct purchase of replacement/additional vehicles, 3hi, i understand that there needs to be some budget cuts made but, there also have to be some funds transferred to other interests and programs. instead of
cutting programs that can not afford being cut, put a salary cap on all state workers by years in service. there is another way to help state income, raise the tax
on alcohol. alcohol kills more people than cigarettes. i have seen more vehicle accidents related to alcohol rather than cigarettes. thank you.
Elimination of unnecessary travel by state employees would save a lot of money. Also, why are employees at correctional facilities provided free meals. Other
state agencies don't provide meals. Charge for the meals and save money. Why were domestic partners allowed to be carried on insurance coverage when
there were already budget problems? Certainly this has added substantial expense. Training should be done at the local state agencies instead of having
Stop the practice of allowing police and all government employees taking their government-issued vehicles home. I see off-duty police using their government
1. Increase college tuition for public institutions.
2. Reduce or eliminate aid to private colleges.
3. Reduce number of contractual employees.
4. Offer early retirement and/or buyout to reduce the number of employees at the top of their pay scale.
5. Have counties contribute their fair share to the teacher retirement system.
1) What ever happened to the slots? They were supposed
to bring money into the state.
Carroll
Somerset
Anne Arundel
Baltimore
City
2) How about making marijuana legal? Those who smoke,
should pay sales tax. Those who sell, should pay
income tax.
Anne Arundel
Baltimore
Baltimore
I think you should look at all the leakage in the state National Guard. I know for a fact, that soldiers get put on orders and do absolutly nothing. If they show up for
Fast track the slot casinos
Have a real hiring freeze. Stop all hiring except for Corrections and Public Hospitals. In order to get a position filled, there must be clear statistical justification for
the need to hire. True data such as historical overtime costs for the position, similiar positions and positions in the department, identification of others who
perform the same work,and staffing analysis and recommendation by a qualified HR professional to determine actual need or alternatives.
Baltimore
Also, there needs to be a real study of all overtime costs. Many overtime costs could be reduced if workweek, hours of work and scheduling were changed to
Those on SSI and Unemployment mostly sit home and collect the "free money" Why can you put a broom, shovel or something of that nature and put them to a
different work? The streets everywhere would be cleaner and its not a brainer to operate a shovel and broom. Baltimore City used to have Hokie Men sweeping
I am a state employee with ten years service xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx. I would like to see program
audits/evaluations; a directory of departments and divisions with a description of the core responsibilities and/or services suitable for public dissemination. I would
like to see a central cost center and bring financial responsibility and accountability under one tent. I very much want to see measurable, objective performance
standards throughout the departments and divisions management, including upper management, to be held accountable. It is management that is responsible
for leadership and leadership to is make clear the work, the responsibilities, the tasks and supply the limits and boundaries within the work settings, provide
di skyrocketing
ti t th t energy
ff
d costs
h ld in
ll tourthstate havet made
d d it difficult
f th
li imany dfamiliesdto afford
Pl to make any butf th
f basic
ti ofti purchases.
l
i Forcing down the cost
The
for
the most
City
Harford
of energy would allow MD families to spend again and provide tax revenues. The State government would also save on the cost of energy, most noticeable in our
Much money is wasted on the penal system. Money could be saved from arresting people for failure to appear for traffic offenses. The money saved from
The state is comprised of dozens of agencies that act independently, even when their duties overlap. All these agencies need to combine their purchasing power
Harford
City
The state is also ran as a government, not a business. What this means is we never really look at efficiencies in how we solve problems. The largest companies
in the US use a system called Six Sigma, it is a mathematical approach to problem solving/business management, that companies have noted millions to billions
of dollars in cost savings. This was started by Motorola and is continuing to spread. I personally am aware of situations where the state is spending a lot more
money than it should be to get a task done because it involves multiple agencies, without anyone with the authority to make all three agencies involved work in
the most effective manner, and I am sure this is the case all over the state. The next year should be the year of efficiency, not cuts, obviously you need to make
Find volunteers, start looking at services the state provides that could be performed by volunteers. For example, cut our environmental preservation expenses,
We need to encourage more people to move here and drive the economy up, giving the state more money to spend. The state should offer a reduced state
The state spends entirely too much time and money on our criminal justice system for non-violent crimes. One of your main platforms is to be tough on crime, but
there needs to be a better prioritization of arrest and prosecution of crimes. This will reduce the case backlog in the courts, and reduce the cost of incarcerating
In regard to individuals incarcerated, these people are extremely expensive to maintain. Instead of simply releasing individuals early due to the over crowding
issues, offer reduced sentences for minor crimes in exchange for a fine and probation. All the state's attorneys should be directed to stop over using the STET
docket to reduce their case load, instead they should be offering PBJ deals that include a fine, community service, and submission of a DNA sample even for
In the prison system, individuals should be provided the absolute minimum, with the opportunity to work and pay for more.
Baltimore
Finally, make the state zero payment for illegal immigrants. This is an area the state can cut the budget and only risk angering a small group of voters, and will
benefit the state as a whole. Then, offer a state sponsored path to citizenship that will allow individuals to gain state support that we are normally paying for
1. Re-centralize DSS offices in Baltimore City and other large jurisdictions. This would save the state money in rents and utility costs.
2. Temporarily suspend payment and contracts to vendors( America Works, Office of Employment Development, etc.) responsible for getting jobs for TCA
applicants and recipients and keeping them in work activities. In these difficult economic times, almost no one is finding jobs, including me! Once this can be
done, staff assigned to monitor and impliment the work activity portion of the TCA program can be re-diverted to process other case work. This would be a more
efficient use of staff. Although current employees are leaving and retiring, no new staff is being hired to match the rate of increased caseloads. Cutting staff at this
City
Baltimore
Anne Arundel
Howard
As a case manager with the Baltimore City Department of Social Services I think it would be wise to shutting down those type of buildings for one or two days a
week...possibly even more. My suggestion would be to close them on Fridays and Mondays and have available in office days be Tuesday, Wednesday, and
Thursday. I am often in the field. I service my customers in the community. While I do have to be in the building to do paperwork in our Chessie system, I could
I think it would be a good idea (like last year's idea of shutting down state offices the day after Christmas and New Years) to really consider more building shut
downs and have people work from home. I would be very open to cutting back to a 4 day work week (i.e. 10 hours a day) with buildings closed on Fridays or
Mondays. I am also an advocate of going paperless. We have our Chessie database to place all necessary information yet still have hard records with
I have 2 suggestions and 2 comments
#1 Cut the State Employees Family leave
#2 The cars that are being used by State Employee / Police - if not taking that privilege from them how about the total subsidy or at least the State pay only a
** I was a child during the Second World War and I don't remember the belly aching that I hear now. We all pulled together.
** I worked in a Community Hosp that had lost a company that gave a lot of money to support it. The Hospital Administrator let us know there might be lay offs
among us nurses and there was definitely no funds for overtime. What did we nurses do? We worked after punching out at the time clock and when the end of
the shift came we punched out and kept on working. The Administrators were horrified to see us at work. We just told them they were seeing things that we were
It would seem that an across the board percentage reduction in anual salary of state employees is significantly more effective. The administration of tracking
furlough days is an administrative nightmare and costly. There would be no need to exempt large groups of safety sensitive critical employees as everyone would
be treated the same. Last years exemptions given to Executive staff of MSP is a prime example of unfair treatment. You can't tell me that the exectutve staff
Mr. Governor. Thank you for allowing me this great opportunity to assist you.
I have been a volunteer fire fighter in Baltimore County for 25 years. In that time I have seen particpation dwindle. I have also seen donations dwindle as well.
The old trickle down affect if you would. Back in the mid '80's, the volunteer fire companies were holding what was called 'Las Vegas' nights. And these events
would allow the volunteer fire companies to raise monies to assist with there over all operating expenses. If the State would allow the volunteer fire companies to
This is not a 'slash monies' idea per say, but I do think that it could/would allow the state to perhaps cut some funding which in turn the fire companies could
make up the difference with the casino nights. And if the State were to, let's say place a fee on said licenses, the State could prosper as well. I think it would be
Carroll
Talbot
Thank you for your time and consideration.
As a former employee at a local state-funded
I saw much waste: Two directors and only one doing the work, 6
secretaries doing the work of one or two, many sanitarians that were in the office several hours every day either not doing their job or with no work to do. My
solution is to make one director retire (he has 30+ years), lay off 4 or 5 secretaries and make the sanitarians do their own paperwork and computer entry,
schedule a "sanitarian of the day" (SOD)to answer phones and assist customers, and make a mandatory retirement for those eligible. In addition, make Maryland
In Maryland DHMH psychiatric inpatient facilities, reduce number of psychiatrists who currently manage a 7 patient caseload. Supplement healthcare services by
Also in DHMH, consider converting Upper Shore Community Mental Health Center into an assisted living program, to reduce staffing costs.
In Fleet Management, reduce number of vehicles for each facility. Replace with more fuel efficient vehicles. Eliminate the use of costly gas-guzzling SUVs for
Consider Early Retirement/Early Buyout option, in general for all state employees.
Consider mandatory ten hour shifts for Maryland State Police personnel who work rotating shifts, to reduce fuel costs and overtime pay.
Free promotions in all state facilities.
Eliminate free and public education/healthcare provided to illegal residents.
Expedite the process to implement slots in Maryland.
select your county
Cecil
Promote overseas corporations to establish locations in rural areas of the Eastern Shore of MD.
Eliminate the need for two license plates for vehicles.
Too many supervisors in county health departments that don't do any work. Do a desk audit of all employees and get rid of the dead weight.
Also, consider longer work days with more regular days off to allow facilities to save operating expenses.
Anne Arundel
Carroll
Harford
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
select your county
Baltimore
Encourage more commuters to get Easy Passes by giving discount tolls to easy pass holders and making it easy to get the passes to reduce the need for toll
The Toll for the Bay Bridge needs to be increased to $5 (Round Trip). This would bring in much needed revenue. It doesn't make sense to pay a $2.50 toll roundtrip for the Bay Bridge when it costs $4 to make a round-trip over the Key Bridge or Harbor Tunnel.
cut all travel expenses, and meals lodging
hiring freeze
review all newly hired appointed positions
Change requirement of two licens plates to one plate on the rear of the vehicle. Not a huge savings but a savings.
i am a retired state employee. i thank we could save money by returning to the old vision plan of eye glasses replacement every other year.
I suggest you cut your salary and the salary of all legisators and staffs. Cut the number of people working for legislators, Cut legislative expense accounts and
vehicles. Turn down the heat and turn up the Air conditioning. Turn off lights that are not needed. at night limit the number of lights on inside and outside state
Schools: let parnents pay for books and then give them a tax credit at end of year.Open bids on bus contracts yearly
Prisons: cut out the free ride!!! you go to jail in Md you work out in a gym,you go to libary or to a higher education class,free health care, 3 meals a day and sit on
your butt!! bring back road gangs and then you can cut back on state hignway workers who you often see 5 guys just standing around watching 1 guy dig a hole.
I suggest an audit of all departments in DHMH, there is a real need for someone to look at the redundency of functions within the State Office Complex. Why
would you need a Deputy Director and an assistant to help out the Deputy Director, when there are four administrative assistants sitting around, overload in top
Mr. Governor,
A suggestion, and not a popular one might be to cut back the retirement contribution the State of Maryland makes to various agencies including judges, police,
educators, and employees. Keep in mind that we are in a deflationary economy and at the same time the State could allow employees to pick up the cut in the
contribution. When the economy gets better, the State of Maryland could always reinstate. We know the federal government is not the answer for a one shot
stimulas is just a patch to a complicated problem that our future children, yours and mine, will inherit . Just for the record, the cut in the retirement rate would
Harford
Anne Arundel
City
Baltimore
Anne Arundel
Baltimore
Thank you
Have an Independent Audit all Welfare cases. Make periodic drug testing of receipents. Too many with Independence cards, driving Cadillacs and capable of
I am a state worker & have been for 27 yrs.I'm thankful to have a job however the mamagement that the state has ex:unit manager,assistent manager,and
supervisors...how many cheifs do we need.the higher mamagement people do so much less then the workers(me).If fourlough days are ahead I think that this
situation s/b looked at so they make the big bucks & should have to take more then lower grades.I also see alot of positions being filled that are not NEEDED...in
Do not pay state employees, for their birthdays, they can take the day off, but without pay.
Also manatory for minimum 5 day furlough,per year, no overtime,and less perks in office,s such as coffee machines,unless paid for by employees. Sorry, but at
Maybe actually putting in the slot machines instead of fighting over them.
Ban the use of state take home vehicles. State vehicles should be used only for business. This is not the case. Employees are able to commute to and from
work with their vehicles and using them on the weekends. Vehicles should stay at the state facility and only be used during working hours. Commuting to and
No introduction of legislation if it does not relate to the budget(the only mandate the legislators have that is passing the budget). Printing of legislation is no
longer necessary and the public has access to any proposed legistion on line.
The 90 day session can be reduced to two weeks to pass a budget and then send them home!!!! We have had many years that the 90 day session got the work
done and so do away with any legislative meeting other than leadership outside of the 90 days. Tell the public what it cost per day to have all the legislators in
Harford
Anne Arundel
Baltimore
Howard
Calvert
Montgomery
Baltimore
Harford
Carroll
Carroll
Carroll
Frederick
City
Baltimore
Get all the Police out on rt95 and rt695 and ticket speeders.
you could rake in a million a week.
Stop giving yearly budget increases beyond the cpi to every state agency. The state should live within its means and also save some money every year for times
like this. Every time there is an economic downturn the folks in governement act surprised that the gravy train stopped and then they come to the same folks to fix
I think that you should reduce the counties and city budgets across the board by a percentage and let them figure out how to balance their budget and make up
the difference (ie: furlaugh their employees) this year. Since my husband (a State Employee) was furlaughed last year!
You can and should reduce costs significantly by prohibiting services (except emergency medical services) for illegal aliens. This should also include removing
the right to vote. What possible reasons could you have for providing support to these people who are in the country illegally? I would like to know !!
No per diems during legislative session. The average Employee is not paid for travel and meals to work daily. Cut budget for legislative session: four day week,
Reduce senatorial scholarships funding and make it need based only.
Increase UMS tuition 2%.
Reduce Innovations Institute funding by 50%
No out of state travel.
Do not always replace highway signs to update the name of the governor. NO Governors' name should not be on any signs.
No updating state maps, brochures, etc. with new photos of the governor.
Legalize marijuana and tax it. You won't have to spend money and resources trying to fight the drug and will make millions off the tax.
Institute a four-day work week for state employees.
Set thermostats in all state offices at 75 degrees.
If you determine state furloughs are necessary, then the entire state should shut down on the same days. I suggest that consecutive Fridays be used for furlough
days in december, january or feb. If Fridays are used then state buildings can be shut down for weekends in the winter saving salary and heating and building
stop state employees, including state police, from using state vehicles for driving to and from work and personal use.
Stop giving money to CASA. We shouldn't be aiding and abetting criminals, it's illegal.
Make Maryland a "Shall Issue" Concealed Carry Weapon permit state. You'll get lots of revenue from permit applications, decrease violent crime and "Strike a
As you mentioned "No reductions to K-12 education are planned." in powerpoint presentation of 07-22-09 BPW briefing, Maryland School for the Deaf staff
already had furlough. I requested to waive state furlough on teachers and other staff directly working with students in school system. Thanks
I think the heads of the state agencies should have a limit on the amount of compensatory time they can earn. Most are already being compensated with nice
paychecks - very nice from what I remember reading. To also accrue a lot of compensatory time (which I assume they use instead of annual or personal leave the annual which they can get paid for if they leave state service) just doesn't make good business sense. I see people in different professions (that are not state
workers) that put in a lot of overtime and they don't think anything of it because they bring home a healthy paycheck. Now I know this won't make a huge budget
help and may not be seen right away - but I think it would help in the long run. AND if you are going to abolish more state positions - how about cutting some from
fi t? Lik
d b way to help
l ? with
( thi
l
i t In Maryland there
t th t Iare many
k thousands th
j aliens
t
i that
thare employed
tb
t ffthat
th t
I think ffi
this would
be al good
the budget shortfall.
of illegal
with companies
withhold taxes.(state and federal) There are a few ways that the state could recover lost revenue and tax money. # 1 the illegal alients use false social security
numbers and they increase the number of dependants and so their withholdings are minimal or nill.(so withholding is minimal and they are not going to file a
return anyway) #2, if the state cracked down on the companies that employ all the illegal aliens and fined them they could create a great deal of revenue. #3 and
While I dont want to cause problems for illegal aliens and I know they have families as well xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx,
making plenty of money for their companies and personally while the state and other Marylanders suffer.
Howard
Carroll
Anne Arundel
I would personally voluneer for the state to crack down to help with this isse.
Instead of just focusing on cuts, there should be a focus on increasing revenue. One source of revenue is out of state students attempting to enroll in our
universities. Perhaps this is a time we could explore a possible enrollment increase.
How about saving money instead of paying it to BGE and turn off the street lights on 795 during the day???????
Turn off lights when leaving the room. Sound too basic to even say??? I see co-workers leave lights on in single stall restrooms when they leave - see them
leave the lights on in their office when leaving for a meeting and will be gone for more than 15 or 20 minutes. A simple electronic "turn off the light when you
leave the room" campaign would be cheap (do it via email and it is free) and easy. No, this won't solve the budget problem but it could be a few drops in the
Worcester
Charles
Baltimore
Worcester
Baltimore
Carroll
Montgomery
I work for DJS,when a resident is moved from detention to a placement transportation will not take the youths clothing.A Case Manager then has to drive the
youths clothing to them.Often the youth may be from the Lower Shore and is placed in western MD.This takes the Case Manager out of the office all day often
2)Managers could help in unit coverage,particularly when multipal managers are on duty.Again this would reduce overtime.
3)Hire a full time psychologist for all detention facilities.This would expedite testing, deleating the contracts for this service,improve the quality of care /treatment
,and help get the youth out of detention quicker.This would reduce the population in detention and again reduce the amount of staff needed ,reducing overtime.
It may be a great idea to cut every state employee to 4 day work week. I'm not exactly sure how many state employees there are but I think a 4 day work week
would save a great deal of money. It would also allow us to preserve on other bills such as electricity. Hopefully this suggestion is considered.
Good day, Why not change the law that requires 2 license plates on our vehicles. Is it REALLY necessary to have front and back. The resources spent on making
1/2 of what is currently on our vehicles would save some money, and allow resources for other crucial areas. Thanks.
I live in Worcester County (not Worcester Co.!!!!). 1) On Route 113, they have been spending more time and money on sediment ponds and trees, rather than
actually building a road. 2) Our school children may be able to get by without brand new text books this year. 3) no out of country travel by state officials. 4)
make MD more friendly to business (lower their taxes) so they may move or keep their businesses in our state. 5) stop over taxing the rich (this encourages them
to move away) leaving the middle class holding the bag. 6) drill for oil off our shores as technology is such spills are very unlikely + this would provide year round,
An accross the Board pay cut is fairer than furloughs as it would apply to all categories of employees. Furloughs are essentially a pay cut but do not apply to
Capture paper recycling in all state offices instead of it going to charity.
DATE: July 18, 2005
SUBJECT: Graduated Sanction Contract Proposal to the Secretary of the Department
This writer seeks an audience with the Secretary of the Department of Juvenile Services for the purpose of proposing a statewide implementation of graduated
sanctions through contract with DJS clients and their parents. By adopting the graduated sanction contract method, community case managers will have a
greater ability to avoid Court resolutions (VOP, Review Hearings, etc.) and work with the youths of Maryland in a satisfactory manner to all parties involved.
What is the Graduated Sanction Contract Method?
When a youth is placed on supervised probation by the Court, the following condition is requested by the DJS case manager to be placed in the Probation Order:
Be subject to graduated sanctions to include Electronic Monitoring (E.M.) and weekend detentions in accordance with the DJS Graduated Sanction Contract. If
the Court adopts the recommendation, then the DJS case manager, the youth, the youth’s parents and the defense attorney (optional) signs the DJS Graduated
Sanction Contract (see attachment). The contract explains that graduated sanctions are community-based consequences for violating the conditions of the
youth’s Probation Order. The contract further explains the three different types of sanctions (E.M., consequence beds and non-detention sanctions) and the
What is the history of the Graduated Sanction Contract Method?
As far as this writer is aware, this particular method of graduated sanction implementation started over two years ago by the Intensive Aftercare Program in the
DJS Rockville office. When the IAP program started, this office had problems conducting graduated sanctions in a manner which was satisfactory to the Court.
The Court was concerned that the youths and their families were sometimes confused regarding the reasons why he or she were placed on E.M. or given
weekend detentions as a graduated sanction. The Court was further concerned that only DJS were making decisions regarding matters which required specific
Court Orders in the past and thereby placing the youth’s right to “due process” in jeopardy. As a result, many of the IAP graduated sanctions were achieved
What are the benefits of the Graduated Sanction Contract Method?
There are multiple benefits to the contract method. First, it will provide more options for a community case manager to address and correct a youth’s noncompliant behaviors. Traditionally, when a case manager is confronted with violations of probation, he/ she are restricted to Court resolution (VOP Hearing,
Review Hearing, etc.) which, on many occasions, result in the youth being detained and placed in a residential program. With the contract method, the youth is
given several opportunities to improve his/ her behavior in the community without Court hearings and, thereby, reducing the risk of the youth being removed from
the community. Since sanctions through the contract method are immediate, it will be easier for the youth to make a cognitive connection between the sanction
Summary:
To help ensure that the Department of Juvenile Services commits itself to focus its efforts to address the needs of the youth of Maryland, in the community, the
DJS community workers must become more field oriented (immediately addressing concerns of the homes, schools, community-based programs, etc.) than
Court oriented (record violations and report them at hearings). With the Graduated Sanction Contract Method, the community workers will become more
proactive when addressing problems in the community and will have a greater ability to support related agencies and programs who are dedicated to improving
Carroll
Raise temperatures in State buildings to cut on electrical cost for air-conditioning. Have employees dress appropriately instead of lowering the temperature.
In winter lower the temperature to no higher than 68 degrees and have employees dress appropriately. Cut heating costs.
Baltimore
Baltimore
This will need to be a mandate like Nixon did in 1974.
Some agencies can be located in a more central place then having several locations, which would save in rent, utilities, etc., space permitting. Especially if they
are not ones that the public needs to have easy access too. I do appreciate that you are 'greening' the buildings-and that saves money also.
The people in charge of this state (Mainly democrats) have consistently and methodically extorted taxes from the public.
The size of Maryland goverment has more than doubled in the past 10 years. Totally unsustainable. How about cutting the state budget 5% in real dollars for 20
years? That would put us back to where we were 10 years ago. The private sector which I am a member cannot to continue to finance this state. Cut,Cut
Cut!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Employees, wages, procurement, hours, education. You will be forced to do it as revenues will continue to decline. I just last week
Montgomery
Anne Arundel
Washington
Eliminate funding to CASA, LA RAZA and ALL other programs designed to support and attract illegal aliens.
I was wondering if the State has looked into the posibility of reducing the number of hours in a work week to 35 hours a week. To me, this seems like it would
lower the overhead costs of utilities and save salary costs. Perhaps this could be done on a voluntary basis for those employees who would be willing to do this
as oppossed to having to take more furlough days. I understand not that all agencies could cut their work hours but perhaps those that have 8-5 hours could.
Yes, it may reduce the hours we are open to the public, but honestly, the public should also be aware of the impact the budget issues is having and they should
Baltimore
1. How about better oversight of county/state work crews? Just last week (on 2 occasions) I saw work crews with 3-4 people just standing around in the road.
Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore
Montgomery
Montgomery
Anne Arundel
2. Cut the advertising budget even more for MD Lottery. Everyone knows what it is and where to get a ticket. There is absolutely no reason why they should
have an advertising budget as high as it is. Even with the proposed cut. Or do we need to get everyone always thinking abuot gambling to promote slots and the
I have lived in Baltimore City/ County and work in Prince George's County. I work in many communities as a Federal Probation Officer. In the places where I work
and live, at least 30% of the cars do not have Maryland License plates. These are cars in residential areas, neighborhoods, and are seen by me over and over.
These cars are a Major key to your budget. Get these cars registered, pay the taxes like most residents of Maryland and you will have millions of dollars. Surely
As a long term state employee, I have seen cutbacks as well as waste in state service. During my earlier years, I remember when we had to turn off the light
when we left our office to save energy. At the cost of electric today, that may be a good policy to re-institute. That could lead to a substantial savings and if
cut out the cost for discounted/free fares or free for state for mass transportation. why should private sector employees/companies made to pay plus supplement
Scrap the ICC. Simply put it's expensive to build, an expensive toll to use, it will most-likely be a desolate roadway, a long-term reminder of a bad idea that a then
Governor could have avoided, and such a bad impact on the areas it winds through. Scrap the ICC and instead invest in streamlining our current roadways with
HOV lanes have long been shown to do nothing to reduce traffic, but instead they just cause us to idle stuck in traffic jams, polluting the environment and wasting
They do however afford massive employment for Government workers who curn out nonsense studies of how much good they do for us all the time. And they
require us to spend an apalling amount of money to study, build and maintain them.
Get rid of them, and get rid of the Government Employees who have championed them and wasted our money, our time and corrupted the environment in the
Spend more money on MFCU to prevent Medicaid fraud.
It will cost the State a lot money if the new health bill becomes law.
Montgomery
Former state employee (Retired)
We all know that governments are inherently inefficient organizations, with burocracies that once established never seem to go away, but grow over time and
One of the worst drivers of government inefficiency is an over-accumulation of Process. Doing anything in Government inevitably requires more steps, and the
sign off of more people and departments, than would ever be tolerated in the 'real world'.
In difficult times, all elements of the economy reduce their expenses and become more efficient, or they die off. As individuals, we constantly adapt our expenses
So here's s simple proposal. If we are X% over budget, then inform all Departments of the State Government that they will be required to submit a review in the
next 60 days that shows how they will continue to carry out their mandate with x% less. Make it clear that staff reductions are acceptable, but not service
reductions. Encourage the Departments to review their processes and eliminate and streamline them to the greatest practical degree. Also, make it clear that
Anne Arundel
Frederick
Baltimore
Carroll
Kent
Washington
City
Frederick
City
City
See what redundancies they find when pressed hard. It's what we are all doing out here in the tax-paying real world!
WHEN DRIVING A STATE CAR THEY SHOULD PAY FOR THERE OWN REPAIRS.
WE PAY FOR EVERYTHING AND WE CAN ONLY TAKE SO MUCH.
Potential furloughs or pay freezes for those making in excess of $100,000. Examine positions and funding related to industries that have slowed, such as
positions related to construction, housing, permits, etc. No MD citizen wants a state employee to lose their job, but more so they dont want to see tax dollars fund
My suggestion is to defy the powerful alcohol industry lobby and raise the alcohol tax. It seems to me, as one who enjoys an alcoholic beverage, that there are
many more people who drink alchol in our state, than those who smoke cigarettes; yet the tobacco tax seems to be the fall-guy. I believe a modest increase in
the alcohol tax would be a relatively painless way for marylanders to help solve our fiscal problems. Politicians must fight the alcohol lobby, and do what is best
I work in the health care field, in primary health care. I see a large amount of people taking advantage of the medical assistance program. This program should
be followed more closely to monitor if people getting these funds are truly in need of them. This could save a large amount of funds if the people abusing it were
kicked off, and made to pay back the funds used. Some of the people have very productive bussiness, and don't report all of there income. This program needs
Eliminate personal use of state vehicles, i.e. police cars.
Review the elimination of state positions by the size of the county and department.
Eliminate overtime and replace with only comp time.
Borrow money from local/city/county government.
Open new facilities to keep our Maryland children in Maryland.
Rebid state contracts on a more frequent basis, ex. every 3-6 months.
As part of MD's very successful welfare reform program, all applicants for TCA must comply with a substance abuse screening (not testing) requirement. That is
accomplished by DHR granting funds to DHMH, who in turn provides funds to local health departments to provide Substance Abuse Screeners on-site in local
departments of social services. This program costs at least $2 million each year and has extremely low outcomes and effectiveness. The SATS screeners
A much more effective and efficient method of screening TCA applicants would be to provide additional staff directly to local departments of social services who
could administer a valid substance abuse screening questionnaire along with the current Family Investment Program assessments.
Delegate Rosenberg was the sponsor of the original legislation and has championed this program. However, the goals of the legislation could still be met through
Enforce DJS carpooling when visiting facilities rather than numerous trips to the same facilities by diffferent workers
Submit the bill to the Maryland Assembly to repeal Thornton.
Eliminate all of the gubernatorial staff positions that you created when you took office, then resign yourself!!
Current MBE requirements for State contracts inflate the costs of services purchased. In order to achieve the MBE goals for contracts that provide services there
is a perverse incentive for a prime contractor to outsource some of the services and pay a premium, with additional adminstrative and overhead costs, for those
services that could have been provided directly by employees of the prime vendor. This is true even if the prime contractor is a MBE since the goal only applies
Baltimore
City
City
Allegany
As a life-time Maryland resident, and current State Employee several modifications to DJS may be to continue to keep juveniles in Maryland placements,
excelerate new committed programs at Charles Hickey. We have 315 acres of State owned property we could utilize for Juvenile Services. Continue to use this
property to house State Workers to reduce the number of offices needed in rental properties. Some building and renovation may be required in addition to
trailers but it would pay for itself in the long run. State-Wide, all tolls for roads, bridges etc. can be raised to provide additional revenue. Marylanders enjoy
relatively low rates in this area. Continue to focus on providing Maryland Residents and out of State visitors the unique slots and gambling iniciatives that will be
b
ilt i times
th
i good and
ThMarylandj had
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t
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l (under
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id Erlich),
t
h
t personal
di
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d
t krate was reduced.
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iti times,
f
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were
af couple
the marginal
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income taxes should be increased, at least as much as they were reduced! Furthermore, it is time to up-date the rate structure. The personal income tax rate
structure is very regressive since the rates were set in 1967 when I earned $3,500 per year! Now when my kids earn that much they pay more tax to Maryland
State agencies are required to purchase office furniture and office renovation services from Maryland Correctional Enterprises. The price of these goods and
services through MCE is not generally competitive with other, private providers.
1. I often wonder if we could sell commercial adventising space to the back side of interstate signs. Something very tasteful and not too distracting. I thought
banks and businesses like that might be interested. Like "In Partnership with Maryland". My guess is the payout would be minimal and they are already standing
2. As a state employee I believe our purchasing and budget rules and regulation that may have once been designed to save money but are now costing us a
fortune. We buy stuff from someone with a state contract and drive right past a local business that sells it for a 1/10 the cost. Crazy
3 Someone created some kind of budgeting fiasco that requires us to have 10 - ?% of our positions vacant. So the result is we are always short staffed and
working people overtime to provide minimal coverage. And one way they save money is not filling counselor positions which are not part of minimal coverage, but
City
Carroll
City
Baltimore
Washington
Washington
4. Someone needs to look at entitlement money. For starters, state employees can get disability checks when there is next to nothing wrong with them and then
go out and work another job. Second we are paying out $'s to tons of people who don't have anything wrong with them - is the fraud ever looked at? are their
The Maryland State Department of Education headquarters is an overbloated and overly compensated, relative to other state agencies, bureacracy. There are
far more relatively high paid administrators in that agency than other critical state agencies. They are also the only agency I know of that provides automatic
Dear Gov.- If we are so stapped for cash, why are you assigning $5 million a year to support CASA of Md, an organization that supports the underground railroad
of illegal immigrants ,teaching how to avoid the law, get free public assistance , and eventually get enough phony documentation to vote! Wait, i just answered
While I understand the allure of making investments when costs are deflated, I also know that you cannot spend what you do not have. Despite my sharing your
desire to preserve our environment and maintain green space, I think that Maryland cannot afford to be purchasing land through Program Open Space, or any
All state employees should be required to receive their paychecks through direct deposit. Also, the Central Payroll Bureau has done a fantastic job with the
Online Service Center and all state employees should be mandated to use this tool for receiving their paystubs. Several million dollars a year could be saved and
employees actually would enjoy the convenience, once they have used the site. Employees without computer access at work or home could be accomodated
I have read where Utah has required all state non 24 hour facilities to only be open four days a week. The state employees work 4 10 hour days and they have
saved a significant amount of money on expenses for electricity, heat, and even decreased overtime. This would be a way for MD to save significant money for
Hello, my suggestions focus on the Department of Juvenile Services,
Eliminate educational services for youth in detention settings.
Regionalize the DJS budget.
Frederick
Baltimore
City
Talbot
Eliminate ALL Social Programs for illegal people.
Provide early retirement to those staff who are at the top of the pay scale.
Let's cut the pay for public servant jobs. Hopefully there are enough citizens who care about the state willing to work for less. We do not need to attract elected
officials or those in appointed roles with over payed positions. I am a middle class citizen and would like to be represented by people making a similar salary as
myself. I don't appreciate working 50-60 hours a week to pay inflated salaries to those in Annapolis. Raising taxes is never the answer. A smaller government is
Offer the option of telecommuting/teleworking to Support Staff on days that they are not needed in the office such as days after major state holidays.
Stop paying insurance, hospital, and educational costs for illegal aliens that live in our communities - which is a burden to all taxpayers.
Eliminate out of state travel for everyone in government, including executive branch.
Stop funding project open space for two years.
Raise tuition for out of state enrollment at our colleges and universities and a modest increase for in-state tuition.
Baltimore
Look closely at funding "innovative courts" including truancy, drug courts, prostitution courts, mental health courts to determine if they are really paying off.
Stop paying for certain state emplyee's children to go to college. ( some only pay for housing) Look over if and how much the state should pay for health
insurance once a person stops working for the state of Maryland. Look at traveling within each department. Stop putting flower on State high ways to make it look
Governor O'Malley,
Baltimore
Whatever you do, please do not reduce the retirement benefits of State employees soon to retire. I have worked for the State for 31+ years. I am in the "old"
pension system. I was forced to take 5 furlough days last year, and I might have to take more this year. I have postponed my hard-earned and well-deserved
retirement because of the rotten economy. I have done my share of belt-tightening for the State. I have more than held up my end of the bargain I made with the
State when I began working in 1978. The State has not kept its side of the bargain. Not only should Maryland not cut retirees' benefits, if the State feels it must
economize somehow, it should offer an incentive or "buy out" to those employees who are eligible to retire but have remained on the payroll. I know that when I
ti police toitiask people
ill NOTimmigration
b fill d Thstatus
t illand if illegal $th
t
i t th
ti on our
t roads. Stop
A i children
ti of illegal
ld aliens
t i l ifrom
fl going to
Allow
to arrest d
them. Stop th
allowing
illegals
to drive
Baltimore
Anne Arundel
Baltimore
Anne Arundel
our public schools. Lower our sales tax back to what it was when you came into office. Lower our electric rate as promised. Stop giving welfare payments to
When furlough days are being taken by state employees, it would help add to the total amount if State Troopers had to take furlough days too. If ALL contribute it
will add up. every little bit helps. You could temporiarly stop overtime use and off duty use of vehicles
Just a thought, are there any states that are not having financial troubles? If so, what financial steps are they taking that Maryland can model?
Save paper anywhere possible, so many things get printed by the State and thrown away. Also, stop wasting money decorating concrete medians, (which are a
waste in themselves). The state should get the money from Lottery, the stadiums charge enough for seats they can pay for themselves. Also, get the slots in
here. I am tried of giving my money to Delaware and West Virginia. Also, stop funding welfare programs, most of the people in them have no ambition of
- eliminate all taxpayer funded travel out of state by all employees and elected officials
- implement mandatory state office building energy savings (i.e. - all lights out, computers off, printers & copiers off in all buildings). Employees who don't comply
- implement mandatory efficiency savings (i.e. require that all printers print double sided to save money on paper)
- reduce hours / days of operation for all field offices that give customer service (i.e. DNR license centers; DMV; etc.) and save money on energy, salaries, etc.
- consolidate field offices where the state pays rent into empty space in existing state-owned office buildings
- do a person by person audit of state employees. what is each agencies goals / mission.. how does each employee contribute to that mission. So if your job is
bay restoration.. evaluate every action.. will this result in pollution reduction? if no.. then don't do it. Every state agency should have a comprehensive plan with
- It makes no sense to eliminate positions as people retire that may be critical needs. Give Department leadership the ability to meet budget goals without
- Suspend stipends for voluntary advisory commission members travel and meals.
- Divert money from the lottery to pay for education. Why are we spending any money on stadiums at a time like this? Put dollars on priorities.
Baltimore
Wicomico
- Suspend IT upgrades unless existing equipment is completely unfunctional.. why are employees and legislators getting the latest blackberries and laptops
Governor O'Malley: If you elect to implement furlough days again, I suggest you tie them to holidays and/or Fridays. By doing that, State buildings are closed
consecutive days which creates energy savings. Possibly consider furlough days one Friday a month and/or December 28 through 31. While allowing
employees to schedule their own furlough days (4 or 8 hours at a time) is most convient for workers, it does not give the State the additional savings building
Stop printing "Drive Safe" pamphlets for troopers to hand out with the tickets. It will eliminate litter as well as expense.
Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore
Howard
Washington
1. Reset the thermostats in all state buildings to 80 degrees in the summer and 68 in the winter and don't leave the lights on overnight in any buildings.
2. This will seem like a silly suggestion.. Ticket drivers that have their winsheid wipers on and their headlights off. This is a dangerous situation and frankly, the
3. Increase toll over the bay bridge as it is very low for a one direction toll when compared with the other one-way toll over the I95 bridge in Harford County.
4. Increase state alcohol taxes
5. Institute a federated GIS system state agency wide that allows access to one database thereby reducing redundency of data and personel. GIS has a
6. Work with the Comptroller to create a two-week 50% sales tax period that will enable people to buy back to school items..but include big ticket items such as
automobiles. 50% of a transaction is better than 100% of no transaction.
(thinking way outside the box)
I am writing in response to a segment I saw on the local news wherein the governor was telling the public to send emails when they saw a way to possible say the
I was perplexed over something currently happening literally in front of my home right now. The home directly across the street was purchased by the state for
demolition a few months ago, so that a new exit ramp off 695 could be moved literally just a few feet. That being way out of my comprehension & knowledge, I
However….the ramp they will be taking away is currently having new storm drains being installed on it. That seems ridiculous. Even if the demolition isn't slated
to take place for a few years, it still seems like a major waste of funding.
If this type of overlap happens often enough, the dollar amount could be quite significant.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Where feasible change office hours to four ten hour days a week so that the heating and air conditioning can be dialed back on the fifth day to save on energy.
Mandate a 15% reduction in office supply purchases. Cut the travel and education budget for state employees for one year by 50%. Institute a pay freeze on all
state employees who earn more than 250% of the poverty level for a family of four (that includes elected officials). Raise the gas tax by 2 cents per gallon.
1-Use some of your stimulus money to pave River Hill Road in Laurel so the 12 plus homes on the road would have higher assessments and would have to pay
Dear Mr. Governor O'malley,
I have several suggestions to look into in order to help with the budget shortfall we face this year. I have been employed by the State of Maryland for almost
15years and I enjoy my career and work very hard to assist the citizens of the State of Maryland. I understand the difficult task you face. My suggestions are as
1. Significantly cut State Aid to Counties. Last year our county gave a 3% cost of living to their county employees. I work for the state and we had to accept
furlough days in tough economic times. The State needs to cut aid to those counties that had enough money to give raises. The State can not force counties to
furlough employees but the aid to those counties who do not want to join in with efforts to reduce the shortfall, but the State can cut the aid to each county by the
number of employees it has equal to any furloughs that State Employees will face this year. The county then has a choice to follow the state in furloughs. If the
2. All overtime and comp time should be eliminated in every agency. In my agency, due to cuts and hiring freezes I am doing the task of 3 people as a
supervisor. All agencies (including public safety) should have overtime eliminated. Supervisors can fill in and do the work if staff is short on certain days. I know
through friends within MSP and DOC that supervisors aren’t as busy as within our agency and I feel if staff is short supervisors must have the ability to fill in and
In remove the ability for property assessment appeals to be scheduled by property owners with the Department of Assessments & Taxation on Evenings and
Saturdays. This overtime is not needed, owners have the ability to write in there appeal or schedule phone hearings. This is just our agency I’m sure every
agency has similar ways to eliminate overtime. I have a friend who is a Trooper for the MSP and works overtime at the MVA in Frederick and earns a significant
amount of overtime there. The MVA in Frederick is located next to the MSP barracks and there is no need according to him to have a Maryland State Trooper
standing on duty in that office during hours of operation. The MVA budget should be cut to not include anymore paid time to MSP for security. If problems arise
3. I know you are in the process of renegotiating leases of office space. GSA needs to be account for every space and ensure that it’s getting the best
price/square foot for the area. Please make sure that every space is accounted for and ensure that there is a balance with true market rent for that space. Plenty
4. Review very closely all Enterprise Zone Areas and other similar zones with established areas that the state subsidizes money back to the counties. The state
should ensure the counties are doing as the law requires in order to receive and grant the credit and a study should be conducted every so many years to
determine if the zone is needed any longer. In our county there is an Enterprise Zone for an area of Retail, Hotel, and Restaurants near Interstate 81 and a large
mall and retail area. This specific area would have those businesses regardless now due to its location and access without the need for state subsidized credits.
A county official once stated they weren’t worried about that because it doesn’t cost the county any money and those credits were reimbursed by the state. We
5. Review the duties and the budget of the Property Tax Assessment Appeals Board. The full time employees in the upper level of that agency seem to work
minimal hours and there office is usually vacant. Why spend money on high office space rent and pay salaries to do little administration.
Below are some ideas to create additional revenue without a significant burden to the average tax payer:
1. Create a luxury tax of 1% on Vehicles over $45000, All Boat, Jet Skis, ATV’s, and other forms of entertainment vehicles.
2. Increase or create a state hotel/motel tax and State’s Property Tax Rate.
3. Fully Fund and staff the Department of Assessment & Taxation to ensure adequate staffing to defend property values and reviewing of eligibility for Homestead
Credits and Homeowners Tax Credits which in will only save future state revenue.
These are all just ideas and may seem like just a drop of money, but all added together should and will save the state millions and would not burden the average
Harford
Howard
Thank you for all your efforts in light of a difficult task.
A lot of money would be saved by the elimination of the I-95 Section 200 plan from the MdTA agenda. Many Harford residents are very opposed to this plan,
AND we have let MdTA know about this to no avail. Maybe, Gov. O'Malley, you could do something about that? It would save a ton of money, too. Thank you for
This has furlough ideas for hard hit California for state employees and those on campuses such as our USM including matching married state employees and
First furloughs scheduled at CSUS
Buzz up!By Laurel Rosenhall
lrosenhall@sacbee.com
Published: Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009
Staff and managers at Sacramento State will begin taking unpaid days off this week in the first phase of a one-year furlough plan at the university that will reduce
Campus leaders have designated this Friday and next Friday, Aug. 14, as the first two furlough days at California State University, Sacramento.
Most offices will be closed, but summer classes will be held and previously scheduled conferences will continue.
The furlough plan for professors hasn't been finalized. Most won't be taking furlough days this month because they are on summer vacation.
"Most of our faculty are not back until the end of this month so their furlough program will kick off in September," said David Wagner, vice president of human
Wagner said he is working with labor unions and the state chancellor's office to create campuswide furlough plans for the rest of the year.
One scheduling difficulty is that the union representing support staff wants most of the 24 furlough days to be assigned for the whole campus, Wagner said, while
the faculty union wants most days to be determined by individual professors and their supervisors.
Staff want the days set in advance so they can plan accordingly, said Kim Harrington, a staff member who is president of the campus chapter of the CSU
"This not knowing is the problem," she said. "We need the long-range plan for our folks."
Many Sac State employees are married to state workers, Harrington said, so they would like the university's furlough days to synch up with furlough days for state
"Reducing their overall costs would be very helpful," she said.
Professors, on the other hand, seek more flexibility in when they take their unpaid days off.
"For a faculty member, if the campus closes down you're still working because you're still grading papers, or doing research, or preparing for class," said Lillian
"Having some kind of flexibility was really vital if (professors') workload was going to be matched by the 10 percent cut in pay."
Taiz said many CSU campuses may end up creating different furlough schedules for staff and faculty.
1) As a state employee I think we could save a lot of money if time sheets and expense reports were done 100% online. I can't imagine how much money is
2) Between no raise, no step increase, furloughs, some state employees are feeling the pinch, spending less. Instead of these measures, why not allow
employees to choose whether they want to be full time at 40 hours, or full time at 32 hours. I think there are quite a few who would want more time off and still be
3) Consider having the state open 4 days per week and the buildings completely shut down with minimal heat/cooling for 3 days. This would save a lot of money.
This would also fit in with full time employees at 32 or 40 hours over the 4 days. With the state open 4 days, there could be evening hours which would better
4)Have standardized supplier for office supplies from one vendor with negotiated prices that apply to all state agencies.
5) PEPs (employee evaluations) should be reduced to one page (both sides) and done online-- colossal waste of money and paper!
City
Thank you for this opportunity to give suggestions. I hope you find them useful.
If you are proposing furlough days you need to inform the state employees so that they can prepare. Most of us (State Employees) live pay check to paycheck
and do not have extra money lying around to cover the days off without pay. I also think that the fat needs to be trimmed from the top. Start there and then work
your way down to the lower payed employees. I have worked very hard for the State of Maryland and has always given more than I have received. It's like we
(State Employees)are being punished for something that you did and that's not right. I have to live within my budget and balance my checkbook regularly, whose
not doing their job and alowing the spending to continue when you know the State doesn't have any money. Please explain this to me. Robbing Peter to pay
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Frederick
closing and tax revenue at a lost, which funds government, it only make sense that some trimming must be had. I come from corporate America due to workforce
reduction and having had the opportunity to work on a temporary and contractual assignment for two different Maryland State Government agencies. I had and
continue to have the opportunity to witness an unbelievable amount of taxpayer dollars wasted. Bid contracts were honored out of relationship not productivity,
quality, workmanship or economics, not to mention workflow and workforce redundancy with little accountability. As President Obama stated in his run for the
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Cecil
Harford
With the budget deficit, don't spend the money on the train!!
decrease eic and refundable eic for this year. many recepients already are assisted by state and county with
food stamps, housing, and medical. many times this taxpayer pays no income tax.
survey street lightning and see if all lights necessary.
rt 165 and greene rd have 3 lights and all are generally
lit. they are all in the same block.
up from 8000 to 10000 or 12000 amount of salary employers
pay unemployment on.
defer replacing equipment such as helicopters that have
been on new a few months ago.
no personal use of state and police vehicles.
general assembly needs to change law their salaries acnnot be cut and reaises are automatic when rest of country
is in financial crisis. the general publis is cutting
and they need to also.
Allegany
Baltimore
Frederick
Harford
Montgomery
City
cut lightning in state buildings to a minimum
you have to cut personnel,where there is a asst.supt.in every feild the supt. or support staff can cover it,also most inportant why does e.o.c.,emergency mgt. have
to have top of the line everything and be manned 24 hours by top dollar employees use support staff,also what kind of cuts have the house and senate taken
Instead of furloughs for state employees, why not reduce salaries, & then give employees some number of paid flexible holidays to be scheduled by each
employee. This would stabilize the salaries each pay, & still let employees feel that they're getting time off in return for the salary reduction. (This is similar to the
Cut salaries of State legislators and representatives. Too often, cuts are made on the backs of State workers - no increments, furlough days, layoffs, cutting
vacant positions, which just puts that much more of a burden on the workers who are left. We are voters and citizens, too, and it is not right that cuts come first
from our income. I have a daughter who just finished college and we have tens of thousands of dollars in student loans to pay. I have a son in high school and I
I somewhat understand the budget cuts, however, I would like to make a heartfelt suggestion - when issuing furlough days, please take into consideration that
there are some State employees who are married and we get hit twice as hard. If the "rumor" of 10 furlough days takes place, it will be 20 for my family - 20 days
equal one months salary. Please, please, we struggle enough, but this will completely devastate us. We have two kids in college and live paycheck to paycheck.
Thank you for your consideration.
Stop all funding for CASA of Maryland. Demand proof of legal presence for all taxpayer funded programs and services in Maryland. Mandate employer use of E* Government now more than ever needs to be fiscally responsible. Dollars versus political correctness is the issue. MBE and SBE purchasing often adds a 20 to
25% premium to the cost of doing business. Suspending these programs until the State becomes more financially solvent could realize a cost savings of
* State employees and employees that work at State Universities should have a 2% salary reduction across the board. Then between Christmas and New year's,
shut down all state office buildings giving the employees administrative leave. Actually, it's a way around furloughs with the State not only realizing approx.
$120,000,000 savings in salaries as well as energy savings of between 1 and 2% by shutting off all lighting and throttling down heating systems. If the buildings
are closed, there would be little if any water usage or sewage created. The salary reduction should be for all with no deferrals. All state and higher ed. people
should feel the same pain. If people are considered essential, then they would need to work during the down time. In past practices, all who were not defered
* One other item of interest is the mandate for all state and higher ed. agencies to buy office furniture and other items from the MCE. That mandate causes state
agencies to pay a much higher cost for goods and services that are provided. I have seen cost as much as 4 times higher then their counterparts in private
* Cut transportation costs, A) Restrict State vehicle usage to emergency use ie, fire, police, etc. B) Restrict or limit work related traveling,
select your county
Kent
select your county
Howard
select your county
select your county
Layoff of State and higher ed. employees should be a last resort. There is an aging workforce and many people could retire if the State would offer incentives.
Quit spening $120K / year for speciaty translator for illegal alien held for killing her baby in Somerset County
Take away most of our sick days and let us use annual/personal days for that. Having just attended a national conference in Tucson with many state/county
They are given personal days, or annual days and must use that if sick. This gives a strong motivation to not take sick days as "mental health" days when you
Eliminate some duplicative agencies such as LMB or CSA, or GOCCP which only add an additional layer of bureaucracy
GIVE MORE FURLOUGH DAYS , AND DAYS OR WEEK OFF WITHOUT PAY OPTIONAL,CUT SUPPLIES OR CONTROL THAT,NO OVERTIMEPAY, ONLY
After working at MSDE and now working at an institution of higher education, I don't see a need for a large program approval branch under the division of
Certification and Accreditation. The IHEs in Maryland with teacher preparation programs must gain national accreditation through NCATE. The overlap and
redundancy of also having program approval specialists does not seem cost effective. The specialist travel to go to meetings, fund meetings, therefore their use
Why is the State data center moving to Dallas, Texas? Isn't this taking jobs away from Maryland citizens? We should be directing jobs to maryland, not away
from it. If our State government doesn't keep their jobs in Maryland, who will?
Baltimore
City
Eliminate all vacant positions across state and utilize current staff to fill in necessary duties.
If an original signature is needed to process an application, a faxed application should not be accepted.
Do not fax and mail the same materials.
select your county
Limit the quantity of incoming and outgoing faxed documents.
The Developmental Disabilities Coalition recommends the following:
Institutions (SRCs)
$49.8M of DDA's FY2010 budget is allocated for institutions (source: FY2010 budget books). This is an exceptionally large amount allocated to a very small
1. Close the Brandenburg Center: The state can no longer justify the cost of $244,072 per person/year. There is no fiscally sound rationale for operating a 14person facility. In addition, it simply is not needed. Most, if not all, of the residents have written plans of habilitation that have determined that they can be
2. Downsize and eventually close the Potomac Center. The average annual cost per person is $234,551. The large amount of land and the size of the units at
Potomac Center far exceed the needs of the people living there. Every single person attends a day program outside of Potomac so there is no rationale that this
Anne Arundel
Harford
select your county
Montgomery
The cost savings - over time- should be re-directed to support people on DDA's 19,000 person waiting list and to adequately support the under-funded DD
community service programs. While these recommendations will garner quick savings, the economy is not improving significantly anytime soon. These
Are we seriously going to fund expansion of metro with our current budget crisis? Are you kidding me? I'd rather have the money go toward keeping a full
contingent of fire fighters, teachers, and police officers! We can deal with the traffic issues until the economy recovers. We need to be more realistic about what
Erect a toll booth on I-83 between the MD and PA line. This money could be used to help fund the Bay restoration fund. For each dollar collected, one dollar
would be reduced from the general fund. This would allow the money now being taken from the general fund to be used to close the deficit. In future years, the
money can then be used to reduce the State Debt. This reduction in debt not only will help reduce what the State would owe out right, but would reduce the
Why not offer early retirements for employees and lose positions throuh attrition. If there has to be furloughs why not include all state employees starting with the
gobs office. Lastly why are we still buying land for open space when we really can't afford it.
I am a State Employee at the University of Maryland, College Park. I am also involved with the USM Council of University System Staff and have spoken to many
employees thru out the State on this issue. As an employee and life long citizen of Maryland I would recomend a 2% accross the board salary reduction for a
RATIONALE: The State has many different units that serve the people. The challenge is to continue a high level of service AND reduce expenditures. One
solution accomplishes both tasks- a two year, 2% reduction in salary for ALL. In FY'09 the State provided each employees with a 2% COLA. To now roll back that
COLA so employees can keep their jobs and the level of service to the citizens can be maintained is an option worth considering. Having a two year sunset
Many thanks for your effort and consideration of this suggestion during this tough economic time.
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
Also, Cut the new voting system-42M, we can live without it for a while.
Cancel the new voting system
Harford
Eliminate benefits to illegal aliens
Is a Press Office of this size benefitting the State of Maryland? Can't the work of the Governor's Office just be performed? Do you need all of this "People" hype?
Let the private press/media handle any "press releases" that need to be released. Call a press conference and make the announcement. You will be re-elected
PRESS OFFICE
Rick Abbruzzese, Director of Communications
Christine Hansen, Deputy Press Secretary
Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
Harford
Kent
select your county
select your county
Shaun Adamec, Deputy Press Secretary
Frank Perrelli, Creative Director
Jay Baker, Chief Photographer
Nina F. Smith, Press Aide
Steve Rabin, Chief Speechwriter
Jackie Small, Speech Coordinator
Chris Rieth, Speech Coordinator
Kevin Large, Communications Manager
Takirra Winfield, Communications Aide
Rick Lippenholz, Staff Photographer
If you truely want to cut budget monies, why don't you go after the "supplies & miscellaneous" funds that are distributed to the agencies. Most of that money is
wasted anyway. I have seen hundreds of dollars spent on office supplies, just to have them thrown away because they don't like the color or it has been barely
used and they don't want the item any longer. Hundreds of thousands of dollars are spent thru out the state for supplies only for them to be taken home or
trashed. No one likes to "recycle or reuse" anything if they can get it brand new. I came from private sector before working for the state and the owners & the
bosses of the companies I worked for, insisted that we "recyle & reuse" as much of our supplies that we could. I also see monies being spent on breakfasts &
l
h it very
i noble
th to provide
th tfor
th the ireferrenced
t i i
i
i f priority
t it i that
t S
th state iactivities was
f
th out.
f d Jobs.
l id Unemployed
ll
thcitizens don't
l f pay
d taxes,
E
While
needy,
thed one
pays forf all
left
and taxes pay for all state activities. Therefore I think that preservation of, and creation of new jobs should be the number one priority.
New State Spending Restraint Is Needed-Enable the State to deliver needed services more cost-effectively, skillfully and efficiently.
It is very clear that throughout the public sphere that there must be a balance between governmental services and fiscal responsibility or resource constraints.
That balance is often hard to strike due to New State Spending/debt and to the self-interest of a few.
There is plenty of room for reducing Maryland's long-term structural deficit, by the way of slashing the 2009 Maryland Consolidated Capital Bond loan of $1.11
Billion in new state debt, state bonds and appropriations to Maryland Hospitals. With the tax breaks that Maryland hospitals receives (no property or income taxes
that other corporations pay), hospitals earned millions from stocks, bonds, and other resources (today's market hospitals are showing paper losses traced to
interest swaps but are still in the green as in Money!). Maryland hospitals due not need continuing state subsidies, it would be reasonable for the hospitals to
What is more galling, in FY 2008, approximately $1 Billion dollars was spent in Maryland's hospitals Outpatient-Emergency Care by users/payers (Taxpayers
To ease the burden on the taxpayers, EMS Response Systems and hospital emergency departments, state and local governments "focus" should be on
developing a solution on the Emergency Department Use. By the way of examples:
1). EMS Response Systems merging with their local Public Health Departments to address Non-Emergent Care and Preventable Emergency department Care.
2). It is time to implement the EMS Agenda for the Future, the Future is now. EMS Community-based health management (google-EMS Agenda for the Future
3). Consider restructuring MIEMSS into the State Department of Public Health (DHMH).
Iask that all parties keep the burden on the taxpayers of Maryland as light as possible.
Respectfully Submitted
xxxxxxxxxxxxx
I am a state employee hoping to retire in June, 2010, along with several other people in my office. If these vacant positions could become contractual, it would
save the state money that they would not have to pay employees in benefits. I would then be able to continue to work in the same position but as a contractual
worker. Many retired people need to continue to earn income for several more years. As people retire, it would nice to be able to offer the retiree the choice to
How about taking 20.00 a pay for 26 pays from each state employee (70,000) - that equals 36 million dollars, instead of furloughs and 5% decrease in pay?? I
think state employees have taken a beaten for years, no COLA's, no increments, no reclasses, furloughs. Plus our health care benefits have increased as well.
The cost of living is going up and our pays are going down. we have families and mortgages too! The citizens of Maryland think that state employees don't pay
I suggest the State of Maryland enact an early retirement Bill relative to the State Employees' Pension System. Such a Bill will allow state employees in the
pension system with at least 25 years of creditable service to receive benefits at a reduced salary rate.
PLEASE DON'T STOP MARYLAND SUMMER CENTERS!!!!
offer state employees a 25 year retirement and out plan, that should save the state millions, and then don't fill some of those positions
1. Abolish the Citizen's Review Board, as there are now plenty of 'overseers' for child welfare. Formed about 30 years ago for a very good purpose, it has now
outlived its utility, particularly in these fiscally very tight times. Times have changed but the review board has not. Foster children's cases are now reviewed by
the court at least every six months, each child has an attorney, there are state and federal audits, agencies who are accredited have peer reviews, there are
supervisory reviews, parents havs attorneys, and an increasing number of children have Court Appointed Special Advocates. The Citizen's Review Board is
2. Last year something around a million dollars was allocated to boost mental health crisis response in several Maryland jurisdictions for foster children to try to
stabilize youth in regular foster families. Perhaps someone needs to look into how many children have been served to know whether continuation of the funding
3. Make it simple for foster and adoptive parents to sign up for direct deposit of their monthly checks - make sure to send clear information about this to foster
City
Harford
Baltimore
Anne Arundel
Thanks for the opportunity to weigh in. These are difficult times, and we are hopeful that the children won't lose out. We appreciate Governor O'Malley's
As a state employee, I suggest furlough days for all on Dec. 24 and 31. And 5 more voluntary furlough days as the year progresses.
I work in corrections (BCJJC) -- recommend we forgo the Correctional Education meeting this fall (3 daays in Ocean City). We can pick it up again next year.
Institute a tax penalty amnesty as New Jersey did. They are at $600 million and counting.
1- Do whatever is necessary to arrange for the legislature to be in session only every other year.
2-Have all State agencies function on a four-day work week... 10 hrs per day for 4 days and the agency closes on the 5th day. There is no savings of energy, etc.
if they agency remains open and only the employees are on a 4 day schedule.
Budget cutting ideas.
a) For travel reimbursements only pay the cost of the meals instead of the full per diem. If lunch cost $5 and the per diem is $12, only pay 5. Over a multi-day
conference this coold save a $100 or more per person for all those meals.
b) Better idea than that - cut all out of state travel unless is is utmost urgently needed. Or..cut it all!
c) Stop take-home vehicles or make people pay the State.
------those are warm ups. now for some biggies-----d) Cut all State contracts 20%. Why pay contractors full pay and cut State workers by furlough days. Contractors will say "But we have a contract". Tough! Times
are tough. Don't contracts have standard text that the contract depends on funds being there. Well, take 20% of those funds for other things and share the task of
e) Cut contracts. End them. Look at each one and drop many of them. d and e wil save huge sums. There are retired State employees on contract. If not directly
then they are a worker under someone else on contract. Cut those retired workers. Current employees shouldn't be furloughed or fired when retired workers are
f) Stop buying land. In better times - ok. But not now! Workers are being fired and lives impacted...and we have few 100 more acres in our pocket. Not satisfying.
g) Cut major road projects.
h) Cut various existing State programs. Which ones? Go line by line. If ever there was a time to be thorough, now is the time. If they don't measure up, then they
i) Don't ask just the unit heads and Asst Sec's what to cut. Ask the people in the trenches. They know what is working and what isn't. Open a secure, anonymous
suggestion box. You won't believe what you'll hear. (h) is difficult since people may be fired if they aren't already multi-tasking. If a program is cut but the staffer
j) Stand in front of your top level satffers with kiddie scissors and say "We have done a lot of this so far". snip snip. Then pull out garden shears and say "We
have done some of this so far" snip snip. Then pull out a meat cleaver or some other eye catching monster and say "Now it's time to use this" whack! onto a
k) Keep employees who do the work. Give more furlough days if needed - plenty even - but not firings. Too drastic for the longstanding dedicated workers,
Hang tough. Be tough. But with a dose of wisdom and caring.
Anne Arundel
City
whack!
This is a test without my email address and name. Prefer to remain anonymous
This is in response to your request that we taxpayers provide you with suggestions on how the Maryland State government might save money. Obviously
Probably the most obvious duplication of effort in the state government is the effort put forth by Maryland to provide literature and telephone assistance in multiple
languages. I realize that there are deep ideological and political reasons behind doing this but during tough times like these we need to look at some things we
While I feel some sympathy for people who are making their way in a foreign country without a solid knowledge of the local language I can't help but feel that in
the long run cutting the umbilical cord and providing an incentive to immigrant groups to learn the local language will be a benefit to them. Every time a caller is
given the opportunity to press 2 and hear something in a foreign language they put off for another day mastering English. As a result of this they put off for
Although I know that the intent of providing bilingual services is to make people feel welcome I can't help but feel that it is creating and perpetuating an
underclass of people who will be relegated to lower paying jobs because they have lost any incentive to become fluent in English. Look on any construction
Anne Arundel
I know many people of foreign origin and I have yet to find one who is incapable of learning English. If we are serious about helping immigrants become a useful
part of our society I think we should consider eliminating this expensive and condescending practice.
1. Take a good look at the mess Obama is creating -- then DO NOT DO THE SAME.
2. Cut all state agency funding by 10 per cent, hold an additional 10 per cent in reserve.
3. Take a very hard look at the "timber contracts" for timber cut from state properties. Also enforce the "restoration" provisions on all properties that have been
Baltimore
.
Montgomery
select your county
The tuition freeze at Maryland colleges and universities must be lifted. It is supremely irrational to expect them to maintain quality while resources shrink and
shrink. The small amount of increase in an individual student's tuition would be inconsequential -- those who need college "affordability" will receive more direct
aid to cover the cost. Those who do not receive aid (or only in the form of loans) probably don't have as great a need for "affordability." Either way, federal
As a way to raise revenue is it possible to sell advertising space on all State automobiles? You need to look to other alternatives to close the budget deficit
besides the compensation of State Employees. State employees have sacrificed more than their share in the last 10 yrs. with furloughs, layoffs, pay freezes,
hi,
Carroll
why don't you cut the number of legislators in both houses in half. eliminate some of their staff also.
Current: When the legislator is in session bills that are being reviewed are printed and handed out.
Anne Arundel
City
Washington
City
City
Howard
select your county
Suggestion: Limited the number of paper copies and rely more on email and provide possible bills as attachments.
Asked state employees strickly on a voluntarily basis to volunteer to work shorter work week, example, 4 days, 32 hours, 20 hrs. etc. I believe the responses will
be greater than you anticipate. Depending on the responses, this could prevent some layoffs.
Offer early out incentives to employees nearing retirement. This would eliminate some possible layoffs. You would sacrifice experience but you would save new
I am a State employee working for the State of Maryland's Public School Construction Program. This might seem to be a very small cost-cutting idea, but if it can
be done, it will save money on paper that the State uses. Anyone that uses the FMIS system can tell you that when they print a report, purchase order, etc., the
Why can't the programmers cut that one piece of paper out. When you think of how many FMIS users there are in the State of Maryland, I really think the savings
could be quite substantial. Thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to correspond with and hopefully help, the Governor as he has to make some very
Retirement incentives for employees with 30+ years. Reevaluate need for the position after retirement.
Implement time clocks for non-exempt State employees where they do not exist. This will result in improved worker productivity and ideally enhanced overall
financial results. In many (all?) State buildings/institutions there is no adequate monitoring of employee work time and mush opportunity for employees to take
Howard
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
Baltimore
City
Cut the number of paid holidays that State employees receive. I'm a State employee and would gladly give up a few holidays versus having my pay cut or taking
constant furloughs, both of which put a strain on my family finances. The number of holidays we get is excessive compared to corporate and non-profit
institutions. Reducing paid holidays does not strain the family finances and keeps employees productive. Fewer employees will be needed in aggregate due to
It is difficult for me to understand why your staff, along with the numerous legislators in our state, cannot devise a way to effectively address our budget crisis. If
you use my suggestion, could I get a personal tour of the state house? To generate revenue for our state as well as help business owners in several markets, I
suggest that Maryland implement a vehicle inspection program. This could stand-alone or be coupled with the state’s existing vehicle emissions program. For
example, most (I think) vehicles are “selected” every two years for an emission test at a cost of $10. At that time, require a vehicle inspection checking everything
from operational headlights to a functional muffler for an additional $10. That generates revenue for the state. I am no suggesting that the current emission
$
There is little startup cost to implement this program, basically a state agency that is willing to oversee the program and certify garages/dealerships. It would also
be relatively easy to implement within a year. Plus, it promotes citizen safety by ensuring vehicles are in proper operating order.
Provide walkable paths/boundaries to schools and cut school bus transportation all together.
http://www.newsline.umd.edu/schools/busmoney091708.htm
AND Go solar as much as possible.
Dear Honorable Governor O'Malley,
My suggestion to reduce the budget would be to set up a small task force directed at maryland medicaid to seek out and put a stop to all the medicaid fraud that
is done by both recipients and providers. I am a nurse who used to case manage health choice clients and believe me, there is plenty of fraud to go around.
Probably the largest area of fraud, and "frankly BS", pardon the expression, can be found in the use of private duty nursing. Some families are seriously abusing
the intention of the benefit provided. What they truly want is the "Hazel benefit" where they have a live in nurse to be parent, housekeeper and supervisor of their
The second area would be in durable medical equipment. The fraud that goes on here is of huge proportions. Getting rid of the fraud and abuse in both these
areas would likely save hundreds of thousands, if not millions of dollars.
Thank you for allowing me to participate in the discussion.
Sincerely,
xxxxxxxxxxxx
The University System of Maryland charges it's employees for parking on the various campuses. They structure this in increments of $20,000, based upon the
The incremental fees stop at $80,000. There are plenty of USM employees who make more than $80K. Why not continue the incremental fees to include $80$100K, $100K-$120K, $120 and above. And also considter an additional parking fee for every person who gets their own parking spot (Presidents, VP's, Deans,
etc.) These are the folks making the most money and they should be able to pay more. When we asked on our local campus we were told, "This was a USM
City
Montgomery
Frederick
City
This would be an easy way to help generate more funding for Maryland.
Governor O'Malley:
Good morning.It is been my experience that the state of MD employees are always the hardest hit. We have always been looked at first to furlough, lay off or
receive no increase.I was barely able to maintain my bills with the last round of furloughs and pay reduction. I work hard and try to do the right things by paying
my bills on time along with my student loan debt. The people of the state of MD BEG you to consider not putting us through another round of this let alone one
that is 3 times worse than the first.If anything, just keep the pay where it is with no increases until things resolve. Where would the motivation and morale be for
state workers that go to work everyday but are being paid less? It is absolutely NOT fair. People that don't work and may not want to work seem to fair better than
l and
B running, increase
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d (I'tdo drink),
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Have SHA employees maintain District Office (s) lawn care/plantings. SHA employees take one (1) Friday off per month without pay for six (6) months. SHA
employees pay 1% more of their health care premiums for 6-12 months.
1) After 5:00pm and on weekends many State office buildings still have the lights and computers on. I feel as though many if not all of these lights and computers
could be shut off because they are not being used and I am sure that it makes the State's electricity bill unnecessarily high and waste money.
2) Although it is great for State employees who take the subway and bus to be able to ride it for free perhaps that program could be done away with if it is costing
3) Perhaps money could be saved by limiting or eliminating the ability of State employees to take State vehicles home in the evening or on weekends when they
are not working. Also no employee should be able to use a State gasoline card to fill up either their own vehicle or a State vehicle if the vehicle is not being used
4) Perhaps overtime could be greatly cut or eliminated not only at this time but in general by making sure that work assignments are done during employees
working hours because in my opionion some of the overtime that is done by State employees after their normal working hours could and should be done during
their 8 hour shifts. Some State employees purposely work overtime doing assignments and projects that they could do during their normal working hours because
5) Perhaps there could be some kind of monetary prize or award for employees who do not call out sick because this would reduce the amount of State
employees calling out sick in general for no reason because they know that they can do it up to a certain point without any disciplinary consequences. Basically
they have no incentive not to use their sick leave. Also instead of State employees having 30 days to turn in sick leave documentation that they were medically
6) Make sure that in all State facility's there are no dripping faucets, electrical appliances wasting energy because they are not up to date on energy conservation
usage, air conditioning or heating systems that waste energy because they are not up to date on energy conservation, State vehicles that need maintenance such
7) Only granting liberal leave when absolutely necessary during inclement weather to State employees who are not essential and meet the requirements. I am not
8)Perahps across the board having all State employees not work or be paid for say a Friday making it a 4 day work week either once or twice a year. I am not
9) Not paying nurses sign on bonuses or giving them bonuses in general for not having called out sick.
10) Cutting down on State employees taking business trips or having lunches etc. where the State pays the bill.
11) Having more monetary awards and prizes in general to State employees for perfect attendance, outstanding work performance, ideas that save the State
money etc. This would give State employees incentive in all of these areas and other areas that I did not mention to be more productive, which ultimately will save
the State money but not a system as was used in the past where State employees who received an outstanding PEP evaluation were paid a certain amount of
money as were employees that received a better qualified PEP evalution because this cost the State money due to favortism and supervisor's and employees
Howard
Out of caution I must make my suggestions brief.
1. For state workers, cut overtime for 6 months to a year or implement close monitoring of overtime so that it will only be used for preapproved specific job duties
2. Focus on long range and ongoing cost saving solutions by hiring more supervisors and management personnel with higher levels of business or public
administration education with proven experience. (Require a style similar to xxxxxxx for incoming management at the supervisory, chief, program administrator,
and director level.) I believe this will lead to more strategic managerial practices with appropriate evaluation and reevaluation systems put in place for workers.
(Due to high levels of workloads in some areas as opposed to others the high areas of workloads managers have less time for close monitoring and consistent
3. Figure out how to increase worker motivation so there won't be such a high number of times wasting which results in decreased productivity. This decreased
productivity may create the illusion of a need for more workers when it may just be an issue of restructuring, and/or changes in delegation of tasks. There may
4. Acknowledge workers who are extremely productive and who show initiative. Set up a system where people can safely offer their concerns and suggestions for
improvement without the concerns of backlash. Only allow the people to read and receive the suggestions who are not within the division in order to eliminate
5. Implement a system that will evaluate productivity reports for everyone by someone outside of the division. Upper management only should delegate someone
to review this information specifically for potential areas for cost cutting, elimination, and the need for personnel.
6. Require more uniform reporting methods of workers to supervisors, and managers to upper managers.
7. Implement mandatory surveys with a variety of specific questions and separate the responses by worker, supervisor, chief, and program administrator. Include
areas for comments. The surveys must not be read by managers within their own divisions without being first read by upper management outside of the division.
Montgomery
Baltimore
select your county
Carroll
Baltimore
Baltimore
Respectfully,
Anoymous
Streamline procurement accross the Departments. Right now each agency/department has it's own procurement, plus there is the e-maryland marketplace
procurement system. If you merge procurement functions, you could likely save costs on administrative overhead (supervisors) and it might be easier to find
The Board of Ed's Infants & Toddlers (birth to 3) program is offered throughout the state as a free program. Maryland is one of the very few states that do not
require its clients to pay for these services. This program employs many professionals, including teachers, language specialists, nurses, social workers, physical
therapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, audiologists and office staffs. These offices must rent space, buy paper clips, and even pay clients' cabfare to
and from groups and activities. I am not suggesting dropping from its rolls families that cannot afford the service, but rather to charge on a sliding scale. Many of
the clients in this program can afford to pay some amount, indeed, some even could pay full price for a private service of its kind if it were not offered gratis by the
St t state
Th workers
hild
i t th
t th hour
li days
ht t a week, tisaveGon energy
t d cost t ll d
d th
i
b t it t k
l
f
lf
ANY
Have
telecommuter,and
work 4-ten
Charge a licensing fee for obtaining a license to be a child care home or center.
Governor O'Malley,
My suggestion for cost containment for the State of Maryland is this: When a State employee travels for a conference or other State business, it is logical that
they be reimbursed for their mileage because that is an expense they would not have incurred otherwise. The employee should have their lodging paid for
because that too is an expense they would not have incurred had they not been travelling... HOWEVER, this employee would have had to EAT whether they were
away on State business or not. Why should the State reimburse this employee $42 a day TO EAT?!? This is frivolous spending on the part of the State. How
much precious money does Maryland waste paying its employees TO EAT!?! What other frivolous costs could we cut before we implement furloughs or lay offs!!
W
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I am always amazed at the amount of money that is spent in the excessive mowing of grass along our highways....I am not saying lay folks off as there is plenty of
needed work but the fuel bill for those mowers must be substantial. Also, I think that the State or Counties waste vast amounts in excess street lighting. I knew
someone, now long moved away, who got an extra street light in front of his house on my county road...I call it the one case of whisky light pole.
select your county
Anne Arundel
Howard
Montgomery
Montgomery
City
Sell Trade center. make 5 day furloughs permanent.
and put each one before a holiday.
Where can we go and view the proposed budget I would like to see what inidividual agency budgets are and other details if possible
The Thorton bill was passed without fiscal considerations. I would like to see a careful review of Thorton to make sure we are not mindlessly throwing money at
education. DC has the largest per capita spending on education an I don't want Maryland to emulate DC's education system.
I am writing to you to request that you stop cutting local services, and especially stop cutting Local Management Boards, but instead look to your own State
agencies, especially those which do not provide any services or direct benefit to Maryland citizens. I have been a teacher for ten years and I see the disservice it
I have heard about the cuts being made to the local Baltimore Co Mgmt board that works with at-risk youth and families and it saddens me. We need people like
Please rethink your budget cuts!
Thank you
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Please stop funding Casa of Md. who use the money for illegal
immigrants. I am so mad at the Mont. Co. (Leggett) people for
misusing my tax dollars. I will vote against anyone who continues to abuse our money in this way. Didn't you learn anything from the drivers license mess?
to save money you need to do a intense drug testing for all welfare clients because there are alot of clients that are wasting cash and stamps every month just to
get high you can save loads of money that way.and i am staying at code blue and there is a whole lot of waste going on here that will save the city money.
Anne Arundel
The MDE currently requires the posting of a huge, heavy duty, 4 ft x 8 ft sign to publicize projects receiving "State of Maryland" financial support, under the
direction of MDE, and approved by Board of Public Works. These signs cost in excess of $500 each and have been required for very short duration projects and
small under $100K projects. This is tax payer money, not MDE's. Few people read them and they take up valuable time on the recipients part to order and install
the signs. The signs have no educational value about why the project is being done and its benefits to the Bay watershed. I'm with a small watershed stewardship
non-profit manned by volunteers, the $500 could be put to far better use than the State tooting its own horn on how it is spending our money. The example project
The guidelines do not$ even allow the CACB 2010 Trust Grant recipient to put its name on the sign or list the match donations and partners supporting the project.
This is one tiny example of how out of touch with reality MDE (and the state) is, particularly in dealing with non-profits working on the front lines to save the Bay.
Non-profits cannot operate as local governments and cannot be treated the same by the state bureaucracy and outdated regulation/legislation. The power of nonprofits is being thwarted by irrational regualtion and processes. Unless BayStat can bring the NPO's fully on board the Bay cannot be saved. 65% of the Bay's
Treating these small, but important BayStat projects as if they were Capital Improvement 50 million dollar wastewater treatment plants is just crazy, and very
costly. The MDE is wasting everyone's very valuable time, including their own people's productivity.
If BayStat would seek input from non-profits about how the State can better enable them to work on Bay saving projects, rather than disable them and throw up
irrational and illogical roadblocks, the NPO's could accomplish amazing things. They will act as a force multiplier of state funds, and not a waster of scare funds.
The thoughts expressed are my own. I would be happy to sit down with BayStat and discuss a long list of issues the watershed organizations are dealing with
respect to MDE's management of the Trust Fund and Stimulus grants. Millions could be saved by appling some simple common sense immediately, changing a
One has to wonder why the all powerful Board of Public Works has to approve a $50K rain garden project the CACB 2010 Trust Fund Scientific Advisory Board
Baltimore
Frederick
City
Anne Arundel
Montgomery
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
My suggestion is random urinalysis tests for anyone who is on welfare or has medical assistance. They should be initially tested prior to approval and randomly
while using the program. If they test dirty they should immediately be terminated from the program and have to wait a certain amount of time before being able to
re-apply. Why should we waste tax dollars on people who are NOT trying to better themselves or the community. And frankly I'm tired of wasting my tax dollars on
Use open source software for kiosks, managing networks and other areas. Howard County Libraries have switched over to open source software and saved
large amounts of money. I'm sure the same model can be achieved in other government / state institutions
My suggestion is to sit down personally with each department head and ask to see each expenditure and ask questions on why it was necessary to spend on
such items. Hold them accountable for unneccessary spending within the department. A lot of money is wasted because there is not anyone approving each
expenditure. Each department should have someone specifically approving expenditures and asking questions, and providing alternatives to reduce the amount
of spending. For instance, at Baltimore City Community College, a meeting was arranged at a remote location. Why? There should be someone asking the
same question. Why arrange a meeting off premises when you have an entire campus to use. The money used for that meeting facilty should not be spent.
I am sure this happens in all of the departments statewide. These departments receive money and they literally waste it. At the end of the each fiscal year, the
departments should be able to return money because they should be practicing responsible spending. Just because they receive the money, doesn't mean they
On June 30th, I forwarded a suggestion to both Governor O'Malley and LT Governor Brown to recoup revenues to the State. Many government employees at
local, county and state levels are required to order most medications (especially high priced specialty medications) by mail order. These mail order pharmacies
and the PBM's that dictate this agenda are all out of state (Argus, Walgreens, Catalyst RX, Aetna Specialty, Freedom/Priority Healthcare, ExpressScripts). One
Montgomery County Pharmacy lost 2 million in revenues in Q1 for 1 therapeutic class which then translated into $160,000 in tax revenues lost to the state. Local
specialty pharmacies are experiencing substantial losses in revenues, citizens losses in choice and service and the state a considerable loss in a revenue
Pl on all State paid
id th
t more
l
t than
i ti $175K
ith th i
id
h
it f kl
t b th
i
b
fi i
f th
t i ti
Put a cap
positions tof not
Legalize marijuana. It will bring in some extra cash to the state.
I am an attorney who defends physicians in medical malpractice cases. Since the 1970's Maryland has had the "Health Claims Arbitration Office," now called the
"Health Care Alternative Dispute Resolution Office" (HCADRO). Years ago, this dept actually did at least a little something as some med mal cases were resolved
via arbitration & not in Circuit Court. But about 10+ years ago, all med mal cases, after being 1st filed in HCADRO, have been immediately "waived" into circuit
court for full blown discovery and trial, so HCADRO does nothing more than process the initial pleadings of the case, which is then filed all over again in circuit
court. In other words, HCADRO serves NO useful function anymore, if it ever did.
C
O
Harford
Anne Arundel
Baltimore
please reframe from cutting budgets at local management boards. Look to your internal staff and large budget increases to pet projects for a way to balance our
budget. Your administration has burdened the working people and small businesses enough.
Raise the gas tax and fund public transit. Create a real, meaningful plan for the installation of public transit between Balt, Annap and DC like most other major
metro areas. Create a floor for gas prices to induce better public decisions and fund transportation and related projects. Remove private money from electoral
politics in MD and create true representative government that can make better policy decisions for citizens. Raise income taxes on those making over
$500,000/yr. Create state plan for citizens to purchase college tuition for kids starting at age 5 regardless of future costs, bringing funds now to public education
and promising college ed to those who may not be able to afford it. I am a state employee but maybe not for long due to cuts. Employees do not work well when
th
th 18 months
ill
lincrease
d i thsales taxf from
t
it
l
th as well
ill onk ah temporary
d
I basis.
ti
d ith l
t
f
Temporarilyt for 12if to
6Iftoth6.5 tort 7%,l increase
gasoline
tax
Baltimore
These are to be temporary measures, I believe most people would prefer to pay xtra now and save there job or avoid a furlogh knowing that it is temporary. In
addition stop all frivolous spending, no pork only things that are necessary, work with local lenders to help free up credit for small business, stop taking money
from federal government thats not going to help our state nor help the country. If every Marylander has to balance there checkbook every month without a bailout
As you state, in Maryland, we are far more lucky than other states. I think one thing that would really help is a scaling down of the services that government
receives locally but even more on a national level. I really think that this cap and trade bill and the new health care reform legislation will come down to bite your
budget as they are implemented. Because it is an election year, I know you will work to not raise taxes but we do remember the special session that gave us our
sales tax increase in addition with your work with BGE and the PSC and Constellation which has not been effective at all. Drive your own car, cook your own
Anne Arundel
I suggest you consider implementation of a "Primary Care Clinics" program offered by a company called Mainstreet to acheive a budget reduction by reducing
Frederick
Wicomico
City
There has never been a better time for the state of Maryland to consider the financial and clinical values of supporting its’ own on-site primary care clinic. The on
going challenge has been the ability to manage the health needs of the employees and dependents to the financial health of the plan. In addition to the “hard
dollar” savings to the health plan there remains a continued need to manage and improve the productivity and absenteeism of the workforce. MainStreet has
developed an employer sponsored HealthCare clinics program that provides the balance necessary to address all of these issues and provide real value to all
For the health benefits plans the immediate first year result is to flatten and often reduce the plans double digit increase in costs. Our clinics deliver low cost
primary care at costs that are between 30%-40% less than if the identical services were delivered in the employer health plan. By developing effective
communications and extinguishing all barriers to primary care access we create a proactive program. This prevention focus has both short and long term value to
The benefits to the employees in setting up a clinic are significant and varied. The clinics themselves are the centerpiece of the Employer sponsored program
and can easily be integrated in to any current Disease Management or Wellness Program. If the client does not have either program MSHCC is able to provide
• Flattening/reducing cost during the first year • Reduced absenteeism
• Closed model-minimal wait time • Built in incentive increases use of service
• Internal “health management” services(DM, wellness, coaching) • No co-pays to employees
• Health plan designs • Cut health plan services by up to 40%
• Increased Productivity • Promoting wellness and prevention
Do not try to resolve the state budget by shifting expenditures to local governments particularly in the middle of a fiscal year. County governments have already
experienced declining revenues and have cut spending and services. County governments do not have the financial ability to absorb any additional state budget
reductions. County governments provide essential services, such as education and public safety, which should be protected. Laying off county employees to
Consider eliminating or deferring the replacement of elections equipment which will save both the state and local governments money that does not exist without
impacting existing services. There should also be a review of state owned properties which could be sold. The state has properties on E. Patrick St. and W.
Third St. in the City of Frederick which have been vacant for several years. If there is no use for these building, then sell them and put them back on the tax
You could save several million dollars by doing away with off duty Maryland State Police Troopers at the MVA offices.
Dear Governor O'MalleyI recently wrote to you suggesting that one way to decrease the costs in State government would be to streamline the current payroll system. As I have continued
to think about other ways to reduce costs, I come back to some of the daily process that are antiquated and could now be updated and automated with current
technology. These processes include: reimbursements which are currently paper forms completed in triplicate and entered manually versus a computerized
system that could be managed by a third party on a contract; travel requests which are also currently done on paper and could be managed by a third party on
I hope you find these suggestions helpful and, again, if the State of Maryland is to continue to move into the 21st century it is important that we take advantage of
the technology that exists to reduce our costs and increase our efficiency.
Thank you City
Dear Governor O'MalleyAs a state employee of almost 8 years I have personally seen government waste and inefficiency on many levels, however one area that I feel can be stream
lined to save money and improve efficiency is the payroll system. When I came to work for the State I was shocked that salaried employees are required to fill
out paper timesheets (in triplicate) and then individuals manually input time in/time out for each employee. On more than one occasion, errors have been made
While I understand my proposal to streamline the payroll system either by subcontracting the system out to a third party to administer or making the system
electronic, would reduce personnel, I feel that if Maryland is to continue to excel, we must move into the 21st century and take advantage of the systems that
exist. This system would not only be beneficial to salaried employees but also hourly employees who could clock in and out online. Our system is antiquated and
Thank you for your time and I hope you find my suggestion of benefit.
Sincerely-
Anne Arundel
Montgomery
Anne Arundel
City
The state must be spending a tremendous amount of money on Microsoft products. Open source software could minimise this expense. I have used Open Office
for years and never felt the need to purchase MS Office. Migrating to Linux would minimise the need to purchase new hardware because the Linux operating
Please provide funding for Montgomery County Technology Growth Program. While the return on investing in high technology research may be 2-3 years away,
the government should not sacrifice the opportunity in search of short term gains.
My daughter has four step children, to put three of them into sports is an enormous amount of money. Hold on I am getting to budget cutting, just leading up to it.
She had to pay $600.00 for one junior football player, and two cheerleaders. They do not have the money for this, so they dipped into their savings, what little
they have, to put them into activities. It is a known fact that if you have no activities for your children, they will undoubtedly get in trouble with the law, essentially
ending up in jail, and thereby costing the state and county money for clothing, housing, rehab and whatever else it takes to get these individuals back on the
street. One ounce of prevention could make a big difference in this circle. Help out with the cost of these activities for the children, do not make them pay,
l
kyou
f lower
d
tithe reimbusement
t th ti
f amount
i
ith th
ld when
t i l they
ff use
d t theirkpersonal
l
t ib tiThe state
d th paysth.55
t dper mile.
t h If you
th have a
I suggest
toTh
state employees
for mileage
vehicles.
car that gets 15 miles/gallon and gas is at $3 (both on the very conservative end) thats a cost of .20 per mile. If you allow 100% additionally for wear and tear, oil,
insurance etc (and I think that's generous!) that would take the cost to .40 mile. I know people in the state govt who can't wait to travel using their vehicles
because they make a huge profit when they do. I don't think the taxpayers need to subsidize that additional income. My example would save the state 30% of the
Anne Arundel
This is an easy one!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If the State of Maryland went to a four day work week, they would save money on utilities. The employees would save money on gas and get the benefit of a
Also, reducing the number of copiers rented each month would save money. With the use of computers, the employee should print multiple copies rather than
print one copy then going to the copier to print more. In the agencies I worked for there was one copier per office.
Anne Arundel
Wicomico
Consider an "early out" retirement. This would give employees an incentive to retire and reduce the number of employees without laying people off.
Why don't we collect bottle and can deposits like other states do? Think JOBS and LESS trash.
The state should harvest the existing Pawlonia Trees in our right-of-ways - the Japaneese pay big money for the wood (it is light in weight and very strong) - for
that matter our state agribusiness ought to get on the stick and encourage farmers to grow it for it's strong lite weight.
Thanks for coming to St.Annes the other day - isn't our music great? Come back anytime - no cars nessesary :)
I have other ideas - but they may be more federally directed.
Good Luck,
xxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxs
I researched and developed a Bay Bridge toll schedule that would have generated an additional $22M annually. It was a complete study using historical data and
usage numbers. No one was interested. It centered on increased EZ pass, revised trucking and non EZ pass tolls.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Carroll
The following is a letter from our local paper:
Missing the boat on tax free
If statistics from the National Retail Federation are correct, more people are going to be looking for bargains in their back-to-school shopping and, sadly, that
The NRF says 80 percent of this year's back-to-school shoppers surveyed said they planned on spending less — about $1.4 billion less — than they did last year.
Shoppers, the NRF says, are looking to save money. According to the NRF survey, almost 75 percent said they planned to shop discount stores. Thrift stores and
But a lot of people also are likely to travel elsewhere for their back-to-school shopping. Pennsylvania, for instance, does not tax clothing, and with the recent
Other areas, such as Washington, D.C., and Virginia, offer tax-free weeks or weekends. D.C.'s tax-free period applies to clothing, shoes, accessories and school
Virginia's tax free weekend is Aug. 7 to 9 and applies to clothing and footwear valued at less than $100, and school supplies valued at less than $20.
Maryland has in the past embraced the tax-free week to give consumers a break. And the week will be back next year. But that doesn't do much good for families
Maryland lawmakers are shortsighted in not previously making the tax-free week an annual event. They were too worried about lost revenue from sales taxes.
And yes, rev¬enues may increase a little, but far more businesses would have been helped with the increased sales that they may now lose to neighboring states
best deals.
The state had an opportunity to help businesses, and consumers, but instead, our short sighted lawmakers chose a different path.
That path is going to lead shoppers away from the state in search for a better deal.
Howard
Harford
Allegany
I feel the tax increases the current administration has imposed on the residents of the state has hurt the state revenue not helped. Please wake up and see what
is going on in the state of Maryland. Are we number four in the nation as far as high taxes are concerned?
Try lowering the sales tax rate back to 5% and see what happens! You may be amased.
Thanks for your time,
xxxxxxxxxxxxx
I would like to suggest making employees with more then 30 years retire. This will give the state the leverage to monies from the top to allow growth from the
bottom. This would also keep in my mind more people happy. I also think that the economy is getting better and will turn around very soon.
I am police officer at a state run college. Due to legislative mandate, there is a requirement that each of the ten state run colleges have college law enforcment
on campus. This currently means 10 seperate police departments that act independant of one another. Prior to O'Malley, there was a commission appointed by
Ehrlich to streamline state government. The 25-member commission, headed by former governor Marvin Mandel suggested the merging of all state university
Dear Governor,
Some suggestions that you should look at for cutting.
Closing some Government offices that are open on every Saturday or reduce the openings to one Saturday a month. It was that way a long time ago when then
Gov. Schaffer was in office. How much money in employee overtime, water, electric, heating and cooling will that save? What about setting the thermometers up
two degrees or down two degrees? I do that at home and it saves on my electric bill. What would happen if every office in the state did that?
Stop catering to everyone that wants a hand out. The purse strings of the State should be closed tight until we come out of this recession. If I am watching what I
spend in my own household than the State also needs to watch handing over money to special interest groups and researchers, and every other group that would
The State police deserve to have their cruisers and their gas paid by the citizens of MD. They protect us! But, what about all the other state agencies that the
administrators, and supervisors drive state cars home each night. How many vehicle could be taken off the roads and how much in gas savings would the state
What about the agency credit cards? Is someone watching the amounts that are spent? Are the amounts spent really necessary or are they reckless
purchases? Is that money being used on office supplies, paper and ink? Or is that money being used for things that are not necessary. Remember the Federal
Greater accountability needs to occur. I understand that you like to see numbers, but I think Marylanders needs to say to every agency, special interest and other
groups that receive money from the state to operate that they need to be wise investors of what they have been given and don't expect more if they run out. The
Please remember that the State employees are working harder with less and they are willing to take a cut if it will save a job. However, if you cut to deeply then
you should also be willing to say to the citizens of Maryland that some services that are provided by the state can not continue at current levels. We must strive
Thank you for allowing this opportunity to provide feedback. I really would not want to be in your position, but Marylanders are a strong and persistant group of
individuals. We can come together and weather the storm. I just don't want the State to tell me at tax time next year if I am due a refund that "We are sorry, but
Anne Arundel
Charles
Charles
Somerset
Talbot
Howard
Baltimore
Caroline
Thank you,
xxxxxxxxxxxx
The cut in the voting machine sounded like a worthwhile cut. The old one seemed to work ok. Best regards xxxxxxxxx
Reduce or eliminate the amount of money spent on supporting illegal immigrants schooling, health care and in-state tution for higher ed.
My suggestion for cost containment is the following:
1) Require people that receive assistance benefits (FS, MA, TCA) also be required to get the birth control shot every 3 months perhaps DHMH can give the shot.
This will hopefully prevent families and individuals from getting even more in debt and have a chance to move towards self-sufficiency, less CPS investigations,
and less foster care/adoptions. If one doesn't comply then the benefits end and if people do not want to do this then he/she obviously does not want the state's
assistance or supplement programs. The State should collect more information for these programs. I understand the State can not control what people do with
their lives, but the State certainly can control what the State gives out. If someone is not making good choices (for example: I need my FS benefits so I can feed
2) Set up/enhance programs: Welfare-to-Work. I am a fan of the program. It has expectations set, provides assistance and guidance, and has time limitations.
Why does it not teach anything about money? How to balance a check book? How to develop a living expense budget? Basic survival skills.
3) Change the Regulation in the Child Care Program: Does education level guarantee someone a job? Do the statistics prove that it is easier and quicker to find a
better job if you already have one? So, why does the Child Care Program assistance people if they are: 1) working, 2) going to school, or 3) working and going to
school. It would make sense to me that someone would benefit more if they are either 1) working or 2) working and going to school.
4) Furloughs before layoffs at all costs
5) Update ancient computer systems around the State. Make more automated systems. Condense the amount of forms required for programs. Computer
software similar to DOS software still being used in the year 2010. The State will be in terrible trouble when the select few individuals that actually know those
Im a state employee where yet again im faced with having to take furlough days. There are agencies that were just frantically trying to spend end of year money
and now we are faced with this. There are so many agencies that are laying off employees and other agencies that are still paying overtime due to lack of staff. If
all avenues are looked at before furlough days go into effect it my eliminate the need for these days which will no doubt cause a financial hardship on any person
Stop State employees from traveling to attend staff meetings that should be held in thier local office. Some meetings could be held by a conference call.
State employees are using state vehicles for comute when there is no benefit to the state. The claim a field office (which does not exist) and then get milage to
State employees should not be allowed to ride the mass transit free wth thier ID card. This only benefits Baltimore employees as they are given free comute and
others in the state have to pay for it or if using a state vehicle have to pay a benefit tax. Then we have to substutise the mass transit.
You need to stop the spend or lose attitute agencys have, they know if they do not spend thier money next year they will not get it. You need to0 reward those
that turn money back in at the end of the year and punish those that do not.
Why are some Department secrataries having new pictures taken of themself and mailing them to the regional officies to replace the one they already have of
them. In the private sector you would fire someone that did that during these hard economic times.
All out of state travel and overnight Travel should be stopped except for emergencies.
Everyone needs to understand this wasteful spending could cost someone thier job and everyone in the private sector is struggling to pay their bills. Its time for
I would like to thank you for allowing our input.
Freeze all hiring except security and medical. I see the state has a hiring freeze; however there are two new positions being advertised on the state web site
(Jessup regional dietary director and Jessup regional maintenance director). We are in a budget deficit, but there are still new senior positions being advertised.
With benefits these positions will cost the state a quarter of a million dollars a year. I cant understand how you can't fill entry level positions but can fill positions to
Governor O'Malley is asking for feedback from the general public on how he should apply future budget cuts. I am requesting that he stop cutting local services,
and especially stop cutting Local Management Boards, but instead look to his own State agencies, especially those which do not provide any services or direct
benefit to Maryland citizens. Or even better.... if everyone on the budget took a $1 - 2k cut on their salary, we could keep hundreds of people... no, families
employed in this economic struggle we are facing. That evens out to people loosing approximately $115 a month (with a $2k cut from their salary) after taking out
$ just in the material resources alone.
Do away with front license plates on our vehicles. This would save quite a bit
Roll back all new spending that you have made since your tax increase from the special legislation session from two years ago. The new spending just for that
Washington
Baltimore
Harford
Talbot
Sincerely xxxxxxxxxxx
Dear Gov. O'Malley,
I have a few thoughts on cost-saving for our state. I am a bookkeeper for a small business accounting firm and daily see the impact of the recession on our small
businesses and individual people. I think the problem can be looked at two ways: 1)keeping Maryland's small businesses active and helping our citizens stay
It is always tempting to increase taxes in order to raise money; however, in this recession, we see that there are fewer people in the tax base. As people lose
their jobs and their homes, or face reductions in earnings, there is simply less income to tax and the burden will fall inordinately on the lucky who have managed
to hold on to their jobs. Increasing their taxes while the cost of energy, health insurance, gas and food also continue upwards may just drive people out of
Maryland. Rather than increase personal or property taxes or place additional taxes on items such as alcohol, tobacco, soft drinks, services, or general sales tax,
the emphasis should be placed on promoting small business growth - small businesses traditionally employ much of our population - and doing all that can be
As far as cost-cutting ideas for the state itself to consider implementing, I have two ideas. One is that state employees may need to face a pay freeze for the next
year or two. I know this is tough thing to sell, but I can tell you that quite a number of people, myself included, have not had raises in the past several years. We
choose to stay in our jobs because we are glad to have jobs at all and know that our pay freezes keep our companies going in these tough times. The business
owners I work with are frequently cutting their own pay, sometimes living off savings and taking no paycheck at all, in order to retain employees and stay in
business. I would suggest that state employees may find the idea of a salary freeze preferable to the potential of more job losses. My sister in Utah recently told
Thank you for the chance to share some thoughts and ideas.
Sincerely, xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I would like to request that cuts be made first from state agencies that do not provide services of direct benefit to Maryland citizens. Stop cutting local services,
specifically local management boards, and services for our most at-risk youth and families. Place a freeze on travel reimbursement for state employees.
In these extraordinary fiscal times, it is more important than ever to focus public resources where they are most critically needed - at the local level.
PLEASE STOP CUTTING LOCAL SERVICES AND LOCAL MANAGEMENT BOARDS. THESE CHILDREN WILL BE THE STATISTICS OF TOMORROW IF NOT
July 31, 2009
Dear Governor Martin O’Malley,
I have commented on several opinions you have asked for in earlier e-mails/ correspondents. I really would like to say “we as Marylanders are truly feeling the
economic effect of this struggling economy. I am certainly glad that I was brought up with work ethics and survival skills. Since this down pouring effect my
position at
was out-sourced to a CPA firm, with hopes of saving funds, however, my salaries was split up between the
and several other employees. With no surprise Sir, there has been no savings; I was an ethical, hard working, honest person and did not
stand a chance up against dis-honest board members and other employees, so I am out sourced! Perhaps the state could cut there contribution to the library in
After being kicked out on the street, I worked for a construction company and was unemployed again. The construction company had to down-size due to the
down pouring economic crunch. Now, thank god, I am working for the
, this is a much more ethical work environment, and I am still
pursuing my bachelor degree as we speak. I have not given up and I won’t. I want to be part of the State of Maryland’s work force one day, and help keep
I hope you except my opinion and perhaps utilize them, so we can keep Maryland’s money safe and accountable.
Anne Arundel
Thank you so very much
Why not offer a retirement incentive (additional retirement years of service-1 month for each year of service or buy-out- cash payment for each year of service)?
The employee must be within six months of retirement eligibility to be eligible. The Legislative Auditor released a report several years ago which contained
estimates of the number of employees who would be eligible for retirement over the next several years. The report was about preparing for the retirement of
knowlegable senior staff. The negative aspects of the impact on state operations could be offset through contractual rehires for critical personnel. The pension
law could be changed (with sunset provison)to eliminate earning and employment rehire time frame lapse requirements. This would appeal to more personnel.
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When considering furloughs for Maryland state employees, I'm suggesting a furlough between Christmas and New Year's. Several state employees need to take
that time to be with their families and closing state buildings may offer a small savings in utilities.
Employee paychecks could be pro-rata for the remainder of FY 2010, helping the state to realize those savings on an operating basis. The impact on employees
would be reduced by distributing the slary reduction over a longer period.
Thank you for this opportunity for input.
Reduce the number of blackberry's used in each agency, i.e. to executive staff only.
Offer an early out to State employees with over 25 years of service.
If furloughs are under consideration, make the furloughs applicable to agencies which rely primarily on State funding.
Reduce the number of State automobiles supplied to State employees for daily commuting.
Montgomery
Howard
Montgomery
Baltimore
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
Baltimore
Plant wild flowers instead of grass to reduce mowing expenses along highways.
My middle school child was issued textbooks for each subject at the beginning of the year, but only actually used 2 or 3. What's with that?
I am a state empoyee making under $50,000. With furloughs and no cost of living raises my paycheck has decreased while the cost of living has skyrocketed. I
would suggest a mandatory 4 day work week for all state employees, closing state buildings on either Mondays or Fridays to tie into the weekend. I would turn off
nearly all the lights and keep heat/air conditioning to a bare minimum. This would save a tremendous amount in utility bills, janitoial staff, commuting expenses,
I would set a cap for social service payments to single parents. After two children, the amount of monthly money does not increase. I would also check into the
duplicity of social service programs. I know of people who are double dipping. I would abolish programs where a parent who has a special needs child is given
extra money once a month for a weekend babysitter. This should not fall on the tax payer. I would have everyone who is a medicaid have a copay everytime they
use the emergency room as a doctor's office visit ( unless admitted to the hospital). I would have this copay deducted directly from their monthly check or food
stamp allotment. I would freeze teachers pay. Although I recognize the need for great teachers, many are overpaid. They work a 10 month year with a lot of days
I would look again at the effectiveness and therefore the need for methadone clinics. I have gone to Lexington Market for my lunch break only to see crowds of
people not working and high on their methadone while I'm working 50 hour weeks (with my commute)and struggling to pay my bills. The program doesn't seem to
be working. I would increase the number of classes a full time college instructor has to teach and greatly reduce part time instructors.
Please be sure all state buildings and state facilities located in non state owned buildings turn off lighting whenever the facility is not in use unless absolutely
required for safety. Use minimum lighting necessary when in use.When lights need to be replaced, install low energy bulbs.
Please ask all state agencies to keep thermostats no lower than 78 degrees in summer, higher if possible, and no higher than 68 degrees in winter. Use fans
when necessary. If a roof needs to be replaced, consider green roof or at least white as US DOE has suggested to reflect sun, cut heat buildup and lower energy
Stop cutting local services, and especially stop cutting Local Management Boards, but instead look to your own State agencies, especialy those which do not
For state employees increase the credit for unused sick leave as an incentive to retire.
How about we cut state employee parking permits for 1 yr for all state agency employees. Let state employees pay for their own parking or use public
transportion or carpool. It's like killing two birds with one stone eg. save on hundred thousand of dollars in parking permits, reduce gas pollution and be good to
Secondly, eliminate any outside contracting jobs for IT related work. If state agencies can't do the job then State created IT department should provide resources
then giving our money to outside contractors. This would enhance and enrich state employees skills needed and save money.
Dear Governor,
Please allow me to point out, Life and Change are clearly inextricably intertwined.
You have an opportunity to fix the state's long-term budget deficit that will enable the State to deliver needed services more cost-effectively, skillfully and
efficiently by reducing or eliminating inefficient and unwarranted bureaucratic redundancies. By the way of example, An $11 Million Dollar Independent State
It is time to eliminate MIEMSS needless redundancies and put their resources in the filed where they can do the most good efficiently and cost effectively.
Maintaining this "Gigantic Independent State Bureaucracy" at its current level is fiscally irresponsible:
1. No other state in the Country has a large a coordination "Gigantic Bureaucracy" within its state trauma/ems as does the State of Maryland.
2. Restructuring MIEMSS will not affect local government EMS Response Systems coordination, local jurisdictions capabilities to communicate, response and
delivery, budgeting, planning, operations,evaluation, education and research of Maryland's EMSs.
3. Maryland local jurisdictions EMS Systems and their trauma centers must adhere to accepted National and Industry Standards and Regulations.
4. MIEMSS circumvents and duplicates accepted EMS/Trauma National and Industry Standards and Regulations.
5. MIEMSS Promulgating Regulatory Performance Is Incomplete.
6. MSP, MIEMSS, and MIEMSS Aeromedical Office has failed to evolve throughout the years to incorporate and benefit from marked efficiency improvements
7. MIEMSS EMS Protocol Clarification Document dated 14 Feb.07, Educators and EMS Providers have requested a formal clarification document (topics 1
8. 27-28 Nov. 08 Panel of National Experts Review Maryland Transport Protocols.
9. Million of Taxpayers hard-earned money for MIEMSS "Consultants!"
10. MVA Surcharge for EMS/Trauma "Operational" has been stretched for Capital, Consultants and for non-emergency purpose, now the Governor and
11. Patients/Victims are not being efficiently passe3d through the trauma/ems systems.
12. A very specious two hour ground search and rescue (SAR) for the MSP helicopter and crash Victims.
13. Etcetera!
I thank you for giving this Citizen/Taxpayer the opportunity to express a few of my concerncs relating to "Our" long-term budget deficit.
Respectfully Submitted
xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Baltimore
State employees are always an easy target when there is a budget to be cut, but not when there is an abundance of dollars. I think that it is time to cut aid to the
counties, most county employees get paid more than state ones, yet no county employees are being furloughed or laid off and some..Baltimore County are
Secondly, there are many agencies that could increase the number of employees who telework. This would not only be good for the State, to reduce leases, but it
would be good for the environment to reduce gas consumption and pollution.
Agencies could set up cluster offices where staff could report when they needed to. This would allow them to cancel some leased space.
Finally, this is something that I had hoped that you would do as soon as you came into office, but you didn't. The state should contract with an independent
company to complete a top to bottom audit of each state agency to determine duplicity, non-functional programs or departments and superfluous staff, including
I am proposing that one lane at each Maryland toll facility be increased by a certain amount, the proceeds of which would be used to reduce the shortfall. The
payment would be voluntary, and tax deductible for commuters. The incentive (for non-EZ pass users) would be to avoid waiting in long lines during peak travel
The State should develope and Automated Time Sheet Collection System where the employees can directly enter their time and leave into a system instead of
the paper and data entry system currently in use. This wou increas the efficiency of the Time sheet System and free up some PINS to be cut or reassigned.
Implement direct entry of payroll information like so many private sector entities do. Employee enters hours. Supervisor reviews / approves hours. Info. is then
sent electronically to the payroll processing center. This eliminates the need for multipart paper forms and for manual data entry (which is the current state
I thought the increase in sales tax was "supposed" to help with the deficit. How much more do you think the taxpayers can afford to give without giving up their
lifestyles? Also, being a state employee, is it really beneficial to furlough the state employee who are 90% federally funded and 10% state funded?
Why do we continue to provide FREE medical services, WIC and other programs to illegal aliens who do not pay any tax money into our state. Our own citizens
have trouble getting services, yet we expand health services to illegals!! This type of help is going to bankrupt all our state governments if we continue to provide
As a 20 year Montgomery county resident who pays huge state and local taxes ( if you don't believe me feel free to pull my tax records)... Stop supporting Casa
During this time of necessary budget cuts, there should be NO MORE FUNDING FOR CASA OF MARYLAND AND illegal aliens!!!!!, but a necessary "legal
presence" for all taxpayer funded programs and services in our state. It is imperative that employer use of E-verify continue for all Maryland employers and state
In this wonderful country, we MUST "take care of our own", as these are the people who have contributed and paid into the system.
Hi Governor O'Malley. I have another recommendation that you should consider when trying to balance the state budget. I live in a housing development with 66
homes in Dorchester County. Of these 66 homes, 4 homes are owned by police officers. I notice that these 4 police officers all take home government police
vehicles. I would ask, what does this cost the taxpayers of Maryland to let these government employees ride to and from work in a police vehicle? How many
extra miles per year does this add to a taxpayer owned vehicle? How much extra gas does this cost the Maryland taxpayer? I notice that these vehicles sit for
days at a time at these officers home while they are not working? Wouldn't it make better sense to have the officers bring back the vehicle to the police station to
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repairing them.
Baltimore
We don't care if the side of some road looks pretty if other ones are unsafe to drive down.
stop wasting milliams of dollars landscaping along major highways and spend our tax dollars on actually repairing them.
Baltimore
City
Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore
Carroll
Montgomery
Baltimore
Dorchester
Washington
Washington
Harford
Harford
City
Anne Arundel
Kent
City
Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore
We don't care if the side of some road looks pretty if other ones are unsafe to drive down.
Take the goodies away fron the incarcerated & make them aware of why they are in prison.
Take the goodies away fron the incarcerateD & make them aware of why they are in prison.
Eliminate all non essential spending - travel, training,land acquisitions,overtime,vehicle purchases, etc. Cut down on office supplies. Furloughs not layoffs.
Temporary salary reductions for those who make over $75,000/year. You must keep as many people working as possible. Only when consumers feel safe in their
job will they begin to spend money. Once the money starts flowing, revenues will rise. I would not be opposed to a temporary toll hike on 95 North in Cecil
What cost savings is there when you close BWI Welcome Center when everyone is a volunteer and the two paid part time people are paid by funds from the
airport budget. I believe the Welcome Center contributes to the 1.7 billon collected from tourism for the state. But do away with the center and toursim will no
longer be promoted to the millions of travelers that pass thru BWI. I guess we should put a sign out that "MARYLAND NO LONGER WELCOMES YOU".
Close the Health Care Alternative Dispute Resolution Office. It serves no purpose other than to add a step of cost and bureaucracy to medical malpractice
A walk through of numerous agencies will allow you to see the many employees that are not performing productive work. If I were governer, I would ask each of
my managers to submit a list of people, projects and programs that can give me a bottom line 12% savings.
I haven't heard anything the Governor, himself, is doing to reduce the deficet. Has he given any thought to taking a day with no pay as well as members of his
staff doing so? When we hear about the cuts, it's always the everyday workforce that have to take a cut of some sort. If the Governor and his staff are taking
Respectfully
Replace commercial window cleaner/Windex with 50% vinegar/50%water.
Cut down on ordering "sticky notes" & encourage use/reuse/recycling of other scrap paper (e.g. fax confirmation pages...cut 4 ways & staple together for note
I disagree with the suggested cuts to small county programs, that in reality have a greater impact on the overall welfare of the county than the larger, more
wasteful agencies that do not always favor general welfare above bureaucratic road blocks to progress. I recommend for Mr. O'Malley to trim from the state-level
Governor's Office for Children, an organization that accomplishes nothing, aside from delaying local groups from implementing their good works. A more worthy
agency, the Local Management Board, is facing staff cuts of around 40%, which could have a crippling effect on its ability to provide the necessary services for
I recommend that the governor discern which programs are actually the most influential and keep the interests of local children in mind, instead of making
Dear Governor O'Malley,
I propose the following suggestions Cut State Legislator income by $5,000 per year
Cut your own income by $20,000 per year
Cut $70 million from the teacher's pension fund
Freeze "Assistance Payments" and "Home Energy Programs" to fiscal year 2009 levels (Cut approximately $100 million)
This is a start, but should not be the end of spending cuts. I suggest the State hires an independent auditor to review every single State department's budget line
Abolish the Office of Personnel Services and Benefits in DBM. State agencies already have their own personnel offices.This appears to be a duplication of
services. Abolishing OPSB was suggested by prior administrationsin in order to save costs, but for some reason was never followed through.This suggestion
Dear Governor O'Malley,
As one who was so looking forward to your election for the riddance of the Ehrlich regime, I am extremely distraught over some of the apparently thoughtless
budget cuts you are now proposing. While I recognize that cuts must be made, the Maryland bureaucracy must look more closely at the 'where' and the
One specific area that has been brought to my attention is the cuts in local services to children, specifically, Local Management Boards. These areas have
already had their fair share of cuts and lay offs, and have been devastated by the lack of funding to secure the needs of children and the services which these
It has also been brought to my attention that the state-level Governor's Office for Children provides no direct services to any of Maryland's children. I understand
that you have not included this department in your next round of cuts but have restored much of the capacity previously included in budget cuts. In tough times, it
is precisely the ground-level, local government agencies that can help people, not insulated bureaucrats. It seems that you have your priorities backwards.
Governor, this type of politics does not have a good "smell" to it. As you go through the areas of State, City, and County where you need to cut funding please do
not forget that childrens' needs are also served through state allocations to counties and cities and to eliminate those would be an injustice to our future
generations who depend on you now. As a final note, everyone knows, given the tiny budget of LMBs in the first place, cutting them won't actually help close the
Please reconsider the proposed cuts to LMBs, Governor O'Malley.
Montgomery
Calvert
City
Washington
City
Wicomico
Anne Arundel
Baltimore
Washington
Montgomery
select your county
Washington
Anne Arundel
Baltimore
Frederick
Sincerely, a concerned citizen
Student Service Learning Office should be eliminated from State Board of Education. I was
for xxx years at
in
MD so even though it is a high school requirement to perform x amount of hours, that is fudged by principals and parents so that kids
graduate in many cases without performing the service or meaningless kinds of service such as picking up trash in the school's parking lot hours before
I would suggest that the State of Maryland elimate the use of the front license plates on cars and vans. Many states do not require a front license plate (PA, NY,
etc) and if the licensing fee stays the same, the cost to the State to make the plates is reduced by 50%. Around 200,000 new cars are purchased in Maryland
each year. As an example, if the cost to manufacture two license plates is $20, the cost for just one plate should be around half or $10. Keeping the licensing
Dear Governor O'Malley,
I request that you stop cutting local services, and specifically stop cutting local management boards, but instead look to your own State agencies, especially
those which do not provide any services or direct benefit to Maryland citizens. In these extraordinary fiscal times, it is my opinion that it is more important than
Take programs away from inmates; and the parasites who take from the working people, and suckle off the governmental tit!!!
I believe that early retirement for state employees with at least 25 years of service may serve as a good way to help with the budget cuts. If they retire at a
discounted rate, the state will save money and be able to hire younger people who will stick with the state for long periods of time. Also, another way to handle it
Cut contractors and consultants let the actual state employees do the work. It may take longer but it will get done in time.
Dear Govenor O'Malley
At challenging economic times like there everyone must share in the pain. The private sector is now, and has been for several years, experiencing reduced
income levels combined with reduced and more expensive benefits. The time has come for the public sector to make similar sacrifices. However state
employeees continue to receive generous pay increases and benefits which seem to be regarded as politically untouchable. Its time to put the public and private
sincerely
Has anyone taken the time to find out why MSDE officials feel that they can snow an expert in the field of Juvenile
Correctional Education?? These folks may know alot about public education, but they know nothing about juvenile education. We're not getting our money's
worth out of these overpaid arrogant SOBS. We don't need a shakeup in DJS, we need a complete overall from top to bottom at MSDE Juvenile Education. Why
should taxpayers continue to finance the failures we continue to see in the field of juvenile education. Bring in people who have experience with this population,
I am a child support enforcement worker.Maybe you could look at switching to four day work week except for essential personnel. For some programs, this would
benefit customers as we would be open later (child services, etc.) and would also aid in energy, less computer, running costs. Remove extra funding for
Dear Governor O'Malley,
Please require the managers of state owned buildings to reconfigure the lighting and HVAC computerized building management systems to save electricity
costs. Have them turn off all but emergency lights at night. Security is not an excuse. Pay security guards. Put people to work and save on the exorbitant
Thanks
Money is being wasted at the Department of Agriculture by creating more and more administrative assistants. This is the case in the Animal Health Section
where positions that deliver public services in the laboratories are being eliminated to create "assistants". Actual public service is suffering and the newly created
assistant positions, who are all veterinarians, collect bigger paychecks than the frontline positions that are being eliminated to make way for them.
Get rid of the prisoners that are on death row they are taking up space and money to keep them there
Rescheduling the hours worked @ the toll booths, at least at the Bay Bridge, could reap a lot of cash. I know that for at least the last ten years, whoever is
assigning work hours is doing a very bad job. Case in point: We used to travel across the bridge frequently in the late nineties, and every time that we pulled up
to the toll booth at non-rush hours there would be way too many booths open and absolutely no lines. I would moan and groan and say that I was going to call
someone. Never did, but one Christmas I did take a picture as we approached the booths, and I still have it. It was Christmas night.(Dbl overtime?)No one goes
A person would think times change, schedules change. Not at the Bay Bridge. We went over to dinner a few weeks ago, and on our way back around 9 o'clock
Thanks for your time.
Will the Governor consider retirement packages for University of Maryland workers?
The Maryland government is currently $750 million over budget. I have a suggestion... to cut the newly proposed voting system. It will cost the state $42 million.
If this voting system is cut, no jobs will be lost and no additional funds would be needed to use the existing system (which is a wonderful system, by the way!).
Anne Arundel
Baltimore
Frederick
Institute a 4 day workweek for state offices. 4 ten hour days would reduce the costs of lighting, heating or air conditioning state office buildings. Shelve the
construction of the ICC. While in good economic times the project makes sense, when we are facing such enormous financial difficulties it doesn't make sense. I
don't want to see cuts in teachers, police, or firefighters. These positions are essential and should be preserved at all costs. Require legislators to take a pay
cut. I would rather see that than to have the little guy laid off. Increase tuition at public institutions. I feel for parents struggling to find funding to send their kids
to college, but we can't let the institutions fail just to keep tuition costs down. Lastly, raise taxes. We cannot continue to function without adequate funding.
Th school
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Teleworking.
I cannot understand how the local police departments in your press release date 07/28/2009 is receiving funding, when the Maryland State Police is down
approximately 200 Troopers, furthermore, furthermore, the MD ST Police who have not had raises is over 10 years are not receiving any funding at all?
The Frederick County Narcotic Task Force, who is the highest performing task force in the state, cannot perform their jobs efficiently without overtime and
funding. How do you expect any task force to continue to fight these battles if you are cutting essential personal budgets? For example furlough days,
I honestly do not know how you can make these guys take furlough days, plus a salary decrease without production decrease.
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
I do have one solution, offer 20 year retirement to those who are eligible to retire. Let them go get other jobs so their families can stop wondering how to survive
Sell naming rights for government buildings. The "Verizong Statehouse" or "Constellation Government House" have a nice ring to them and could bring in
Phase out or reduce by 50%:
Sellinger
Police Aid
Local Jail grant
Cap disparity grant at $75 million
In lieu of furloughs, etc modify employee/retiree health insurance to increase co-insurance (at least 5%) and family cap of prescription co-pays (at least for
Reduce local share of highway user as much as possible for as long as possible (like forever).
Reduce salaries (2 to 5%) in exchange for additional holidays or a return to the pre 40 hour work week or or either or neither.
Alter benefit package for new workers. Suspend COLAs for retirees. Increase retirement age. Resist early retirement panacea.
Plan for shift of some portion of teachers retirement to locals in 2012.
End tuition freeze and reduce general funds for public four year higher education.
If you want more, just ask.
Caroline
Anne Arundel
City
Calvert
The first thing I would look at is something I could cut with minimum pain. To me that would be the state supplied take home vehicle. I am not talking about a
police vehicle being used as a take home vehicle because a police vehicles presence on the road makes people more law observant and if needed an officer can
respond from home if needed while off duty. What I am refering to is a vehicle given to different non-emergency department heads and others and used as a
personnel vehicle (just one of the perks of the job they would say). You not only have the cost of the vehicle but it's upkeep, and all other costs associated with a
motor vehicle. Another perk I would look at would be carry over sick leave. I can see carry over of a years sickleave but when you have cases of people retiring
available. Also I would raise the Bay Bridge toll another $.50 from 5:00pm Friday till 11:00pm Sunday. This would primarly impact the beach traffic. Frankly if they
can afford to go to the beach they can afford another $.50 toll. If a vehicle has prepaid commuter pass the extra charge should be exempted. One final note: The
1. The new $40 million voting system would be very disadvantages to the handicap persons versus our current system.
2.The current voting system is not even paid for so we can just put off the change for a few years.
3. We need to cancel or delay this awful voting system before it is implemented.
4. The delay will allow upgrades to the new system to be handicap accessable.
Why not look back at the Mandell Commission's recommendations in their effectiveness and efficiency report. For example, the consolidation of several police
forces, namely the University System of Maryland, would save the USM several million dollars and increase efficiency...
Number 5, 8 and 9 are the most important ones to consider.
1) require medicaid eligible customers to pay a co-pay for doctor's of $5.00 and $20.00 for hospital visits (emergency room as well as overnight stays. This will
2) require child support to collect for pre-natal care of pregnant women. Each parent should contribute towards paying for prenatal care and delivery. Also each
parent should contribute to the cost of medical care for their children.
3) abolish contracts that are not sucessful for TANF programs.
4) Cut-off TANF customers who have consistently failed to cooperate with work programs.
5) INCREASE BAY BRIDGE TOLL BY $1.00 AND EXEMPT EASTERN SHORE RESIDENTS of the increase.
6) review all state agencies and set a equal number of staff to complete certain tasks. Example: large departments should not have file clerks if small
7) Terminating difficult and unproductive staff should be easier and not take up so much of administration's time. Also, staff should not be able to "bump" more
productive staff just because of the time they have in state government.
8) abolish business managers positions in local DSS offices. They are not needed.
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
Allegany
Wicomico
Baltimore
Baltimore
9) Terminate MA programs that allow customers to declare their income. This invites fraud and is abused across the state. Every applicant should have to verify
I believe that furloughs are acceptable to help achieve a balanced budget. I think that actual pay cuts (I have heard 5% bantered around) are harmful and
Why not cut the newly proposed voting system? It will cost the state $42 million. If this voting system is cut, no jobs will be lost and no additional funds would be
needed to use the existing system (which is a wonderful system, by the way!). This is definitely an option that would harm no one and take a big chunk out of the
Early ritirement for state employees.
Idea 1: Scan and email documents from office to office. Records are sent between/among counties certified. Stop mailing them. Info is on computer system and
documents can be faxed, scanned and emailed. Not a lot of cost containment, but every dollar adds up.
Idea 2: Mandate four-day 10 hr/day work week with every Monday all offices across the State are closed. Many holidays are on Monday - make them a furlough
Early retirement would help out along with cutting back on contractual positions and outside vendor cost.
Baltimore
Carroll
select your county
Anne Arundel
Howard
Anne Arundel
Baltimore
Harford
Please do not cut any more in education. Our students need all the support they can get to be more competitive. Families need to be able to afford higher
education cost also. Some of our schools are still separate and not equal, so it's not fair to eliminate funding in education. I am a single parent that has had the
opportunity to send my daughter to school here in Maryland with the assistance of the states aid through MHEC. If these funds are cut, I'm not sure if she will be
Reduce the state 8hr day to 7.5hrs. This can cut back on the cost of electricity. But don't reduce the pay. Employees can appreciate the additional time and
boost moral. If there has to be furloughs, make it 1 day a month till the end of the year, but let employees know ahead of time so they can prepare for the loss of
income.(4 days through 12/31/09). Reduction in pay can be done 1/2 day for each pay period each month. Example: 1 day in September, reduction in pay for 2
-Legalize marijuana and tax the hell out of it
-Tax tattoo parlors
-Charge state prisoners rent and cut their amenities like cable or satellite tv
-Stop furloughing state workers, but eliminate unnecessary positions
-More toll roads?
State employees eligible for retirement should be asked to retire. In my office, a 64 year old supervisor, sleeps several hours a day on the job, while the newer
employees do all the work. I think that people like this should be forced into retirement.
Good morning Governor. I would like to suggest that we follow the Oregon method for Police training. They have one academy for the entire state located in
Salem. It seems to me that centralizing training would save money for the state and counties. So... Good luck with that:)
Use <a href="http://www.ecofont.eu/ecofont_en.html"> this font, </a> which uses 20% less ink, for all documents.
Stop paying ILLEGAL immigrants health care and education. That will leave plenty of money for our CITIZENS.
Increase sales tax to 7%. Increase gas tax an additional two to four cents per gallon. This way, all citizens of Maryland share in the cost of cutting the deficit. If
furlough days are really needed, exclude NO state employee, including public safety and the legislature. A police or corrections officer or legislator taking
furlough days would be no different then them being on sick leave or vacation. This way the burden would fall on ALL state employees and shouldn't affect
Close the state retirement system. Employees who are vested or have over 20 years of service would remain fully in the system, those with between 10 and 20
years of service would remain in the system for only a percentage of the full benifit they would get, those with less than 10 years of service would get a lump sum
pay out of the vested percentage of they're benifit depoisted into a retirement account (I assume a 401K or equilivant). For those who don't revice a full benifit, a
Eliminate the funding for StateStat, we don't need meaningless graphs.
Eliminate the State IT department and outsource the function, the systems would run better at a smaller cost to the tax payers.
Cut funding to Casa de Maryland and similar organizations.
Expand and raise prices on commuter services, it will pay for itself and reduce the wear and tear on our roads reducing maintenance costs.
Caroline
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
Baltimore
Baltimore
Anne Arundel
Eliminate the tuition freeze on colleges, they couldn't afford it to begin with. To go along with that, realize that not everyone benifits from a college education,
Maryland has something like 7 or 9 state police agencies, i.e. Maryland State Police, Maryland Transit Administration Police, Maryland Capital Police, Department
of Natural Resourses Police, Etc. Why don't you consoliate them all into 1 or 2 police agencies. Money could be saved with paying only 1 or 2 police
chiefs/superintendents, uniform cost would be slashed, 1 or 2 training academies and so on. Also, I wish you would quit saying you inherited a structual deficit.
night shift worker cut off night bonus
Cut the newly proposed voting system. It will cost the state $42 million. If this voting system is cut, no jobs will be lost and no additional funds would be needed
to use the existing system (which is a wonderful system, by the way!). This is definitely an option that would harm no one and take a big chunk out of the deficit.
Reform the homeless benefit or welfare - I have been volunteering in a shelter for homeless people - majority of them are women and kids. I was told, the kids
lived in the shelter are transported back and forth to their original school on a daily base by Taxi. I was surprised about the Taxi instead of providing the family a
livable place around their original school with the Taxi money. This might be something the government can look into - daily base Taxi fee is too much. I believe
Replace all State government vehicles with fuel efficient cars. Cancel the program that allows State employees to use government vehicles to commute to and
from their residence - no matter what their position. If someone cannot respond in a timely manner due to an emergency without a State government car, then
the individual should not be in a position where this is required. There should be plenty of employees who live close enough to use their own vehicles. The rest of
HALT THE STATE CENTER REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT IN BALTIMORE.I UNDERSTAND IN WILL COST $1.5 BILLION.
Baltimore
Washington
select your county
Baltimore
Baltimore
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
Have state employees work a 4 day work week. That would allow the offices to be closed an additional day saving operating/energy costs when entire buildings
can be closed. Also employees will be saving on gas and reducing road congestion of Fridays.
Also, simply turning off lights when we leave a room, would make an impact. There is no need for the bathroom light to remain on at all times. Lights could be
set on motion sensors or simply request that employees turn lights off.
The budget cuts seem to be acceptable to the general consensus. Do not initiate pay cuts to state employees. My concern is the proposed 1.5 % paycut for the
State Police. There has been a great deal of funding already cut from the State Police. Please look into other methods. The State Police can make revenue.
Our agency through MSDE Office of Child Care recently added positions for Lead Licensing Specialists. Many in the agency feel that this has been unnecessary
and has more money going toward the salaries for these individuals when what we need is more workers in the field instead of more higher level positions. In
addition, while the furlough days were a strain on my personal budget, I think it beats not having a job at all. Perhaps we need to look at taking 2 more of those in
Revert State workforce hours from 40 to 35.5 per week -avg. savings of 9 hours per pay per worker (11% cut)
Close non-critical State Agencies week between Christmas & New Years - all work skeleton crews only anyway and could conserve energy in heating/utilities in
the State of Maryland has the option to enact an early retirement Bill relative to the State Employees' Pension System. The last time the state had adopted a Bill
was in 1996. Such a Bill will allow state employees in the pension system with at least 25 years of creditable service, to receive benefits at a reduced salary rate.
The Maryland government is currently $750 million over budget. Ask the Governor to cut the newly proposed voting system. It will cost the state $42 million. If
this voting system is cut, no jobs will be lost and no additional funds would be needed to use the existing system (which is a wonderful system, by the way!). This
combine the 2nd level appeal (PTAAB) with the supervisor level, thus elimnating an office that is possibly leased for the ptaab clerk, her office would be combined
with the Assessment Depts. in fact possibly doing away with the 2nd level of the appeals, as this level is nothing but a lip service and a waste of taxpapyers /
government money as this level provides no help to the public due to the Homestead cap. You pay 3 board members for what, the 2nd level of the appeal can be
limit the amount of assessors that review property and use outside sources for this review type work.
offer early retirement for those within 5 years of service, i have specifcally asked this question before, the response is that the governor does not want to lose
Harford
Baltimore
Charles
Garrett
Frederick
Montgomery
Montgomery
Montgomery
raise the toll for the bay bridge to 5.00 dollars, lot easier to pull out 5.00 dollars out of pocket instead of searching for loose change, etc./ thus totaling 2.50 each
makes sense. i think the key bridge's toll is 2.00 dollars o/w
Turn street lights in front of Tawes building and parking lot in Annapolis off during the day. DGS maintenance says they are on a timer, but they are almost always
on most of the morning daylight hours. DGS maintenance told me there is a short in underground wiring & they're waiting for a contractor to fix -- but I've never
heard of a short keeping lights ON! The circuit should get a photoelectric device to turn the lights off automatically during daylight. This problem is chronic, has
I suggest an Early Retirement Plan for the State of Maryland employees.
Why dont you cut the food stamps to the people that have money? Im so tired of going to the grocery store seeing so called people in need giving 2 and three
food vouchers for payment the going to the parking lot and getting into a brand new Caddy Suv. I even seen someone get into a Mercedies once. You want to cut
Dear sir,
First let me say I taught school in this state for 39 years. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx. I would like to know why my tax dollars buy cars for certain groups of the state
government? I was never given a car to take home to go to work in. I had to supply my own vehicle if I went to a meeting down state. I was paid mileage. Why am
I paying for tires, oil changes, alignments, etc for these people? Recently on a trip I passed 3 vehicles with SG plates between Hagerstown and Hancock with
I would also like to suggest that some sort of registration process be implemented on ATV vehicles, snow mobiles, etc. I have to put a sticker on my boat, after
I pay a fee, to be able to put it on Deep Creek Lake. I have a friend who's son lives in Pa. He has to pay a fee for his four wheeler.
These are just a fee minor things that might help and only a small drop in the bucket. A lot of drops add up after awhile. Thank you for your time.
delete the money for the new voter system. We do not need any paper backup, and it save $40M+/. As a republican.
Have the State get out of the cell phone business. Most people already have (and pay for) cell phones. If their MD position requires they be available via cell
phone, then pay them a stipend, such as $5-$10 a month. This will be much cheaper than paying for phones with associated minute plans. The stipend would be
Eliminate multiple phones and pagers. If a person has a cell phone provided by the State (or if a stipend toward personal phone use is paid by MD), then
eliminate their desk phone. Provide either a cell phone (or stipend) OR a pager, but not both.
Review the organizational structure for the entire State with an eye toward "streamlining" the "top heavy" management system. Shoot for an employee to
manager ratio of 6 to 1. And eliminate managers where the ratio is less than 4 to 1. This would not apply to Project Managers, but to "people" managers.
Reorganize or eliminate managers, where the span of control is too small. Require HR approval for exceptions to this policy. Take a look at all "executive" or
Montgomery
Anne Arundel
City
Allegany
Howard
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
Frederick
Baltimore
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
select your county
Talbot
Dorchester
Eliminate or re-assign all MD vehicles that are "assigned" to a specific person. Put the vehicle into a "pool", and let the person schedule or compete for the use of
the vehicle as other employees would. Any vehicle with consistently less than ?? miles driven, should be "given back" to the motor pool, so another unit can make
better use of it, and avoid the purchase down the road of additional vehicles. If a person needs a vehicle at their disposal, then consider offering them a "stipend"
Do not implement the proposed new voting system - save the $42M.
Since Juvenile education has been separated from adult corrections, the operation is much smaller yet the positions
at the top have increased signficantly. I saw a position posted for a Librarian Media Coordinator for Juvenile Education. The salary was $95.000!!! And we don't
even have a functioning library at any of the juvenile education locations. We have an Assistant Superintendent who oversees
Juvenile Education, a Director, and a Field Director, and
Coordinators all over the place, but we don't have money for
paper!!! We have two principals in a school that only houses
100 students!! Imagine what Alonzo would do in a case like that. We continue to squander money yet we have such a fiscal crisis,,,,,,
10 hour shifts, 4 times a week for law enforcement and Corrections.
Freeze all law enforcement promotions for 1 year. How is there a budget problem when there are constant promotions within law enforcement and Corrections?
ALOT OF CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS THAT ARE CLOSE TO RETIREMENT ARE WILLING TO RETIRE IF THERE IS A SEVERANCE PACKAGE.
When state law enforcement and Correctional officers work overtime they should be allowed to convert it to Sick Leave instead of monetary compensation.
Allow Correctional officers the ability to retire early
One way to cut the budget immediately is to offer Correctional Officers with 2 or less years to their 20 year retirement and are willing to retire immediately, the
ability to retire early with the 67% salary they are at now. Most of these officers are at MAX salary while working and still receive shift differential,roll call, overtime,
Please remove the proposed new voting system at an estimated cost of 42 million dollars. It is not the time to be revising a system that is working acceptably.
Our school systems and infrastructure need tending to. The School structures in Anne Arundel County are shameful. I attended these schools as a child and my
Thank you for your time.
Please remove the proposed new voting system at an estimated cost of 42 million dollars. It is not the time to be revising a system that is working acceptably.
Our school systems and infrastructure need tending to. The School structures in Anne Arundel County are shameful. I attended these schools as a child and my
Thank you for your time.
I think that the md mva employees deserve more than whats giving to them, they do all the work and make a lot of the states money. starting salary is 24k, what
is that when apartments in md require income of at least 30k? that is terrible, you can work for the state but not live in it!
Feed prisoners to the homeless!
Mow the grass on the shoulders and in the median less often on state roads.
It would save money, be better for the environment, and provide a more pleasant look and feel to the highways.
A couple of mows a year should be enough to prevent it from becoming overgrown. The first thing I notice when I drive from Maryland to Virginia on a highway is
that it suddenly feels more rural, even near cities. I finally figured it out -- their grass is taller. It seems that if they (and other states) are able to mow less often
Anne Arundel
Carroll
Carroll
Carroll
Carroll
Carroll
Thank you
I believe a company I work with can save the state some money in their area of expertise. The company is xxxxxxxxxxxxxx and they specialize in Pharmacy
Benefit Program audits of Large Group and Title XIX Medicaid program. They perform their services for a percent of the savings that are obtained through their
reconsider and review the cost of a single license plate rather then two for each vehicle.
Visiting athletes,performers ( non Maryland residents) that spend more then one day or come to Md for one day should pay taxes as the sport/entertainment
(employment) brings them here to work. Therefore we should consider having them pay taxes such as they do in New Jersey and New York.
Consider a seperate Combined Charities designation for State of Maryland contribution.
why hire additional consultants for review of projects when the LEA or state agency has already hired a consultant? IE - schools hire a consultant for capital
projects and then submit to General Services for review. General Services has to hire a consultant to review the already signed and certifed consultant's work.
Just put the liability back into the original consultants scope of work and hold them accountable for all state requirements. Or charge the initial consultant a fee to
How about imposing emissions laws and fees on the Eastern and other parts of the State. certainly the vehicles travel to the City and surrounding counties. This
would bring in more revenue. after all Obama is considering taxing the foreign countries for the imports as the factories that produce products contribute to the
pollution and the wind current carries to our country. Dont you think the crabbers,chicken suppliers travel over the bay bridge to the Western shore with their
City
Dear Governor O’Malley,
While the approach of not cutting out but cutting back of various state programs is sound and functional, Marylanders do not think is a good decision is to layoff or
furlough state employees. In last year’s budget, a severe response to the crisis was needed and most people understood that the situation required furloughing
However, budget adjustments that impact state employees in this year’s budget suggests to many Marylanders that our great leaders do not have a sound plan to
lead the state through this tumultuous time period. And instead, have chosen an easy, though difficult in many ways, choice for controlling the budget gap--- one
As you face difficult decisions in reducing funding for so many vital programs, please consider the following:
* Purchasing of 4 helicopters for transporting patients at roughly $50 million each. Surely, outsourcing some of the needs to independent air transport
* Further reducing funding for bay restoration, I believe the media reported more than $100 million in funding budgeted for this effort. Deferring as much as half
of this amount for one year is not likely to set back restoration efforts by all that much.
* Change non-essential state employee work schedules to 10 hour days 4 days a week and close all non-essential buildings on Fridays. You could allow
employees to work 8 hour days and use their vacation time to cover differences in their time.
* Consider closing the remainder of the budget gap with reductions in Business and Economic Development and Agriculture, Environment & Natural Resources.
Many Marylanders view these line items as extremely important but more for funding when the budget is less stressed.
I certainly hope you will consider my recommendations as you move forward in tightening up Maryland’s budget. Thanks for everything you do to make these bad
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
Regards
Get rid of the illegals aliens. I know of 5 million dollars that would have been saved and better used for U.S. citizens and their education.
Look at Texas, follow their lead and get rid of Big Government. It's WE THE PEOPLE and not me (the representatives) the people. Quit spending our money
Remember the 10th amendment and stand u[p for Marylanders and their rights. We don't need the gov'ts help in our lives. I love my health care. I don't want
my parents to suffer in their care to help provide help for ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS. SEND THEM HOME, GIVE JOBS BACK TO MARYLANDERS.
I have three suggestions that I would like to make.
1. Allow more state employees to Telecommunite. Telecommunting is a family-friendly, business-friendly public policy that promotes workplace efficiency,
reduces strain on transportation infrastructure, and provides an opportunity to go green. In addition, telework can reduce electric cost for state agencies.
2. My other suggestion is getting the slot machines up and running will should assist with cost for education, transportation and health care.
Baltimore
Baltimore
3. I know everyone does not want to increase taxes, but I propose we increase the tax for cigarettes or gas.
I want a straight answer to one question?
What happens when the stimulus funds for COPS runs out. You can't blame that on the previous Administration.
Notable cost savings, Delete STATESTAT and fire the staff required to maintain it. CITISTAT is so successful, the last update on the web is 10/15/08.
Dear Governor:
As a 23 year State of Maryland employee, I have endured through many turbulent years. Not only have I gone through the increase in work hours from 71 to 80
without an increase in pay, I have also weathered the increase in tuition several years ago.
Please while you attempt to balance the budget please remember the state employee that takes the reduction in salary and furlough days while also trying to
send their children to in state universities; the state employee that takes pride in their job because of the people they serve.
My only other suggestion is if before you possibly implement more furloughs can you possibly suggest a smooth way of proccessing them also. The time,effort
and reporting process it has recently taken our office to track and process the furloughs was enormous.
Allegany
Anne Arundel
Howard
Anne Arundel
Thank you for listening and caring.
Offer early retirement ( employees within five years of retirement) or allow employees to retire before they have their thirty years of employment with the state or
sixty-two years old,, without penalty. Each year you retire before having either one of these, is a six percent penalty. Either one of these suggestions would allow
the state to hire younger workers that would start at a lower pay scale because there would be older ones retiring. This would help the unemployment and you
Please cut the new proposed voting system. It costs $42 million. If cut, no jobs would be lost and no additional funds would be needed to use the existing
Thank you.
Reduce spending by kicking out the illegal aliens that are costing the tax payers a lot of money and hour upon hour of waiting in the Emergeny Room for help
while the illegals get preferential treatment as mandated by the local politicans/yuppies. Also, kick out the left wing liberal socialist/communist leaning politicians
that support the above mentioned ilk. Do it now or the voters will do it at the next election. On the federal side, somebody should lean on the short fat little big
mouth that likes to spew out millions in tax payer funds as "EAR MARKS" i.e; kiss my fannie by giving me special privileges at the ball park to the tune of 3 million
Stop trying to sell junk in the internet. You statestat showed just the other day that only a small amount of money had been returned to the state. Please take
into account the amount of hours and peope that work in selling junk excess materials. Also the accounting of materials is not real. If an item is purchased for
$1000.00 in ten years when it is still on the books it is still listed as being worth $1000.00 Even thouhg it broke 5 years ago and can not be repaired or it will cost
Why can't the Maryland Goverment be more like a will run business. It will also look better when the news papers get hold of a inventory and say the goverment
Harford
Closing Jessep was a good step but the internet is not the answer.
Eliminate the use of state cars for personal use. People should not be taking these vehicles home.
Take a closer look at job classifications and actual output. I observe people making 70-80 thousand dollars doing work that is pitiful in terms of its value to the
state. Line staff do the work and others go to meetings, and gossip (character assassination) during lunches and parties during state working hours. Others work
It is pretty sickening to see these individuals continuing in this manner in these economic times when others would gladly work in their place.
Stop paying for cell phone services for people who don't absolutely have to have a state funded phone.
Get rid of these contracts for consultants who don't do anything all day except have social conversations and maintain the appearance of being actively
completing a task while looking down their noses at people who are at or below what they consider their station in life.
Baltimore
Howard
Frederick
Complete evaluations or studies of job descriptions of certain administrative positions and see if the jobs can be done by lower level staff with certain protocols in
I'd like to see some belt-tightening being done by the elected officials in the state house. A recent letter to the editor suggested cancelling MACO. How about a
10% pay cut for those working in the State House, beginning w/yourself? How about giving up a few perks that are enjoyed by only a select few in the ivory
Stop improving things that do not need improving such as building massive median strips on southwestern blvd. In the arbutus area. This road has done without
medians for as long as I can remember and I am almost 70 years old. The money spent on this silly project could be put to use on more important things. From
the look of it is only goiung to make it harder on the folks trying to catch the train. I expect no responce but I just feel better voicing my opinion.
Suggestions for Budget cuts or Revenue Enhancements
Most of my comments concern saving money or increasing revenues in the long term.
1. Maryland needs to do a better job of identifying those folks who receive welfare that may qualify for Federal programs, such as SSI, Veterans Compensation
and Pension programs. Switching individuals to federal programs will save State dollars.
2. Far too many groups, like clubs who profess to be non profit, who provide services to their individuals, are not reporting income or in kind services that are
3. In California, Florida, and Washington, all who sell travel, have to be registered sellers of travel. There are fees associated with that, and with the failure to get
Anne Arundel
select your county
Baltimore
select your county
Anne Arundel
4. Sales tax revenues are falling not only because of the economy, but because of the increase in internet sales that are tax free. Maryland needs to work in
concert with the National Governors Association in passing internet tax legislation
5. The state should pass back to the local governements responsbility for funding retire and health care for teachers.
Stop mandating citizens pay for services to illegal users. Education (including food & supplies), public safety and medical should free up a big chunk of money.
Carroll
Is there any consideration to eliminating vacant state positions or offering a retirement incentive to encourage more employees to retire, thus reducing the state
I would like to see a link to read what others in the State are recommending.
I don't know the reason, but there seems to be many fleet vehicles. I see SG license plates not only to and from work but also evenings and weekends. I know
that there are some employees that need vehicle for their jobs, but possibly reducing the number of assigned vehicles that employees take home would reduce
the cost of fuel and maitenance. If there is a need to have a vehicle during the day, why not use a pool vehicle? Also, not sure how much this would save, but
what if it was made mandatory that computers were shut down in the evening or at least on the weekends. We are told to keep them in a log off mode for patches
and such, however if these were scheduled arrangements could be made for that work to take place. In my office we are turning out lights in room when not in
j t t Some
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I
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Carroll
Suggestion: Require all state employees regardless of when they started state service to have direct deposit. This will eliminate the need to have paper checks
printed for payroll purposes and will cut down on the mail cost associated with mailing checks to locale state offices.
I can also be reach at
Currently: Some state employees still receive a paper check.
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
Carroll
Carroll
Baltimore
Baltimore
Suggestion: Require all state employees regardless of when they started state service to have direct deposit. This will eliminate the need to have paper checks
printed for payroll purposes and will cut down on the mail cost associated with mailing checks to locale state offices.
I can also be reached at xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
We only put out our trash one day per week, instead of using both of the scheduled days for trash pick up. Could you cut down the trash removal days to one day
per week throughout the state? And encourage Marylanders to recycle and compost? Additionally, why doesn't Maryland charge an extra 5-10cents for bottles
and cans? This would provide an incentive for Marylanders to recycle and not to litter. In the short-term it would provide some additional revenue to the state.
Save electricity at night by turning off all the lights on the interstates and multi-lane highways, except at exit ramps. I noticed Kentucky already doing this last time
Current Process: Currently there is no automated address change system in place for clients who have cases with child support. This causes a great deal of
correspondence to go to addresses that clients no longer live at along with the many work hours to try and relocate clients. Not to mention the cost of mailing and
Suggestion: Have the child support system connected to the United States Postal Address Change Service. This service will forward the mail to the new address
and updated the system. This will save not only money that is spent on postage but in time it takes to relocate clients. There have been attempts in the passed to
have this implemented however resources, mostly the availability of time remaining with the company that services our computer system, have kept it from being
I can also be reached at
Currently the annual collection fee that is paid by clients who have a child support case is $25.00 but is only paid when a client receives $3,500.00 within a 12
month period and the client has never received temporary public assistance.
Suggested Change: Reduce the amount of money that most be collected back down to $500.00 and any client that is not currently on temporary public
I can also be reached at
Turn down the heat in the state office buildings. They are always over heated - the state guidelines are 68-76! An outrageous waste of energy and employees are
less productive when it is so uncomfortable. Plant a "Green roof" like the Montgomery Ward bldg has. Make teleworking more feasible. Eliminate contractual
"guards" who have no function at the Patterson Avenue address. Review all the at will positions for duplication of effort. Eliminate part-time positions - combine
Turn down the heat in the state office buildings. They are always over heated - the state guidelines are 68-76! An outrageous waste of energy and employees are
less productive when it is so uncomfortable. Plant a "Green roof" like the montgomeory Ward bldg has
City
Howard
Howard
Anne Arundel
Baltimore
Howard
Anne Arundel
Baltimore
Baltimore
As a tax paying citizen of Baltimore City for decades, I am pretty much sick of the whole thing. How is it that a State as big as Flordia continues to run without the
benefit of income tax? Perhaps your first order of business should be to talk to the governor of Florida and see how they do it down there. It seems to work.
Second, cut out the holidays that only state workers get, mlk day, president's day, columbus day, vertans day, and american indian heritage day. Regular people
don't get these holidays. That gives you 5 days that state workers are actually working which saves holiday pay. Third, overhaul the welfare system. Let all the
unwed moms know that the citizens will take care of 1 child for 1 year. Everyone is entitled to 1 mistake. Take the year that the citizens are paying for the child
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I would like to see the new voting machines cut. Oh, and I live in PG, but the drop down list won't let me select PG County.
Whatever you do, please do not make state employees take a pay cut, more furlough days or anything else of the sort. State employees have already given their
contribution to help the state budget. County and city employees however have not taken any furlough days. Continually taking money out of the paychecks of the
people will not help the economy as a whole. Remember, when you take money out of our paychecks, the goverment loses taxes it would otherwise earn, not to
mention it makes it extremely hard for people to pay their bills. This of course has a ripple effect because consumers cannot spend money that they do not have.
Ask state workers for a 10.00 danation to wear jeans to work for one week specified by you Governor O'Malley. That is a dent and a thought.
Make it illegal for principals to hire employees. That will cut down on social workers, head teachers, and assistant principals.
Please do NOT make state employees take more furloughs or participate in salary cuts. We've suffered enough and aren't getting a raise to cover the cost of
currently state workers use MTA services for free. Abolish the rule.
Reduce service on Metro train by one train per hour each direction during non peak hours (like other metro areas do)-Eliminate free rides for state employees as it seems only state employees are using it. I work for the State and take advantage of the free train service but have
to admit that I am constantly amazed that it is free. It also seems to me that the vast majority of riders are state workers so I wonder how much revenue the trains
actually generate. Instead the state could offer employees a "green incentive"-- a subsidy worth up to $30 or $35 dollars to take public transit, and/or a flexible
spending account where commuting costs could be deducted like childcare and medical costs. This would also help the city of Baltimore in the form of more
City
Good afternoon Governor O'malley, I have a very good suggestion for preventing anymore layoffs for State Employees. I would suggest that you take some or all
of the personal days that are allotted to us at the beginning of the year. If you took at least 3 from everybody, this should make up for a very large amount of
money. The State Employees do accrue leave every pay period depending on how long they have been employed with the State. If that is not enough, take all
six days from each employee. I think people would give up their personal days rather than loose their jobs. I have been employed with the Maryland Parole
Baltimore
How about not spending money on a new voting system? Special interest groups dictated that this was a need, but at what price to Maryland and it's citizens do
you continue to buy this when we have a system that already works? We are talking almost $40 million, which as far as I can tell, is almost 6% of what you are
trying to reduce. If you want to replace the system down the line in the future when there is more money, by all means, go ahead...But, please, do not waste our
money because someone "thinks" that something is wrong. This is almost the same amount of money as two of the things that have already been announced as
Baltimore
Dear Office of The Governor:
I am a small business owner based in Maryland. I have a solution that may substantially generate revenues (possibly in millions) for the State. The solution is
fairly simple and involves low investment. I would like to speak with the related office and discuss this further; with an understanding that the State will reimburse
Baltimore
I am looking forward to hearing back from your office soon.
take all spring water out of state agencies, since my office doesn't have any, all can save on this expence perhaps
four day work weeks with 10 hour days for state employees may save some money
Frederick
Montgomery
Furlough day for all state employees no income limitation for a day or two.
Governor O'Malley,
We who are near retirement have special concerns now due to the revenue shortfall and the recession in general. Many of us are waiting and/or postponing
retirement due to the loss of funds in our savings. A Win/Win suggestion is to offer State employees early retirement with the help of a "buy out"! The employee
could offset his/her losses with a cash "buy out". The State would save in a big way because it could then eliminate the vacated position or hire a much less
My state salary plus benefits is over $95,000. I lost about 33% of my retirement savings this past year! If the State would offer a tax free cash buy out of 33% of
What do you think?
1) Require all persons receiving any State Services to have a lawful presence in this country.
Howard
City
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
City
Calvert
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
2) Require all contractors to use E-Verify, so my tax dollars are going to persons that have a legal right to work and in turn pay their taxes.
3) Cut all funding to Casa de Maryland and like organizations that do not check for legal status and do not ensure all parties are paying their taxes.
4) I view paying my taxes as my duty, but paying for persons that are here illegally irks me, to the point I ensure all persons working on or in my home are here
legally no matter if they "appear" to be lawful or not, because otherwise
I am a child care licensing specialist for MSDE in Howard County. Recently the employees for our divison have been informed that we will receive electronic
devices for our inspections. As a tax payer, I do not think we need these for our job. Many times I can do part of the inspection outside or where it is easiest for
the provider, whether at the center or in a home. Currently we use scannable forms which I am sure were very expensive to produce. They are working fine.
One of my home providers was furious when she had her fire inspection completed by an inspector who asked to plug in his laptop and use his color printer for
$ state employees could be that you don't take your health benefits with you unless you retire from state government
Governor O'Malley: A cost saving measure for
with 30 years. It is a priviledge that Maryland State Employment provides health benefits for the rest of a state employees life when private industry does not.
Why should someone get the same benefit when retiring with 16 full years/age 55 as an employee that has dedicated their life to state employment and retires
How about offering some state employees early retirement buyout credit (using sick and annual time accrued) if they have 25-30 yrs of service. Secondly, forcing
How about offering some state employees early retirement buyout credit (using sick and annual time accrued) if they have 25-30 yrs of service. Secondly, forcing
I suggest that state employees start a 10 hour/four day a week work schedule and have all state agencies closed on day a week. This will cut electric cost
I find it unfathomable that anyone would even consider additional furloughs to the employees that keep the business of Maryland going. Please, please, please
consider removing the funding for a SECOND voting system until the FIRST system is paid. Local governments are already going to be hit extremely hard to pay
for early voting. So how could you, in good conscience, ask these employees more or less to fund a SECOND voting system at this time. You may also want to
look up the current version of the federal "Holt Bill" that very well could impact the voting systems for next year. Please, let's not let Maryland become the next
Montgomery
How about closing state offices for a week in December (Christmas Eve till the day after New Years ) this would save on Electric not to mention it would be 6
To reduce the number and cost of employees - I suggest the state offer early retirement.
Reducing salaries on current employees, with furloughs or cuts, in a year with no colas and merit raises creates morale problems and results in great,
hardworking and caring people leaving for other government areas (mostly at the federal level or federally related).
Thank you.
Presently you have three chiefs of staff listed at the Transportation Authority Police
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I have several suggestions to help reduce the budget.
Calvert
Anne Arundel
1. Raise the fines associated with traffic violations. I'm sad to say that I received a speeding ticket and was surprised at how cheap the fine was.
2. Install red light cameras at every intersection. Everyday I witness multitudes of people who run red lights.
3. Start having police enforce the traffic laws more. I can't remember the last time I saw a police officer pulling over a traffic violator.
3. Stop all funding for illegal immigrants. No more social services, no more day laborer sites, no more funding for groups that promote illegal immigrants. I'm
tired of my hard earned taxes going to support people who are in this country illegally.
Have the state of Maryland go to a compressed work schedule with state agencies closed on either Monday's or Friday's and employee's working 10 hrs intead of
Abolish 39 filled and 18.5 vacant positions. I hope these are high paying Executive/Management Positions.
Garrett
Have you considered cutting the hours of state employees and reflecting it through the salary scale? Instead of an 80 hour two week pay period, go to a 72 hour
two week pay period. Close the state agenices every other Friday or Monday. Savings in salaries, heating/cooling, electric. If state employees must sacrifice at
Dear Governor O’Malley,
Baltimore
I am a constituent who loves Maryland for its beauty and vibrancy. Like you, I believe that we will not only get through this economic downturn, but be better and
You once did me a favor as Mayor of Baltimore when my son had been mistakenly issued a parking violation (he was at work at the Wisp on the date/time in
question) by clearing the matter up within weeks. I wrote a note of thanks at the time, but perhaps I can do slightly better than that now by providing some input
The Big Picture Vision
If one begins with the supposition that there is authentic political will and the leadership to carry out strategic initiatives, then prospects of producing and
maintaining high impact departments is very high. Reinventing government, here in Maryland , where readiness and engagement is at its peak, might slow the
Maintaining high impact agencies requires leadership to continually improve upon both horizontal and vertical strategic framework; this dissuades agency plans
that are disjointed, duplicative and disorderly. It is important to simultaneously strengthen core competencies while looking to shift emphasis from high risk, low
The reforms that are necessary to keep your agenda on course over the next five years do not need to be deep-cutting or arbitrary; rather, these reforms should
Vision is as Vision Does
Are we managing for results, really? StateStats is an ideal framework for results based budgeting and management. Unfortunately the measures generally to not
The effort requires taking the scope beyond stage one (quadrant one); with all due respect, counting how many of something tells us nothing about quality and
service. And, if not now, when will it be time to accelerate data collection to stage four; who and how many people are better off because of the project, program,
Where coordination is lacking, collaboration is impossible. There are several arenas, like technology, like health and human services, which in sum produce cost
redundancies across the board. Generally speaking, these systemic flaws diminish opportunities for growing the strengths found in optimal enterprise. In effect,
The Long and the Short of it
Long
Strengthen the Governors’ Office operations
o
Increasing horizontal/ flat operations
o
Articulate models of systems of care and complete system reform efforts
o
Work to eliminate poverty
o
Improve child and family well-being—transition efforts to primarily a prevention focus, this will be leverage in health care reform
o
Devolve management to the local level through funding formula mechanisms in which the State serves in one of two capacities; either oversight or expert
o
Reorganize State agencies; align with national efforts, facilitate opportunities for regional and local ownership in process and planning.
o
Reinstate funds to higher education and Medicaid
Short
o
Deinstitutionalize, by relocating, all adults with developmental disabilities to lesser restrictive alternatives; ideally from institutional placement to alternative
o
Encourage local communities to support families and their children. Discontinue out-of-state placements as well as residential placements and foster care
placements that exceed 6 months; provide return or diversion funds to LMB’s for plan of care development through LCC for 50% of current care, for up to one
o
Relocate grants development and oversight to the Governor’s Grants Office; have staff earn grants management certification. This will streamline and align
with state’s initiatives and eliminate reoccurring sanctions and/or audit findings. Expert grants writers will also allow Maryland to compete for grant and
o
Make Maryland more business friendly but be willing to exercise ‘clawback’ mechanisms if business fails to be a good partner.
o
Utilize DBM Compact mechanism for key state initiatives to demonstrate good will with local governments.
o
Utilize technology more efficiently, encourage green measures like tele-commuting and tele-conferencing
Best Regards,
City
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
It has been my desire for quite sometime now that the State of Maryland enact an early retirement Bill relative to the State Employees' Pension System. The last
time the state had adopted a Bill was in 1996. Such a Bill will allow state employees in the pension system with at least 25 years of creditable service, to receive
Prayerfully, I hope this suggestion will be considered. For I know this is an excellent suggestion which will help to balance the state budget without impacting the
City
I am employed with the State Highway Administration; however my resident is in Baltimore County.
Three suggestions:
1. Most state workers are grateful to have to take furlough days in lieu of losing jobs. A more efficient way to administer furloughs could be to assign a certain $
amount to each person based on grade/salary. This dollar amount would translate into a certain number of days for each employee. Reduce salaries to reflect
that reduction so that that the paychecks are a consistent number. The employee would be allowed to take the assigned number of furlough days as they
2. Convert to a paid 32 hour work week. Each employee would receive an across the board 16 hour cut from their salary--only this reduction would be
permanent and could save money. If this option is used-furloughs would not be considered.
Baltimore
City
3. Early retirement incentive for those close to retirement--add service years to make people eligible for retirement to make it beneficial to do so.
Please take care in laying off or furloughing state workers whose salaries are paid from federal funds. When this is done, the state loses income tax, sales
tax,and like revenues from these workers, but saves little or nothing in salaries because the employees are funded with federal money. State leadership should
take the time to determine which state workers are paid through federal money, whereby furloughing them saves the state nothing but loses it the taxes they
would have paid if working. It is not too much to expect for the state governement to do this homework and make furoughs save the most money while costing the
state the least. Each agency head could identify such employees among their staff. This is just efficient government rather that wholesale across the board
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suggestions:
1. Most state workers are grateful to have to take furlough days in lieu of losing jobs. A more efficient way to administer furloughs could be to assign a certain $
amount to each person based on grade/salary. This dollar amount would translate into a certain number of days for each employee. Reduce salaries to reflect
that reduction so that that the paychecks are a consistent number. The employee would be allowed to take the assigned number of furlough days as they
2. Convert to a paid 32 hour work week. Each employee would receive an across the board 16 hour cut from their salary--only this reduction would be
permanent and could save money. If this option is used-furloughs would not be considered.
Baltimore
3. Early retirement incentive for those close to retirement--add service years to make people eligible for retirement to make it beneficial to do so.
Three suggestions:
1. Most state workers are grateful to have to take furlough days in lieu of losing jobs. A more efficient way to administer furloughs could be to assign a certain $
amount to each person based on grade/salary. This dollar amount would translate into a certain number of days for each employee. Reduce salaries to reflect
that reduction so that that the paychecks are a consistent number. The employee would be allowed to take the assigned number of furlough days as they
2. Convert to a paid 32 hour work week. Each employee would receive an across the board 16 hour cut from their salary--only this reduction would be
permanent and could save money. If this option is used-furloughs would not be considered.
Baltimore
3. Early retirement incentive for those close to retirement--add service years to make people eligible for retirement to make it beneficial to do so.
Offer early buy-outs for State Employees who have 25 to 30 years of service.
Raise sales taxes to 7 or 8 percent
Anne Arundel
Washington
Anne Arundel
Howard
select your county
Baltimore
select your county
While it is not a "budget cut" collecting sales tax on purchases made via the Internet and TV offers etc. and shipped into Maryland; would go a long way to help
reduce the defecit. States such as CA and NJ do this to an extent. Not only would this increase revenue from the millions in Sales Tax the state is already losing
but it would help protect locally owned Maryland businesses. When you look at the saving consumers see on the web and then ad an additonal 6% in savings
from the sales tax, it makes the purchase decision even easier for them. What most Marylanders don't understand is that this money they are "saving" is what
funds their, first responders, teachers, road maintenance etc. Mr. Governor I urge you to consider what collecting sales tax on out of state purchaces could do for
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Governor
in Public
Beuracracy:
Regional Assistant Commissioners and recently "made position for a former replaced warden -Road Crews Director(100grand which even he is laughing about) Salaries along with exec. Assts and their sectys with benefits -1-1.5miillon and no change in the way business is done, hey if you need these double dippers then
Better shift allocatoion and elimination of Lineup time for COs saves 3-4 million a year.
State Police and other State Law Enforcement take home cars- Gasoline and wear and tear on autos will save 1-2million-per year as they speed up and down
road while passing rest of us.. off duty and not on calls either as I am a former Police Officer and know...well just a few suggestions.
Mandatory 10 hour workdays (4 day weeks) for all state agencies -- physically closing of state buildings on day 5 to save energy and money.
I am dismayed at the current rumors about another furlough of State workers. State workers salaries are not equal to the private sector but the trade off has been
an increased measure of job security. That does not mean, however, that State workers should bear the brunt of the State's budget shortfalls. It is a double edge
sword. Take from State workers and you are cutting income taxes. State workers having less to spend and thereby comntributes to a decline in sales tax and
retail loss. My suggestion is to truley cut the real budget; not the PROJECTED budget. Cut out some of the line item programs that continue to aborb money with
Impose one mandatory furlough day per month for all state employees,to include closing facilities where possible. I recommend that the closure be instituted on a
Friday/Monday to maximize the benefit to the state. I also think it makes an easier sell to employees. I would venture to say that most funds are allocated to direct
cost thus this should result in the greatest savings.The by-product is this allows all of us to share in the challege and to avoid misplacing our co-workers and
colleagues. (Human Perspective) It would be my hope that the unions embrace this option for the greater good but have a gemtlemen agreement that when the
economy turns around parties of interest will come back to the table and renegotiate. This makes good business sense. Consider options that result in generating
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I suggest that a non-exempt employee not be granted overtime until the budget gets back on track.
Baltimore
I also suggest that a non-exempt employee not be granted overtime when they are taking a furlough day for that pay period.
One mandatory furlough day per month for all state employees; thereby, retaining all state paid holidays for fiscal year 2010.
As a state employee, I would like to make some suggestions. I have a wife and
to support, so I need to keep my job and do not want to
be laid off. Therefore, I suggest more furlough days. California is mandating three furlough days per month for its state employees. I would prefer more furlough
days to losing my job altogether. I also suggest that as employees leave state employment, eliminate their pin. I would rather have an increased work load than
to lose my job. I also suggest that some state holidays be changed into work days. Why should the state pay me to be off on Columbus Day or Veterans Day? If
these days (and potential other days like Martin Luther King's Birthday, President's Day, Memorial Day, and the day after Thanksgiving) were regular work days,
f Region is Baltimore
f
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ff Ave. Suite LL8, basement. I'm not
I work for the Office of Child Care and our
County and our office is located
in Towson, 409 Washington
Baltimore
sure who owns the old emisions inspection station and/or land on Rossville Blvd. but I think our office and even our Resource and Reffferal office could share the
space? Our office in Towson is pretty expensive, 99,000 a year for rent? We also have to pay for parking. The location is close to the beltway. I'm not trying to
This is a great idea to allow "regular" people to share what might help When I refer to government employees, this means EVERY employee(i.e. governor, legislators, judges, political appointees, senators, delegates, teachers) at all
City
Harford
-cut back on tax payer funded trips for ALL government employees
-reduce money to local governments(should have been done 7 months ago). Local governments will then have to institute furloughs, which will offset the lack of
state funding. Why should the burden be placed solely upon state workers.
Baltimore
Cecil
-If doing furloughs, you need to realize that it will not garner a great deal of money. Reducing pay reduces consumer spending, which reduces collected sales
The daily fuel consumption of our public school buses must be huge, not to mention the pollution! As a Father, it seems to me that there is a lot of waste in
running these buses before Labor Day and after Memorial Day, most schools are on auto-pilot during these periods anyway. Shorten the school year, thanks.
The way payroll is calculated seems unnecessarily laborious. It is based on 26 bi-weekly pay periods of 14 days each. However, 26 x 14 = only 364 days, and
since most state salaries are based on an annual amount, that leaves an extra day (2 in a leap year) that has to be accounted for in order to equal the gross
It would be more efficient to adopt either of two possible methods:
1) Divide annual salary into 26 (# of pay periods), rounded to nearest cent, or
2) Use hours instead of days: bi-weekly pay would be based on 80 hours instead of 14 days. 80 hrs. x 26 pay periods = 2,080 hours, which is evenly divisible
Allegany
Baltimore
City
Washington
Baltimore
Baltimore
City
Harford
Baltimore
select your county
Montgomery
Allegany
Anne Arundel
Howard
Anne Arundel
Harford
Adopting one of these systems should produce savings in accounting time & reporting: simpler calculations and fewer journal entries and end-of-period accruals.
Stop all tuition reimbursement.
Stop giving any sign on bonuses to new workers/new hires.
I know people won't like it, but another way we could increase revenue for the state is to increase the tax on alcohol and cigarettes. Also, increase the fee for
license registration renewal ... I think it's $128 every 2 years ... just increase that another $5 per person ... that won't kill anyone and it will generate a lot of
money. People just have to realize that we are in this together and we all have to do our part. We are just going to have to tighten our belts. I don't want anyone
to lose their jobs ... they need their jobs to survive and I think you've done a fabulous job in keeping positions for state workers. Times are tough ... we need our
jobs so perhaps you could just eliminate all the vacant positions and just don't hire for them. We already are doing more than 1 person can and we'll just have to
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to 1996
Raising fees for ez-pass is the wrong approach. These devices save the state money in payroll, long term costs of retirement benefits and reduce delays at toll
facilities. The message being sent by DOT is a disincentive to use one of these devices. Users should actually get a discount for using them. Backwards thinking
i propose that we ask all rccipients of medicaid and medical assistance to contribute some cost to their healthcare, such as 1.00 for presciptions and 5.00 for
I'm not sure how much this will help, but right off the top of my head, I'm wondering how much the state pays to have all those plants in the lobbies of state
buildings. I love plants, but that is something I'm sure we can do without. If employees want plants around, they can donate plants to their buildings themselves.
From the State employee perspective, I'm in favor of the four day work week - I think it's human nature to be more productive if we have less time to do things. I
think if you surveyed people the money lost is worth the time spent living our "other" lives (i.e.more balanced, happier workers). I also think telecommuting is very
underrated and misunderstood. Perhaps we can create the choice of a once a month telecommuting or furlough day. By shutting down the offices we'll reap those
1) Via Public Domain Laws condemn abandoned properties. Develop moderate priced residential structures to be sold thereby creating a sustainable real estate
tax base. Use local youth and various training programs to build at the different locations and use Stimulus money to pay/train them....avoiding the "falling off a
cliff scenario" and plant the seeds for a more skilled workforce. Have large contractors donate "green" building materials and let them have a tax credit for doing
so. 2) Finalize the completion and implementation of slot machine locations. 3) Create Wind Farms in Western Maryland mountain locations and set up a State
Why are we still buying and spending money for 90 Acres of land for 1.1 Million dollars ??? and you want to lay-off and furloughs.
I currently am a
employee xxxxxxxxxxxxx the Maryland State Department of Education. Many districts have gone to a 4 day/40 hour
workweek. The buildings are closed on Friday but salaries are not decreased. This saves on electricity, heating/cooling, transportation, and commuting costs.
The workload does not change, the hours of work completed remains at 40 hours, and from conversations that I have had with the district personnel confirm the
lack of stress involved in this revised process. I would like to see all state buildings go to 4 day/40 hour work weeks. I have seen the hardship the furlough days
Thank you for your kind consideration and allowing for our input.
There are state employees, like me, that live paycheck to paycheck, no extra money left over for anything. We don't go on vacation, we don't have the money to
buy new clothes. We shop at Goodwill and dollar stores. We can't afford furlough days. Appreciate state workers by keeping them employed and working their
I recommend postponing the purchase of new voting machines. In the law provision was made for postponing the move to paper ballots if the budget could not
cover the move. Since we have machines that are fully functional and that we are still paying for, I think it would be prudent to wait to implement the new
machines until a different budget cycle. (By the way - I'm from PG County, but the apostrophe was throwing an SQL Error. The website developers probably
The state could charge a fee to rec. a license or certificate of registration to operate a childcare center, family child care or any non-public nursery school that is
Well when the axe fall it should fall on ALL STATE EMPLOYEE INCLUDING AND I DO MEAN EVERYONE THAT WORKS FOR THE STATE REGARDLESS OF
THEIR TITLE ALL THAT MAKE OVER $100,000.00 A YEAR CUT TO JUST A $100k A YEAR NOT ONE STATE EMPLOYEE SHOULD BE EXEMPT. During
why does the state have a seperate police unit with the Maryland state transit authority with seperate administration, why not roll this unit into the State police and
save the administration costs? Also why is the a Department of disabilities and then a Department of rehabilitation services, why not combine them so there is
not a duplication of services? Last what is the purpose of counselors for the Blind enterprise program, when all the individuals that have units are considered
Baltimore
City
Washington
I am a state employee and last year suggested that as other states have embraced the idea of closing their buildings one day a wk, MD State follow in their steps
to conserve costs & energy. Maybe it can be gradually implemented by asking Department heads to inquire of their staff who is willing to work a 4-day, 9 hour/day
work week while retaining full benefits? Another suggestion is that the air conditioning units/ventilation system be adjusted to not blow so strongly (waste of
Why can't there be budget cuts for the people with salaries ranging 80,00 or more, those that are in the high class. It seems as though the low class and middle
class always have to suffer much in struggling to make ends meet.
I recently took my Support Services test and received in the mail, six (6) notices of my test results. Each was identical, except for the "Test for:" and "Class".
Each letter had postage of $.44. I calculated that with 20 individuals taking the test x2 that date (total of 40) and receiving an average of six test result notices,
the cost to the State of Maryland for postage ONLY was $105.60. That doesn't take into account the paper, envelopes, printer & ink, electricity to run it,
manpower to fold and stuff the envelopes, etc. I'm curious as to the true total cost to send me multiple mailings such as this. With today's technology and all of
This is one very small example of our taxpayers monies being used foolishly.
select your county
Anne Arundel
Howard
City
Thank you for hearing me out on this matter.
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I suggest the work week for state workers be adjusted to four ten hour days (i.e. all agencies close on Monday or Friday). This would result in significant cost
savings in energy from all state agencies. This would also result in travel commute savings for the employee.
Governor O'Malley,
I am astutely aware of the economic crisis that is facing Maryland and the country at large. However, I strongly urge you to carefully consider State employee
furloughs as one way to save money for the State. Why should State employees shoulder the burden for every citizen of Maryland? It does not make good
economic sense - you cut employees wages which brings in less in income taxes, leaves less money to spend thereby reducing sales tax to the State, and further
risking families to ecomonic strife. This only contributes negatively to subsequent years budget woes. Cuts to balance the budget should be in areas that will
impact everyone who then will share equally in this process. Labor negotiations analysts admit that furloughs for only a specific group of individuals is a "chicken
h "this opportunity
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t
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Use
make
healthy,
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state:
1. Institute a Fat Tax on junk food and tax other unhealthy items, like tobacco and alcohol, more heavily.
2. Increase taxes on all forms of gambling.
3. Increase fines on all automobile moving violations and parking tickets.
4. Lay off city, county, and state workers who are not effective.
5. Raise fees on tolls to encourage motorists to take trains and busses.
You get the idea.
Howard
Baltimore
select your county
Kent
Cecil
Regards
Some private agencies and Goverment agencies have given early retirement package options to employees who are close to retiring during economic times like
Return employer retirement contribution costs for teachers and librarians to the local school systems. It is completely nonsensical for the State to pay the entire
retirement costs for local school systems, at a projected cost in FY 2010 of $774,330,507, when the State has no input as to salary levels which directly impact
retirement costs. This amounts to a subsidy to local school systems, whereby they can increase salaries without any regard to the retirement costs associated
with those salaries. At current employer contribution rates, these costs may well top $1 billion in FY 2011, and most certainly will by FY 2012. This is a cost to the
Offer state employees early retirement
When I am off on weekends I see a lot of state cars parked in peoples driveways and I feel that the state could save a lot of money by leaving these vehicles on
the property of their agency. This would save the state a lot of money on gas. I live on the shore and sometimes I feel that if one lives on the shore and works
- Cut down on the abuse of sick leave, particularly abuse of the Family Medical Leave Act. FMLA was intended to grant unpaid leave for family emergencies, but
- Give employees incentives for good attendance.
- Review the Employees' Leave Bank Program. It too seems to maximize the amount of sick leave the state has to pay for.
Howard
select your county
Anne Arundel
Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore
Frederick
Washington
Washington
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
Washington
Carroll
As a state employee, I strongly suggest that buildings such as MSDE limit the hours of availability. Specifically, there is no need to have the building open 24/7,
which requires paying security and the wasted use of electricity. Modifying the hours e.g 6am-10 pm Mon -Sat and closed on Sumdays would certainly be more
Allow state offices who are non essential go to 10 hour work days to eliminate operating costs for one day per week.
Well when the axe fall it should fall on ALL STATE EMPLOYEE INCLUDING AND I DO MEAN EVERYONE THAT WORKS FOR THE STATE REGARDLESS OF
THEIR TITLE ALL THAT MAKE OVER $100,000.00 A YEAR CUT TO JUST A $100k A YEAR NOT ONE STATE EMPLOYEE SHOULD BE EXEMPT. During
Let Maryland State Government go to the 4 day work week, thus saving utility cost of major facilities while still providing full 40 hours of available services to the
Dear Gov
Please lower the overall taxes in the State. Most of my family has moved to the shores of DE
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Please cut welfare,shut down giveaways to non productives, turn away the illegal aliens, and bring us back to the "Land of Pleasant Living."GOV U CAN
In the context of converting available taxpayers dollars into economic efficiency and state bureaucratic performance, output per dollar, and focus on easing the
financial burden placed on "we" the taxpayers; by the way of examples: 1). abusive and irresponsible state spending by addressing the Office of Legislative
Auditors' reports on the many agencies that seriously fail to operate in a economic, efficient, effective manner, and fail to operate within compliance with state
accounting laws and regulations and by "streamlining bureaucracies. The waste and abuse of the taxpayers money may be as much as $2 Billion annually. 2).
State Police helicopters, the $52 million for new helicopters should be directed at upgrading the current Dauphin fleet of 11 helicopters at $3.8 million each or less
$
Please focus on easing the financial burden placed on "We" the taxpayers by the Executive and Legislative Branch of Government. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!
Certainly is a shame that instead of increasing tax on liquor sold in Maryland, that you have chosen to cut benefits provided by the state. Shame on our
If you have to cut the State workers pay, make it across the board. The non-essentials employees should not have to bear the brunt of the cut backs.
If you would have asked sooner, I would have recommended not giving the correctional officers their retention bonus. It was the most absurd waste of money I
can think of. If you knew how to work the system you could get the bonus. I feel like the non-essential workers paid for the correctional officers bonuses with
Gov. O'Malley....have you ever stopped at Sideling Hill? I think you need to come out here before the STUPID decision to close it happens. My sister and
nephews saw it for the 1st time
and loved it. We were there for a few hours. Collect some donations to help with expenses (just a
stand that people can put $$ in) but don't shut it down! It is BEAUTIFUL! DON'T CLOSE DOWN SOMETHING that is so special to Washington Co!
Reduce the size of state government permanently. It is that simple.
I am a 40 year resident of Maryland. I do not believe the tax on alcohol has been raised in at least that many years. It is TIME to thwart the pricey liquor lobbyists
(Jay) and raise the tax on beer, liquor and maybe even wine. This would reap a small fortune and would hardly be noticed by the users. Tough medicine--but
Have ALL state employees take furlough days - not just the same few ones -- include police, correctional officers, judges, legislators, executive branch, etc.
To the honorable Governor Martin O’Malley,
I appreciate the opportunity to provide you with suggestions on a direct basis. Here are a few thought for reducing the budget:
1. Offer early retirement to state employees. Furloughs and layoff were understandable last year--- now these measures suggest a lack of leadership on the part
of the legislature to tackle the difficult issues in balancing the budget. We have wonderful thought leaders and can do much better.
2. Increase weekly hours worked for non-essential state employees to ten hour per day and close state buildings one day a week.
3. Cut bay restoration funding all together for this year.
4. Reduce funding for natural resources and the environment. You should call on the residents of the state to fill in where decreases occur.
Dorchester
Dorchester
Dorchester
Dorchester
Dorchester
Best wishes!
close all social services offices, give free one way bus rides to all person receiving welfare to california
review the budget and do away with all services that are not essential
increase taxes on tobacco and gambling and horse racing and sporting events
do away with police taking cars home; have the police only use cars when on duty
go to a 4 day workweek for all state employees and close offices for 3 days a week to save energy
Dorchester
Dorchester
City
Turn the lights off at night in the state office buildings
Stop giving money and benefits to illegal alliens.
Dear Governor O’Malley,
Thank you taking the time to ask Marylanders for their view on budget cuts your administration should consider. This alone is a remarkable first step in using
technology to seek input from those who care deeply about key items in state government. Your administration has taken huge steps to tighten up the budget in
Many Marylanders think your approach to reducing… but not cutting programs is a good one! It shows fiscal responsibility and suggests that in good times you
might be open to expanding spending in these areas. What many Marylanders do not think is a good decision is to layoff or furlough state employees. In last
year’s budget, a severe response to the crisis was needed and most people understood that the situation required furloughing state employees.
Budget adjustments that impact state employees in this year’s budget suggests to many Marylanders that our great leaders do not have a sound plan to lead the
state through this tumultuous time period. And instead, have chosen an easy, though difficult in many ways, choice for controlling the budget gap--- one that does
Your supporters encourage you to look at big ticket items to defer spending for the remainder of this fiscal year and more closely examine program funding next
* Purchasing of 4 helicopters for transporting patients at roughly $50 million each. Surely, outsourcing some of the needs to independent air transport
* Further reducing funding for bay restoration, I believe the media reported more than $100 million in funding budgeted for this effort. Deferring as much as half
of this amount for one year is not likely to set back restoration efforts by all that much.
* Change non-essential state employee work schedules to 10 hour days 4 days a week and close all non-essential buildings on Fridays. You could allow
employees to work 8 hour days and use their vacation time to cover differences in their time.
* Consider closing the remainder of the budget gap with reductions in Business and Economic Development and Agriculture, Environment & Natural Resources.
Many Marylanders view these line items as extremely important but more for funding when the budget is less stressed.
I certainly hope you will consider my recommendations as you move forward in tightening up Maryland’s budget. Thanks for everything you do to make these bad
Washington
Allegany
Cecil
Baltimore
Howard
Regards,
xxxxxxx
Get rid of the speed camera program and keep the sidling hill rest area open.
Tax out of state employees. I work for DOC and guys from PA and WVA are taxed less. They brag all the time. PA doesn't allow you to work in corrections unless
I feel strongly that contractual workers should be looked at. I know of several agencies that used contractual people to suplimit the loss of state workers. As one
example, a certain department has 70 people. Of these 70 only 20 are state employees. With an average cost difference of 3-1, large saving can be created and
I would offer that government spend only what they take in. It seems that there are folks on the payroll who who do not work. There are programs and Salaries
paid that are way out of Line. They issue of spending and wasting tax payers funds is out of control. This Governor has done to the State what he did in Baltimore
city. This is a shame and a disgrace of how he has handle this. But not much will be done or said why not continue to balance this off the Working class.
1. Cut out travel of all state employees to things like conferences, etc unless the conference fee is free (or waived)and the only reimbursement for any travel
costs should be for actual costs such as tolls, parking and actual gas costs (the non-reimbursed federal per mile cost of travel would then be eligible for claiming
2. Eliminate or greatly reduce the meal reimbursement for travel costs (to the extent one eats a meal more expensive than a McDonalds or Burger King meal,
which restaurants are ubiquitous throughout the state, one could argue in these times such meals are now an extravagance if reimbursement is then sought from
3. Since all state employees can take public transportation for free, all state vehicles for commuting should be greatly reduced or eliminated if not already done
so, and state employees who receive state parking should pay either a portion or all costs of the monthly permit; also, the state should then try to negotiate lower
monthly charges from private garages threatened with the loss of these permits, and the garages must offer the negotiated rate to all state employees who
purchase monthly permits or the state may purchase in bulk and charge employees a percentage - perhaps half the permit cost to the state (I think any
elimination of free parking would get great opposition, and perhaps a phase -in based on economic conditions would be more palatable and fair). Also, in
4. If pension fund investments have recovered to an acceptable extent by the rising stock market so that retirement can be promoted at an acceptable cost to the
near term state budget, an effort must be made to encourage greater levels of retirement which traditionally (and most easily implemented with the least
opposition) involves an early retirement "bonus" inducement (such as when Gov. Schaefer allowed employees to obtain 25 additional months of credit for a
limited period if they retire). Inducement for retirement is generally acceptable to employee groups, and potentially saves the state enormous amounts of money,
especially if coupled with a true hiring freeze of the position (for at least 6 months). Also, when new employees are eventualy hired, they are hired at base
5. Furloughs are most cost-effective with shutting down the state facilities, with the greatest savings achieved if done in conformance with times of peak energy
usage (the state should be negotiating with utilities a special reduced rate for shutting down offices during peak energy periods, and should consider closing
Baltimore
Baltimore
Anne Arundel
In making the above suggestions, I am a long time state employee who would be adversely impacted by the above suggestions, but believe all are palatable and
would help the state's fiscal crisis in this trying time, and I appreciate Governor O'Malley's sincere efforts to balance the budget . I have many other suggestions,
which I truly believe could help balance the state budget, but many would be controversial and I would not wish to disclose these except in a confidential setting.
A review of salaries in the State of Maryland's University and College System should be conducted. I think the results will reveal that these salaries are highly
A review of salaries in the State of Maryland's University and College System should be conducted. I think the results will reveal that these salaries are highly
Double the toll on the Bay Bridge, "it hasn't braised in a long time". Doubling the toll on commercial trucks is a tax on ALL of us marylanders.
Eliminate the discount for commuters and shoppers. This will ENCOURAGE CARPOOLING!
Anne Arundel
You intend to spend $3 billion Federal stimulous dollars on RT 50 that our children will have to repay. Make today's users pay for their for use of our highways.
You can use the above fees to put people to work building a world class transportation system. Sack 3/4 of the MTA administration for lack of imagination. They
The State Highway Administration just completed the bid for having settlement companies do closings of property for the Office of Real Estate. The Office of
Real Estate should continue to do its on settlements because of the additional expense of having an outside firm do it.
lay off 10% of goverment workers like the private sector had to do cut all pay raises for all management.
Cut tha cigarette tax by $15.00 to $5.00 a carton. So people will not have to go out of MD. to save money. Cut the sales tax back to 5%. Marylanders will support
Drop the ballistic fingerprinting system. Increase the price of handgun permits and make the state shall issue instead of may issue. I have seen the fiscal
analysis from the MSP and I would be willing to pay more for a permit to cover the cost and let the state make some profit. Lower the cigarette tax enticing
people to buy cigarettes in state instead of illegally out of state. Stop giving retirement packages to state legislators who don't serve 20 years in office. Stop
giving annual raises to legislators while other state employees suffer. They should not get a raise if other state employees don't get a raise. Increase traffic
violation fines again. Tell judges to stop adjusting a fine to a lower amount so that the court cost, other fees and fine are what it originally was anyway. If
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Eliminate all non-competitive
Montgomery
Eliminate funding for all benefits to illegal aliens (except those manadated by Federal Law).
2 suggestions: (1) Higher Education: require that professors at state universities obtain a greater portion of their salary from external sources and cut university
Baltimore
Baltimore
Anne Arundel
Cecil
Montgomery
Baltimore
Dorchester
(2) Alcohol - increase the amount of revenue collected through licenses and taxation by allowing bars, resturants and nightclubs the opportunity to get a 3am
liquor license (same closing time as DC). The extra revenue from the fees and taxes will reduce the amount of cuts that need to be made and the extra money
Cut out funding that supports illegal immigrants such as funding for CASA of Maryland. Also require Legal Presence for all taxpayer funded programs and
services in Maryland and mandate employer use of E-Verify for all Maryland State Contracts. Illegal immigrants are a drain on our Services and we would save a
I would like to know how many government owned vehicles currently being used as personal commute tool, what is the reason, and how the government can
reduce or eliminate them all together. I know at least one person is abusing state owned vehicle policy. I would like to see the elimination of this policy.
1. Employees in healthcare should have the choice of taking furlough days if they choose rather than a blanket no furlough days for healthcare providers. It gives
2. Sick leave should revert back to three days with a doctor's note rather than 5 days. Staff take mini vacations and drive up overtime costs. Ask the union to
Carroll
select your county
select your county
3. Leave bank without payback is no incentive to come to work and save your time, not when you can use the state's time free and get paid.
Consider a commuter tax on workers living in PA but working in MD. One of the reasons the Hampstead Bypass was needed was all of the commuters coming
from Hanover, PA and driving to the Baltimore area to work. Traffic on I-83 and Rte 97 from PA is also impacted by these commuters. I know of many people
who come from PA to MD for the jobs but none who commute from MD to PA. These people pay no state tax but use the infrastucture that the MD tax payers pay
for. Most of the revenue generated by them leaves the state (income tax, most sales tax, property tax). It doesn't have to be a huge tax - 1% on their gross
wages should help. I don't believe such a tax is required for the VA workers as I know of many who live in MD and work in VA and vice versa. I also suspect the
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Contact
have
and pay
MILLIONS
much money. They get paid millions of dollars to do something that they love. They may stand in right field and not touch to ball all game. Sixteen football
games per season, are you kidding me!!!! The average person works 32 to 40 hours per week at a job I doubt they actually LOVE, they work to pay the bills. Go
There are other ways of saving money - 1. I am very proud that the state helps out people that otherwise would not be able to survive - When purchasing furniture
and some housewares for developmental disabled individuals that are in need for housing, purchase these items from Goodwill or other thrift stores. They have
nice furniture and housewares for fractions of the cost. I shop there all the time, it's all I can afford. 2. Inmates that are on work-release, charge them more for
3. There are positions all over the state that need to be re-evaluted for work responsiblities and salaries.
There are just so many little things that could add up to alot.
The state employee is always taking the brunt of things.
Howard
City
Anne Arundel
I do not need a response. These are just my suggestions.
Every year at least 4 State agencies pay annual dues of thousands of dollars to CVSA a non goverment association and other states do as well. If this
association were to come under a government entity such as FMCSA it would save taxpayers throughout the country. In the mean time if we are to remain
Since a large portion of the State budget is devoted to lost productivity, absenteeism, stress, etc due to poor health, providing strong incentives for employee
wellness is critical to reducing the deficit. Possible incentives include administrative (an extra day off), employee-driven (whoever can run the steps the most in a
given week gets a spa treatment paid for by other employees), etc. Ultimately, policy changes at the State level could also support employee health
My suggestions that would serve to help the budget issue would be to use some common sense regarding some of the antiquated and arguably unconstitutional
1.) Discontinue the Fired Shell Casing program for regulated firearms in the state of Maryland. This program has been a multi-million dollar money pit that has
yet to help solve a single crime in the state. Why continue to dump money into a program that is fundamentally lacking in common sense and is not working. As
a side note to this, there are several firearms manufacturers who are no longer distributing guns to the state of Maryland because they don't want to deal with
providing a fired shell casing. By eliminating that needless requirement, those manufacturers will offer their products to the state which in turn will serve to boost
2.) Change the state regulations on Concealed Carry Weapons permits from "may issue" to "shall issue." By opening up this regulation and charging a standard
fee for first time applicants and a somewhat reduced fee for renewals, the state would open itself up to a resultant increase in revenue for the state in the
Baltimore
Those two things by themselves would go a long way toward fixing the state's current budget crisis, they would not be costly to implement, and it both puts new
You would make thousands of rowhouse homeowners happy if we had just 1 parking space assigned to each house. If handicapped parking is available, then
why not something for all the other un-handicapped owners. I would be willing to PAY yearly for this benefit--not an arm and a leg (then I WOULD be
handicapped!), but maybe $60. per year added to my tax bill. This would probably put a few million dollars back into the budget. Hire a few young people to mark
the spaces, or get the neighborhood associations to do it for nothing. I would do it for nothing in my neighborhood. As a grandmother, I would feel so much safer
The other side of this is my frustration over the lack of courtesy by just a few people who think that they may take up 2 parking spaces or park their employer's
vehicle, along with their own 1 or 2. (Yes, I know it's not legal to park a business van in a residential neighborhood, but it doesn't seem that anyone pays attention
If the newer townhouse neighborhoods legally have marked, assigned parking, why not make the older rowhouse neighborhoods happy, too. These homes were
built when people had only 1 (or no) car, and parking was not a major problem.
Ask anyone who lives in a rowhouse neighborhood about the parking. I'll bet they would agree to pay a small yearly fee to be guaranteed 1 space.
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
Wicomico
Calvert
Baltimore
Carroll
Baltimore
Frederick
Thanks for letting me give my 2 cents. I'll give $60 if you can get me a parking space!!!!
Higher Education seems to be extremely generous in rewarding its employees (1/4 of a million dollars for someone to deal with the legislature) as but one
example of many! They should be forced to trim some of their high wage earners and keep the class sizes manageable.
The Rocky Gap Resort in Western Maryland has been a money-losing operation from before Day One. This was built only to molify then Delegate Casper Taylor.
An Early Retirement Bill could be a way to downsize state government. Many state employees approaching retirement are at the top of their pay scale, while a
replacement could be paid at a lesser rate. Some positions vacated could be eliminated. For any positions that can not be eliminated, positions down the line
My wife works for the state and has mentioned to me that there are state employees who would like to work 4 days a week (32 hours) with a 1/5 salary reduction
but are not allowed to. If you make this available to them, who knows how much money could be saved and some state employees won't lose their jobs.
I believe the early retirement measure for state employees is a wonderful idea. I have 27 years with the State of Maryland and would certainly be interested as a
I have two suggestions- First the buildings that the State owns that are not being occupied, but are maintained by the State sell to private industry for
redelevopment. Second if State employees are to be furloughed do that and not a reduction in salary also, this reduces the revenues the State receives from
Thank You
State Government should operate on a four-day work week. See Utah's success story here:
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=four-day-workweek-energy-environment-economics-utah
Complete a cost analysis of reducing all 40 hour state employees to 35 hours per week. Do this over a six month period.
Offer early retirement to employees with at least 25 years of service.
Restructure benefit packets based on FTE's i.e.35 hour employees benefit packet based on .875 hours
Require social service agencies to scrutinize any and all TANF cases that have received benefits beyond the 60 month limit.
Regionalize some of the larger jurisdictions.
Kent
Review/renegotiate any and all leases
I have worked for the court system for xx years. In 1998 we started using the UCS computer system. The system is great but it is a great waste of paper. We
have many cases that have 20-30 pages of docket entries. Most cases have at least 5 pages. Everytime you make a docket entry in the system, you have to
print the docket entries. We have continually been told that there is no way to print the last few pages of the docket entries instead of printing the whole thing
The only change is on the most recent page. What I don't understand is how we can send men to the moon but no one seems to be able to figure out a way to
Baltimore
the state workers should not always bare the brunt of these cost cutting measures, they have suffered enough. let all the citizens of md share the hurt by raising
certain taxes by 1% such as sales,gas and tax on alcohol/tobacco. cut down on spending toward the bay and land purchase until its more fiscally feasable. cut
the money to the counties such as baltimore county which gave teachers raises and did not have to lay off county workers. raise the toll at the delaware line by
$1.00 , look to offer some buyout incentives to state employees who are at retirement age to then abolish thier pin #s. state employees are always hit too hard
City
Close all state offices except for emergency services on every Friday during the months of August and September of 2009 and make those Fridays furlough days.
Give 10% pay cuts to every state employee who makes over $80,000 and 5% pay cuts to every state employee who earns less than $80,000.
Do the right thing start the process to shrink state government. Stop trying to be all things to all people and give us back our freedom from the federal and state
I work for the State Highway Administration - Headquarters. Thank you for making this information available to us via the website. I certainly do not have the
knowledge to suggest a viable course of action for our state to take to help resolve this financial crisis. I'm grateful to be working for Maryland State Government. I
have family in other states who tell me about their state's layoffs, etc. Hopefully, Maryland State Government can avert more layoffs with some creative "Thinking
Outside of the Box"-type of decisions. Little to no income means less purchasing power for employees and citizens, plus an increasing slide for our state's
Montgomery
Baltimore
Any program available to help the unemployed and employable citizens in our state to get hired is welcome. A local radio station (WPOC) now offers its listeners
an opportunity to submit their resumes. WPOC will post them on their website, then read them on the air. Perhaps more radio stations/local media can start a
strong, and I mean a strong, campaign to do the same. The visa-versa is true. The media can also share the companies, organizations that may NEED
employees - what the company is looking for, etc. Push the local libraries and their resources. Start a computer loaner program for people who have old
Have you considered a support network/group for those who are out of work in our state? Solicit ideas from our citizens who have lost their job due to the
recession. Those who are unemployed and their families/friends may have suggestions that no one else thinks about. They can support one another, too. It's so
I can look out my window at work and see the lines at the Catholic Charities Daily Bread every single day. Some of those folks dress like I do. This is scary, and
we need to pull out all the stops to get our citizens up and working again.
Thank you for your time and attention to my thoughts. I'm grateful to have food on the table, and a job.
select your county
Kent
my suggestion involves changing maryland to a shall issue concealed weapons permit state. if you have not seen, florida and utah get significant revenue from
their non-resident program, as well as their resident.. New Hampshire just raised their non-resident ccw permit fee from 20 to 100.. there is money to be made
here are 12 suggestions that would make a huge dent in budget and not drastically impact services (except to those that are here legally)
1) Stop spending money (things like swamp land and helicopters should have waited until the budget is better).
2) Liquidate un-used state assests. Things like Swamp LAND should be auctioned back to the public !
3) Furlough days for employee's that make 6 figures (no days for those that make less).
4) Ban cell phone use in cars, enforce laws. (minimum $200 ticket).
5) Make English official state language so that government entities are not required to duplicate work in several languages (and pay for interpreters).
6) Lighten up on the slots bill and put more slots (more locations) without all the tedious paperwork. Legalize casino’s too.
7) Lower taxes on cigarettes since the raise in taxes seems to have generate less (not MORE) taxes.
8) Cut expenditures to non-public schools to zero
9) No government cars to be used for personal business including going home!
10) Only mow along highways at intersections for safety
11) Utilize home detention for non violent felons. We spend over $24,000 per year on each prisoner. Home detention costs the State only a fraction of that, and
frees up the system and correction officers to oversee the violent felons, which keeps our officers safer, and facilities can do with less of everything
12) Make everyone on welfare and food stamps reapply, and weed out the abusers. That would be more than half. I see people every day in line at the grocery
store with their food stamp card, and then go out in the parking lot and load their groceries in their Cadillac Escalade. The welfare and food stamp programs are
out of control and are the most abused programs. An overhaul would save the State millions if not hundreds of millions if only the needy received these benefits
13) Stop allowing illegal immigrants access to State funded services. School lunch and breakfast programs are for the poor US Citizens not for illegals. Keep the
I look forward to seeing you move on these topics and save all of Maryland from finical ruin.
Howard
City
Howard
Baltimore
To save money we can eliminate the front license plate. Eliminating the need for a front license plate will significantly reduce the state costs associated with
It is my suggestion that the State Assembly adopt an early retirment for employees of the State Retirement Pension System. This would include employees at
least 25 years of service. A bill such as this will save the State of Maryland money without compremises Education, Safety, Health Care.
Cut the higher paid positions of the Governor's staff and make it mandatory that the legislators reduce their salaries until the budget situation improves. After all,
they voted on the State's budget to begin with. Remember, serving in an elected position is an honor and the salary should not matter. My message would be "
I am completly for the idea of forceful retirement. There are a lot of older people who need to give up their spots out there. Young blood is cheaper. We need
new ideas that come with the young blood. The older folks are too stuck in their ways. Some of these older people work cause they have nothing better to do.
We the young can do their work x 3. We might not have the knowledge but we can learn. They are limited. Time for a future move. Not past.
Allegany
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
Allegany
Montgomery
Anne Arundel
City
Allegany
There are many ways in which the state could save money. Lets start with wellfare. These "bums" should be made to get off their lazy butts and do some work
that people are getting paid to do. They should have to take drug tests, and they should be regulated on where their money is spent. I do not appreciate
someone coming into Sheetz using their independence card to buy subs and then buy cigarettes with cash. HMMM! That seems a little absurd. I have many
family and friends that work at the prisons. There is a bunch of waste there. Why should the inmates get cable, and not have to pay? Why should they get
playstations? Why should they get medicine that half the time they spit out or they sell. Why should inmates get paid to work. Isn't it enough that we house
th
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th i bedidone
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ki
ffi
t t employees
i
t k DO NOTith
I'm a state
to betidonel single-sided.
Most
know that this was mandated by then Gov Schaefer last century. Since then, the practice has been all but forgotten, if it was even thought of seriously in the first
place. I've been trying to get this Department (MDE) to enforce this for many years, but those in power do not seem to understand this could be a money-saving
Also, do away with the music and messages for people on hold. It's a waste of money.
Thanks!
Raise the fee on the Bay Bridge to an even dollar amount ($3.00). You'll get additional revenue plus won't have to deal with handling so many coins .... little less
of a burden on the backs of state workers (and my back is starting to hurt)...
Make Inmates pay a copay for thier meds, everyone else has too and so should they, by doing this, this would eliminate those inmates that just get thier meds
and spit them out on the walk trying to waste taxpayers money, I know that this may seem rediculous that they would do this, but they do, my guess is 1 out of
every 5 eather does this or sells them to other inmates. I have years of experince in the DOC, so I see this first hand. I also think we should make people on
State agencies should go to four 10 hour days. I believe one full day of no lights and air conditioning etc. would make a big different in the long run. Thank you.
Thank you.
Stop funding CASA de Maryland and make sure that all taxpayre funded programs only go to citizens of the United States
Please allow me to stay in enrolled at Towson University. I work at Superfresh grocery store and I can afford to go to school because of my father's employment
benefits that waive my tuition costs. I can't afford to pay for books, fees, and living expenses with the pressure of tuition payments. I would recommend cutting
government offices that do outdated paperwork and bureacratic mularky. This will incentivize those workers to become more marketable while allowing younger
I believe a cost saving measure in these unprescedented economic times would be to keep all state owned vehicles at their posts. Not allowing any state
employee to take a vehicle home overnight this includes STATE TROOPERS would save in gas, wear and tear, mileage, vehicle replacement, etc. There are
countless troopers who use their trooper vehicles to commute long distances on a daily basis. Interstate 68 and 70 are loaded with troopers flying down the
highway toward the Rockville area on a daily basis from Allegany, Garrett and Washington counties at well over the posted speed limits. Keeping the vehicles at
the barracks would also keep troopers from cruising to the mall or supermarket with their families (car seats in the back), it seems doubtful they would respond to
Furlough days would be preferable to even more people losing their jobs. Furlough days should be given across the board to anyone and everyone who earns
money from the state. All state employees regardless of their position should take the furloughs. Compenstain to local governments should be cut equally so
that the local government employees have furlough days as well. It is unfair to pick and choose which departments are furloughed and which get to earn their
It should be mandatory for state retirees to receive their pharmacy coverage from Medicare part D when they become eligible. This is a federally funded plan that
would not cost the state anything and would save a huge amount that the state is paying for its retirees to receive pharmacy coverage.
Baltimore
Baltimore
Howard
The tuition at all colleges and universities must be looked at again as well. It is unpopular to discuss this but a small rise in tuition may assist the colleges and
universities in this dire economic time. The public schools budgets must be looked at as well. We have all made sacrafices and cuts. The school systems
My suggestion to help the State of Maryland Budget would be to increase sales tax, and tax on gasoline. This measure would be more helpful then cutting State
Employees pay. Salse tax increase would be better to have everyone contribute to help the Maryland budget. Thank you!
Early Retirement Bill
Hi - Here are my suggestions. Thanks for considering them.
1) Public Safety: Defund/repeal the firearm "shell casing" database. The program is expensive to lease and has not solved any crimes or reduced the violence in
2) Public Safety: Liberalize Concealed Carry permits for self defense purposes. I would gladly pay a few hundred dollars per term to allow myself to be licensed,
tested and trusted to legally conceal carry a firearm in our state to protect myself and my family.
3) Consider lowering sales tax to, for example 5.5%. Too much sales tax revenue (and excise on tobacco) is going out of state. Reducing some of the increase
might bring that revenue back from neighboring states (tobacco) or internet sales of tangible goods.
Carroll
Baltimore
Thank you for your time.
Shut down State Agencies offices throughout the week of Christmas to New Years Day and count those days as furloughs. This may increase employees' moral
to have time off during the holiday and allow the government to save money at the same time.
Go paperless where possible..save on paper and postage. Send waterbills via online to citizens willing to accept online as well as the semiannual - annual real
Eliminate the use of contract workers (always more expensive then they are worth) and fully utilize state government employees. (we all have capacity to do
Montgomery
Eliminate take home vehicles in all branches of the government. Let everyone use their own vehicles for off duty times.
Governor O'Malley,
The report below tells you that their is great progress being made in the stem cell arena with private funds. This progress will help people greatly and increase MD
business and tax base. You can cut MD funding of stem research as the research is likely being duplicated elsewhere.
____________________________________________________________
Osiris Achieves Milestone Payment for Progress Developing Stem Cell Therapy for Type 1 Diabetes
Review of Safety Data Leads to Expansion of Clinical Trial to Include Pediatric Patients
COLUMBIA, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul 28, 2009 - Osiris Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:OSIR) today announced that it has achieved a $750,000 milestone
payment from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) for progress made on a Phase II clinical trial evaluating Prochymal, an adult mesenchymal
stem cell (MSC) therapy, as a treatment for patients recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. The payment was triggered after one-half of the patients in the 60participant study were enrolled, a milestone in the funding agreement with the JDRF. The trial is also being expanded to include pediatric patients, opening
The change to the entry criteria will help ensure that the study includes the population most likely to benefit from a therapy designed to intervene in the early
stages of the disease. To support expanding the age range in the trial, early, blinded data from the ongoing type 1 diabetes trial was submitted to the Food and
Drug Administration (FDA) for review. Additionally, updated safety information on Prochymal from experience with pediatric patients in other indications, including
“We are proud to be working alongside the JDRF in this landmark trial to evaluate the role of mesenchymal stem cells in patients with type 1 diabetes,” said C.
Randal Mills, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Osiris Therapeutics. “Caring for kids with limited medical options is a very special part of life at Osiris
and we take that responsibility seriously. The progress we are making in this clinical program is remarkable and would not be possible without our patients,
In type 1 diabetes, the patient's own immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing islet cells in the pancreas, resulting in the loss of blood-sugar control.
Currently, there are no approved treatments for altering the rate of destruction of these critical islet cells, called beta cells. Preclinical studies first conducted by
researchers at Genzyme found that MSCs may have the ability to delay the progression of type 1 diabetes by preserving beta cell function. In clinical trials,
Prochymal has already shown promise for treating GvHD, a severe immune-mediated disease. Prochymal is currently in Phase III trials for acute and steroidHarford
Personally, I have an issue with the money that the state, specifically, the Baltimore County Department of Social Services, is spending on a particular family
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Anne Arundel
Change Md's handgun carry laws to SHALL ISSUE and see how much you make with all the permit applications? Take a look at how much Florida makes.
Licensed gun owners do not commit crimes. Did the shooter of a dozen people the other night have a license?
select your county
Baltimore
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
Consider voluntary furloughs of state employees. United Airlines, Dupont and state and local governments have had success with voluntary furlough programs.
Stop giving all of the people here illegally free housing, health care etc.
I have never understood why we have State Police, DNR Police , Toll Facilities Police etc. It seems to me their would be a savings in people, administration cost
and the use of office space if all "State Poilice Agencies" would come under and be combined with the State Police.
Stop giving all of the people here illegally free housing, health care etc.
Eliminate the Maryland Stadium Authority. I do not see additional large state funded sports complex in our future. At one time all of the state construction projects
were done thru DGS. Their is a duplication between DGS and the Stadium Authority.
Eliminate the Maryland Stadium Authority. I do not see additional large state funded sports complex in our future. At one time all of the state construction projects
were done thru DGS. Their is a duplication between DGS and the Stadium Authority.
Concealed carry permits could generate much-needed funds. While I realize that you are not a big supporter of gun rights, statistically, three things are true: (1)
most states are revising their CCW laws to reflect the public's support of CCW, (2) crime drops when CCW's are permitted, and most importantly, (3) CCW's
raise desperately needed funds. Take Florida, for example: they not only issue permits for their citizens, but issue permits for out-of-state citizens, as well. The
Cut the Inter-County Connector (ICC) from the budget. It costs billions of dollars, and would help the state get close to a balanced budget. This road is costly,
and will likely cost more than budgeted. If we are serious about balancing the budget, not to mention saving the bay, we need to cut harmful and useless projects
Dear Governor O'Malley,
Allegany
As one who was so looking forward to your election for the riddance of the Ehrlich regime, I am extremely distraught over some of the apparent thoughtless
budget cuts you are now proposing. While I recognize that cuts must be made, the Maryland bureaucracy must look more closely at the 'where' and the
One specific area that has been brought to my attention is the cuts in local services to children, specifically, local management boards. These areas have already
had their fair share of cuts, positions eliminated and have been devastated by the lack of funding to secure the needs of children and the services which these
It has also been brought to my attention that your office, i.e., the Governor's Office for Children, provides no services to any of Maryland's children. I understand
that you have not included this department in your next round of cuts but have restored much of the capacity previously included in budget cuts. Sorry Governor,
As you go through the areas of State, City and County where you need to cut funding please do not forget that children’s' needs are also served through state
allocations to counties and cities and to eliminate those would be an injustice to our future generations who depend on you now.
Co-pays for inmate prescriptions.
Baltimore
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
City
Anne Arundel
Make inmates purchase their state clothing. . . . That way it won't matter if they cut them up or destroy them. Take a modest monthly fee out of their state wages
until they are paid for. If they want new ones, add the fee back in until they are paid for too.
Lets impose fines and costs for inmate rule infractions, to be deducted from their state monies. If they insist on a hearing, impose "court costs."
Eliminate the video games and exercise equipment. Lights off at a reasonable hour.
select your county
Howard
Talbot
Montgomery
Bring back the chain gang and get some road maintenance and other public works projects done.
Governor O'Malley,
I think at least 2 furlough days should be mandatory--Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. In talking with co-workers last year, noone seemed to mind having off
those 2 days and I think it would be the same kind of reaction this year. I know I enjoyed having the time off with my school-ager.
I also have another suggestion. I know the budget cannot include steps,but could state employees get compensated with a change in how the annual leave is
calculated. For example, when you are with the state for 10 years, your annual leave is re-adjusted. A person's annual leave does not change again until you are
I appreciate you asking the public,especially state employees, for their suggestions.
Sincerely,
Cancel MACO. This is an unnecessary expense for taxpayers in an economy where everyone should be cutting back. This conference (vacation) for politicians
and their families in Ocean City should be paid by the politicians themselves if it is held this year.
I was very dissapointed to learn that the MD gifted and talented camps have been cut from your budget. The program is a good one that works. I went and both
of my children are going now. My son spent a week at horn point. He learned alot about saving the bay. This is the generation that will save the bay. The small
$500,000 you will see ten times the benifits with our children. I am sure that there are programs that waste that much in a week if not a day.
Hi,
You should do away with the fired shell casing legislation for new handgun purchases. It costs us money, and, from what I understand, doesn't really solve
crimes. Maybe it made sense at some point, but it's wasting money right now.
Moving to a shall-issue regime for firearm concealed carry permits could also raise some cash. I'd put down $25-$30 a year, definitely. Remember that criminals
don't care about permits - this would only help Marylanders who want to defend themselves, their families, and their businesses. I heard Florida made so much
I also believe that government workers' unions (eg, teachers, firefighters, police, etc.) need to be abolished, and that the state needs to radically redefine pension
benefits for these workers. The complete disregard that these unions have shown the general public with regards to pay negotiations should reveal about who
Allegany
City
Anne Arundel
Baltimore
Thanks for listening. I know some of these measures sound somewhat right-wing, but they're really just common sense... you don't see the Federal government
taking orders from unions, why should state and local governments do so?
Cut the amount of hot meals served at state correctional facilities. One cold meal a day would not hurt the inmates.
Also, charge a small copay for inmate medications. It's terrible that law abiding citizens can't afford their medications but criminals get theirs for free.
Cut down on the amount of paper used. How many reams of paper are used everyday across the state? Saving paper will save some money & some trees.
How about we eliminate all the useless programs that arent doing this state any good or solving any problems, ie:Fired Shell Casing Program, it hasn't helped
with anything and it just a drain and I also believe that if normal state workers are forced to take days off without pay, the higher elected officials should also have
Hello, Here are my two suggestions for cutting the budget:
1) Force Retirement - State Retirement is 30 years, you have employees with over 30 years of state service. Guess what, because they feel like they have done
their time, less work is being performed. Their just riding the system out.
2) Early Retirement - Call an early retirement for employees that have 15-25 years of state service. They would reduce your budget.
select your county
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
Washington
Frederick
Anne Arundel
Montgomery
Montgomery
These checks would only be cut once a month instead of twice of month. Furloughs and layoffs aren't enough, that's why you are still searching for ways to cut
your budget. Here's the way to go, Sir. Thank you for allowing me to get my suggestion out.
Increase the pension multiplier for the years prior to 1998. That would encourage people with 30+ years who are eligible to retire to actually retire. With the
current pension, most employees can't afford to retire until they reach Social Security age. While the State would lose some experienced employees if this
change was implemented, those with less than 30 years would still remain. This senario would result in a more gradual loss of most experienced employees and
Eliminate deputy positions at all departments and independent agencies. Delegate their duties to the next tier of management.
Drug test people on welfare. If they fail the drug test pull their welfare. I have to take a drug test for work so should they. Welfare spending will drop.
This is my second suggestion - perform an energy audit on all facilities used by the the State. My agency leases our office and the temperature is quite cool for
the summer. I drive by at night and see lights on in the building at times when it should be unoccupied. If we are paying the utility costs on this building, then all
Place an immediate moratorium on ALL (state-reimbursed) travel by staff of ALL branches of State government and members of commissions, task forces,
advisory boards. Exceptions must be justified based on high criticality and a cost-benefit analysis and submitted individually for evaluation by the Department of
I am willing, and would ask that the State offer the opportunity for state employees to voluntarily go to a reduced work shift (with associated pay reduction).
Naturally, management for each particular person would need to agree to the reduced hours. For instance, I would be willing for the next year or two, to go to a 4
day work week (32 hours), with my pay cut to 80%. It may not generate a lot of money, but it could in total save one position, as well as promote a "cost cutting"
Eliminate or delay any "energy saving" efforts that have a 5 year of longer payback. Put that money, and increase if possible, all energy saving wefforts with less
than a 5 year payback. For instance, lighting replacement efforts at the University of Maryland (College Park) are running a 3 year payback. These efforts should
Montgomery
Montgomery
Baltimore
Harford
Anne Arundel
select your county
Encourage a contest amoung State workers, to submit ideas, and "win" prizes for coming up with ideas that are implemented (with minimum savings thresholds
to qualify). State workers know best where savings can be obtained. Prizes could be free (or reduced) parking passes, free passes to athletic games, a quantity
of free meals, days off, etc. Require all Departments to come up with "prizes", and allow winners to select from the "pool" of prizes.
I would recommend that we seriously consider closing buildings for certain periods during the night. For instance, offices with night-time activities could be
consolidated into certain buildings, allowing the other buildings to have their lights and AC/Heat systems turned down from say 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Encourage
people to work from home, if they can't finish by 6:00 p.m. Keeping a building conditioned and lit for a few people is not necessarily the best use of those
1. Offer some type of retirement incentive to State employees with 30+ years of service. Benefits:lose staff who will be leaving within 2-5 years anyway; State gets
reduction in force and goodwill of employees; health care costs may decrease with older folks out of the ranks.
2. Offer incentive to employees who will go contractual. Benefits: employees may retire if they know they have part time work, save on health costs, save on
3. Furlough all State employees. Either shut down State offices for a spring or winter break or let employees select the days they want off.
Good luck to all of us!
Cut costs by going to a 4 day work week for employees, closing down state office buildings that additional day would amount to a real saving in energy costs,
ease transportation woes. Surely citizens can schedule getting drivers licenses and birth certificates on the days that they would be open.
Do not allow layoffs. Why: these are often carried out with political motives; they will create more unemployment and more families unable to get by; they will
Instead: spread budget cuts across all State agencies. Require each agency to make a given percentage of program, not job, cuts.
I am an employee at DHCD. An "all users" message was sent including a link to this website by the director of marketing. Employees were encouraged to provide
feedback to Governor O'Malley on ways that the state could reduce the budget. I image that this could open a few cans of worms. I will be retiring in less than a
year so I do not have a lot to gain, but for those that are hard working people at DHCD, I would like to shed light on an area that the state could reduce at least
I do not know how much money is wasted on the lease of the Baltimore Neighborhood Revitalization office. I do know that the main reason for it's existence is
the convenience of the people that work there. They live in the Baltimore area and do not want to travel to Crownsville. Originally, the purpose of the office was
to provide a convenient way for Baltimore citizens to visit. However, the office rarely gets visitors, it is under utilized, and most if not all of the people who work
there have offices in Crownsville. Many people were shocked that recently a new lease was established for this building Although it is heresay, I have heard that
The use of office space at DHCD is also very underutilized. With the exception of a few people in FFMS, EVERYONE at DHCD has their own private office. If the
building was redesigned to utilize modular cubicle pods or other efficent space saving methods, more than three times the number of employees could be
Lastly, there is so much energy wasted at DHCD because of the lack of temperature control. You sometimes need to use heaters in the middle of summer and
wear jackets. In the winter, sometimes it gets so hot, windows need to be opened.
It is ironic that we are getting so much money for the weatherization program, yet DGS can't find a way to regulate our own office building.
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
Baltimore
Baltimore
In 2005, Secretary Hoskins, moved the entire staff from Contract Administration to Crownsville and saved a great deal of money. Moving the workers from
Baltimore would be much easier since they all ready have offices. This is just a suggestion, but one that I think would save a few jobs of hard working DHCD
1. State meetings often involve reserving a room, food and travel costs for all who attend. Instead, use videoconferencing or sign in by computer to meet and
2. Professional development - great in good times, but a luxury in bad times. Cut it out.
3. Travel - confine it to fewer instances out of state and to fewer people on those rare occasions where a state presence is required.
4. Annual Ocean City county and state conference in August - cancel it. It's expensive in good times; wasteful in bad.
5. Reconsider closing Sliding Hill rest stop; there is no place for travelers to stop miles for miles; traveling at night and on Sundays finds local and national chains
closed. When our daughter lived in West Virginia, we often had people in the car counting the miles to that stop. Please leave it open.
I think if you look at the spending habits in different departments in state offices, the ones that spent a large portion of the money in the budget at the last minute
was money left over and was spent so they wouldn't loose that money in the next budget. Maybe that's where the first cuts should be. There is also an abundance
NADA (official used car guide) books that are printed and not used every year. Maybe each department can go through their departments and and cut down on
If furloughs are going to be an option, why not use the holidays. From Sept-Dec, you could use 5 - Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day
and Christmas Day. Why cut into work productivity when employees are already doing more with less? This way the State is already shut down and 1 day a
I encourage you in your efforts to reduce the bloated government. The state is way over socialized as it is. I don't notice the reduction in staff and applaud you.
Keep up the good work.
Carroll
I am a State employee. I have a couple suggestions. First, when money allows, revamp and do desk audits and elminate wasteful areas. There are many
wasteful areas. Second, close down between Christmas and New Year's so that the State won't only be saving the cost of employee's pay but they will also be
saving the costs involved in opening State office buildings those days (heat and electricity ... 60,000 computers would not be turned on those days).
Most State offices see very little of the public between Christmas and New Year's. The phones hardly ring and business slows down to almost a stop.
You could spread the days off across the balance of the fiscal year like you did last year.
If you find a need to lay-off, please weed out the dead wood. You would be surprised just how much dead wood truly exists.
Thank you
Baltimore
P.S. Reversing the agency fees would be a good idea. Not a good time to force that on your employees either. You have to do what you have to do and no
union is going to be able to tell you what you should and should not do. So, why must we pay them for a service that is not needed at this time.
ALL full time State Employees, elected, appointed, anybody employed by the State of Maryland with a salary over $60,000.00 a year should be furloughed one
(1) day a month for a fiscal year. Any employee making $45,000.00 to $59,000.00 per year should be furloughed one (1) day per quarter during a fiscal year;
Our leaders should show the citizens they are willing to make this sacrifice.
Health Care - co-pays should be increased by $5.00. Eamples - $20.00 for physician's visit would increase to $25.00, specialist from $25.00 to $30.00, ER from
Right now with my prescription plan, I stop paying co-pay when I reach $700.00. This should be increased to $1,000.00.
In most instances with your health care plan, the State Employee is still saving over 50%. How can an Employee or union complain about saving over 50%
especially if the top earners are going to show leadership by being furloughed one (1) day a month for a year.
I do not like to gamble but people are going out of State to gamble either on slots or horse racing.
We have lost 10 years of revenue by not having the slots up and running and larger purse races.
Pimlico Racetrack should have been built up like Charlestown, West Virginia, with shuttle buses running from the race track to downtown to Little Italy and other
attractions throughout Baltimore City. Building up Baltimore City with the inner Harbor convention center, theaters, etc., would generate income for the entire
I am retiring August 31, 2009, so my income is going to be cut in half. But, I agree with you, you will lose too many good workers if you offer a retirement
Baltimore
There are other dead wood, basically contract and temporary employees, that would take a desk audit to prove their need.
Please reconsider the severe budget cuts on the Local Management Board in Baltimore County. Such severe budget cuts would cripple a truly hands-on and
effective program that aids children and families at a local level. In these economic times, it is more important now than ever to preserve local programs.
Smaller programs such as the Local Management Board already have a small budgets. The Local Management Board (LMB) has already taken enormous strides
to optimize efficiency and create the most value for each tax dollar that funds it.
Larger programs with similar goals, such as the Office for Children, could certainly learn from the example set forth by the LMB. It would be much more effective
to cut larger programs. Such an action would force these large programs to cut through the bureaucratic processes in order to serve the public more effectively,
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Montgomery
Howard
Howard
Anne Arundel
Sincerely
May I suggest converting the issue of Concealed Carry Weapons permit. I would gladly pay $100 for a permit like I have done in numerous states outside of my
own. The current program is only geared for people that carry large amounts of cash and the few lucky doctors.
Fingerprints, photo id and a clean criminal record should suffice. Even some training would be a nice addition. With the increase in violent crime (up almost 8%
from 2008 in Montgomery County alone) this will be a perfect deterrent from criminals when they know that there's a chance that there might a citizen armed
Also, the spent casing program seems like a waste of money since it has no funds. I would say abolish it. No point in spending money on something that is
Also I forgot, make state employees submit receipts when asking for reimbursement for meals allowed. Currently they do not have to submit receipts and most I
Redo policy on take home vehicles like they did in Howard County this would save 100's of thousands of dollars. I know for a fact that its abused in the state.
Open Source IT solutions!
The DOD, NSA, and various other Federal agencies are working with and producing "open source" IT solutions to save money in these tight economic times.
I searched online but could find no Maryland State "Open Source" IT initiatives. The only reference I did find was dated 2007 in which "open source" was
An initiative from your office to integrate open source IT solutions through out our State Government from primary education to the state college system and
through all state agencies would have a significant impact on the state budget.
Additional saving may be had by requiring counties and local jurisdictions to push their IT departments to earnestly consider "Open Source" solutions to squeeze
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
Baltimore
City
I hope I am not the only one with this particular suggestion; it is so obvious. A little research will prove that third world governments have turned to open source to
save money and provide IT solutions. Even cities and municipalities in industrialize countries have turned to open source to save money. When will Maryland
Stop requiring front license plates on cars. I realize due to economies of scale you can't simply say it will cut those costs in half but it is an easy place to start.
Eliminate ineffective fired casing requirement for new handgun sales ($3,000,000.00 savings).
This "feel good" program was fantasy from the very beginning and has had no influence on crime, nor has it produced ANY viable evidence that resulted in
1) Raise temperature in State office buildings to at least 75 degrees.
2) Consolidate software licenses for State if possible.
3) Reduce the publication of reports that can be distributed online.
Dear Governor,
I heard that the Board of Public Works announced additional cut of $3 million to the FY2010 Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund. I think this cut will greatly impair
stem cell research in Maryland and our state's reputation in this area, especially when "World Stem Cell Research Summit" will be taken place in Baltimore soon.
I know government budget is in tough situation in the national recession, but stem cell research is for our future and our hope. We should put it in the same place
Thanks in advance for your consideration!
Sincerely
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
City
The state did not get into this situation overnight and you can't expect the people of the state to suffer anymore cut backs. How can you try to eradicate a budget
that has been out of control for years now, in just one year. We are suffering. Salary freezes, no bonuses, increase in gas, increase in electric, increase in food,
can't pay our mortage. No end in sight. The first set of furloughs was understood. We all had to do our part. We've done it. You have bailed out the big business,
now it's time to bail out the people of this state. We can't take any more cuts. No more furloughs. Enough. You have even mandated furloughs on companies that
Baltimore
Start at the top of the UM system and eliminate positions from the top down, the system is top heavy with VPs and there are too many positions in top and middle
Put a hold on all capital building project since adding new facilities only increases the cost of maintaining, heating and cooling them.
Do not tamper with retirees benefits since we worked for peanuts over the years counting on a decent retirement.
Use furlough days instead of layoffs. Management should be required to take more days off.
Increase higher ed tuition,The UM system probably wastes more than 40 million a year. Assign a task force to indentify areas where savings can be found and
eliminate any program that does not provide a cost benefit to the state.
Cut legislators perks when they are session.
I am sure there are many more ways to cut spending and still have a viable government.
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
Howard
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
City
Howard
select your county
Baltimore
Thank you for allowing me too offer a few suggestions on easy the budget shortfall.
Every week the Annapolis paper has the Names of 30+ people convicred of DUI. Make Fine $5000 first offense and $10,000 and seizure of car for second
Tax Liquior. $1.00 per six pack and Bottle of wine. .50 cents per drink at Bars. This will raise millions and Help cover some of the costs associated with drinking.
Plus Make it a condition of State Employment. If you have or get a DUI you cannot work for State.
Crack down on people living in the State without registering cars in MD and getting Maryland license. I see way to many cars during commuting hours coming
from apartments that have out of stae registration.( they have no military sticker).
No more funding for CASA of Maryland and illegal aliens.
Demand legal presence for all taxpayer funded programs and services in Maryland.
Mandate employer use of E-Verify for all Maryland state contracts.
1. Cut electric use Dramatically. Kent Narrows Bridge lights, Vienna bridge lights. These are lit like Christmas trees. The bay bridge is dark. Turn our Many
1. Allow active duty military to register cars they own in maryland, without changing title or paying excise fee. Getting a share of the thousands of military cars
2 Allow Military to retire in Maryland without all the additional excise taxes on vehicles. This causes military to leave State. We need these law Abiding tax payers
1. either do away with car front license plate( which cuts manufacturing cost by 50%) or allow the rich people who drive fancy cars the option to pay for a"rear only
2. Change license plate to 8 digits thereby allowing people to pay more for more varity for vanity plates
How about taking a very hard look at all the take home vehicles of State Employees. I see lots of yellow SHA and DOT trucks in front of peoples homes.
Thanks
Raise the taxes substantially on alchohol. Raise the taxes on Other Tobacco Products, i.e. cigars, etc. These taxes have not been increased anywhere near
what the taxation on cigarettes have been raised to. Yes, people will complain, especially Bruce Bereano, but its time to pay their fair share. We all know that
But we have done so always with an eye toward the protecting the core priorities ---- Take out the extra the.
Dear Governor O'Malley :_
As you look to which department's budget can be further cut, is there a way to look for a positive stimulus ?
Have you given thought to having a state raffle to raise the additional 280 million dollars ?
Like a 50/50, state based citizens, businesses, church and professional organizations could buy 23,000,000 tickets at $20. each.
Keeping it in the State, could add lots enthusiasm. Businesses and groups will hopefully think of good uses for the money, projects could be funded. Money
people could feel good : they bought into a cost saving measure - not just a chance at some cool millions.
Allegany
Washington
City
Baltimore
select your county
Montgomery
God Bless Us All
and Keep You In His Hands,
I do not feel you should balance the budget on the backs of state employees. I am not one, but many friends are, and they are almost always the first to get
Why not cut some of the high cost new IT projects, such as that almost $ 90 million Comptrollers office project. I realize not all $ 90 million is in this fiscal
DONT TAKE AWAY HELP FOR THE OLDER PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN THERE HOMES,THEY NEED HELP TO DONT GIVE JUST TO THE YOUNGER
Dear Governor O'Malley,sometimes looking at the large numbers in the deficit, there is the tendency to look at the big number areas only (sometimes rightfully
so), while the seemingly less expensive areas are overlooked, which are many, and so we begin to chop away at the larger expenses, albeit sometimes for
expendience sake, where these areas might really be those that need the monies because they have a greater impact on the "good" of all. Try outsourcing some
of those tasks that can be handled with minimal supervision, like state notices for bills, telephone calls that are answered by the secretaries (who end up turning
on the voice mail anyway) can be routed to a private company to handle and let them contact the state offices with the phone calls, mailings, etc. When you look
May the Lord bless you and your family!
Cut the reimbursment License Renewal for Direct Care Workers working in State Agencys. They should have to pay for their own renewals for certifications.
2. Close all of the Employee Housing that is on State Property. The state pays for all of their utilities and water. Let them get into the real world and pay what
3. Get rid of State Employees Leave Bank. It is Abused. Employees use all of their own leave during the year and then when they need sick leave they get it
4. Let State Agencys go to 10.0 hour work days.
5.Cut all Contractual Workers before you Furlough State Employees AGAIN!!!
Let your Nurses get Furlough Days this Time leave the Support Staff alone. The Nurses take off for a month at a time when they want to go out of the country and
do not have the leave to get paid they do not mind taking Leave wihtout pay then.
5. Pre-employment expenses should be paid by the employees that are applying for the jobs. Criminal background checks and Education Verfications should be
paid by the employee not the State.If they want the job they will pay for background checks.
Cut or eliminate spending for Project Open Space.
Eliminate spending for Community Legacy Grants.
The state should use its economic leverage towards the counties in order to save hundreds of millions of dollars. My suggestion would not only ease the budget
problem but also provide for the weak and vulnerable in our society. Here's how:
Require that all police forces join the 287(g) program. In this manner, the counties and the state of MD could save hundreds of millions of dollars and easily
resolve the budget problem. Look at one example: Montgomery county has a ESOL program with 15,000 students. According to MC statistics, the average MC
student costs $8,000 per year. This means that the ESOL program costs $120,000,000 per year. How many other counties have a similar burden?
The state could withhold funding for those counties that do not comply with 287(g) participation.
Overall, MD could save billions of dollars and support many of Obama's goals.
Regards,
Washington
End the ballistic fingerprinting program which costs millions and solves no crimes.
select your county
Begin issuing CCW permits to Marylanders over 21 years of age with clean criminal backgrounds. $100/year x thousands of permits. Do the math.
Govt. needs to take its cue from the business world that realized 20 years ago the answer wasn't "cutting costs" but "re-engineering processes for greater
I am a state employee. My paychecks are deposited by direct deposit but I still receive my paystub via snail mail every 2 weeks. That's 26 pieces of paper I have
On the other hand, my
son works part-time at a national xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx chain. Direct deposit is mandatory for all employees and my son does
not get a paper paystub. Instead he (and every other employee) access their paystub information by going to the company's website and entering their user IDs
and PIN numbers. If a new employee does not have a bank account, the company provides them with a list of local banks who have agreed to set up no fee/no
minimum balance checking or savings accounts if they direct deposit. My son is also able to download his W-2 directly from the website every January. And this
So why not have the State eliminate the expense of mailing paystubs and instead make the information available securely on-line at the DBM website? The
(44 cents postage & 6 cents for the paper and envelope)multiplied by 26 payperiods equals $13 saved per state employee. Multiply $13 times 70,000 state
employees equals savings of $910,000 per year. You would probably still have to factor in certain people opting out (make it opt out--not opt in) but factoring in a
20% opt-out will still leave an annual savings just in postage and paper of $728,000. Further savings could be leveraged by making state employees'W-2s
Anne Arundel
Carroll
Wicomico
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
select your county
Baltimore
Allegany
Montgomery
Montgomery
Baltimore
And think how many trees could be saved by eliminating 1,820,000 paystubs every year.
Eliminate the Stadium Authority and divert the money from lottery sales to better use, ie schools, highway repair and health care. Several months back the
Comptroller was trying to get DC soccer to come to Maryland stating we have plenty of money to build stadiums. Is that really what we need in these finical times.
why not have bicycles and scooters have a license and tags since.they don't have to have lights directional markers there slowness impedes traffic and causes a
hazard atleast have them pay their fair share for the priviledge of sharing the roads
Cut your pay and get on the useless health plan you all want to force the public to use. Try starting to represent the people as you are elected to do instead of
1. The ICC as currently designed. just halt project and build purple line instead - much better long term investment
2. reduce mail to 5 days a week or 4. ask counties to reduce trash pickup to one day per week.
3. attempt to create a more flat governing structure - less middle management
Here are my suggestions for our State. Cutting is never more than a temporary measure. My family can only cut so far, and it usually causes a feeling a failure.
The better, healthier, and yes easier ideas revolve around making more money, and that is my long term idea for the state. I believe the following tackles multiple
The slots mess just keeps getting worse. I voted for them but hate the idea of minorities and the elderly paying for our problems, and that is who uses slots.
Plus, we are too late. The law of diminishing returns is evident with the amount of slots in other states now. I say we scrape existing slot plans and instead build a
mega resort with the largest indoor water park in the country at the current site of Laurel Park. Maryland only needs one track and with current proposals in Penn
and Del, we can’t match them anyway. Pimlico’s meet should be expanded and will generate fuller fields from its close proximity to Del and Penn (My family is
involved in racing). Laurel would be a state owned gaming center which could employ thousands for construction, and thousands in service sector jobs upon
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I am a State Employee...I have a large amount of college loan debt and as a social worker, the compensation is not equal to the amount I have to pay for my
education. Furloughs while preventing layoffs are still an emotional and financial burden putting hardship on my husband and I. We were furloughed last fiscal
year, but the County still received their 2% COLA and were NOT furloughed. It is hard to see that my coworkers who sit in cubicles next to me are getting
increases in salary as I am watching mine decrease. Why not make them furlough, have the County pay back some of their funds to the State, they should be
helping their coworkers, we work in the same agencies and do the same jobs, but the State Employees are the ones making the sacrifices, that does not seem
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Dear Governor O'Malley:
Legal presence for all government contracts would go a long way to ensure that Marylanders conserve their precious resources.
When teachers, firefighters, and libraries are in danger--our resources should not be spent in areas which are not in the best interests of the state.
In addition, such road projects as the ICC should be defunded.
Thank you for your opportunity to make a suggestion.
Why do we continue the funding for CASA, and all other similar entitlement programs for illegal aliens, yet we still have veterans that are unemployed, homeless,
and uninsured?? What a disgrace. We should demand legal presence for all taxpayer funded programs, and services anywhere in the state of Maryland
Close all state office buildings at 6:00 and power them down; replace light bulbs in Gen Assembly offices and hallways with CFLs; enact no "decorative" lighting
in state buildings; stop mowing hwy medians except where safety is a consideration; cut advertising budget for Lottery; give option to state employees for 4 day
10-hr week; require teleworking at least 1 day a week by all employees that qualify; Have Bay Trust stop giving grants to DC so funds can be used for MD
restoration projects; no food/refreshments to be bought and served at meetings; require all state employees to turn off computers and printer every day; have
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
Talbot
Carroll
There is a Skate park on Dorsey Road which the signs state that the park closes at 11pm, but the lights for the basketball, tennis and skate park stay on 24/7
As a University of Maryland employee there are certain days during the Holidays such as Christmas eve, where the building I work in is open. During the past 2
years of holidays that I have worked we have had no students or staff what so ever come into the building or call for assistance during those days, but we stll
Contrary to the statement above leading into this web site our governor inherited a healthy budget surplus from the previous administration and then proceeded to
pass a series of high spending items along with a tax increase. Why is he so surprised that we are in trouble?, reckless spending with no thought to the future
does that. My suggestion would be to revisit that earlier legislation and revoke those spending items passed by his rubber stamp legislature at a so called self
defining emergency special session. With the exception of the City of Baltimore which He controlled for many years, the rest of Maryland was in pretty good
shape when he became Governor. He could also save by reducing the amount of reckless support Maryland provides to illegal aliens and others who are here
Small wonder why the Maryland and most of the nation finds themselves in such a hole providing food, shelter and health care at taxpayer expense, funds that
should go toward the welfare of those who PAY the taxes. Keep on the same give away programs and nothing will improve. Make some smart moves and tough
Our politicians ought to stop campaigning for the next election and catering to the do nothings of our society and start doing the job they were elected for, do
Good luck
Just a thought:
To help alleviate Maryland’s cost for incarcerated young adults 18 to 22 years of age.
Harford
Baltimore
Anne Arundel
City
Howard
City
City
Howard
Washington
Washington
Anne Arundel
Baltimore
City
Any youth (male or female) that is a repeat offender of non-violent crimes will be required to serve a minimum of 2 years in the Armed Forces. This will save the
state money and also provide our troubled youths with a more positive means of rehabilitation and guidance.
CUT THE EXECUTIVE, LEGISLATIVE AND JUDICIARY STAFF AND SALARY BY %25 TO %50 PERCENT. CUT IT AT THE TOP, WHERE IT COUNTS, NOT
THE BOTTOM WHERE THOSE OF US WHO DO ACTUALLY WORK FOR THE STATE ARE. THE GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA CUT HIS SALARY IN HALF AND
Offer an early out for state employees who are close to retirement. Take a survey of eligible employees to see how many would take advantage of the offer.
Suspend or eliminate the State Wage Scale on construction projects. An alternate would be to allow contractors the right to bid with or with out the wage scale.
We can't afford more furloughs! Please find a way to cut back without more furloughs. What about vacation days? or sick days? Cut back on compensation
using that. Or offer unemployment benefits to furloughed employees since that money is federal anyway. State is losing good workers because of this mess.
It would send a great message as well as saving a few dollars if the Governor, Lt. Governor and all elected state officials, including the Comptroller, Attorney
General, and the entire General Assembly would refuse their salaries. In lieu of that, they should be subject to the same salary reductions and furloughs as the
I understand the difficult situation facing the state of Maryland but I don't believe that budget cuts to necessary programs (including Medicaid expansion and stem
cell research funding) are the answer. With less money available for Medicaid expansion, we are putting more individuals at risk as they will to continue to go
untreated for health problems. A minor health issue left untreated may turn into a chronic, expensive condition that the government ends up paying for later on (at
a greater cost). In terms of stem cell research, my decreasing funding, we're decreasing job opportunities for researchers in Maryland. By pushing potential
Dear Govennor, The plan i would like to share with you can save the State of Maryland 50 to 60 million. The plan to release 2500 inmates from the prisons in
Maryland. This will be a Fostor Care program useing the Faith community. One Man or women to one church . Each church can help and support a inmate after
release for a year. The program will start 3 to 6 month before release. Each person will have a coach to work with them on a map plan the the inmate has before
release. I would like to send a full detail of this plan to you. Please let me share a little about myslf
If we put together a Taskfoce this can happen
I believe it is about time to raise the tuition at Maryland colleges and universities. It has now been many years since an increase was enacted, and quite frankly,
this has translated into taking the increase out of the hide of State employees by furloughs, no cost of living increase, no travel and now, no contribution to
Instead of asking state employees to take furlough days why not just cut personal leave days in half. This would not be a financial burden on employees but
would have they same effect in saving money. Also some positions can't be fuloughed due to the position needing to be manned at all times. It causes a big
animosity between employees when some are furloughed and some are not. Also vacation days could be temp. reduced as well. With all prices of living going up
We need to get rid of the policy of buying items from small businesses. Why not allow state agencies to shop around for the best price. Why pay $50 for an item
when it can be bought for $30. I see alot of wasted money everyday because of the law saying you need to buy from small businesses only.
As a State employee, I would rather take furlough days, whatever is needed, than get laid off.
Why are all the suggestions you received not on this site?
Are they SECRET? Are they helpful? Are you afraid to post them?
Re-cycle printer, copier, and fax machine ink and toner cartridges for reimbursement. Credit reimbursement either to the State agency unit re-cycling the items, or
place recovered reimbursement into a pool to fund non-profit safety net organizations impacted by recent budget cuts.
Baltimore
Create a mandatory recycling program for metal, glass, paper, cardboard, and plastic in all State government buildings. Even if it didn't reduce waste removal
fees, it would improve the environment - one of the Governor's priorities.
My Opinion:
-I don't want to see any layoffs for those who are State Workers. If needed, maybe continue furlough days. Even if it means being furloughed one day a pay
period if needed. Getting paid 9 days instead of 10 is better than not getting a paid at all.
-Cut the lottery advertising budget. People who play the lottery will always play the lottery. The large games are announced on the news anyway when they
-Reduce stem cell research. Although research may be helpful, we need to do what we can to fix this crisis.
-I don't think that anything should be taken away from Medicare/Medicaid. Those who are elderly now are the ones who took care of us when we were young.
-Renegotiating office space leases should be a good cost savings.
-Rebid state energy contracts if it would help and also help those who can't or can barely pay their energy bills.
-Contracts could probably be reduced if it doesn't mean state workers will lose their jobs. But unnecessary spending on banquets, parties, meetings that take
place off of state property or facilities (such as townhall type meetings, holiday parties, etc). If employees want a party let them get together and pool a couple of
-I am not familiar with special or general fund, state police print shop (seems like it could close) and encumbranches.
I hope that you take the views of the citizens into consideration.
select your county
Thanks for your time.
1. Raise the tax on alcohol comparable to other sin taxes such as cigarettes. Use that money to doll out to the police departments, fire departments, hospitals,
schools and social programs affected by the overwhelming abuse of alcohol that occurs in this state and costs state tax payers hundred of millions per year. Use
the freed up money from the above programs to balance out the budget. (By the way...the state shouldn't be promoting drinking and driving on its website by
2. Dissolve the Maryland Attorney Grievance Commission. This do-nothing "unless you got it on video tape" commission is a total and utter waste of money.
You've got foxes guarding the hen-house...what a brainstorm that was! Turn the job over the the local sates attorney office.
Carroll
Howard
City
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
3. Refuse to allow any employment within the state of newly issued federal work visas to foreigners. Renewals should not be allowed either. Put
I believe that it is very important to keep state psychiatric hospitals, such as Springfield Hospital Center, open. Additional cuts to the budget to such services
would be detrimental to the severely mentally ill citizens of Maryland as well as cause a major threat to the public safety. Please ensure that Maryland maintains
I would suggest that all public schools in Maryland charge an annual "user fee" for each student.
Centralize duplicative operations like fiscal offices. Instead of having these offices in different administrations, put them all in one fiscal unit. Then take the
excess staff and move them to other agencies where they may be needed. Another place to cut is deputy positions all the way down and assistent secretaries.
I think the State could save a lot of money by pro-rating health insurance subsidies to part-time State employees.
Maryland offers the same health benefits to State employees that work 20 hours a week or more. If the State were to pro-rate contributions for part-time
Turn off the lights in state building after office hours. Use motion detecting light switches for public spaces such as hallways, bathrooms and conference rooms.
Turn up the air conditioning temperature to 76 deg in office buildings. Cut garbage pickup to one day a week.
Rather than layoffs, if state employees have to take another "hit" do not furlough, layoff, or take vacant PINs, look at a % across the board cut for ALL state
employees. That way all state employees and agencies are affected not just a select group(s).
Another suggestion would be to take the 6 personal leave days from state employees for Calendar year 2010. These are "freebies" anyway, and 99% of all state
If Furloughs must be taken, it should affect all state employees to include those uniformed employees, MSP, DPSCS, Transportation Police, etc. A schedule can
be worked out by each agency to minimize the impact on public safety.
Another way to look at the task ahead to look at all state agencies and determine what "has to be done" and prioritize the impact on the agencies based on their
importance in just getting the "life, health and safety" aspects of government accomplished.
One other suggestion is to look at state commodity contracts. There are many situations where state agencies are paying 5 -10 times as much for an item vs
going out and purchasing it at the cheapest vendor. One contract that comes to mind is the state contract with "Grainger".
Another is the practice of state agencies to not approve the purchase of equipment either new or replacement, but renting that same item for long periods of time
is "ok" So if I need to replace an air conditioner for $400-500 I may not get approval, but I can go out and rent a portable air conditioner for $90 a day for entire
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
How about cutting the Inter-County Connector? We have been BEGGING you to do this ever since you got elected! PLEASE CUT IT and save the environment
Lower taxes on gas. Reason: Southern Maryland, Anne Arundel County and some areas North have a huge commuter population to D.C. and Northern Virginia.
By lowering the gas tax people would be more inclined to purchase gas while they are in Maryland instead of waiting until they are in Northern Virginia where gas
is typically lower. Revenues from gas as well as food products etc would rise. Articles regarding the lowered tax could fed into metro newspapers which many
commuters read and the word would spread quickly. Previously, as a resident of Virginia, I would coast home on fumes rather than purchase gas in Maryland
Montgomery
Calvert
Want to cut spending and be a hero to the taxpayers?
#1 - Eliminate funding for CASA of Maryland and illegal aliens!
#2 - Demand "Legal Presence" for all taxpayer-funded programs and services in Maryland.
#3 - Mandate employer use of E-Verify for all Maryland state contracts.
Cut the funding for the ICC.
Eliminate funding for CASA of Maryland and illegal aliens. Demand "Legal Presence" for all taxpayer funded programs and services in Maryland. Mandate
1. Cut off all welfare, educate these people and get them jobs, even if it is McDonalds.
2. Get rid of dead wood.
3. Furlough once a month,same day for everyone, Friday or Monday.
4. Cut budgets out that just give away money, not the right time to be providing donations to anyone!
I used to work for the state at the DNR for xxxxxxx years, until retiring last
. While there, I was constantly apalled at how they were so proficient at
working the system. The workers there, the supervisors, and higher ups, are trained well in getting around the rules.. in that they continue to send workers on out
of state and in state travel, and more than one employee too, sending two, three or more, to other states, as far as California, Alaska and then the employees
would take leave after the conference and stay and come back when they chose to. Even when the word would come down that there would be NO out of state
travel, no reclasses, no hiring, it would always be that they, the DNR professionals would get it approved. They also have little ways to hire contractuals, people
1) Stop buying TDR's. We require the developers to purchase enough of these, the State and local governments don'tf need to bid the prices up. This is also part
Harford
of the reason why housing got so ridiculously expensive over the previous years.
2)Stop allowing State Roads to re-pave roads that don't need it, just to use up their budget allotment so they can get more money next year. Spend the money on
important projects, but stop the repeated, extra 4-8" of asphalt on side roads which are fine! They don't all need to be super highways.
3) Build schools, but stop making them "showplaces". To get a good education, do the children really need 3 story atriums?
4) Consider paying/sharing the cost for the transportation
to sent children to private school. If more parents want to send their kids to private schools(and pay for the costs themselves)why not help with the transportation,
maybe more will be able to send their kids to private schools and the taxpayer won't have to pay for their education.
Reduce the sentencing guidelines for inmates and it will reduce overcrowding and gain additional revenue over a short amount of time.
Anne Arundel
Charles
Baltimore
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
Harford
City
Howard
Lead way to assuring all jobs are for maryland citizens. Unauthorized aliens are not maryland citizens. They are tresspassers. Maryland Constitution does not
authorize the state to spend taxpayer money on non residents. In order to be a resident of maryland you must be a us citizen.Only a fool would argue otherwise.
Mandate e verify for employers. Casa of Maryland racialy profiles hispanics only work centers that are full of illegals. No funding for non profits that are racial
profilers such as Casa. Once illegals no longer steal citizen jobs set up programs for non violents that are incarcerated to work. Make sure work centers have
method to help citizens only. Set up list of state approved city youth for jobs that illegals will no longer have then network with surrounding counties. Las tbut not
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Please consider giving juvenile detention and juvenile probation to the county governments. This could result in each county taking responsibility for its delinquent
youth and take it out of the State's hands. When the County's Police Chief and Director of Juvenile Detention/Probation reports to the same County Executive,
they'll be more inclined to be invested in solving juvenile crime together. Its hard for the State to create partnerships with every police department because when
a high profile case occurs, they point at each other. This way, they will both be called into the same office as the same time by the person who hired them. They
Dear Governor O’Malley:
If the Federal Government hasn’t cut back the U.S. Foreign Aid Program suggest the following as a way to acquire additional funds for the State of Maryland (and
Kindly suggest you (as lead) along with other Governors ask President Obama to consider a temporary budget cut in the U.S. Foreign Aid Program and send
recouped funds to where most needed within our States. Each day City, County and State officials cut their budgets while our Nation distributes billions of dollars
We’re fighting two wars, food stamps are at a record high, unemployment is shy high, home foreclosures are rising, infrastructure needs repair, banks and auto
industry are faltering, jobs continue to go overseas, pension funds lost forever, more and more go without health care, charitable donations are down, people
are/were living in tent cities, and California and other states are about to go bankrupt. Yet we continue to give away huge amounts of foreign aid when we are
I’m not advocating we stop foreign aid just impose a temporary budget cut. Our Nation is in an economic crisis and many of its citizens are suffering.
Anne Arundel
Respectfully yours,
I've been a state employee for 16 years. The state needs to build their own facilities reather than continue renting. You can't convince me that ownership is more
costly than renting over the long run. The old argument was that you stimulate the economy by renting. You still stimulate the economy but are more economically
Get rid of all the duplication. All MEDICAL programs should be based under the Dept of Health and Mental Hygeine, not split between DSS and DHMH.
If POC (Purchase of CARE) or Day Care Services are going to be handled under the auspices or Regulated by the Department of Education; let that entity run
Get back to basics. Let common sence rather than politics lead. Everything does not have to be "POLITICALLY CORRECT". Don't be so concerned about the
We continue to do and act the same from year to year. We need active leadership that is not afraid to BE MORE RESPONSIBLE, MORE EFFICIENT, and allow
It would take time to change for the better, I've heard a lot of talk over the past 16 years, Iv'e seen a lot of action to do more of the same with vvery few significant
changes. We truly need to become more business-like and less concerned about hurting someones feelings. Change takes courage rather than more and more
City
Thanks for listening.
Good Afternoon Governor O'Malley,
I offer the following suggestions: (1) Reduce 5-day work week to 4-day work week, (2) Offer early retirment to State Employees, and (3) Furlough Days for each
Charles
Anne Arundel
Charles
Charles
Have a safe and blessed afternoon/evening.
I suggest preventing layoffs in anyway possible. With the downturn in the economy, Marylanders are turning to the state more than ever for assistance & you
I've been a state employee for 16 years. The state needs to build their own facilities reather than continue renting. You can't convince me that ownership is more
Shorten the work week to 4 days to cut down on operating costs (electric, heating/cooling, etc). Also mandatory energy savings such as turning off all office
Have optional furlough days...some state employees may like additional time off & be financially able to take days without pay.
Carroll
Baltimore
Anne Arundel
Baltimore
Verify correct tax codes on real property throughout the state. If someone in a town has their property coded as agricultural land then they are NOT paying
residential real property taxes but a very low agricultural tax. It is possible for all lands to be coded incorrectly causing an incorrect tax payment. This usually
benefits the county/town/state. At times you will find the reverse benefiting the land owner. I know for a fact this happen all the time in digital data.
Why not take all names off state stationery? Right now, reams of high cost paper are destroyed and re-ordered every time there is a new Secretary, Deputy
Secretary, Director of an Administration, or other high ranking official. Names can always be typed on when necessary. Thank you for your consideration.
Idea 1 - Reduce all state employees personal days from 6 to 4 days
Idea 2 - Eliminate the day of Thanksgiving as a state holiday for all state employees
Ideas 3 - Start using some of the state owned land as farmland to feed the the 26,000 state inmates in MD. Let the inmates manage the crops
Ideas 4 - Instead of slots in MD; Sports betting will generate additional revenue for the state. It could be combined with the MD Lottery
Idea 5 - Refine the early out option for state employees. Instead of eliminating the positions, fill with contractual or temporary employee
Howard
Harford
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
City
Carroll
Carroll
Montgomery
Idea 6 - Entire State Government needs to start recycling paper
I have several suggestions. Discontinue the shell casing register for handgun purchases, this has never helped solve a crime and must cost millions ot tax dollars
to run. Make Maryland a shall issue state for Concealed carry permits.this will have a twofold effect, first, thousands of permit fees will boost the states' cash
Statistics from the FBI’s Uniformed Crime Report of 2007 show that states with right-to-carry laws have a 30% lower homicide rate, 46% lower robbery, and 12%
lower aggravated assault rate and a 22% lower overall violent crime rate than do states without such laws. That is why more and more states have passed rightAccelerate implementation of paperless timecards for state employees. Currently, field employees do extra driving to get supervisor approval of paper timesheets
and either drive or use a delivery service to deliver timewheets to their payroll office. Leave data is entered by hand into a separate database and leave data
(used, available) on timesheets is a month out of date. All this extra work and expense will be eliminated by online timesheets, which I understand have been in a
Suggest we tax non-renewable energy consumed within state at higher levels. This would mean taxing the 70% of electricity generated by coal or natural gas,
heating oil, and gasoline at higher tax rates for the next five years. As the economy and tax revenue improve I would like see the state property tax removed and
Thank you
stop paving the baltimore beltway every year, there are alot of other roads that need paving desparetly, the beltway should not be repaved every year.
Use prisoners for all roads labor, I see way too many workers jumping in very large dump trucks every day at PG SHA, what in the world are they doing?
consider buying gently used vehicles for the state fleet instead of brand new ones.
Hybrid vehicles only get exceptional gas mileage in city use, not highway use. Stop buying them for highway driving vehicles, they are expensive.
You've stated that you've directed your Cabinet Secretaries to consider how they can restructure their agencies to make cuts. I believe that if each agency looks
at their basic responsibilities, they cut find a lot of duplication (or unnecessary staffing and resources). Each Secretary has created and implemented "special
projects or initiatives" that should be placed on hold at this point. Agencies haves various units that can be combined or temporarily deployed to other units - ex.
Legislative Affairs, Intergovernmental Affairs, Internal Auditing, Special Projects, Community Affairs. Also many Executive staff members have 2-3 special
And last but not least - State Stat. While I believe in the concept, a lot of time, energy, and staffing is required to pull this off. Agencies now have staff who only
prepare State Stat data and that data takes precedent over all other data request. Then staff must meet bi-weekly (sometimes more)to prepare for State Stat.
This process should be reviewed and evaluated. I understand that there is a statewide State Stat team who then meets with each Secretary's team. Is this really
I suggest that during these hard economic times when those of us who cannot even afford to have parties at our own houses, that Gov. O'Malley not plan his
annual parties at Secrets in Ocean City, funded by us tax payers. That is absolutely a waste of our money when those of us cannot even afford a trip to ocean
I would suggest that you not allow take home cars with state funded gas for those state employees that are not on call for emergency purposes especially when
they live out of state.
We have a xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx business. My husband always E-Verifies his employees. We have workman's compensation insurance and liability insurance,
(some of the costs of doing business). Times are tough now and we cannot compete with businesses that employ cash paid undocumented casual labor. No
more funding for CASA of Maryland and illegal aliens! ENFORCE THE LAW!!! We Demand "Legal Presence" for all taxpayer funded programs and services in
Baltimore
Montgomery
Anne Arundel
Montgomery
City
Montgomery
Cecil
Anne Arundel
Why does the lottery advertising get paid for by the State and yet the Stadium Authority reeps all the benefits of the huge amounts of money wasted on this every
day! The State should be taking that money. Also, welfare should be reduced, stop making babies!!!
I don't think it is in the best interest of the State of Maryland to reduce any funding for the University of Maryland, given the fact they employ many people.
stop using all the "consulting" contracts and privatized contract and utalize the state employees you already have.
I am a small business owner and I e-verify all my employees. I cannot compete with businesses that hire undocumented workers. You are suppose to enforce
the laws!! Stop penalizing small businesses that operate within the parameters of the law. No more funding for CASA of Maryland and illegal aliens! Demand
"Legal Presence" for all taxpayer funded programs and services in Maryland. Mandate employer use of E-Verify for all Maryland state contracts.
In an attempt to raise staff morale, please consider closing down government for furlough days. As a manager, it was very hard to take furlough days when the
rest of the agency was working. We continuously checked our blackberries to make sure that we stayed in the loop, responded all day and came back to work
with more work piled up on our desks. When you closed government in December and January, we were able to be feel like we were "off" with our minds eased
that we weren't neglecting our duties by not checking and responding to our blackberries. And if you do close government, please consider closing on Friday or
Monday to give us long weekends. Hopefully this will reduce reliance on unnecessary use of sick leave or excessive use of annual/personal leave. People can
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turn all, or most of, the lights off in state and county buildings at night when no one is there
City
1.Change the rules for CARRY-OVER VACATION DAYS....MANDATE that all VACATION days MUST be used within 15 months or they will be LOST! Too much
money is being wasted when employees who have been promoted get to bank their vacation days at a much higher payrate when they leave.....sinful!
2. Require that all Appointed positions take an immediate 5% pay deduction for a period of at least 6 months.
3. Furlough 10% of the state workforce in non-critical positions for 30 days....5 days each months for 4 months beginning in Sept. 2009 but, give them a 30 day
4. DO NOT ALLOW Furlough days to be used in 1/2 Day increments....MUST be used in full days as it takes too much administrative time to process and
4. DO NOT allow staff in DLLR/Unemployment division to be FURLOUGHED as their jobs are too critical during this severe recession and unemployment.
5. DO NOT PAY OVERTIME to State employees in senior administrative positions as their jobs and responsibilities require overtime on occasion, like in the
6. Eliminate paid holidays for Columbus Day, Veterans Day and Maryland Day....at least during a budget crisis.
7. Revise Healthcare benefits to be more in line with the private sector....increase copayments for office visits, etc.
Simple Fix on the Economy. No more funding for CASA of Maryland and illegal aliens! Demand "Legal Presence" for all taxpayer funded programs and services
in Maryland. Mandate employer use of E-Verify for all Maryland state contracts. Start there. We have no obligation or duty to support non-citizens.
We estimate that the state could earn an additional $1 million in tax and fee revenue from legalizing wine shipment from wineries and retailers while at the same
select your county
Sincerely
Dear Governor O'Malley,
Cecil
I heard on a local news broadcast that someone had suggested that state offices shut down for one day per month in order to save money. As a state employee,
I would rather this happen than a layoff or an elimination of positions. No one wants to see their salary reduced, but many of my co-workers and I agree this
I would like to suggest that if state offices do shut down, it be on a Friday or Monday to make a long weekend, or take place the week between Christmas & New
Year's Day. Most people that I talked to didn't mind the furlough days last December and January because they were able to extend their time away, or were able
to spend more time with family. Anyway, just a suggestion to make the employee feel like they're getting something in return for giving up their wages.
Baltimore
Anne Arundel
Thanks for the great job you are doing for the citizens and employees of Maryland.
Increase the tax on beer, wine, and liquor to raise taxes. I know that powerful lobbyists can stall this procedure, but I believe, as a social drinker, that this would
help with the budget. This type of buying is optional for tax payers, If someone objects, they can refrain from buying the items. Don't let powerful lobbyists keep
you and the legislature from raising the tax. I am writing this as one who does drink wine, beer and alcohol. I am not anti liquor, but this tax is very low
Raise sales tax by 1% for 18 months.
Put a freeze on hiring for 12 months for all state agencies.
Increase taxes on cigarettes and alcohol.
go to 10 hour days for state employees.
Frederick
Anne Arundel
The number one thing Maryland can do is to cut off services to illegal aliens and start to enforce immigration laws, which is well within the purview of state and
local law enforcement agencies. The fact that Governor O'Malley kowtows to Casa de Maryland indicates that he puts the money and votes of special interest
Scrap the fired shell casing program. I'm not against it, but it costs too much and has not produced any results.
$200 CCW permits, make them shall issue instead of may issue, or at least become slightly more liberal in issuing them for self defense.
Allegany
Allegany
Allegany
Allegany
Carroll
Consolidate MSP barracks
stop allowing state police officer to take their vehicles homes as they use them for personal reason while not on duty.
only offer inmates basic cable. I personally do not think they should have cable. They are inmates for a reason.
offer an incentive for sterilization for those on welfare
require mandatory drug testing of those receiving welfare. and if they test positive they lose their beenfits for a minimum of 6 mths.
Governor,
Implement recommendations from your transition team's report on the state police. Between MSP, MDTAP, DNR, OSFM, etc there is lots of overlap. Combining
into one state police agency, with multiple divisions, would allow you to save costs by only having one motor pool, one quartermaster, one training division, one
HR department, one payroll, etc. Employees could then be redistributed to other functions including actual law enforcement or reduced through attrition. Plus,
Regarding MSP specifically, save funds by closing Rockville and Forestville barracks. Have those troops report to a regional headquarters barrack in College
Park. Sell the two surplus barracks, save on physical operating costs, redeploy command staff to other vacancies in the state. College Park would need to be
upstaffed with a second dispatcher. Since troopers can do almost everything from their car computer, they could have more remote barracks. Ohio Highway
Patrol has made it work for years. Troopers working in Montgomery County can take their arrests straight to the county jail (as they do know) without having to go
Again, MSP will tell you it can't be done or it won't save that much. Close two barracks - save operating costs and sell the properties. Each barrack has a
commander, asst. commander or two, several secretaries, dispatchers, etc which could be redeployed. The patrol troopers would still cover the same area. One
patrol supervisor would be at College Park while one could patrol west of the barrack and one could patrol south/east of the barrack. MCPD could allow troopers
to stop in Germantown to upload paperwork (which can be done from the car) and PGPD could allow troopers to do the same down towards Oxen Hill. Save
Anne Arundel
Reduce the number of blackberrys. They have become a status symbol in the State. Why do you need a blackberry if you are in the office most of the time?
Offices used to share phones. Someone used the phone when they went out of the office. Now everyone has a blackberry and you see State employees walking
the building reading their emails and answering calls on the blackberry. What's wrong with their office? Furthemore, meetings in the State are no longer
Change the rule that employees hold medical insurance after only 5 years when they become vested in the pension. This costs the State a considerable amount
of money and should only be a benefit for employees who dedicate a career to the State. When you decide to become a State employee you know that the
salaries are not as high as private industry and other government jobs but keeping medical is a big incentive. So why should this benefit go to someone who
Everything is too decentralized in the State and this has lead to empire building. The same functions should be centralized where possible within a State Agency.
Now every office has a human resources person, a budget person, a procurment person, etc.
Many policies and procedures in the State are out-of-date. For instance the CPC limits are too low, the fleet policy that requires a State vehicle to get 10,000
miles per year, the inventory manual. We spend more money controlling and safeguarding State assets than what they cost.
Consider altering the State to a compressed work week and close the State one day every other week. This would cut back on overtime, leave usage, utilities,
Close the week between Christmas and New Years and reduce salaries for this time. The State almost comes to a close anyway because hardly no one works
There are too many quality programs. We used to actually do work now we talk about doing work. Isn't StateStat enough. Why do we still need Managing for
Results and other quality programs like Baldridge. When you have all those quality programs then you need people to manage them. What happened to just
There's too much non-technical training and development in the State. It takes away from productive time. The only training that is necessary is what is needed
to keep required certifications up-to-date or what is mandated by law or policy.
Go to a 2 year budget cycle. There are too many people who spend their entire job on the State budget.
There is something wrong with procurement in the State. We pay more money for things than the a person pays when they buy it themself. For instance, the cost
of a desktop computer in the State is about $2,400.00 yet you can walk into Best Buy and get a better computer for much less. Why is this the situation?
Apparently the procurement contracts the State negotiates are lucrative for the business and not beneficial for the State. It's not just computers it's everything you
There are too many consultants in the State. This is the way State Agencies get around PIN reductions, they hire consultants. These consultants are physically
located in the State Agency. They are really just State employees being hidden as consultants. They also make much more money than the State counterpart.
Freeze re-classifications Statewide.
Eliminate competitive reclassifications. These are done without review and approval outside the State Agency and are a way to promote people you like rather
The State salary structure needs to be reviewed and updated. Because State salaries lag behind considerably, State Agencies get around this by making
everyone a manager or supervisor. We have too many Chiefs and not enough indians. There are too many management layers in the State. The layers need to
be elimiated. Also, with being a manager/supervisor comes certain perks, a blackberry, administrative assistant, etc. Wouldn't it be better to pay the technical
Consider a work force reduction. If there is a concern that too many people will leave, they include an age restriction.
During the forloughs last year, many individuals made up the money by working overtime for what was called critical functions. This was a real joke and everyone
knew it. If salaries are reduced again this year, cash overtime needs to be more closely monitored.
City
Montgomery
Lift the freeze on State University tuition.
1. Get rid of 2/3's of the cell phones that are being used by state employees. Especially in the police departments, they already have two way radios.
2. Get rid of ALL take home state vehicles including police. How many have been actually used for emergency purposes. Implement a regional Commander for
Police and they could work late and night shifts. Millions upon Millions are wasted on fuel and upkeep of vehicles being used for transportation purposes only. I
3. Review the last 100 civilian hires in each agency // Lot of FRIENDS of Jobs.
4. Go to paperless Government. Utilize computer files, emails etc.
5.
Governor, I am pleased to note your statement that you want to "restore fiscal responsibility to annapolis". There is a very obvious step you and your
Administration can take immediately which would allieviate Maryland's budget crisis. At leat it is obvious to us tax payers but apparently disregarded by you and
Stop all financial aid and social services to thoser who are here illegally. People who come here without going through our legal immigration process, stay and
Why should our elected officials give millions of our tax dollars to CASA and its causes, an give millions to provide work shelters, health care, education, housing,
and other social services to those here illegally? Is it no wonder that our State and local budgets are depleted?
How can our elected officials consider reducing services to our tax paying citizens and legal residents when millions are lavished on these law breakers?
Is it no wonder that there is an increase in crime? When you tell thousands (millions, nationwide) that our laws mean nothing, and in fact you are even rewarded
when you break our laws, how do you expect these law breakers to respect any other laws here?
I pay high property taxes, which have increased this year, on my three prime pieces of property and high income taxes.
It is galling to see this Administration misuse our tax money.
I have friends who have moved to Texas, Florida, and Nevada to get away from Maryland's high taxes and the misuse of them. You are killing the geese who lay
The solution for handling the budget crisis is a no-brainer, if you have the guts to really do the right thing.
Washington
Thank you for this oppertunity to share ways that I feel we can reduce waste in state government. I would like to say that as a 35 year public servant I hold a
Masters degree, am a private consultant and have at this time enough years to retire which I will in 21 mos.
Now examples of how I see waste. Governor if you are really serious then let me inform you that in the prior administration Gov. Ehrlich allowed Dept. of Public
Safety and Correctional services to add additional layers of buracracy which never existed before and which has little if any impact at all in how this system
operates. The CREATED positions from your predecessor are the 5 ASST. COMMISIONER POSITIONS in Corrections. These positions are held by mostly
double dippers who have long since passed retirement years. They each have EXEC. ASSTS, SECRATERIES and expense accounts which total close to a
MILLION DOLLARS a year. They in theory oversee each region and supervise wardend in each of the facilities where there are prisons. These positions were
Another example of CREATED WASTE ocurred just recently when
...do your staff let you know of these abuses..where is
Anne Arundel
Washington
select your county
Baltimore
. .hmm, even a blind man in a snow storm can see this farce..
Also I can save te state immediatly 3-4 million a year by simply eliminating in State Prisons the 12 minutes a day OT for "lineup time" which computes to 35.00
dollars per week per CO of overtime..multiply those #s, and lets not forget The State Police...take home cars , gas with same and wear and tear etc...how much
Also IF we have to have Furlough days the feelings that those uniform services never have to sacrifice..well if we who are out of un iform give back a
suggestion..how about saying to those in uniform that your 6 PL days will be cancelled this year...
Sick leave payout at retirement could also be revisited since same is a benefit and maybe limiting that to 1,000 hours credit verses maximum...just a
thought..Also to eliminate 90 percent of OT in most 24 hr. jobs, i.e. state prisons go th a new format 12 hour shifts , 7 days on followed by 7 off..really where are
Well hope I helped..Oh yes did I say 5-6 million in savings, how about 15 million...and I am not even an administrator..but a blind man in a snowstorm :), hope I
have given you some room to think Governor and why your Commissioners and Secty Maynard have not...
Break the state employee's unions and the teachers unions. That will usher in a new era of responsible, efficient spending by the Maryland government. The
Enforce a privilege tax on all individuals that work in Maryland but live in surrounding states. Pennsylvania already uses a similar tax. I feel $150.00 a year
privilege tax to work here and use our infastructure is only fair. I feel that state employees can no longer carry the entire burden during the recession. The
monies collected from this tax should be set aside as a "rainy-day" fund and invested in Maryland's future when the economy bounces back. This tax should apply
to all individuals working in Maryland from surrounding states and not just state employees. Everyone wants to benefit from our facilities but they do not want to
Thousands could be saved if the Governor sent his Christmas greetinig digitally instead of printed cards
suspend personal use of police vehicles for off duty purposes
eliminate use of varible message boards for any non emergency notices to conserve energy
if furloughs are needed for employees, close all offices for a day to maximize benefits
if extensive furloughs are necessary close all state offices between Xmas and New Years and spread the salary reduction across the pay year. this is a
traditional down time for lots of businesses any way...and emergency postions would be exempted in any case.
sell the staduims to their respective sports organizations and get the state out of ownership of something that only benefits one business.
Howard
Harford
Sell park land to private conservation organizations, and get the government out of owning so much land in this state
I have been a state employee for 31 years, and I was pretty hard hit when I had to surrender 5 furloughs days earlier this year.
The state should consider eliminating all 6 Personal Leave days that state employees receive annually.
Early out for State employee's:
Like Senate Bill 1 offered previously.
City
Garrett
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
Thanks
we have contracts with temp agencies who send us workers mostly for our hispanics recipients. we can do without because we have link, so why paid for both.
I think we should raise the gas tax by 2 to 5 cents per gallon. This would serve 2 purposes. One would be to raise needed revenue for state operations and the
other would be to keep the momentum going for a green economy. My round trip commute is 110 miles per day so this suggestion will cost me about $100.00 per
As a State Employee I was furloughed 4 days, and had a salary reduction. I barely cracked 40K but made just enough to be included. As a single female trying
to make a mortgage on my own I can't tell you how difficult it's been with the cuts imposed on me personally. However, I’m fortunate, and very glad I have a job,
and don't mind contributing my part during these difficult times. What I find to be totally unfair is every State Employee was not affected by the same cuts in pay I
experienced and many of those folks make much more money than I do. If State Employees have to take the brunt of this again I would respectfully request that
you impose furlough days and salary reductions to ALL employees, especially those employees that were not included and were exempted the first go round.
U
f tyourt staff
l if and
th yourself
l take a pay
ld cut.
i l $1
d a year. Also pay cuts for
l all of Baltimore staff
t that gave
l them
d th
ff raise.
th
b buying
it Th $250,000
l d buses.
d th fiNot
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Stop
one rides them anyways. Turn MD into a Shall Issue state. lower taxes on businesses so they stop moving out of state. This creates more jobs and give credit to
companies that hire in state. Lower Gas tax. People will go out more and spend more creating more sales tax rev. Cut Entitlements... You don't have money, but
you raised Entitlements a crazy amount... At current rate you will be out of office soon. If you want people to vote for you again you need to go down both sides of
Caroline
Harford
Assuming that the total budget is approx. $35 Billion, then the $700 Million needed reduction equals a 2% reduction across the board. Why not task the heads
Having worked for a large MD manufacturing firm for 39 years, a task of 5% - 7% was an annual requirement. The normal direction, was to multiply your previous
year's budget by .95 (5% reduction) and then find ways to operate within the budget. It was up to the respective Dept. Managers and their subordinates to decide
where they could make the cuts. It was amazing to see how many helpful ideas subordinates could generate, to reduce wasteful spending, when asked.
Another less popular suggestion, would be to have all state employees, including State Legislators, endure a 5% reduction in Salaries & related expenses, not
As I listen to the state government's approach to attack the problem, it appears as if it is an "All or Nothing" approach. That is, it appears as if the approach is
Having recently witnessed several highway re-surfacing projects, on sections of highway which had no apparent issues, I would never have imagined that the
I appreciate the opportunity to offer my suggestions.
Dear Governor O'Malley,
I thought of a few ideas to cut some of the state budget and help the small business owners with their insurance cost.
1. Make it so the illegal workers can not get workers compensation insurance. How is it fair to the Marylanders who pay there taxes and other state insurances
get screwed because the illegal people from other countries don't have to pay any taxes but still get the benefits. Such as Workers Comp insurance if they get
hurt on the job somewhere in Maryland they are entitled to workers comp benefits even though they do not pay taxes and have no work visa permit. This would
proably help the keep the illegals in maryland and take jobs from people that want to work and pay taxes. I feel it is unfair to allow the illegals to receive benefits
2. Make it a force retirement for state employees who have more then 35 years of service or offer them early outs.
3. Stop putting the state's budget problems on the state employees they did enough. They took anywhere from 4 to 5 furlough days maybe we should cut some
state benefits to other people like welfare or food stamps why is it the state always says let the state employees take the hit. I think the state employees are
under payed anyway. Why not make the congressional section shorter in maryland and give them a pay reduction. I bet they will give themselves a raise again.
Caroline
thanks for your time.
Assuming that the total budget is approx. $35 Billion, then the $700 Million needed reduction equals a 2% reduction across the board. Why not task the heads
Having worked for a large MD manufacturing firm for 39 years, a task of 5% - 7% was an annual requirement. The normal direction, was to multiply your previous
year's budget by .95 (5% reduction) and then find ways to operate within the budget. It was up to the respective Dept. Managers and their subordinates to decide
where they could make the cuts. It was amazing to see how many helpful ideas subordinates could generate, to reduce wasteful spending, when asked.
Another less popular suggestion, would be to have all state employees, including State Legislators, endure a 5% reduction in Salaries & related expenses, not
As I listen to the state government's approach to attack the problem, it appears as if it is an "All or Nothing" approach. That is, it appears as if the approach is
Having recently witnessed several highway re-surfacing projects, on sections of highway which had no apparent issues, I would never have imagined that the
I appreciate the opportunity to offer my suggestions.
Frederick
You want to save MD taxpayers money. Stop supporting illegal aliens and all the groups in MD that help them break the law. No more tax dollars for CASA of MD,
and the rest of the groups that support illegal aliens. Make legal presence mandatory for any benefits. Make it mandatory that every employer in MD use e-verify.
When MD has close to 8% unemployment (10% in Hagerstown) its time to give these jobs to legal citizens (not Illegals). Legal citizens pay taxes and spend
money in this state (adding to the tax coffers). You keep attracting Illegals you get millions of dollars exported out of this country (which equals no money going
Washington
Cancel Family Days for Inmates, madatory lights out at 10
in all state correctional facilities, reduce inmate pay wages. State employess 4, 10 hour work days shutting down offices 3 days per week.
I believe it would make a larger impact if ALL state employees were affected by the cuts. I was one who had to take 3 furlough days, while 2/3rds of the staff,
where I work, weren't affected by furloughs. They say you can't furlough nurses, MD's, and security personnel. However, you can cut EVERYONE'S salary,
starting with the governor all the way down to the dietary worker,by one percent and have it make a bigger impact than furloughing a few. Please make it fair so
us little people aren't the ones balancing your budget. Also, I know of several people who are waiting for their retirement month to come, which is within a year.
Howard
Anne Arundel
Caroline
Turn MD into a Shall Issue state. (Concealed carry permits)
Assuming that the total budget is approx. $35 Billion, then the $700 Million needed reduction equals a 2% reduction across the board. Why not task the heads of
Having worked for a large MD manufacturing firm for 39 years, a task of 5% - 7% was an annual requirement. The normal direction, was to multiply your previous
year's budget by .95 (5% reduction) and then find ways to operate within the budget.
Anne Arundel
I think that instead making certain classifications "exempt" from furloughs, all state employees should be required to take the furlough. These "exempt"
employees have the ability to schedule annual leave, personal leave and holidays so they shouldn't have a problem scheduling a furlough day. These would
City
Allegany
City
Anne Arundel
Thanks
Another suggestion is to look at the state vehicles and the useage and have employees use their own vehicles.
You need to stop wasting money on the ballistic fingerprinting for new handguns. It has proven itself to be totally ineffective for solving crimes.
Also, when looking to cut personnel from the state agencies. You need to mandate they cut some of the upper management. That is where you find most of the
waste. Agencies do not need assistant and associate directors and VP's in times like these. Too often we cut at the lower levels because the upper management
makes the decisions. The mandate needs to come from the top that when the agencies look to cut positions, they need to cut the fat off the top, not the hard
I would suggest that Managers making 50,000 and over work a three day work week for six months. Most departments can run without the manager and issues
Close all government business that is not critical one day a week for six months. Shorten the work hours that is being worked in areas to 6 hours a week and it
may turn out to be more productive because more work is being done within those hours.
Look at the call in policy which allows employees to abuse time causing organizations to use overtime especially in critical areas.
I do not think it is fair to keep employing these cuts by applying furlough days to state employees as well as a temporary pay cut. While it may help to balance
the budget, where do we see it helping in the long run? This year we are also forced to accept no raise, cost of living, etc. This is all well and good, but by the
first measure of cuts in 2008, 2009 has gotten no better, where does that leave us in 2010. Not to mention, as our income is being reduced due to these
measures our debt and bills are not. Banks and business do not want to hear our hardships as they are going through there own. Rent increases every year but
Allegany
How about reigning down on wasteful spending like agencies hiring upper management positions with ridiculous salaries just to fill positions. Also cut the budget
select your county
select your county
select your county
Allegany
1) State Police using cars for personal reasons. They are using tax payer money for gas when going on family outings;
2) Inmates should be making license plates and not being sent out to be made;
3) Pass the slots/gambling bill, too limited. We can not compete against neighboring states;
4) Lower taxes on clothing, essential items, can not compete with neighboring states, and;
5) Track where money is actually being spent for government.
Anne Arundel
Harford
Washington
select your county
Baltimore
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
Howard
I have been a taxpayer in Maryland for thirty years. This state has GOT to roll up the red carpet for illegals. In the movie, Field of Dreams, they said "if you build
it, they will come". Maryland is the field of dreams for illegals. I completely object, and am offended, by the use of my taxpayer dollars to fund CASA and other
programs. You must demand proof of legal presence for people receiving taxpayer funded benefits, as well as use e-verify to hire for state contracts. I have no
problems with legal immigrants. This state cannot continue to support illegals. There is no limit to the numbers if it is not controlled. You are a servant of the
My other issue is energy. We have the highest energy bills in the nation. Maryland should be producing its own energy and serving its own people first. Our bills
should be less than half of what they are now. I am still trying to catch up on my bills from last winter. This would free up some money for citizens, therefore
It is time for Maryland to stop funding illegal immigration on the taxpayers backs. It is time to serve Marylanders with integrity.
Why not eliminate a lot of the high paying fluff jobs in the state instead of the ordinary people's jobs? Also it made no sense to spend $10million on the
I have worked for the state for 30 plus years. What I see needs to change is the way the state does business on a daily basis. We need people handling the
monies that know how to management money. If I lived my life the way the state handles money I would be in the poor house. The idea of spending budget or
losing it is craziness in the state operation. Letting facilities spend large amounts for beautification when facility is in good beautification standings already. Giving
upper management positions larger salaries when I see the guts of the operation is the lower salary employees. Having a maintenace dept. and contracting out
all the work is a big waste of tax payers dollars. We need people like myself that has never made big money in my life handling the state"s money. Realistic
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increase some tolls, change the work week to 4 days with very little pay deduction, have the professional athletes pay more in taxes, and if you furlough it should
I have noticed that state workers tend to misuse the cars provided by the state. They keep the engine with AC running all the time even when they are not using
the vehicle or when the vehicle is parked off the shoulder and they are doing their investigation. I think that awareness letters should be sent out to every agency
who uses state provided vehicles. I can guarantee that the same people would not keep the vehicles running if they were their own personal vehicles. I know it is
a drop in the bucket compared to the overall budget deficit, however, each and every drop in the bucket adds up. I would strongly recommend making employees
The second suggestion is to raise the gas tax by 2 or 3 cents and also to use an alternative way to get road usage tax for vehicles that are hybrid. They cause
the same wear and tear to the road than the standard gas cars, however they pay less taxes.
Furniture budgets should be eliminated. If necessary, State Use Industries should be the ONLY furniture supplier, unless a waiver is authorized by DBM. All
proposed capital projects put on hold. Many State employees doing the work of more than 1 person - taxpayers are already upset with level of service!
The payroll system in the state should be updated. Every two weeks, every state employee (at least within MD DNR) submits a paper sheet (timecard) with their
hours and compensation time if it is earned, and another sheet to report over time hours (all of which was reported on the timecard). In addition, some
employees have to call in their hours. This all seems very redundant. If there was a system where employees could enter their hours, comp time hours and days
1. reasign state police from escourting wide loads through our state. Wide-load trucks already have paid escorts. This happens particularly on Rt.68 & 270.
2.STOP ALL SUPPORT OF ILLEGALS. INFORCE E-VERIFY FOR EVERY
COMPANY. ESPECIALLY LANDSCAPING AND THE BUILDING INDUSTRIES.
3. RECOUP THE MILLION DOLLARS THE STATE OF MARYLAND GAVE TO
LA CASA(La Raza) TO AIDE ILLEGALS IN MARYLAND BY HAVING A CENTRAL HELP STATION.
4. CUT YOUR SALARY FIRST THEN CUT EVERY ELECTED OFFICIALS SALARIES.
I don't want to hear about what you inherited. You made some
wrong choices when you supported Illegals.
Baltimore
Harford
Baltimore
Montgomery
City
From a tax-paying legal Maryland resident.
Stop incarcerating people for non-violent low-level drug offenses. States that reform drug laws -- repeal mandatory minimum sentences; deploy scarce resources
into treatment versus incarceration -- save billions and increase public safety. Why is Maryland so far behind the rest of the country on this issue?
I think that the closing of the Sideling Hill rest area on I-68 is a travesty. While I understand that cuts need to be made (and I'm in favor of making cuts), isn't there
somewhere else to make those cuts? Sideling Hill isn't just a rest area - its a geologic exhibit that has great educational value to children and adults alike. Surely
there must be some other area where the money can come from. One way would be to unfreeze tuition. I don't say that lightly, as I'm currently a 30 year old
graduate student who is paying for his graduate education out of his own pocket (and I've only recently finished paying off my undergrad loans!), but I think that
I am a Maryland State employee. One thing that I think could be changed to save the State some money is to make the deductable for prescriptions $700.00 per
person rather than $700.00 per family. Also, maybe the state should consider raising the cost for the employees spouse's health insurance. Right now if an
employee has a spouse that is over 65 and collecting Social Security they are covered under the employees health insurance because there is no option for a
current employee to have full coverage for themselves and supplemental coverage for their spouse. It would make more sense for the spouse to get Medicare
Also, would you consider offering a small retirement incentive? It might encourage some people to retire and free up some positions.
The Honorble Marton O'Malley,
To save millions of dollars, require proof of legal presence for all programs and services funded by the state of Maryland. Also, require MD state contract
employers to use use E-Varify for all employees used on the state contracts.
Have the general assembly look in the next session at creating 20,000 (or more) private sector jobs overnight (10,000 stations in the state with 2 pump jockeys
each) that will pay state and local taxes and unemployement taxes. Require gas stations to have service people pump gas like they do in New Jersey. For the
minimal increase in gas price per gallon for creation of the new jobs, the new job and tax base creation will increase tax revenues through income taxes of the
employees as well as sales taxes from their jobs. The key word here is NEW, not reduction, sustainment, but NEW. It is also safer to have dedicated people
Anne Arundel
Okay...hold onto your hat. This idea will initially seem crazy but don't delete it too fast. Cancel Legislative Session this year. If you can call a special session than
you can cancel a session. Think of the savings! We could all use a break from 90 more days of worthless bills being submitted into law that's just going to waste
more money. And don't worry about all those seasonal emploees who rely on their 90 days of income a year. If they can go 275 days of the year without working
- they don't need the work to begin with. Either way - these are times for drastic difference. You, as the governor, have to stand up and do something bold and
City
Calvert
The food stamp program needs to be reformed.There are too many able bodied people getting way too much money to spend on jumbo lump crabmeat and
colossal shrimp at the grocery store.I feed a family of four on about 450 to 500 dollars a month,sometimes less depending.This money should go to seniors that
need food and medicine, not so others can have extra money to get their hair and nails done.Lazy people should not be rewarded by sitting home enjoying
How about proposeing an early out for state employee that are close to their retirement time and mandertory retirement for those employee with 30+ years of
cut the money gone to illegals that is channled through cassa of Md take care of the people who pay the taxs first. Its a insult to the people of this state when you
consistering laying off 40 employees while you continue to give much needed funds to an organization who supports non paying of taxs by illegals
Remove ALL state income tax. Propose a consumption tax to replace sales tax. This will draw more and more business to Maryland and see an increase in local
Anne Arundel
Carroll
By the way, name THREE things the government does BETTER than the private sector/free market (and no, spending other people's money does not count).
Stop buying new textbooks each year in our K-12 schools! Math, science, language etc. do not change year to year!
1. Cut all programs that have been set up to encourage illegal immigrants to plant themselves in Maryland. In other words, CUT OUT THE FREE RIDE!
Anne Arundel
Baltimore
2. You, the governor, and the Maryland Legislature should live within your means, just like every other taxpaying Maryland has had to do!
3. Issue a 25% pay cut for the Governor, his entire staff, the Maryland Legislature, and its entire staff. All of the aforementioned should start paying for their own
4. Eliminate all consultants!
City
City
City
Harford
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
Baltimore
Baltimore
Anne Arundel
Please consider temporarily stopping less-than-vital road projects, such as the Intercounty Connector, that cost millions of dollars we could better spend on the
citizens of the state, especially the poor and underserved who are facing the brunt of the budget cuts. Focus on reducing spending to wealthier counties and
continuing spending to poorer communities in need of assitance to prevent the working class from falling into poverty and requiring even more (and more costly to
My suggestion for you to start with your cabinet to take a salary cut. You may disregard this staement, but it is not fair to those who have to take a furlough with
out pay .You all knew the budget was not right in 2007. You set up and redid the State Housewith an outlandish budget for thing that are not needed. Why don't
you guys take a furlough day off that goes on how much your salary goes by. It is only fair, since you will have State Employee's take days off agian.es I am a
State Employees who have their paychecks direct deposited to their checking accounts should be required to sign up for POSC (Payroll On-Line Service Center).
THis would eliminate the paper copy of their payroll direct deposit slip from being printed folded stuffed and given or mailed to them. This would save thousands
of dollars. ONly a small percentage of state employees, especially from the largest state offices/agencies are currently participating. This may require a
There are many wasteful programs that State employees are forced to subscribe to. One very large source of waist is State Use Industry mandate and the State
Contracts program. Just the cost of the bureaucracy to operate the contractual program in most cases creates more of a cost then if each department had
There are many states purchasing contract that do save the State money use them, but in many cases, if the item was purchased from a local suppler for less
then a contract price. Allow purchases to be made off contract if you have proof that it was cheaper. Many State employees have been entrusted with a State
Credit card and their managers keep a close check on all purchases. Any single purchase under $2500 can be done without a purchase order.
Just how do we save money on these supply contracts when purchase orders must be processed for contract supplies on small orders? The paperwork cost
Charge each manger with the responsibility of shopping for the lowest price on items under $2500. Determine what the cost is per purchase order when a
contract purchase is done and let that be figured into the total price of the contract item cost.
Less purchasing off contract would reduce needed personnel to process those purchases.
State Use Industries has overly inflated prices to support a prison run business that does not have to compete with private industry. Just look how much the
charge to make signs. Most private sign companies charge less and deliver much quicker.
State run printing is not always the cheapest for small print jobs.
Let the free enterprise compete with these contracts and overall the State would see a great monetary savings
Teleworking for state employees - where it makes sense - maybe one or two days a week, or even more; reduces cost for state vehicles, saves the state fuel and
It would also save cost for employees that don't have state vehicles and use their own car to get to work.
Thank you for having the opportunity to submit suggestions.
I think this is a great idea.
Regards
Here's a thought, next time the State employees are furlowed, why not furlow Marty O'Money and the cast of thousands working for him?
How about requiring the governor to cook his own meals?
Turn off the lights in front of the truck weigh station on Interstate 70 in Howard County. It was 3:30PM and sunny on a Sunday afternoon and the station was
i suggest that every elected politician in annapolis have to take a 50% pay cut for the remainder of their terms, and that all take home cars for any state
Monitor the state contracts.
How many agencies overlap the same jobs?
Why not trim some of the testing performed by our students? Do we need to have state assessments @ every grade from 3rd through 8th plus HSA? What about
the analyzing of assessments, how much is spent on this aspect of this action?
I hope if the use of alternative meds are explored the results are monitored. I know that not every "alternative" choice works for everyone.
Rebid state energy contracts. what about the wind power machines?
Even though our unemployment is "lower" than other states, which part of our population is unemployed? Can't we begin re-training our unemployed to match our
Expect people to work for the pay they receive. Is every department working to their potential or just working?
I wouldn't want to see any critical dept. crippled with cuts if they are efficiently using staff, materials, and time.
What about going to 4 day (10 hours) work weeks? Or have services split the times for public access?
Instead of closing Sidling Center, expand & advertise this education site as a payable museum. SO many of our children have such an inadequate understanding
How many Marylanders have visited this site.
A general suggestion, which has been implemented in many individual countries and our US Postal Service: Convert all systems to Linux and open source
software. Maryland Transit Administration currently runs RedHat for it's servers, although using IBM's Informix database server. The main desktops are still
running Windows XP and insecure versions of web browsers. Switching out non-FLOSS (Free Libre Open source Software) products for equal products (like
Baltimore
Harford
Harford
Charles
select your county
Montgomery
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
I believe it is important that we make serious cuts - all unnecessary governor expenses, including airplane! All assistant program directors will have to go, and
departments like the arts council - unnecessary in these economic times - cuts should be cuts! Start to be serious and not political!
As a state employee, my suggestion is to close the state gov't extra days around the holidays. Employees end up taking days off during those times, which
leaves "skeleton" crews to work through them anyway, so close down without pay around thanksgiving and christmas.
1. Require all scooters to be registered with MVA. It does not make sense that motorcycles are required to be registered, while scooters are not. They both utilize
I think that too often programs for women and children are the first programs looked at for budget cuts. This has made the non-profit programs/organizations
have to struggle with already limited resources. I think that while it is the unpopular thing to d that the state of Maryland should take the lead from the president
and seriously look at taxing the major upper class. They have the money so they can speak the loudest to keep from being hit hard while the poorest and most
disadvantages groups that don't have the money are not heard and because they are not heard it is thought that they don't care. Set up taxes for the upper class
$
Stop
giving money to CASA if Maryand benefits to people who have entered our country illegally.
Please stop all state funding for CASA of Maryland and any other organization that supports services for Illegal Aliens, and mandate that local governments do
the same. Illegal aliens are draining state and local programs without paying their share, thus reducing the services and programs to those legal aliens and
citizens that are and have paid for those programs and services. Why do politicians have a hard time understanding the meaning of "Illegal." Anyone who is in
this country, state or locality that is not here legeally, does not deserve to benefit from any state or local service/program. Further any person that applies for any
program or service, including Maryland Drivers License, must be required to prove "Legal Presence" for all taxpayer funded program/services in the state of
M more
l dfunding
All
l CASA ithi
th t t and illegal
t b aliens!
i d Demand
t
l "Legal
ith EPresence"
if
f
ll M funded
l d programs
t t
d l andl services
t t in Maryland
Y
t . Mandate
t l d t
No
for
of Maryland
for all taxpayer
First, change the promotional structure of State positions and create lower grade management tracks and higher grade technical and professional non
supervisory tracks. There is no reason a lower grade level supervisor or manager can not supervise someone in a higher grade level technical position. (Model
after the Federal government). This also eliminates moving highly skilled technical employees into supervisory and management positions just to give them a
Second review the organization charts of each agency and intelligently make specific staffing reductions instead of across the board cuts and freezes, many
people end up supervising an empty position or one person, again to provide promotions, or having top heaving structures that end up with each person
Third, a long term solution to the budgeting issues that face Maryland is a simple concept called Last Years Money. Rather than rely on future estimates, this
years budget should only be allowed to match the actual revenues from the previous year. This prevents overspending in good years, use of any accounting
smoke and mirrors, and provides a one year window to plan ahead for cuts in times such as we face now since we would know the actual amount available. Of
Montgomery
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
Caroline
Anne Arundel
Fourth, eliminate the disincentive for agencies to save money. As it is now if an agency is fiscally prudent and saves money their future budget is reduced. This
creates a situtation where they spend money regardless of need to protect future budgets when it will be needed and where artificially inflating budget requests is
No more funding for CASA of Maryland and illegal aliens! Demand "Legal Presence" for all taxpayer funded programs and services in Maryland. Mandate
Thank you
No more funding for illegal aliens. It is unfair for we the tax payers, to pay for their medical, housing and education. It is time for our government to secure the
If you would take away all 6 pesonal days from state employees for 2010 that would give you money instead of lay-offs. All the state buildings that are empty
make the state people come and use these buildings instead of renting from someone else. This is money that could be used for something else. Close state
building that don't need to be opend on weeks. Make the guards that work in state buildings on week just work Monday thur Friday. State cars should no be used
you need to look at how many people are takng state cars home (if they are on call is one thing). all so when u see state trooper riding down the road with there
family in the car one they using state gas and i feel that is dangerous what if someone out looking to hurt a cop or he pulls someone over and they have a gun.
State Employees were asked to provide ideas to save money. Here are some suggestions.
1)In its current form, the StateStat process is a hugh waste of resources. For example, 15 or more highly paid executives from each agency meet once a month
to sit around just in case someone wants to ask a particular individual a question. If data analysis is that important, than a more efficent use of resources would
utilize electronic communication tools. An innovative multo-agency web-based portal that incorporates discussion forums, dashboards, Geographical mapping
analysis, etc would be much more effective than the cumbersome excel spreadsheets that are currently used. On top of StateStat is BracStat, RecoveryStat,
Green Initiative of the month Stat, etc... They all just equate to an ineffective use of time and resources. In each agency there are now probably an average of
2) Reduce the effects of Empire building. In most state agencies, certain managers have become expert in building empires. It makes them look more important.
For example, some agencies have less than 1 percent of their staff dedicated to a certain function. Other agencies have over 10 percent of their staff working in
the same type of support function. Another example is support divisions that have a large number of employees but contract most of the work out. A third
example of empire building is the phenomenom of newly developed teams that stem from someone who is politically connected gets a managment position and
3). One way to reduce cost is to offer an option to employees of part time employment. Another idea is to encourage employees that are currently teleworking to
work part time instead. Too many times when you need to communicate or work with teleworking peers, you are told that it is their "day off", so why should they
4) The biggest cost saver would be to implement electronic scanning of employee badges to monitor time spent in state office buildings. There are some
employees that are in the building less than 50 percent of the time that they document on timesheets. The time abuse includes taking extended smoking, lunch
5)The suggestion of closing state office buildings one day a month is a good one. This way, not only is salary money is being saved, so are utiliity costs.
6) One absolutely huge expense is the number of agency sponsored blackberries that are now being used. In the agency that I work for, I would bet that one in
every four people have a blackberry. The device itself is not that expensive, but the data/voice plans really add up.
6)If possible, reduce the number of remote sites that an agency has. Many times these remote sites exist more for the convenience of the people that work
there(ie closer to their homes than the main site). Many employees even have desks and offices in more than one building. Unless absolutely necessary, many
Montgomery
Anne Arundel
Talbot
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
Howard
Anne Arundel
These suggestions are given only to try to improve the financial status. As a state employee, all of the above have inefficiencies have been witnessed by many
people. Few are willing to report them because they fear they may loose their jobs.
Governor, I have a number of suggestions. Why don't we stop funding La Casa and other organizations that encourage and support illegal aliens to break the
law. Why don't you stop making services available to illegal aliens (educational, medial, legal, etc) Make legal presense in this country for any state or local
services. Why don't you mandate e-verify for all state contracts. If you stop the practices that encourage illegals to come to Maryland, think of the savings in
welfare services, police, jails, etc.. It is time, Governor, to wake up and take on the illegal alien mess, before it is simply too late. How do you think those folks feel
Could you have state offices (except police & hospitals) all work a 4 day week, thus saving on electric and heating/cooling costs for 3 consecutive days (Fri, Sat,
Freeze all funding on grants issued by the state for one year. For most organizations grants is just extra money and not bare bones budget funding.
Make the county governments start paying for teachers pensions. It is crazy that the state of Maryland is forced to pay for pensions that they have no controll
Instead of always balancing the budget on the state employees back, increase property taxes as painfull as it is on all residences and businesses that way the
burden is shared by all residents, not just by the state employees. Not only are the state employees paid low compared to municipal, county and public sector
employees. It always seems like they are being descriminated against for being by locking their steps and receiving zero cost of living raises as compared to their
No more funding for CASA of Maryland and illegal aliens! Demand "Legal Presence" for all taxpayer funded programs and services in Maryland. Mandate
How much money is being spent by all the different State agencies to attend MAACO in Ocean City? Is this really necessary at this time or even next year? How
much revenue can this possibly bring to the State. Cut it or at least suspend it.
I understand, from a news report, that individual drives may/are charged for police, etc services in car accident cases. How about charging insurance companies
for these services. At times, roads are closed for a considerable amount of time for investigation into the cause of the accident. I would believe that insurance
companies benefit from these reports. How about charging the insurance companies a fee for these investigations. I don't mean an "per report" type fee but a
1. Since the governor is provided housing (and staff), why does he need a salary. I think a salary of $1.00 is appropriate (at least he still keeps his job).
2. The expensive new oriental rug in the State House (approximate cost of $750k?) should be auctioned on EBay. Walmart has some very nice oriential rugs for a
3. The during the legislators 90-day session, they should be paid minimum wage for their time. After all, they do have "other" jobs to go back too.
4. The reserve parking around the State House should be eliminated. Visitors and other people are expected to use pay the meters and parking garage, so the
"executives" of the State House should have be expected to do the same.
I HAVE A FEW SUGGESTIONS
> STOP THE WASTE I WORKED FOR A LARGE ORGANIZATION BEFORE MY REITREMENT AND HAD TO GO THRU THE SAME TYPE OF SITUATION
> HIGH PAYING OFFICALS TAKE A BUDGET CUT 5%
> STOP PAY INCREASES FOR THE TOP PAYING OFFICALS UNTIL THE CRUNCH IS OVER....WE ON SS AND RETIREMENT ARE ON FIXED INCOMES SO
> ALL POLITICAL PARTIES TRY TO GET ALONG FOR THE COMMON GOOD OF THE STATE OF MD.
>LAST IF THE SLOTS COULD HAVE BEEN AGREED ON 6 YEARS AGO I DO NOT THINK OUR FINANCE WOULD BE IN DEEP OF A MESS
>THANKS FOR LISTENING AND IF YOU CARE TO TAKE THE TIME TO RESPOND WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU MAY HAVE MORE IDEAS
select your county
Harford
Harford
Howard
Talbot
Washington
THANK YOU
END FUNDING FOR CASA!!!! AND OTHER ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT ADVOCACY GROUPS
THIS IS NOT A LEGAL IMMIGRATION OR ANTI IMMIGRATION ISSUE, THIS IS AN INVASION BY FOREIGN NATIONALS BENT ON BLEEDING US DRY AND
YOU GUYS NEED TO TAKE A TRIP TO QUEBEC AND TALK TO SOME CANADIANS IN TORONTO TO GET A REAL SENSE OF WHAT A SCREWED UP
NO MORE FREE LUNCH FOR THESE FOLKS - COME DOWN TO PG PLAZA SOME SATURDAY AND WITNESS THE ILLEGALS, MOST OF THE WOMAN
PREGNANT WITH TWO OR THREE OTHERS IN TOW - ALL BORN ON THE US TAXPAYERS DIME.
YOU WILL BE SORRY IN A FEW YEARS WHEN YOU SEE OUR WAY OF LIFE EVAPORATE UNDER THE WEIGHT OF THESE FREELOADERS.
slots
slots
Quit giving benefits to illegal aliens, period.
Could we raise the tolls on the Bay Bridge to $3.00 instead of $2.50? We could also make it more rewarding for folks who have an EZ Pass instead of throwing
additional fees on them. This may make more people opt for the EZ Pass which in turn would allow you to eliminate some of the jobs/salaries/benefits of the toll
collectors as more people utilize EZ Pass. This in turn would help with traffic flow management. If we do this before the end of summer we could gain the
This is only one suggestion. Another suggestion is to eliminate the taxing of military pensions similar to what other states have in place. Take PA for example.
When you think about all that MD has to offer whether it's the mountains out west, the Bay activities, the city life of DC and Baltimore, and the beaches of the
Eastern Shore it would be a good place to retire to if not taxed so much. With all of the military assets in and around MD ie: Aberdeen, Ft. Meade, Andrews AFB,
Bethesda, the Pentagon, Ft. Detrick, Pax River, Norfolk Naval Base, and Dover AFB, there are thousands of possible military families who could consider retiring
here instead of moving elsewhere to more pension friendly states. The revenue gained from property taxes, gas taxes, utilities, sales taxes, etc... from the higher
iAsfl a State
f tiemployee,i I'veh been working
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ff t work
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f with goodi experience.
df
th I wouldt tlikei to suggest
f
i that the State look towards working a mandatory
a th
compressed
4 day (Mon-Thurs 10hrs/day) work week for applicable employees. I believe this would begin to pay for itself when buildings which are not staffed 24/7 are shut
I would also suggest that the purchasing requirements be less restricted. I have seen MANY occasions that we have had to purchase items at a MUCH higher
cost because we had to purchase on State contract and/or from a SBR and/or MBE. If a real business were run this way we'd been bankrupt a long time ago. I
know we're not in the business of making money, but show me a tax payer who would spend $50 for an oil change when they can get it for $25 somewhere else.
I realize that the State is looking out for the little people (MBE/SBR)...but, the fact is, if you can't offer the BEST price in the time frame we need it, why are we
wasting our time and money? I've seen a 10 dollar premium paid for basic maintenace items when we bought them on State contract...the same items priced at
Lowes were half the price...yet we had to buy them off contract because it wasn't an emergency. As far as I'm concerned, this economic situation is about as
If you are taking these suggestions seriously, you should go out to the facilities and remote offices. Meet with the staff and ask them about what they deal with
daily. We are the ones working understaffed and under funded while still keeping high levels of care to the individuals we serve. You'll find out many things that
Howard
Howard
Anne Arundel
Montgomery
Thanks for this oppertunity.
Cut taxes! Let's look at Texas and California. Taxes were lowered in TX and the state economy is booming. Taxes were raised in CA and the state is bankrupt.
Take a pay cut for yourself.
I used to work close to the computer and state police vehicle outfitting. MSP uses the Mercedes of Mobile Data Computers and accessories. Each laptop is
roughly $4000 plus the installation and mounts for the computer. Panasonic Toughbook are currently being used but Dell has a Fully rugged notebook for a lot
less. I think the bigger waste is on the actual mount and the installation. Just the mount alone is over $500. There are several airbag and crash safe mounts
that cost much less and work just as well and sometime better. The installation is also done by a third party. You have a full radio and maintenance shop at
Waterloo that could do the installation for probably less than half of the $500 instalaltion fee, per car, just for the computer mount and console. With the amount
f
th t MSP
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$400
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th education. lit
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$250 000
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Stop
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put
50% of the savings
Anne Arundel
Howard
Harford
select your county
select your county
Allegany
City
Kent
Anne Arundel
Harford
Baltimore
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
Talbot
Montgomery
Montgomery
I have lived in seven states, but I have only encountered emissions testing in Maryland. I'm guessing the program was developed in the 1970's when clean air
rules began. However, I believe that auto technology has grown to point where government verification of the tailpipe emmission is not worth the effort.
I would suggest reduction in the program should occur by first not filing openings as they occur, and also changing the frequency of checks, I think it may be
every third year now, move it to every fourth year as the payroll shrinks, then every fifth year. Combine locations as leases come due, and then a few years down
the line, when the number of checkpoints and employees have declined close the program totally. This is suggested as both some short term benefit, but more
1) Immediate Savings - Furlough state EE's for 10 day's (sliding scale based on salary) without closing the agency. Allow state EE's 10 day's of unpaid leave
(exclude faculty) to use at their discretion. If the leave is not used at the beginning of the end of the fiscal year it get's forfeited.
2) Immediate Savings - Temporary Salary reduction on a sliding scale until the economy/tax revenues increase. > 100k 10% cut, <100 >50k 5%, <50k >40k 2%,
3) Mid-to-long-term - DPW approves huge projects. However, the health of those proejcts, at least the IT ones, are not monitored. In some cases the projects
4) Long Term - Legislative IT auditors audit change control procedures to reduce the likelihood of theft/collusion and to some extent this control has created
5) Mid-long-term -Centralization of IT systems for systems that are not part of the agencies core competencies. For example, various USM schools spend
millions on consulting and software fees to run the same software in a similar fashion. Take USM HRMS systems and centralize operations...the state performs
the gross to net calculations, EBD controls benefits. However, USM schools collectively pay millions in software costs to run their individual systems when they
6) Immediate - Reach out to state EE's close retirement. Some may decide now is the time.
7) Immediate - slightly increase tuition. Currently I believe universities are being forced to be creative with fees as a way to increase revenues and this will
continue. While tuition hasn't increased, the total fees a student pays has.
7) Immediate - raise sales tax 1%
8) Long Term with the most potential for savings - Massive savings can be realized via process change at almost any state agency. Create a pilot program and
team to evaluate 1 agencies processes/procedures to determine what tyeps of savings could be realized via process improvements.
Please require legal presence in Maryland for all taxpayer-funder services and programs. Stop giving taxpayer money to CASA of Maryland and other programs
that benefit illegal aliens. Require the use of E-Verify for all state contracts.
Hello Governor O'Malley, This is some of the best new I've read about out of control goverment. Thank you for all the effort! I'm sure it must be like walking thru a
mine field. As for my suggestion it's something for the lawyers...When an employee retires from a company and that company is showing a profit ,that employee
is retired . When the same employee retires from a company that is in debt and company has to borrow the money for the employees retirement that'a
Hello Governor O'Malley, This is some of the best new I've read about out of control goverment. Thank you for all the effort! I'm sure it must be like walking thru a
mine field. As for my suggestion it's something for the lawyers...When an employee retires from a company and that company is showing a profit ,that employee
is retired . When the same employee retires from a company that is in debt and company has to borrow the money for the employees retirement that'a
Why doesn't someone take a closer look at the Comptrollers' office...why do they have so many enforcement agents that are probably double dippers, do they
TRANSPORTATION....I see in today's Wash Post an article on a S4.6 billion widening of I-270..now would be a good time to raise the gas tax to help pay for that.
Also fares on Baltimore's Light Rail are on the honor system; eveyone should pay Light Rail fare, the lost revenue is costing the State millions of dollars!
Why the great need for a Lieutenant Governor - do we really need that position? If we're talking furloughs, does that apply to you and your cabinet?
This sucks!! I have just started back with the state government 6 8 months ago, and have not gotten my raise and now I have been furloughed!! I will not get a
raise this year and now my cost of living was also cut!! Times are hard enough without you taking every dime out of our pockets!!
Cut out the funding for CASA of Maryland and illegal aliens! Demand "Legal Presence" for all taxpayer funded programs and services in Maryland. Mandate
No more funding for CASA of Maryland and illegal aliens! Require "Legal Presence" for all taxpayer funded programs and services in Maryland. Mandate
Thanks for asking. ASAP, close all state buildings on Fridays except of course those providing essential services. Think of the gigantic reduction in utilities when
computers, air conditioning, lights and heating are turned off for three consecutive days. The option can be given to employees to work 10 hour days, or else to
I suggest that you limit/omit any non critical employee travel to conferences and trainings. I personally know several state employees who have travelled to out-orstate conferences recently, spending $2-3k on their travel. This surely adds up during the course of a fiscal year. I also suggest that you reccommend that
delegates and senators that live within driving distance of Annapolis actually commute instead of spending the $ 11k per session to stay in hotels in Annapolis.
A number of people, myself included, will use the Easy Pass lane at the Bay Bridge without the Easy Pass devise and only pay the normal $2.50 fee for the
violation, which takes time and money to process and send to the offender. I would propose a $10.00 fee for any passenger vehicle that neglects to pay the
required toll. As for larger vehicles the fines would be assessed based on the rate they would normally pay and increase it by $10.00 or more.
39 State positions eliminated out of some 80,000 State employees? Give me a break. Show some guts for a change and do some real cutting. There is fat
everywhere. Show the unions you won't be pushed around (fat chance). Start with CASA, the illegal help and clearing house. To think that one dime of my taxes
Stop funding Casa de Maryland and all other illegal immigrant services.
Carroll
Baltimore
select your county
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
Montgomery
Talbot
City
Anne Arundel
Baltimore
Montgomery
select your county
select your county
Montgomery
Stop all funding to CASA. It makes no sense to fund anyone who is assisting a person who is not a resident of the state or even the country. Stop any and all
funds going to medical for illegals as well as multi language forms that are printed for MVA and other goverment departments. Stop catering to the care of illegals
Stop all State and local government owned vehicles from being taken home daily with the exception of public safety employees..
Why don't we save some tax dollars by ending tax payer support for CASA de Maryland? This organization openly aids & abets illegal aliens in our state, and
because of their program we certainly are becoming a sanctuary state. Also, you should mandate E-Verify to be certain in these difficult economic times that jobs
are going to legal taxpaying citizens rather than illegal aliens who are evading our taxes and breaking our laws. Mr. O'Malley, I am certain you have heard all of
these complaints over and over again. But I assure you, even in this largely Blue State, you will find your approval rating to skyrocket if you start taking a stance
against illegal immigration and instead protect the rights of the legal taxpayers of Maryland. Because of illegal aliens, our health care system is suffering, our
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a look arounde
this
how the way of life that Americans are entitled to is being compromised by the actions of illegals and in many instances the burdening of support systems by legal
immigration . This lifeboat is full. Cut funding to support these scenarios and find ways to generate jobs for Americans at risk. Smell the coffee. More and more
No more funding for CASA of Maryland and illegal aliens! I Demand "Legal Presence" for all taxpayer funded programs and services in Maryland. Mandate
OBEY the laws of the Constitution of the US! Hire Legal citizens only!
Eliminate all out of state trips for ALL state employees, including elected officials.
Stop all construction projects. You can't spend your way out of this mess.
Stop funding Casa Of Maryland. Use E-Verify for all State contracts. Illegal aliens do not have "rights" . I vote and I will remember!
Deport the illegal's from Maryland, out of the United States. That would put about 250,000 tax paying American Citizen's back to work, thats about $625,000,000
back in the buget. Stop given tax payer money to illegal support groups like casa of MD. That is another $2million atleast. Then stop the welfare checks for the
anchor baby's. Stop paying the Hospital bills for the ilegal's. If the Hospital's want to treat illegal's, then let them pick up the tab... Tell O'SELL OUT to add up that
The State needs to cut State employes. If you are cutting services to TAX PAYERS then you can cut some of the employes that will not have to be providing them
to us. That un-needed highway project (cost around 2.4 billion, yes BILLION) needs to be cut, if the people can get around now then we do not need this. If the
State would have controlled growth it would not have this need. We just have to many State employes for what the tax payer gets in return. I go to state offices
(MVA) and ther are more people standing around doing nothing than there are working, this has got to stop. If there is nothing for them to do then lay them off. I
Require proof of legal presence before funds are "Given" to groups like CASA of Maryland! These groups help illegal aliens find jobs (illegally) that should go to
American Citizens! You need to cut payments to programs like these before you cut one nickle from services for tax paying citizens! You also need to require the
use of E-Verify for companies who do work on state contracts and their sub-contractors!Cut the money from services for illegals before you cut money from
No more cuts on state services and employee givebacks. This slows the economic recovery and damages the Gov's voter base. Perhaps executive level cuts and
reductions in the corrections areas, both state and counties, should be addressed.
No more drivers for most state officials. Reduce the state fleet. Don't resurface roads/streets that don't need it.
Use this as an opportunity to consolidate/close dangerous and underperforming schools. Buy goods and services at the lowest price (suspend set asides and
union pay requirements-its an emergency) Don't keep furloughing state workers -particularly those who bring in money (grants, medical research and care, etc)
that pay salaries of Marylanders - it is inefficient. Contract out services that are done cheaper outside government, eliminate extras (not parks and rec - maybe
My suggestion is do the right thing! Don't support illegal immigration and drivers license giveaways to people who have broken the laws of our country.Enforce the
laws which were already in place for decades.You should have plenty of police to do the job since you have turned their traffic enforcement over to all of the
speed cameras you have installed everywhere.Get Manger to do his sworn duty to the "legal" citizens of Montgomery County instead of aiding and abetting the
illegals and groups like Casa de Maryland. While your government has been looking the other way along with many other govenments including above all the
U.S.Gov't, the gang related crime has risen.Nationwide illegal immigration has caused the collapse of the housing and medical treatment markets.They have
It's all pretty basic right and wrong legal and illegal Let your conscience be your guide if you have one!
Review special perks that are given to State employees, Vehicles, cell phones, hours of work, redundit paper work, outsource vehicle use, maintenance.
Review this policy.The State Highway Adimistration gives vehicles to use and take home Ie the state pay for fuel, maintenance, and even pay to wash the vehicle
at privet facilities. and . The state pays others 1/2 mileage @ $.55 remburment to use their personal vehicle that includes fuel, maintenence, insurance and etc..
1. demand all state contracts validate employees with e-verify
2. decline all taxpayer funded services to anyone unable to document legal presence within US
Give jobs and services to legal residents only
Baltimore
Instead of taking money away from education, abolish the "vice" principal positions. Whats the point of a furlough day when Overtime is not controlled or even
omitted? Furlough days should be across the board, this means you too Mr Governor. And the Mayor and council as well. Company vehicles- all agencies (etal:
bge, state, county, gov) should reclassify take home vehicles, as stay at work vehicles. Again, this means you Mr Governor and the Mayor too. Control gas prices,
BGE rates, food so that the average Joe can afford to get out there and spend again. Prices are out of control. Living is out of control. Increases in bills while
Harford
I have a few suggestions. Thank-you for giving me the opportunity to voice them. #1-Did you realize that you are paying MdTA police officers, corporals, and
sgts. overtime everyday 24 hrs a day to sit at the JFK Admin. building? This practice started many years ago as a temporary situation and is still going on. #2MdTA again-there are too many take home vehicles in this organization. Every maint. supervisor has a take home vehicle. I have questioned this practice before
and the answer was if there was a accident on the JFK they need a vehicle to respond in. This is ridiculous. They always respond to their shop first anyway. I
have also seen these vehicles being used while they are not on the clock. With the price of fuel right now I am sure the fuel bill for MdTA is unreal. #3-Hatem
b
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Baltimore
Another suggestion would be to cut the salaries of those that were increased when O'Malley took over as governor.
Another suggestion would be to cut spending. Certainly 50 =/- jobs are not going to take care of the deficit. Reconsider those additional spending programs were
voted in the new budget because of the federal government stimulus. We all must live within our means.
In not way would I suggest raising taxes anymore than they have been raised. This state is business unfriendly and is becoming increasingly unfriendly to people
who work hard and earn money. The new policies only encourage those people and businesses to abandoned the state and move into those states with
Washington
Washington
Washington
Baltimore
Worcester
Baltimore
Carroll
Montgomery
Eliminate the positions and staff of Div of Correction (Western) (Eastern) (Central) Region Asst Commissioner, etc. There is no way these are needed and are
Cut 50% of the Headquarters DOC positions that have been created in the last 5 years. Take a look at it at least....HQ Budget rivals or exceeds most institutions
No more funding for CASA of Maryland and illegal aliens! Demand "Legal Presence" for all taxpayer funded programs and services in Maryland. Mandate
employer use of E-Verify for all Maryland state contracts. No illegal children or children of illegal parents in our public school system. No health care for illegal
ELIMINATE THE STATE TROOPERS WHO ACCOMPANY THE UM FOOTBALL HEAD COACH RALPH FRIEDGEN. I DO NOT WATCH UM BASKETBALL BUT
I WOULD HOPE THE TROOPERS DO NOT ACCOMPANY THE HEAD COACH OF THAT TEAM TOO.
Dear Governor, Please stop giving our tax dollars to persons who have broken the laws by invading our soverign nation and state. We may be known as the
"Free State", but that doesn't mean free support and tax money for these people.
Dear Governor,
My suggestion is to stop funding organizations like CASA de Maryland who are aiding and abetting people from other countries to enter and stay in the U.S., and
specifically Maryland, illegally. Also it was a great first step to require proof of legal residence in Maryland in order to obtain a drivers license, but all aid and
assistance should also require the same standard. If you would make the decision to fund only those who are here legally, it would make a good dent in the
I would also ask that you enforce the use of E-Verify for all state government employees and contractors. Let's keep Maryland jobs available to Marylanders and
legal immigrants. We should be all about showing that people who play by the rules benefit from the system, not interlopers who prey on the (misplaced) good
Anne Arundel
Thanks.
I am a state government employee and I am begging you NOT to take anymore money away from my family!! I've already lost my 401k match and my step
increase for the year. Isn't that enough money out of our pockets? There are many illegal aliens here receiving more money that I feel they are NOT entitled to
Here is my suggestions:
1. Cut spending to illegal aliens.
2. Cut spending on frivilous bonuses to higher executives in all 3 government branches.
Baltimore
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
Frederick
Frederick
Montgomery
Anne Arundel
Caroline
select your county
Montgomery
Anne Arundel
Dorchester
Harford
3. If an employee doesn't take advantage to the tuition reimbursement cut the limit.
You can start by taking no salary then rolling back the $700M of additional spending you created during the special session of nearly two years ago. Also wasn't
Though this state is not in the dilemma like CA, the folly that has pervaded this states government has only fueled waste. You as the mayor of Baltimore, allowed
a sanctuary city policy in that city as many others politicians in this state do to this day. It's really shouldn't even be questioned, that someone without LEGAL
PRESENCE should not receive services at the taxpayers expense. Now that brings me to Casa de MD, and the rest of the parasitic organizations in this state that
care little of this countries rule of law, but receive millions each year from taxpaers just the same. And it doesn't help that this state was the East Coast magnet,
due to it's continued issuance of drivers licenses to ILLEGAL ALIENS over the years. You've got to start looking at who truly pays taxes, sure you might lose
t
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I iknow
weliti
had
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driver's
license,
horse is already out of the barn. All the ones that have obtained the driver's license can still renew them. The citizens are tired of supporting the illegal's. I WILL
NOT hire them to do ANY work in or on my property, EVER!!! I want the American worker. I am sick and tired of hearing that I am a racist because I am against
them being here. As soon as they step foot over the border they are breaking the law. I have to abide by the laws of this country. They don't. I HATE that I have to
press one for English. Some politicians say, we need to give them amnesty, they are living in the shadows. WHAT??? They are not, they are everywhere. I try to
i
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t W A Where
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Why not stop funding CASA of Maryland and illegals in our State. Use e-verify for all MD state contracts. Where is your allegiance to the fiscal integrity of our
My suggestion for saving our budget is as follows. 1 cut all funding for casa of Maryland. 2 End Esol programs in our tax payer funded schools. 3 Make english
the offical language of Maryland. I and believe me am not alone when I say that I am fed up with my tax dollars being spent on none tax payer programs. How
much money would be save if these programs were cut and maybe divived between teachers and police and fire dept. please Gov. Omally finally have the balls
I know my suggestion is not buget cuts, but rather more income. I would recommend an increase in taxes for alcholic beverages. Every other kind of tax has
No more funding for CASA of Maryland and illegal aliens! Demand "Legal Presence" for all taxpayer funded programs and services in Maryland. Mandate
(1) If state employees must take furloughs/pay cuts; be fair and include ALL state employees. It is not fair that correctional officers and state police do not have
(2) Consider 12 hour shifts at 24/7 agencies.
(3) Offer early retirement without penalties as was done the the 1990's.
(4) Allow agencies to buy supplies at lower prices; ie at Staples instead of paying 3 x as much to MCE or minority business.
(5) Make furloughs more equitable; use percentages instead of salary ranges; employees making over $100,000 should pay more than employees making
$60,000. Employees making under $30,000 should not have to pay anything.
(6) Stop thinking of ways to cut state employees pay/benefits, saying you are trying to save jobs. If you continue to cut pay, state employees will not be able to
make mortgage payments; pay other bills and become part of the bigger problem.
(7) Stop listening to AFSME-they care nothing about state employees- only their bottom line.
Stop making Maryland a travel destination for illegal aliens! Cut funding for CASA de Maryland and other groups that facilitate presence of illegal aliens. Limit
social services to people with a legal presence in the US. Enter into 287(g) agreements with ICE like Frederick and report violent offenders to ICE like
Montgomery County. If illegals move out of Maryland, they will take their US-born children with them, and this will save on K-12 schooling plus expensive ESOL
1.Double or triple all fines and do not allow the judges to suspend any of the fines. The lawyers make out but the taxpayers get stuck paying for the police and
2. Trash pickup once a week instead of twice a week.
3. Collect an annual fee, $5-10 for home alarm systems, $20 for business alarms systems.
4. Do not allow police to take their cars home.
5.Charge for school buses used for public schools. Schools are free and parents cold make arrangements for their children or pay for transportation.
Thanks for the opportunity to make suggestions.
cut casa funds please before other programs
thanks,
Here are some suggestions:
1) Eliminate Thornton and the State Department of Education. Schools succed or fail based on local priorities.
2) Eliminate all taxpayer aid of any sort to people that are here illegally. Give them a reason to leave.
3) Require all recipients of taxpayer aid and all incarcerated individuals to earn their keep by actually providing services that the state provides. Use those new
select your county
Frederick
Harford
Worcester
4) Determine revenue before the Federal porkulus money and cut spending to that level to avoid a new "structural" deficit.
5) Make real cuts to state payroll. At least 5%.
No more funding for CASA of Maryland and illegal aliens! Please mandate all employers use of E-Verify for all Maryland state contracts.
Quit finding all services to illegal imigrants
If you really wanted to save this state financially, you would have gotten rid of all illegal aliens long ago .Since you Democrats can't win any election without their
illegal votes,you won't do a damned thing about them. I hope our citizens wake up and run you out of Annapolis!!!!!
Governor O'Malley,
Budget cuts are a very important issue. It is in Maryland's citizens best interest for you to push to end the funding for criminal organizations like CASA of Maryland
It's also imperative that you push for ALL employers in MD to E-Verify every employee regardless of longevity or national origin. We need a sweeping E-Verify law
to cover the entire state and require ALL law enforcement agencies to enroll in 287(g) to aid i the deportation of all illegal aliens. The crime and strain on our
JOBS are the key to creating a lucrative environment for all legal citizens of Maryland. We can ensure FULL employment if all illegal aliens are removed from our
once prosperous state. There is NO EXCUSE for one single legal citizen to be without work!
Baltimore
Frederick
Montgomery
Montgomery
Calvert
Montgomery
Anne Arundel
City
Harford
If you cannot support the citizens of Maryland, please step aside as you have neglected your duties.
The following declares exactly my feelings about how a large number of political folks in Maryland are wrongfully using our tax dollars-specifically providing
monetary and other benefits to illegal immigrants. It is my strong feeling that there be no more funding for CASA of Maryland and illegal immigrants/immigration!
Please demand "Legal Presence" for all taxpayer funded programs and services in Maryland. Please mandate employer use of E-Verify for all Maryland state
contracts. Please protect our LEGAL IMMIGRANTS AND LAW ABIDING AMERICAN CITIZENS by not sidestepping or putting a "spin" on our constitutional
rights. Those that would make it easy for illegal immigration are inviting chaos - there are millions and millions of folks in the world who would just love to come
Thank you so much for the consideration given these suggestions.
Nowhere in Maryland's notable cost saving actions or running a more efficient government did I see anything about cutting benefits and enforcing existing state
and federal laws to prevent the flow of illegal immigrants to our state, even though you say that "we have done so always with an eye toward the protecting the
core priorities of education, public safety, the environment, protecting our most vulnerable families." Doesn't the illegal immigrant population currently residing in
Maryland rely on our education system to school their children? And don't you want to ensure public safety by reducing and eliminating the threat of illegal gangs
who prey on innocent families who are indeed some of "our most vulnerable" to this threat? Lastly, I was raised in Montgomery County and whenever I go back
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Todthei Governor:
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Presence must be required for all taxpayer funded programs and services in Maryland. Mandate employer use of E-verify for all state contracts. Do the right thing,
To the Governor: If you are truly interested in protecting public safety and the children in our schools, STOP funding CASA of Maryland and illegal aliens. Legal
Presence must be required for all taxpayer funded programs and services in Maryland. Mandate employer use of E-verify for all state contracts. Do the right thing,
STOP PROVIDING EDUCATION, MEDICAL COVERAGE, WELFARE AND HOUSING TO ALL ILLEGAL ALIENS IN THIS COUNTRY AND OUR STATE. NO
MORE FUNDING FOR GROUPS LIKE CASA OF MD. THAT HARBOR AND DEMAND RIGHTS FOR THE ILLEGALS AGAINST FEDERAL LAW.MANDATORY
USE OF E-VERIFY BY ANYONE THAT RECEIVES STATE OR COUNTY CONTRACTS.DEMAND PROOF OF "LEGAL PRESENCE" OF ANYONE SEEKING
TAXPAYER FUNDED SERVICES IN OUR STATE. INSTRUCT THE STATE AND COUNTY POLICE TO DETERMINE "LEGAL PRESENCE" OF EVERYONE
No more funding to support illegal aliens in Maryland and the orgaizations that support them. These criminals are sucking us dry. Stop them now.
Instead of cutting services, raising taxes or furloughing mainstream state and county employees, why not remove expensive add-on incentives, as providing
expensive vehicles to state and county executives. The initial cost of a car (in many cases high-end SUV's) is covered by the taxpayer. The maintenance, repair
and fuel are also paid by citizens. These automobiles are provided for personal commuting and often are not identified by state or county plates.
Why not set an example? If these vehicles must be provided at taxpayer expense, then perhaps something less than luxury transportation would be sufficient.
The market today has a vast assortment of fuel efficient, safe and reliable choices.
My suggestion is to eliminate the Personal Property Tax Form for nonprofit organizations. Each year the state receives, processes, and files this form for 501(c)3
organizations. There is no tax with it, so it takes time, and filing space, that wastes money but does not bring in revenue.
Nonprofit organizations already file a 990, which is information available to the public, so what is the point of the "Form 1" for nonprofits in Maryland?
Increase fines and more stringent accountability for malfeasance in real estate, legal and financial circles. Additionally, institute MUCH more stringent fines for
pollution, poaching and other environmental infractions, fines in addition to ENTIRE cost of cleanup. Issues like the striped bass poaching ring exposed this
Howard
That will send a strong message as well as provide revenue.
Number one for me is the millions that you and every governor since Glendening regularly put in the state budget for non-public school textbook (and recently
computers). The nonpublic school lobby (headed by the Maryland Catholic Conference) just pushes for more and more and they're apt to want to include money
See http://www.mdcathcon.org/main.asp
Eliminate other aid to nonpublic schools such as scholarship funds for teaching therein.
Then there are the many pork barrel bond bills that primarily serve special interests. They can surely be cut back in number.
Beyond that, if we're going to have slots in Maryland, the state could save money (the 30% of the take that the operators would get) by putting the machines in
state-owned facilities with operation controlled by state employees. They could even be situated right next to the county and/or city tax offices.
http://www.dailypress.com/news/national/bal-md.slots06feb06,0,3440152.story
Eliminate the cuts of the slots revenue that would go to private entrepreneurs in the racetrack industry and other special interests. One of the latter amounts to a
payoff cut to the Minorities and Women's Commission in order to attract sufficient support for the slots details bill during the 2007 special session. All slots
http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/Maryland_Casino_Measure_(2008)
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/politics/bal-md.ballot11sep11,0,773008.story
Abolish anti-prostitution laws or other sex-related restrictions on consenting adults and turn money saved from eliminating "vice" enforcement into health
protection. Regulate the sex industry solely to provide protection to buyers and sellers and tax it to increase state revenue.
http://prostitution.procon.org/viewbackgroundresource.asp?ResourceID=741
Harford
Carroll
select your county
Baltimore
City
Harford
Anne Arundel
Baltimore
I think the state house chef should be retired. Ground the state jet for 5 years. Fly coasch with your bodyguards and save some state money. Stop the
international travel for 2 years. Open back up competitive bidding and stop the uncompetitive purchasing policies.
Stop the tuition helpand free educating for illegal aliens that I see lined up along Broadway every morning.
Send some bills for medical cost reimbusement to Mexico and whereever else these illegals come from.
Stop thinking all of us are STUPID! The mediocre state positions that were cut were ridiculous. Ask a successfull private employer how to keep a payroll within
budget and how they make actual staffing adjustments in tough times. Reduce some taxes and make the state friendly to business and you will see an increase
Lower the sales tax rate back to .05 cents per dollar. This will encourage spending in Maryland.
Keep making cuts and lower our taxes. Lets see a smaller government in Maryland.
Here is one the politicians would howl on. Link the amount of money saved by the state government into raises. There for if they don't save any money they don't
I recommend that the state shuts down all their government agencies twice a month to balance the budget. I'm a state employee and those furloughs days hurted
some of us. we can not afford any more furlough days, their has to be another way.
Why not encourage more telecommuting and working from home for state employees? With Blackberries and laptops issued to many workers, why not
encourage certain days of the week to be "Work-from-home" days? The state would save on facility and energy costs and workers would enjoy the flexibility, and
Everyday I speak with State employees and other Maryland citizen who understand the need for budget cuts but do not understand why the citizens of Maryland
get the cuts and the non-citizen receive no cuts. No one I know will vote for O'Malley again unless while we citizens must suffer that massive cuts must be made
Eliminate all Section 8 Housing allowances and evaluate all of the "Senior Citizen" programs. I am a Senior Citizen, but age alone doesn't mean we need a
discount or other free services. The EZ-Pass monthly fee should also be eliminated. Like many other users of EZ-Pass, I canceled my Maryland account and
opened a Delaware account, without any monthly fees. I suggest a 10% reduction for every State Agency other than the Maryland State Police. Let each Agency
- raise taxes on those making more than $160,000 to $186,000± a year
- raise sales tax on all tobacco smoking products including cigars + motorcycles, GUNS, and other dangerous products that add to health care costs. This will
increase revenue, save lives, save on long term care, lost taxes due to loss of jobs and deaths, and reduce use of these things.
- allow import and export of wine into and out of the state. This will bring in more of existing taxes on alcohol and make many wine drinkers happy.
- raise tuition at state universities based on major and student age. People studying in fields that result in high paying jobs like engineering, law, medicine, etc.
and who are young, pay the most. People studying graphic design, art, english, teaching, etc and who are young pay just below the average. While these
People who are older in any field pay less relative to the excepted income of the field. So a 45 year old student in science pays less than a 20 year old in science
but more than a 20 year old in English. A 55 year old in art history pays less than a 29 year old in art history. If the parents are paying for it for the younger
But, it is key to not over do it. The difference should be no more than a few hundred dollars between the lowest and highest tuition. Note too that, majors like
engineering and business tend to have the highest number of enrolled students while, art or Greek, the lowest. So the volume in the higher paying majors more
A side effect of lower cost to older students is that those who lost jobs and are returning to study, are given this lower cost encouragement. Older students in
college classes also help raise the intensity of the class as the younger students see the dedication and maturity of the older students.
Anne Arundel
Cecil
Anne Arundel
select your county
Baltimore
Baltimore
Those are rough outlines for the ideas. The devil is in the details!
1) Lower Senator and Delegate salaries. MD is in the top 10 in the US for part-time legislator salaries.
2) Lower Senator and Delegate per diem. During session, many times meals are provided by lobbyists or committee dues. Very few, if any, need as much as
3) Cut stem cell research grant money. Private sources can fund. Doesn't need to be govt role.
4) Cut Coppin State Univ. What a joke! Check out their success rate for their students. We're throwing away money there. Something needs to change.
5) Lower utility bills in state bldgs by adjusting heating/cooling levels to more moderate. Don't need to cool/light unused areas.
6) It costs DOUBLE per head to educate an ESOL student (English Learner). We need one language to communicate and become one community. Stop
publishing materials in Spanish and use English as the common language in America. IMMERSION is key to assimilate.
I hope you take these suggestions seriously. Please let me know you rec'd them and what you think. Thank you.
Cut money to illegal alien benefits, including welfare, drivers licenses, Casa of Maryland, and require proof of legal residency status for all benefits.
Retro fit all state government buildings with green energy saving items, such as solar panels and geothermal for airconditioning and heating. The installations in
the beginning would be expensive, but as soon as they are up and running it would save the state an incredible amount of money on energy usage. Also make
state fleet vehicles that could be changed into more energy efficent hybrid cars or higher mileage vehicles into them. The gas saving would be great. Have
Suggestion #1: Future furloughs for State Employees include a voluntary portion. Some State Employees may volunteer to take extra unpaid days for personal
reasons, thus increasing the amount of savings to the State, or reducing the burden for other employees for whom furloughs represent a significant economic
Suggestion #2: Encourage unpaid sabbaticals for State Employees, and loosen restrictions regarding sabbaticals. This could lead to a temporary reduction in
the state workforce, but ultimately lead to higher morale and employees that may bring back new skills and life experiences.
I applaud your initiative to cut fat from the budget as I almost never support tax increases. However, my suggestion to help balance Maryland's budget is to TAX
OUT OF STATE COMMUTERS!!! 50,000 commuters X $45,000 average annual income X 1% income tax = $22.5 million dollars annually. How much do we
spend to keep I83 smooth and beautiful for the benefit of out of state commuters? Today, more than ever, there are no free lunches and moving out of state for
Thank you for listening!
Governor,
It appears we have a predicament here in our fine state. As you know, solving it will be painful, no matter how you go about it. My suggestion is not for further
budget cuts. Although I realize there is room for cuts, I hate the idea because most if not all cuts will involve loss of jobs and services for our citizens. You,
My idea is “A Penny for Your State” campaign or movement that would result in the addition of 1 cent (just 1) to most purchases, or those that already involve a
tax, i.e. a six pack of beer, a bottle of wine or spirit, a gallon of gas (make the cost $3.40 rather than $3.39), a hot dog, a pizza, whatever. The question is, do you
make it mandatory, or voluntary. Getting something like this through our state government could be a nightmare as your critics will accuse you of “taxing” (heaven
forbid). Making it voluntary could be an accounting nightmare. Still, I’ve discussed this with a number of friends, family, and colleagues and no one would seem
Harford
Harford
Thanks for listening. Good luck, my friend.
Thank you for soliciting ideas on reducing the budget. Since state employees at the lower levels seem to take it on the chin in these economic times I would like
to suggest a temporary salary reductions for the top 10% of State of Maryland employees including the executive and legislative branches. Best wishes in this
As a Democrat in Harford County xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx and out of work for last year I think it it is important for our Politicial Leaders to start cutting from the
Top an not the bottom, so that the citizens can have renewed hope in our Government, cutting from the bottom is wrong way to go since we elect those to
represent us! Social Programs, food Pantries and Social Services are all important as well as Education of our children! Raising taxes and adding fees and
surcharges is unproductive in this tough recession and serve no purpose but to punish our neediest citizens! So Please No more Taxes, Fees or Surcharges on
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
Caroline
select your county
Anne Arundel
City
Anne Arundel
Baltimore
Baltimore
Harford
My suggestion is- a lot of Marylanders have lost jobs or had to take a cut in pay. The Maryland Governor's offices, staff, and General Assembly (Governor, Lt.
Governor, Comptroller, Speaker of the House & Senate as well as representatives) should also by good faith cut their salaries. May only be a small piece of the
Please stop buying land. It is a good idea to purchase the land but if the state is in financial difficulty then buying the land should not take place. It seems if one's
cannot make their credit card payment, then one should not keep using the credit card.
Cancel all travel that the state budget will be paying. Go back to using conference calls.
Call in all state vehicles - so they are not used for getting to and from work. Have the higher ups use public transportation - its free to them. Have the cost of gas
be paid in part by the person using the state vehicle (from and to work) where the state only pays for gas for state business only.
Printing office with State Police closed, give the inmates this job, as there are many prisons that could have the inmates doing this service at a much reduced
For state employees - they have two pay periods where health benefits are not deducted - take these deductions to help reduce what the state is paying.
Adopt a two year budget cycle and have the legislature meet every other year.
suggest you clean out the board of education of administrators and keep your experienced teachers. Stop the beaurocracy and support the people that make a
Cuts in education should be the main focus!
Have State Senators stop giving out Scholarships! Most of those go to the politically connected! Also cuts should be made in the Baltimore City public school
system. We spend as much as some of the richest counties in the state.. only to get much worse results! More also should be cut from the University systems.
As you know, it is extremely difficult for any head of household, CEO, Governor, or President to know exactly where to cut a budget. The procedure we used in
the Department of Defense was a good one -- and very effective. Noting that a budget cut was coming, but not knowing the extent, the Secretary would ask all
Department heads in his organization to identify what programs they would cut in case there was a 5%, 10%,15%, or 20% cut in their budgets. In turn, the
Department heads would ask all their management levels to do the same. Once the data was presented up each chain of command, the proposed cut in
It is my belief that we should not be involved in luxury resort activities. Therefore, my suggestion is to sell Rocky Gap. The Sun has reported that annual losses
are in excess of $1M dollars. In relation to the "structural deficit" argument, I find this argument somewhat moot. The legislature created it and they can certainly
Governor,
The appropriation for stem cell research should be completely eliminated from the state budget. Now that the federal government has resumed funding stem cell
research there is no justification for using state taxpayer funds for this purpose. The current limited state tax income is having difficulty funding legimitate
government obligations such as education, public health and security. Leave the funding of stem cell research to the National institutes of Health and to private
As a democratic in a mostly republican county I am really disappointed with the current administration to govern impartially. Here are a few suggestions in order
- Re-evaluate every state position and eliminate those that are unnecessary regardless of who hold the position and why/how they got it.
-Take a flat 5% reduction on pay for ALL state workers including the governor, Maryland senate and house.
-Fold the MTA into the State Highway Group. Replace the entire upper management of the MTA and eliminate incompetence's.
-Take all car/driver privileges away from state workers including governor and Maryland House and Senate and state police. This might spur increases in use of
mass transportation and thereby become more sympathetic, understanding and responsive to people who take mass transportation and report complaints/issues
-Eliminate all reimbursement of state employees who use mass transportation.
-Reduce the amount of MTA buses. Only run the buses once an hour during rush hour on a line. That is what is done on North of Baltimore trains, so it should
-Reduce the MARC trains running from Washington to Baltimore to hourly intervals instead of half hour intervals. You do it north of Baltimore so why not south.
-Scrap the proposed Red Line in Baltimore. Useless and seems like a possible abyss of money that could be utilized better elsewhere. Sheila can steal some
-Reduce the personal governor’s staff by 50% and reduce the remaining pay to be more in line to actual market value.
-Eliminate political favor positions.
-Return the $350,000 rug
-Close the governors mansion and let the governor live in his own house.
-Slow down purchase of land for preservation.
-Eliminate any compensation for state employees in regard to food reimbursement. If I can bring a my own lunch to a meeting, they can also.
-Eliminate any travel out of state for ALL state employees including MD House & Senate.
-Replace the PSC to include members who are actually intelligent enough to realize that the actual John and Jane Does of MD are getting the shaft.
-Eliminate tax breaks for big business
-Tax universities, colleges, schools, churches, hospitals etc. (especially real estate tax and at current going rate)
-Scale down number of board members on boards across the state like the Board of Education.
-Eliminate “state” sponsored fairs, parades, festivals etc.
-Collect outstanding taxes from individuals and companies.
Baltimore
Carroll
select your county
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
Harford
Allegany
These are just a few suggestions. I manage a budget for $186 million dollars so many of the suggestions are what we employ when budgets need to be cut. The
other suggestions are just things that I see being abused or out of control that someone needs to account for.
why don't we have low level offenders in jail out picking up trash along the highway instead of payng all these state highway employees for just wasting tax dollars
To balance the budget and put Maryland back in the black we should furloug every elected official in Annapolis for one year. This would not only get us out of this
problem it would also keep the lawmakers from taxing the citizens of this state even more for frivilous programs. During this time there should also be a provision
Simple, stop aiding and abetting illegal immigrants.
Thank you for inviting public comment on this matter.
If the state has difficult budget problems, do what a family or business does -- cut back to true priorities. Find the core items, those minimum items that it takes to
have a state government. Leave the rest to the private sector -- free enterprise. I submit that those core items are: a governor and his staff (execute laws), a
legislature and their staffs (enact laws), a system of judges and courts (to decide legal matters), and a police force and jail system (to protect people and enforce
Note that that leaves some major items completely out of the government -- schools, environmental activities, health care, roads and other transportation,
research, and much more. These functions can all be performed in the private sector (though it may be necessary to change the Maryland Constitution to drop
them from government). It's my contention that free enterprise can perform these functions better than government, but even if that were not true, a desperate
If you enacted my proposal, you'd quickly balance the budget and soon be able to cut taxes as well.
Sincerely
Try getting the illegals out of our state. I work for a almost living and am continualy told that I make too much money for any help with anything our combined
income is 27000,per yr. My husband is disabled due to MS and no help for him as well.
I recently saw a phone book listing all Md state vehicles.
Frankly I am shocked. I can understand the MSP taking vehicles home. I wish they would make a attempt to set a positive example when behind the wheel
though. How many tax dollars are being spent on Agressive Driver Prevention?
But it seems that to be a state manager of any department earns you the right to have a state car in the driveway. State roads depts seem to have allot of
vehicles used for personnal transportation. Those yellow vehicles are easy to see. Yet from the size of the listing I saw it must certainly be that thousands of State
What makes you guys better than the rest of us? Who pays for all the associated vehicle costs? I bet its the taxpayer.
I'm sure you could save allot just in insurance and maintenance coverage by halving that book.
Washington
Baltimore
Additionally I noted the State gave the Horse Racing Industry 30 million this year. An industry that has lost money every year since at least the 1960s. A sad
waste of tax dollars for a photo opportunity at the Preakness. I bet 80% of Marylanders have never gone to a horse racing event and could care less about it.
Why not cut those purse strings too? If they can't support themselves then turn those crumbling edifices into a shopping mall or subdivision which will generate
My income went from 150K to less than 50K last year. My family had to learn to live with less and restructure our debt. We're doing just fine. Governments must
learn to do what all families and businesses know they have to occasionally do, cut back, restructure, and do without. At a time when people have less, you can't
continue to demand and take more and more. It is outrageous that during these hard economic times our property tax bills have increased at the same time our
property values have plummeted. Business and retirees are fleeing to neighboring states because of the tax structure to the point where more and more is being
demanded of less and less. One of the most outrageous wastes of money is the VIP program in Washington County. To keep this facility open is a joke. Far
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doesn't harm jobs. Any type of entertainment or catering budgets should be eliminated and all top department heads including everyone in your office should
take at least a 10% pay cut. I would not want to see cuts to police, fire or education at all. Also, we need to support efforts for a national healthcare plan and shift
Howard
Thank you
1. eliminate/consolidate duplicate compliance divisions that exist among various divisions of the government - executive, judiciary and state agency.
2. Consolidate various youth serving agency into one child serving agency to maximize federal funds and provide mental health and family services to the whole
Harford
Caroline
City
Anne Arundel
Kent
3. return probationary services to local government to keep families in the community
STOP STATE FUNDING OF CASA DE MARYLAND.
Cuts in medicaid need to be made. There are plenty of people who are getting benefits that make more than they should and sneak through the system. My
is a farmer and makes alot of money but yet he seems to get medicaid for his children, come on now its ridiculous, he could afford health
insurance but why buy it when it's free. There are alot of people who are getting insurance that shouldnot be getting it. People need to get out and work and not
looking for handouts. Everything the economy is bad you want to cut state workers, why are they always affected. They need their payraises just like you do,
their bills continue to go up and they aren't getting anymore. They need their money and insurance just like you do, are you going to give up some of your benefits
f
f
f that works in a childcare program in the fentire state be registered with the office.
For MSDE, Office of ChildfCare,
there is a requirement
that every new employee
This means that the licensing specialist must review the following paperwork for every new hire:
application, school transcript, ID, medical exam, orientation, federal background check, state background check, first aid training, CPR training, continued training
THIS INFORMATION IS THEN DUPLICATED AND PROCESSED AGAIN FOR STAFF THAT APPLY FOR THE CHILDCARE CREDENTIAL (that process can
In addition, there is a form that must be completed to add or subtract each staff person, a staffing pattern form that must be revised, and a staffing list that must
be updated. All three forms must be reviewed by the MSDE specialist and their supervisor.
This is very time-consuming for state workers.
There is a lot of turnover in childcare staff, especially in school-age childcare, which is about 90% part-time work, and is often staffed with college students,
majoring in education and other related fields. It is not unusual for a new staff person to start work for a semester, have a schedule change, and leave the partMy suggestion is to change the requirement so that each child care program administrator is responsible for maintaining these records, just as other employers in
the business world would do for their personnel. The records could be reviewed when MSDE does inspections, which are already unannounced annual
This would uphold the same standards for childcare programs, but reduce the workload for the MSDE licensing specialists and their supervisors.
It would also increase the efficiency of the department. Currently, it is very difficult to communicate with licensing specialists because they are so bogged down
with paperwork. It can take days and weeks to get a phone call or email returned. License renewals are behind schedule, which affects the ability of childcare
Thank you for your efforts to improve government efficiency and to use tax dollars wisely!
Cut the waste in throwing good money after bad on each child in Baltimore schools. With only a 38% graduation rate, money is not the issue.
The EMERGENCY meeting that you called for the General Assembly was a ridiculous waste of our tax dollars. The voters will not forget this.
Since I am against our tax dollars going for Stem Cell research, you could cut all of out tax dollars spent on that.
Cut spending! That is what we have to do with our own budgets.
I think it only fair that the K-12 system be looked at. Our school systems seem to be unaccountable due to teacher unions and the teachers never lose anything.
Please show state employees that you are a fair person by including the teachers in any budget cuts and yes, the schools. There is a lot of waste out there.
.
Carroll
Unions - teacher unions - they have made the difference
Dear Governor,
For one, budget cuts should start at the top.
A pay cut for all employees who make more than $100,000.00 a year.
Stop training that is not essential for this year. If it is not a requirement or a yearly certification, that gets cuts.
Travel, per diem things that employees do not need to go.
If you have take home vehicles, stop that. Right there will save you lots of money in gas and repairs.
Do not ask for a special saession.
Last time we had one was just a wast of our money.
If you can't get the job done within the time limits that legislation is on, than it will just have to wait till next time.
If the state is renting office space, why not buy the property? In the long run, we would save lots of money that way.
All excess spending must be reduce!
If it hasn't been authorized before hand, than it is s no go.
MML is a waste of city, county and state's money.
All it is, is a vacation and drinking party.
You do not have to go out of your jurisdiction to have training or to hear someone speak.
Too much money is spent by every city to send supervisors to the MML.
That money could be spent else where.
Training starts at home.
Budgeting starts at home.
I have always had to be on a budget.
Money is tight as it is, and as cost of living keeps going up, and not my salary,I am tired of being taxed to death.
Please take into consideration my comments, and thank you for letting me write down my thoughts.
Sincerely,
Frederick
My suggestion is to eliminate the waste for contractors. Bid contracts with an undestanding that if the contractor does NOT meet their obligations, they will incur
penalties. I see all too often, that the government contractors overcharge, then ask fro more money for overruns. IF they had bid the contract correctly, and
worked efficiently, then there would be no cost overruns and less waste. Our COTR's are junk and couldn't manage their way out of thier driveway. Make people
select your county
Harford
select your county
Anne Arundel
Harford
Howard
Baltimore
I have always thought it was unnecessary to cut the lawns along highways. We could possibly save some money and cut pollution if we stopped doing that. Of
course, that might put some more folks out of work. Thanks for the opportunity to make a suggestion.
stop the use of take home vehicles for any state employee including MSP.
turn back the thermostat year round in state buildings including the state house.
I HAVE A COUPLE OF SUGGESTIONS. ONE IS THAT WHEN TAXES ARE DONE FOR STATE, THAT THE COMPTROLLER CHECK THE VALIDITY OF ALL
SOCAIL SECURITY NUMBERS. ILLEGAL HISPANICS ARE USING FICTICOUS SOCAIL SECURITY NUMBERS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE STATE
EARNED INCOME CREDIT. OR MAKE IT SO THAT ILLEGAL ALIENS CANNOT TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE LOCAL EARNED INCOME CREDIT. ALSO STOP
GIVING STATE MONEY TO ILLEGAL ALIENS. IF THE PARENT IS ILLEGAL THAN THE CHILD SHOULD BE CONSIDERED ILLEGAL AND SHOULD NOT
BENEFIT FROM ANY WELFARE PROGRAMS IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND. IF THE PARENTS ARE ILLEGAL THAN THE CHILDREN SHOULD NOT BE
TAUGHT IN MARYLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS. WE DONT HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO PROPERLY TEACH OUR OWN CHILDREN. I DRIVE A CAB IN THE
CITY
AND
HEALTH
DEPARTMENT
PAYS
FOR
IMMIGRANTS
TOthen
TAKE
TAXIS
TO THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND SUCH
I thinkOF
youANNAPOLIS
should talk to
the THE
employees
about
taken a pay cut
witch
will ILLEGAL
be hard on
sum but better
being
layoff.
I am a county employee i would take a pay cut then to be layoff or co-workers being layoff,alot of workers are will to help but not being ask. i would like to thank
you for asking your employees i think that speak highly of you as a governor and a person good luck
Cut the Stadium Authority. It only benefits the rich owners. And then take the profits from Megaball which it gets and use them to take care of health and
Dear Governor O'Malley:
1) Stop all advertising for the Maryland Lottery.
2) Immediately institute Combined Reporting of corporate income to prevent companies from shirking their tax duties by hiding money in out-of-state subsidiaries!
At least 19 states already use the Combined Reporting tax system. Some Maryland companies always talk about patriotism, yet shirk their tax responsibilities!
The average Maryland citizen just cannot keep paying higher and higher taxes, while companies avoid paying their fair share of taxes!
3)Charge admission fees at the EXCELLENT Sideling Hill geological museum! Or, make the Sideling Hill museum a non-profit facility. It is too wonderful a facility
4) Aggressively go after all tax cheats.
5) More aggressively enforce environmental regulations, and impose fines.
6) Increase tuition at all state universities.
7) Add a Maryland State hotel room charge, and increase landing fees at State airports.
Montgomery
Respectfully yours
Rather than furlough all state employees, why not ask for those who would willingly volunteer to take furlough for 1-3 days for those at the lower end of the pay
scale so as not to burden that group. A plan could be set up to do this by each agency/dept to give directly back to its fellow employees. You would be surprised if
Limit the compensation of college sports staff to no more than full professors. Let's get our priorities straight.
Montgomery
Limit the compensation of college sports staff to no more than full professors. Let's get our priorities straight.
Montgomery
Decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana; tax it heavily. Reduce jail time for small time drug dealers. Reduce the jail population--jail just make
more criminals and costs the taxpayer for non-violent no-weapon small-time drug convictions.
Montgomery
Raise the gasoline tax and make it a percentage, not a fixed penny amount. If you can't raise it, just change it to a percentage, based on todays gas prices. Now
is the time while gas is cheap. With prices changing daily, most folks would not even notice the change.
Anne Arundel
Montgomery
Make income taxes structure more progressive. Those who make over $250,000 should pay a lot more; they can afford it and they have benefited from existing
policies. The "tax them and they will leave" theory is baloney. Believe in Maryland--the rich who are here will stay here because they like it here.
Montgomery
Accelerate permitting of wind power farms off Maryland shore, like Delaware. MD would profit from taxes and energy export. Would reduce energy costs in the
future making Maryland more competitive. Would help bay by reducing demand for dirty power. Get Obama Energy simululus money for offshore wind in
Montgomery
Adopt California Energy Commission building codes and appliance standards. They fit Maryland and would save many many billions in the long run. Would avoid
Montgomery
End all international travel by government employees or officials.
Montgomery
Close the LLC loophole. Only persons who can vote should be able to contribute to campaigns. This would end lots of boondogles.
Montgomery
End subsidies of any kind to private sports businesses--football, baseball, horse racing, soccer. Not a penny more. Let these businesses function like any other
business--get them off the dole. Renegotiate stadium contracts to end subsidies. No more sweethard deals for sports operators!
Montgomery
Penalize Medicaid users who go to Emergency room instead of urgent care for non-emergencies. Provide decent 7-day Urgent care as alternative for hospital
Montgomery
Convert pensions to defined contribution.
Montgomery
Bring government pensions/benefits in line with private pensions and salaries. End COLAs on everything. Require major healthcare contributions. Charge those
who use government insurance for a working family member. [Many folks run lucrative private businesses using their government-employed spouses health
Montgomery
Bring government pensions/benefits in line with private pensions and salaries. End COLAs on everything. Require major healthcare contributions. Charge those
who use government insurance for a working family member. [Many folks run lucrative private businesses using their government-employed spouses health
Montgomery
Increase tax collections from non-filers and deadbeats. Publish the names of all filers and have a whistle-blower bounty of 10% of all taxes collected from fail-tofile accounts. Increase fines for late filing, late paying. Publish list of all delinquent taxpayers. Hire more auditors to audit taxes of big-earners, partnerships,
Those of us who diligently file returns and pay taxes promptly feel like saps, when so many prominent folks don't.
Kill the ICC. Save billions over years.
1. If the State is still firing a bullet from each handgun that is for sale in order to get a ballistic finger print, that can be eliminated because no crime has ever been
2. Eliminate "all" funding for stem cell research. That is a Federal responsibility and not the State. It was done to
Montgomery
Anne Arundel
Carroll
City
Baltimore
Howard
Baltimore
Baltimore
counter the Bush ban on embryo research which has since been recinded by President Obama.
Stop buying state land from your buddies for over the value of the land. Of and it was worthless so why buy it at all. STOP WASTING OUR MONEY
1. Ask every department head in state government to eliminate six positions - workload can be combined and responsibilities distributed within each department.
2. Review tax exemptions that are currently in place. There may be a need to eliminate tax exemptions because of the budget deficit and dwindling revenues.
3. Close state parks during the fall and winter seasons.
4. Adopt a flexibe freeze on state hiring
5. Eliminate lottery drawings on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.
6. Review the needs of boards and commissions.
7. Establish performance measures for state agencies - when performance measures are not met, decrease funding
8. Consider privatizing the state correctional facilities
9. Tax increases on persons who have incomes over $200,000
10. Increase cigarette, alcohol, and hotel taxes.
Many people live in neighboring states and work in Maryland. Yet Marylanders have to pay to build and upkeep the roads that these commuters use on a daily
basis. What if there were a toll for use of major commuter roads such as I-83, but Maryland license holders would get a pass going through the toll? It's time the
I suggest the governor forgo his salary for 2010. Most of us in the private sector have been asked to take reductions in salary or have lost jobs. I just laid-off 150
employees in
because of the poor performing economy. I believe this would demonstrate Mr. O'Malley's "eye toward protecting the core
priorities." This is what true leadership is all about. Mr. O'Malley has a duel income and his personal overhead is being covered by the people of Maryland.
End moratorium on raising tuition and raise tuition by at least 10% for state schools.
Require some type of drug treatment for offenders with addictions. The amount of crime perpetrated by addicts is overwhelming, whether it be illegal substances,
alcohol, or prescription drugs. Completion of a detox program and treatment to deter future crime would be more cost-saving than the cost of another prisoner
and a drawn out court trial/procedures. Drug Court programs shouldn't just be for first offenders if it's determined that a petty thief is only a thief to fulfill their need
Stop State public assistance for those who are involved in criminal activity - i.e. have their homes raided, are arrested for crimes, keep someone in their home
Great work allowing SHA to go green and windy in Westminster!! kudos! do more of this!!!
To put more $ into consumer's pockets, and waste less fossil fuel try programming ALL traffic lights to respond ONLY when traffic is present/actually aproaching to avoid unnecessary idling while NO cross traffic occurs. . .I don't know how many times I've sat at an intersection, with NO ONE around, obeying the traffic
Also, I'd like to comment on the currnt #77 from cellular telephones, which motorists in MD are invited to use to alert POLICE to highway incidents - when
traveling recently between Baltimore City and College Park, along I-95, I encountered an AUTOMATED answering system, when I dialed #77, which did not
connect me, directly, to a live police representative, when I attempted to alert POLICE to a disabled motorist; which did not require/warrant 911 assistance. . .in
another area, between Relay and Baltimore City, I've called #77, and was greeted with an officer, who may have been driving a desk, who wanted to GIVE ME
ANOTHER NUMBER TO CALL, to be able repeate my report of a PEDESTRIAN walking along the inside face of the jersey barrier within 3 feet of I-95 traffic;
Harford
Howard
Anne Arundel
Thanks! and keep up the good work for our state of MD.
Traffic ticket amnesty day. All the states are doing this & why not we can use all the help we can get
Why doesn't the state charge per copy for using the MD Land REc system. Like D.C. does. If you are in the courthouse it is free to look at the docuemnts but if
you are in a remote location it costs $2.50 per document to look at the instrument.
Hello,
Thank you for the opportunity to provide a suggestion that might help with the State's current financial situation; and also provide less financial impact to some
employees willing to retire a year or two early. I believe there are many State employees willing to retirement now, but must work another year or two in order to
receive better credit for the three-year averaging system currently in place used to calculate employees retirement checks. Because state employees have not
had step increases and etc. during the last two years calculations regarding retirement checks have been greatly reduced. Should an employee be willing to retire
before July 1st in 2010 this current year cannot count as being one of the employees highest wage years included in the retirement calculation. This will require
Thank you,
Harford
I would like to suggest that our high paid Government Officials take some pay cuts and cuts in their medical benefits. Is it necessary in this economy to have a
Governor's Mansion? Can the entertaining be downscaled? Maybe the $ 40,000 rug I read about for the Governor could be sold on ebay. Can State Officials cut
down on the limosines and drivers? I am just about able to exist in this economy, everyone I know is effected and can not afford any luxuries.I have seen friends
and family overstressed with worry on how they will pay the bills. Maybe it would make me feel better if I could see our State Officials trying to economize. I
Harford
Governor O'Malley, My idea for creating a new revenue stream would be to impose somekind of commuter tax on residents that work in Maryland, use OUR
public roads but live outside the state. My sister & brother-in-law live in Elkton but work in Delaware at B.O.A. and Delaware hits them with a type of commuter
tax. Just look at how many people live right over the line in Pa as well as Northern Virginia. Why not let them pay a share of running our state that they work in or
You are going to have to rethink the idea of tuition freezes in the State university system. It's obvious that you made an unrealistic campaign promise. There is
no right to such heavily subsidized higher education, and it creates a burden on taxpayers and the elderly. The university system is out of control with its
Thank you for the opportunity to provide feedback on cutting the state budget.
Baltimore
Washington
First, I would like to suggest that you look even further at the expensive renting of office space for government. I know that the Department of Public Saefty (the
agency I work for) spends thousand of dollars a month for office suites in Reisterstown and Towson. When I visit our state hospital campuses I see numerous
vacant buildings. Some I'm sure need to be torn down, others could be rehabed (is their stimulus funds for this?) and become usable rent free office space for
Two, I'm appreciative of your very limited terminations of state employees. I suspect some of our former governors would have been heavy handed in eliminating
positions (I still have bitter memories regarding what Governor Schaefer did to my colleagues). That being said, I like to point out that the last Governor who
went out of his way to treat state employees fairly during an economic downturn was Harry Hughes. Instead of abolishments he took into consideration seniority
and bumping rights. It was systematic and fair. I suggest that you too take the high road when you lay off staff. Additionally, I highly recommend a voluntary
Third, although they say that Maryland Correctional Enterprises is a money maker for the state, I'm not so sure. State agencies pay premium prices for office
furniture that could be purchase for a third of the price at Office Depot or Staples. Also I recall that when our inmates needed notebooks for their cognitive
groups, they had to be purchase at two dollars a piece from a specific supplier. The same notebooks were available at Wal-mart for 39 cents a piece. So there is
Third, just so you know, most of my colleagues would prefer furlough days to a cost of living decrease. Additionally, only a few state employees want service
fees. Postpone implementation of this legislation. At a time when state employees will be expected to earn less, it's hypocritical to pay service fees to unions
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
Harford
Anne Arundel
Baltimore
Baltimore
Allegany
Baltimore
Yours for humane, efficient, and responsible government.
Non-critical state employees work a 4-day 40 hour work week as has been implemented in Utah. Longer work days will make it easier for the working public
access services; money will be saved on lighting/cooling/heating public buildings. Fuel use will be reduced and possibly the money employees save in
I believe that parents should be charged a fee for each child that is bussed to public school. By basing the fee on the distance the child lives from the school, this
proposal would not only reduce government spending, but also encourage families to live closer to their schools, thereby reducing sprawl.
K-12 education is provided to residents free of charge. Transportation to and from school should be paid for by the parents, not the taxpayers.
Why not raise fines for speeding, drinking and driving, driving without a license, and other crimiinal and civil violations of laws. Raise fines for environmental
violations, zoning violations etc. Thus raising money and possibly reducing illegal behavior.
Stop spending so much money on beautifying the median strips along the state highways and let the grass grow longer. Also, eliminate the use of credit cards by
state employees. Go back to the old way of having expense accounts that have to be approved.
We need to get the slots up anhd running so the state can make some money. It loks like Laurel race Track is the only perfect location.
Cut Medicade more and cut all welfare-esque spending. Put more effort into cutting State assistance programs, particularly those which have no incentivized
Several years ago there was a push to flatten out management. This eliminated many middle management positions. They are all back and even more. You
could do that again. Also, I know there has been a push to eliminate many state owned vehicles. This should be looked at more closely. Why do managers still
111
Maryland is now paying for all inmates (Excluding Lifer) to receive their Birth Certificate regardless of State. A Maryland Birth Certificate is $12, which is one of
the cheapest, and the cost only goes up. The Division of Correction could save a great deal of money and avoid Furlough Days by not paying for these Birth
Reduce PR staff, ie, photographers. Reduce staff in Lt. Governor's office. Reduce State Stat staff.
Do timesheets via computer program, rather than paper.
Baltimore
Baltimore
Washington
Baltimore
Anne Arundel
Baltimore
Baltimore
Howard
Howard
Eliminate hotel per diems for legislators living within 1.5 hours of Annapolis. Reduce per diem, for all legislators for food. Eliminate immediately all out of state
travel for conferences for all state employees, legislators and excutive branch. And absolutely no out of country travel.
Limit legisators' mail--- no general mailings to consitutents.
I have some great suggestions to help with your budget crises. First you could cut off all funding to illegal aliens & groups that support them. Second, you could
quit wasting so much money on public transportation projects. Let the people that use the MTA pay for improvements. My last idea is very simple and you could
Allow all State Agencies to implement a four (4)day work week which consists of ten (10)hour days. However, this does not include essential personnel another
formula can be worked out. This would reduce the state's utility bills and provide energy cost savings. In addition eliminate the unnecessary provision of state
vehicles to employees as a perk. State employees should only be provided with vehicles if it involves the performance of their duties and unless it is required on a
Eliminate unnecessary construction specfically at (MCTC) and at the rest area in Frederick. We are temp. closing two rest areas but spending money on a 3rd.
When eliminating programs the state of Maryland should target programs in the Division of Corrections and not the one's that effect law abiding citizens.
Cut all the funding to CASA of Maryland. We shouldn't be funding them even if the economy was going full steam.
I recommend that the Governor issue an executive order to all State agencies for State Employees to reduce the use and mileage driven on all State vehicles.
This will save fuel and maintenance costs. Of course needed field work should still be performed. But, teleconferences, telephone calls, car pooling, route
planning and other measures can be used to help with meeting this goal. The agencies that reduce their mileage should be recognized for their achievement.
My suggestion is two-fold. One: Make it mandatory that every working person in Md. pay $5 to go directly into the budget. Every Md official making over $55,000
a yr. go one day a month w/o pay for at least 1 yr. Two, if necessary. Also freeze all gov. officials salary for at least 1 yr.
I'm on a fixed income and have no savings and I would be more than willing to put in the $5 ($20 if I thought it would go where supposed to and help our state
out). We should all pitch in and help but we must be more sensible ab. greed among people in higher places.
with all the money we are spending on the illegal aliens...tuition for college, medical benefits, welfare, schooling...literally millions that could be spent on people
who live legally in Maryland and pay taxes. Send them home. Or better yet make them pay taxes! What is it about illegal do we not understand?
I do not believe that the employees of the state of MD should pay for the budget deficit with furloghs. These employees are working people with families and
obligations to meet. With that being said and with fairness in mind all programs should be cut the same percentage to make up the budget shortfall. In other
words if a cut of five percent achieves a $700 million budget cut then a 5% across the board budget cut is the answer. In this way no one can claim that Governor
Sincerely
I respectfully suggest that you delay implementation of the new paper ballot voting machines in 2010 till 2012 or beyond, thus saving $38 million. This is only a
5.5% saving(of the $700 million), but as US Senator Everett Dirksen said, ever "little bit adds up to big bucks."
Besides, the Touch Screen Voting Machines are to be available at the polls in 2010 for use by visually impaired persons and the general public who want to use
Baltimore
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
Carroll
Montgomery
Stop allowing children of those who work in public schools etc such as the University of MD to get free tuition to public colleges. Most of them have well paying
Have a yard sale and auction off all the fancy furniture that is in the Governor's mansion and the state house. You should be able to clear enough cash to keep a
As a retired, then re-employed part-time pharmacist, I see horrendous waste regarding the MD Medicaid pharmacy program. The first example that comes to
mind, is the use of Seroquel as a frequently prescribed anti-psycotherapeutic agent. This drug can usually be substituted with a traditional drug within the same
category, generally available as a generic equivalent at a fraction of the cost, with comparable efficacy and side effects. This is just one example of the exorbitant
costs I see on an almost daily baiss. There are many more that can be discussed with your pharmacy formulary people. The above drug cost is often exceeding
$300/month, where it could possibly be reduced to well under $100 with appropriate drug therapy. Also, there are many Medicaid recipients who are prescribed
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This change is way overdue!!
Stop buying Open Space - state isn't a good steward of all this land. Stop funding all embryonic stem cell research - as a Roman Catholic you should be pro-life
or renounce your faith, and it isn't a proper role for government. Cut 10% of state workforce to reflect down economy; that is what everyone else is doing.
Governor O'malley;
Two items:
1) I have written before. I hope you will at least have someone hear me out. I had a contract with Maryland MVA, and it was abruptly taken away. I can add 20 to
25 million dollars, anually, to the treasury if you can help restore my contract. If someone would see me to discuss this, I would appreciate it. If no one can see
The second item is about the problem with cell phones in the penal institutions in the state. One of my friends has a company that manufactures equipment in
Baltimore County. This equipment can identify a cell phone signal and pin point it's location, seconds after it is turned on. This is something that would solve the
select your county
Dorchester
Baltimore
Anne Arundel
Baltimore
Anne Arundel
Carroll
you take a cut in pay.. take would help
-Remember those new public service commission positions you created and you raised everyone's salary on the commission-ELIMINATE THOSE POSITIONS AND CUT BACK THOSE HIGH SALARIES!!
-Reduce the salary of the Chancellor of U.of M by 50%. Also cut the salaries of all your cabinet members by at least 25% and you can probably eliminate many
of those positions. It is ridiculous the salaries taxpayers are having to pay these people who don't work any harder than the rest of us.
-STOP TAKING YOUR LUXURY TRIPS TO EUROPE AND OTHER COUNTRIES which does NOT benefit the taxpayers who are having to pay for them.
-Stop the chauffer service for your wife.
-Get rid of all the public transient buses that are riding around Dorchester County burning thousands of gallons of fuel--with no one on the buses!!! Probably in
-Get rid of your chef and cook your own dinner!
-Stop wasting your time trying to come up with other ways to tax the people in Maryland.
-Stop wasting money on failing schools.
-Remove from the tax law Maryland's portion of the earned-income credit.
-Stop the giveaway programs that encourage people NOT to work and take care of themselves. We're sick of the lazy people in Cambridge that sit on their front
porches talking on their cell phones, dealing in drugs, smoking, drinking, or driving around in their new cars at our expense. Our government encourages this
1)clean house on North Avenue (Baltimore City school admin); there are oodles of mid-level admin people (what did I read 100 people making over $100K?) who
2) clean house at the alcohol and tobacco tax department; I do have experience with them when I worked for a wine & beer distributor; the yearly audits were a
waste time and too much money was spent hunting down $25 in unpaid wine taxes; perform audits every 2 years instead of every year; with automated reporting
3) Maryland House doesn't need a full-time cook; bring in someone to cater special dinners but the O'Malley family can "make do" with simple sandwiches and
4) provide some incentives to get real work done just like private enterprise; if the task isn't completed in the time allowed, then pfffft! that person is gone; not
Prohibit all state workers from traveling to out of state on my tax paid dollar. (except essential employees or public saerty transportion or to fulfill regulations or
consent decree...etc....) i am appalled that planning to attend conferences out of state or hosting Maryland sponsored conferences out of state is allowed to
continue. such as the School of Maryland school of menthal health who last year enriched Phoenix and this year will enrich a midwest city. We have plenaty of
good conference facilities right here. Force conferences sponsored by maryland state institutions to be held in state so maryland companies and workers get the
revenue. remove the "prpofessional study time" fomr state workers. those of us in provate business need to learn the ropes of our jobs and pay for educations
ith the
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Ban illegals from public elementary and high schools. With an estimated 200,000+ illegals in MD and assuming that just 1 in 20 is of school age, that means
10,000 illegals in our public school system. At a cost of, say, $10,000 per kid, that's $100,000,000 right there!! So what if the Supreme Court ruled that we have
Sure, fat chance that your administration is ever going to take a single step against illegals even if it bankrupts the state. That would be the day!
Make the MTA buses and trains pay for themselves. End all financial assistance.
When off-duty have the state troopers not use the state cars and wear them out and burn up gas. Park them at the station.
Give the state legislature a year off without pay. We have enough laws already.
Cut welfare in half.
Combine the MTA police, Md Transportation police and state police into one force.
Sell the bay bridge to a private firm.
Anne Arundel
One suggestion that has been successful in other parts of the country is to go to a four day a week school schedule. From what I have read, the schools have
not seen a drop in test scores or performance. The savings would be in transportation and utilities costs, so the state could give them less and then offer some
Go to 4 day work week for all state offices. People do adapt to not having the offices open every workday.
I don't think increasing sales tax was a good move. I know it hit at almost the same time as the recession, but I know I spend less because of the increase in tax.
As always - if no one is in a state owned building all lights should be off except for security purposes. Probably all have been changed to lower cost lighting.
Cecil
Howard
Look at per diem costs for legislators. If they live within so many miles of the capital they have to return home at night. Sorry about those late nights, but that is
you never talk about how much money can be saved by cutting out all programs for illegal immigrants and stop giving everything to them.No one in government
The solutions are quite simple and many.
We have thousands of prisoners in this state that are treated with kid-gloves. They have committed a crime at which they should be punished. These criminals
owe a debt to society and we give them cable, a weight room, equal rights... etc. When they committed a crime, they lost those rights. There are states in the
south that use criminals to do road repair, hard labor, etc. Why is this state any different. If we make them accountable for thier actions, make them serve the
entire term and be productive the following will occur: less crime (criminals don't want to work), less spent on housing inmates, less revenue spent by the state,
road repairs are completed in a more timely manner, police force can cut back on overtime. This one suggestion will save the state millions, on the other hand
Investigate questionable spending as with the Obama spending package, remove those programs and hold those taking money accountable. There's a study in
there for pig scent. Why are we studying the smell of a pig? Wasteful, thoughtless spending that our youth will have to pay for.
Investigate tax evasion. From what I understand, only about 40% of the population pay taxes at all. That alone should be a boost!
Require all jobs performed for the State to have several bids and accept a resonable one. No favors for relatives or friends.
Deport Illegal Immigrants, these people utilize valuable tax payers money for healthcare, police force and other civil services and they do not pay taxes. Illegal is
just what the name implies, don't give these people a drivers license and give in to possible future votes. Get rid of them and decrease our unemployment. This
Evaluate the value of state workers on thier productivity and hold them accountable for substandard work. Just today, I saw an Anne Arundel County worker
sleeping in a truck while several other workers trimmed trees. This is my tax dollars at work? Offer small rewards for ciizens catching these people.
Find a way for our court system to stop frivelous law suits before they get to court. This wastes a lot of tax dollars and does so much damage to individuals who
Fight against the cap and trade! This will cost Marylanders jobs and add a burden to each family with added costs for energy.
Fight against the Health Care plan! Please, don't let them destroy the best healthcare system in the world. Our caregivers are skilled and deserve more than the
disgrace that our administration is showing towards them. This plan will cost Marylanders jobs, money and will encourage euthinasia with our senior citizens.
This plan is ill-planned with the goal of government take-over and is a bad decision. I find it disturbing that our President is forcing this down our throats without
I think if we increase the cigarette tax, this will help in 2 ways: 1st, reduce the cost of healthcare that we assist with by reducing the number of people that can
Slot Machines. Gov Ehrlich wanted them, it's not a bad idea. Our bordering states are taking money from our citizens. Why not keep this money here?
Make auctions of State siezed property known to the general public. This can be done simply through the news; they'd love this story and hold them for
Fine our biggest polluters in the state. The bay is taking a hit because of this. I believe it's the back-bay that has it's worst offenders, right near Baltimore. We
need to make an example of these people. This will increase state revenue by increasing our fish and crab population as well as from the fines.
Encourage industry, particularly technology and products actually made in the US to be made here in MD. Do this by offering tax incentives. This will reduce the
unemployment rate and raise tax dollars for the state as well as encourage new "bright" individuals to move here also adding to the amunt of tax dollars raised.
Speaking of tax dollars, throughout history we have seen that cutting taxes actually raises more money for the state as well as federal monies. Why aren't we
trying this simple measure? Simply by increasing the amout of money people have to spend, that money comes back into the state in sales tax and this in turn
There are tons of other suggestions that are not that hard to think of. With these suggestions, our children will not have to suffer with sub-standard education and
having to repay this debt in the future. Please sit down and think about these ideas and you'll see that the deficit that MD has can be easily erased.
Sincerely,
Anne Arundel
I was one of the guys who worked with Elliott Schlanger on initiatives similar to the following on the City of Baltimore:
1) Cancel Replacement of State Personnel System, savings $50M, not including the unfunded and unknown cost of the equipment to run this system. Google
'North Carolina Payroll and Personnel debacle'. I have about 20 more case studies just like it. Your RFP is setting you up for a similar path.
Instead, allow each agency to bid out personnel functions on a cost per transaction basis while mandating the data standards which would feed a State data
warehouse (already in production) for Enterprise reporting. This strategy has proven to lower costs per transaction by over 30%. 85,0000 State employees have
2) Create a shared services environment for the State Community College system. A similar system for the State of GA goes online next week, est. savings
$27M vs. a State administered system. (Acccenture data) Improve services, lower cost of ownership, better employee experience.
Same with USM. 8 instances of PeopleSoft has a very high annual cost to the state - and it will be obsolete very soon as PeopleSoft no longer exists after being
absorbed by a competitor. Savings $9M (net) based on Georgia's experience.
3) Contract out the state healthcare Benefits audit function on a performance basis, where the auditor is awarded a small percentage of recoveries. Est. 'Net'
4) Sell the subrogation rights to State employees healthcare claims. Savings $3.5M.
5) Audit (on a performance basis where the recovery = % paid to auditor) State Rx claims. Savings $4M
6) Require all non exempt state employees to 'punch' in and out on a computer, and apply workrules to punch to promote schedule adherence. This provides fair,
objective performance/productivity measures when scored vs. units of output (tax returns processed, buidings inspected, etc). This is a std tool in the commercial
Est. Savings $13M.
I'm up to $110M or so.
Want me to go on?
City
Give me a 45 minute window of time and let me provide real world examples and xxxxxx 'king for a day' presentation. Mayor Fenty is a believer in
Every state employee should take a furlow day before the end of the fiscal year, except elected officials. You all should work for free insted of taking a furlow day.
Stop crying, it will look good to the voters... do you guys every really think? Those that don't want to do it, won't look good to the voters. Police and firefighters'
Next fiscal year make it two furlow days before the end of the fiscal year and allow them to have the option of taking a third one to "bank" the day as a future
comp day when the budget is in better shape. Uh, working for free for those days are still in effect for you guys. I mean, you did say that you ran for offcie to be
Harford
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
Baltimore
Howard
Harford
Baltimore
Stop illegal aliens from coming unto the State of Maryland where there are getting free housing, welfare, free education and getting free MVA driver licenses from
To solve this budget crisis I would suggest you and the legislators should forgo a pay raise for the Fiscal Year 2010
Pensions. Underfunded, extravagant, and not well-publicized of course. Increase minimum career length, deny early retirements, and start your move to defined
Although it won't fix the problem completely, letting the Constellation/ EDF Deal go through would bring some badly needed revenue and jobs into the state.
Offer early outs (3-5 years service credit) to state employees. Governor Schaefer did in the early 1990's and it saved others from being laid off.
Also if you have a hiring freeze in effect why are state agencies still hiring? Some positions are new. The only positions that should still be recruiting should be
1. Repealing the 20% sales tax that went into law in a Special Session last year 2008. 2. Have legislators giving back their last pay raise without the Md. citizens
approval. 3. Stop taxing businesses so much because many businesses are leaving the state to a less Tax burden to businesses.
I would suggest the State change the way it pays overtime to state employees. Currently, if an employee takes leave during the week, and works overtime, the
employee will receive overtime at time and half for all hours over forty in the pay week. The State should adopt what occurs in private industry, in that the
employee has to physically work 40 hours before receiving overtime at time and half. So if the employee took 24 hours of leave, and worked 24 hours, the
employee would be paid all 48 hours at straight rate, vs. 40 hours at the straight rate and 8 hours at time and one half. The positive side affect would be a
Also, perhaps the state could allow all cash employees to "swap" their shift, like the police and firefighters are allowed. This could potentially save dollars as you
found someone to take your shift and vice versa as opposed to someone getting called in to cover the shift for the employee who needs off.
Eliminate the option for cash employees to elect comp in lieu of cash for their overtime. All this does is defer the cost of the overtime, allow employees to accrue
even more time off which then creates issues for management when the employee wants to take the time off. If mgmt says no, the employee files a grievance, if
mgmt say yes, then they have to find someone to cover the shift, and probably paying even more overtime. Just pay it the first time and not worry about the
Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore
City
Anne Arundel
Thank you~
Short term forget it, we're screwed! Long term there is hope! Next time negotiation with the teachers union arise offer a merit raise system for those who wish it
with real monetary bonuses and this will benefit the children who one day will decide which nursing home you will reside in.
Stop adding new programs as you did 2 years ago.
Reduce the automatic increase in budgets each year, a reduction of 5% is not reducing the automatic increase from 15% to 10%. This is an increase of 10% no
Cut funding for illegal immigrants NOW!
Last but most important be HONEST!
Do away with state workers and delagates receiving a state issued car. "regular" people have to provide their own transportation to get to work, why can't they. No
1. A suggestion to raise more capital for the state would be to mirror how things are done in another state. for ex., my parents live in Florida, and all grocery
stores sell beer & wine (in addition to the liqour stores). Having easier access to beer and wine (including Sundays) would increase sales for the local grocery
2. Allow the sale of beer & wine on Sundays (various establishments where it is now restricted), can still restrict alcohol to accomodate those with hesitations to
3. Allow bars/restaurants/clubs to stay opened longer 1 day a week/month/for the summer, bringing in out of state tourists that are attracted to Balt's night life.
Increased tourism will boost state/city income through taxes and money spent. Can even tax those establishments a higher rate that get to stay open later since
they would be benefiting from the increase in sales. (most flock to other cities because their establishments stay opened past 2am, (ie. DC/Phillie and even
Dear Governor O'Malley,
Please take a SERIOUS look at what the State is spending on outside contractors, particularly in the IT area. I would agree that this practice makes sense for onetime development projects of short duration... but there seems to be an institutionalized practice of paying vendors $125 - $250/hr for ongoing services... many of
which could be performed by State employees at $30/hr or so (Call it $60/hr with benefits and retirement.) Add to this craziness the State resources needed to
I would suggest an independent review panel comprised mainly of experienced IT professionals. Review every State contract- those over $1 million/year for
starters- and determine the practicality of bringing the function in-house.
This is low-hanging fruit, and should easily yield a structural reduction in the State budget of at least $200 M/yr. The downside is that the State might have to pay
a bit more to attract the IT talent needed to replace the contractors... could also do tuition forgiveness at State institutions. etc.
Federal gov't (particularly DOD) is moving in this direction, and Maryland should head there as well.
Washington
Anne Arundel
Washington
Baltimore
City
City
select your county
Anne Arundel
Washington
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
Caroline
DOC Administrators have states that it is possible to save millions of dollars by having 12 hour shifts in some of the institutions throughout the state. If this is the
case then why has it not been done. This could be a savings with NO LOSS OF PAY or STAFF.
As a state employee in management, I would hate to see the lowere level employees effected by this budget crunch. Most of them are single moms with children.
My coworkers tell me daily,they can't hardly live on the salaries they are now receiving.
Please consider the above statement if you are thinking about furloughs. The furloughs should be equitable across the board, maybe 8 hrs for every $10,000 you
Thanks for listening
ther thing you could do is cut government waste. I know there are alot of people in
If furloughs are given positive consideration, please consider making the furloughs spread out over the state holidays. Then all State Employees can be a part of
the pain of "belt tightening". State nurses, State Police and Correctional Officers (and others) were exempted. No state services would be lost and manpower
First off, don't hire a pricey budget-cutting consultant!! Next, look at cutting high level waste. No pay raises for highly paid gov't employees, like yourself. Tax
increases for the most wealthy. Those things will offset the cost for things we actually NEED. DO NOT cut needed social programs to balance the budget. That's
what Republicans do. Instead, look to cut unneeded business subsidies. They always scream about the free market. Time to sink or swim.
As a State Employee and a hope to save fellow employees employment, 1). additional furloughs days would be doable. However, it needs to be formulated
ahead of time in order for individuals to plan accordingly with his/her household responsiblities. or 2). Maybe closing the state offices buildings twice a month to
We need to look in to on-line learning for some of the courses that high school childen take. Mainly elective courses. This could save money for homeschooled, inclass, suspended and sick children. It has been experimented in Baltimore County and was a sucess.
I work for the Department of Human Resources in the foster care division. I have two cost cutting suggestions. My first suggestion is to cut foster care board
payments. When I first started in my postition, foster care board payments were $535 dollars per month. They are now up to $835. In addition, we pay for
children's daycare. It was my understanding that this was supposed to get kids out of group homes and give incentive for foster parents to take older children.
However, that has not worked. We have not increased the numbers of foster parents willing to take teens, only the number of foster parents. Some of our foster
parents are not even getting placements. In addition, the increase was given across the board and even foster parents caring for 2 year olds are given that
t M incentivetifor stateldemployee
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let them get the COLA that current retirees get on 7/1/2010. Also, let agencies re-hire 20% of those that retire - in case critical employees retire. Have those rehired only allowed to work 80% of normal schedule. Savings would be huge. Saving on retirees leaving six month early, plus those re-hired save on only working
If you are doing furloughs everyone should participate including correctional officers and state police. That would lessen the burden on the rest of the state
Have small incentive for state employee to retire. Have all state employes that retire by 12/31/2009 to get an additional six months added to their service time and
let them get the COLA that current retirees get on 7/1/2010. Also, let agencies re-hire 20% of those that retire - in case critical employees retire. Have those rehired only allowed to work 80% of normal schedule. Savings would be huge. Saving on retirees leaving six month early, plus those re-hired save on only working
a. Stop buying land and easements.
b. Increase tutition to state colleges by 4% or whatever is necessary.
c. Cut higher education budget more. The state keeps allocating more and more money each year to higher education. Colleges must be required to cut their
Increase class size in colleges. Most learning is through lectures and reading textbooks. Those who want to learn will and seek out the teacher for help.
d. Decrease amount of money paid for education grades K-12. Cut Thorton increases.
The state keeps spending more and more money on education grades K-12. With such a large state deficit education must also be asked to cut back.
e. Decrease aid to private colleges.
f. Decrease aid to counties. With income taxes and sales tax revenue down counties aid must be reduced too.
1. Eliminate all the state/county owned "take-home" vehicles. We must have too many vehicles, judging from the number of MdTA, SHA, DNR and police
vehicles that sit in private driveways and are used for personal use. This would save fuel, maintenance, insurance, and the need for additional vehicles ...
someone on the job could be using the vehicle instead of it sitting idle in the private drive, or worse, being used for personal use (yes, they are used for personal
Montgomery
Allegany
Anne Arundel
2. Use (enforce) laws that are already on the books ... have been for years, SUCH AS: speed limits, stop signs, red lights ... to generate revenue (as well as
reduce accidents and their associated costs. Speed limit enforcement on ANY road in the state ... from major highways to rural back roads ... would generate
more than enough revenue to offset having the roads patrolled. (Unfortunately, the police, State and Local, violate these laws themselves, PASSING motorists
going 10-20 miles over the posted speed limits, without citing violations.) Just some examples: On the Eastern Shore, HARDLY ANYONE adheres to the 55
mph limit on routes 50 and 301. In Easton, on Rt.50, the speed limit graduates from 55, to 45, to 35 as you enter town from the west. All day long, but especially
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though. Rather than letting go of my valued employees, I asked everyone to take a cut and did so myself. I don't get paid untill my guys do. To cut the cost of
transportation, everyone works a longer work day and has Fridays off. Maybe, our government can too. We also cut our prices for landscaping and construction
in order to get more customers. Flex time Monday through Thursday, two shifts per day. One group working four ten hour days from 7am to 5pm and another
group working four ten hour days 11 am to 9pm. This should also help cut down on traffic jams and accidents and may even improve services. Groups would
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Reduce the number of automobiles in the state fleet by not allowing the police (local and state) or any other governement employee to take their vechile home.
All remaining vechiles should be gradually replaced with more efficient ones to reduce the fuel bill.
While driving a state funded car suggest to employess to plan a route that decreases the number of left hand turns (UPS did this and saved millions)
Drop the temp. in all state run buildings to 68 in the winter and 78 in the summer.
Anne Arundel
City
Baltimore
Raise the tax rate on Lotto winnings and alcohol
Take a few hours and tour incognito one of the many local social services offices....Note the applicants/recipients with cell phones, sports logo jackets, multiple
types of jewelry...etc. I believe a oversight of these agencies would yeild BIG for the state.
All this public affairs media stuff should be cut. No travel should be authorized out of State and that includes conferences. All meals etcs thart are freebies
should stop and be paid for individually. There should be no take home cars. Any official that is elected should not have a car,
these same appointees should take a pay cut. Everyone should drive there cars, all cell phones should be collected and used. Simple basics, if the GOvernors in
1799 did not need it, than they dont need the expense today. The House allowance for the speaker who has a vehicle and driver should be cut. Stop buying
bring your own. See, it is easy - not that anyone is listening. I believe, with an election nearing, MOM is using pubic affairs to benefit himself and no one else.
You think with him making $100000 plus he really is worried about the guy making $25000???????
Governor, you will not want to hear this suggestion. You probably will not like it. However, it must be made.
Please call a special session of the legislature, tailored to be held on days when the legislature already attends biweekly committee meetings during the summer
(the Special Session won't cost much more then), and propose Administration legislation to reduce salaries of the Executive Department and state elected and
appointed officials (Gov, Lt. Gov., Compt, Treas, Sec of State, Cabinet and Subcabinet, Judiciary, General Assembly)... a modest percentage... 5 or 10 percent.
This would be leadership showing that the public officials of the state recognize the fiscal crisis of our state and they will take their economic hit too for the good
of the state and Maryland's citizens. Maryland's citizens are taking the economic hit already with job losses, as did state employees with furloughs. State official
Governor, please demonstrate fiscal and economic leadership and propose reductions in salaries of Maryland's elected and appointed officials. Also, call upon
all counties and municipalities to do the same at their levels. In fact, your Administration legislation might even have to include language that would apply to
I do not want or desire any recognition for this idea. I only want the pleasure of seeing my Governor implement it, for the good of everyone. So, please do not
identify me publicly if you are identifying individuals who have made suggestions. I desire anonymity. I just want to see the idea being considered and
Montgomery
Anne Arundel
Harford
Montgomery
Thank you for doing all that you do for us as our Governor. You're great, and you are doing all you can for Maryland in a very tough time.
Show me the budgets. Post them. Not just basic one like education or medicare but exact budgets from each department. We would like to know how much
money is allocated to re-striping school parking lots, government drivers and cars, CASA, street-sweeping. Do not want to here there is no waste in the education
Stop trying to stick a slots casino in a residential neighborhood at Arundel Mills! It will not solve your budget problems since it will likely never open due to our
Cut the excess employees from government. Do away with welfare completely. Every gov. agency, from the Fed. on down is fat.
Legalize and tax internet gambling, As far as I know, gambling is a state issue. Its already in place (no infrastructure needed) and its in peoples homes (no
Baltimore
City
Anne Arundel
City
Carroll
City
Anne Arundel
Kent
Use alternative energy ie. solar hot water in state buildings
Allow GMP manufacturers to make prescription drugs for state citizens
(See The Generic Drug Ripoff:
http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2009/aug2009_The-Generic-Drug-Rip-Off_01.htm
Increase financial aid to students for working on USM campus
Offer tuition discounts to students for working on USM campus
These two work-study measures could increase enrollment!
Encourage university employees to work from home, ie. UMBC
Use chemical ice melters instead of salt, reducing salt damage to roads & trees
Require out of state corporations to pay their taxes
Release non-violent offenders and marijuana cases out of jail early
Decriminalize small amounts of marijuana possession
Use Glass-phalt instead of asphalt, the recycled glass content makes roads last longer.
Thank you for your consideration of my suggestions.
Taxpayers are carrying the burden of paying for medical assistance for children who are under the guise of child support orders which mandate that the noncustodial parent provide health insurance. These orders are not being enforced, and the office of child support enforcement is not seeking repayment of these
funds due to the lack of coordination between themselves and DHMH. If these orders were enforced, it would create not only opportunities to develop staffing,
Cut all funding to community activist groups, most notably CASA.
There are plenty of lazy state workers who can be removed from their positions.
Stop all construction on state buildings.
Reduce overhead staff in all departments and agencies.
Consolidate state office buildings and sellthe excess.
Start by eliminating the position of the chefs for the Governor. I work 65+ hours per work also Mr O'Malley and I don't need a chef.
Eliminate the redundancy of the State Police, MD Transportation Authority Police, MD Transit Administration Police, MD Natural Resources Police and so on and
consolidate under the MD State Police. Just how many police administrations and chiefs does one state need?
Eliminate the purchase of the hybrid buses for the MTA...clean diesel is much more efficient, reliable, and less costly. I know it doesn't sound as nice or p/c as
Hopefully by type Carroll county my comment won't be deleted. My suggestion is first to remove ALL personal drivers/cars for all elected officials in Maryland.
Then remove all drivers/cars for family members of elected officials in Maryland. Next any personal chefs should be removed. Once that is done then you should
The 100% federally funded Disability Determination Services which is the state agency that adjudicates the medical determinations for the Social Security
Administration for Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income should be moved from the Department of Education to the Department of Health
and Human Services. It may have made sense 30 yrs ago to have DDS under the Dept. of Ed., but it hasn't made sense for decades. One ironic note: the State
of Maryland has provided funding at various times over the years to groups like DEAP so that they may try to "help" Maryland citizens obtain federal disability
insurance and thereby remove folks form the state disability program. (Side note: DDS is the agency that both the director of SSA and Vice-President Biden were
f State
i t of Maryland
h th as well
t l ttas the
t G
O'M ll
kishould
hi strongly
t t f consider
l
h DDS
l
d tof th
f t thtax"
t thto offset the
i 100%
d ll f dthed d
The
various municipalities
the implementation
a "school
cost off supporting
"education" portion of the state budget. Many other states have used this process and it is something Maryland should strongly consider. The tax should be paid
only by those individuals with children utilizing the various school systems. Citizens without children or senior citizens can be exempted from the tax.
Perhaps my suggestion is a little skewed as I am a state employee
but I think there are several layers of
government that did not exist 15 years ago that we could get rid of. The Local Management Boards are one layer (bureaucracy) which requires staff, overhead,
budgets and they do not do any direct services. Wasteful in my mind - we could function without - let the Health Departments or Social Services be the monitors
Core Service Agencies are another layer that needs looking into - devised as just one more layer of bureaucracy in between the grants and the people who
How much do they cost to just administer grants??
Take away some of the stupid benefits that state employees get - such as the leave bank, and the accumulation of all those state sick days.
We do get too much leave - and could be more productive if we did not have it. Do state employees abuse it? Some do - because they know they can.
Most of the employees that I supervise are dedicated and invested but that is because we are the smallest county and they know that they are fortunate to have
Look at capacity at some of the state funded facilities - mental health/substance abuse. Recently, we almost had to go private due to financial issues - we turned
it around because we were able to lay off two people and through attrition did not fill another position.
Allegany
Give incentives for people close to retirement
I would be glad to give more ideas if asked -Governor O'malley needs to stop printing and sending all state employees an invitation to state house for a christmas party. Needs to send out emails.
nstation
nd send
Allegany
Anne Arundel
Montgomery
Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel
Montgomery
governor
refrain from putting expensive pavers and stone on bridges and median islands.concrete works just as well and costs less than a fourth
Has the Governor considered offering early retirement to State workers who are past 30 years of employment? The savings to the State would be signifigant in
the long run. Many of these employees are paid at a high Grade/Step level, if not already maxed out. While there is an initial expense upfront to the State- even if
the positions are filled with new hirees their salaries would be signifigantly less over many years resulting in longterm savings. Simple Economics really.
I would not mind giving up our state homestead tax credit if it would mean saving some health care funding for uninsured children. I would hate to see Maryland
Stop letting govt vehicles go home this will save gas and repair money! Only mow grass at intersections state wide as to preserve safety and cut down on
expense! No more studies of stupid things that really will never take place anyway! Use the same plans and heating systems through out Maryland gov't buildings
so you will have inter changeable parts and better service contracts. No illegal alien loop holes not here legally no Services of any kind period!!!!!!!!!!!!
By the way you created the deficit not Erlich. I also just got my electric bill and thanks for fixing things not it was $277 and my ac is set at 76 summer and heat 65
Stop letting govt vehicles go home this will save gas and repair money! Only mow grass at intersections state wide as to preserve safety and cut down on
expense! No more studies of stupid things that really will never take place anyway! Use the same plans and heating systems through out Maryland gov't buildings
so you will have inter changeable parts and better service contracts. No illegal alien loop holes not here legally no Services of any kind period!!!!!!!!!!!!
By the way you created the deficit not Erlich. I also just got my electric bill and thanks for fixing things not it was $277 and my ac is set at 76 summer and heat 65
1)Close state offices one day a month.
2)Better than closing the entire office is to have state employees take a furlough day each month. This would be a little better than closing the entire state office.
3) Raise gasoline tax by 1 cent.
Harford
Baltimore
But please, do not raise state school tuition rates. Education is going to get us out of this recession.
Stop DHMH and DHR from opening a new office in Catonsville to consolidate some of the some but not all of the DHR caseworkers who determine long term
eligibility for nursing home payments from the State. This is the result of SB682 but under this current plan, the office is not centralized or inclusive as required.
They have been doing the job fine in their respective local offices. The new office would mean a whole new work office, setup, phones, computers and other
Why don't you just make all welfare, unemployment and food stamps contingent on passing a weekly drug test. The state will save a couple 100 million when
Baltimore
Baltimore
Dorchester
Harford
Harford
Charles
Baltimore
Montgomery
WE NEED TO MINIMIZE CUTS IN STATE SERVICES,SOCIAL PROGRAMS AND EDUCATION. CONTINUED LAYOFFS ARE NOT A LONG TERM SOLUTION
CORRECTIONS NEED TO BE CUT. THE SAME GUYS KEEP GOING IN AND OUT OF STATE AND COUNTY JAILS BECAUSE THEY GET FREE HOUSING,
FOOD AND MEDICAL. REDUCE THE NON VIOLENT POPULATION AND THOSE NEARING THE END OF THEIR SENTENCES. THIS WILL CUT PRESENT
COSTS AND SAVE ON CAPITAL PROJECTS IN THE FUTURE. WE CAN KEEP LOCKING THEM UP BUT WE ALSO HAVE TO PAY LARGE AMOUNTS TO
I would like for the State to take a MUCH CLOSER look at the contracts that are awarded for State work -- particularly with respect to mass transit. There is
currently a contract on the table for millions and millions of dollars. I know for a fact that there are people in the affected department who are very capable of
doing the jobs which will be contracted out. However, for various reasons -- some of which are very "political" -- the contract is being pursued. I would suggest
not awarding these contracts so that companies in the private sector get richer and richer on the backs of State workers who are forced to take furlough days and
On another topic, I don't understand why the State workers --workers who invest their time to make our State a better place to work and live and who generally
receive less pay then the public sector have to bear the brunt of budget cuts. My husband works many, many hours without pay as it is just to keep up with his
work, yet was still forced to take furlough days this past year. Instead of hitting the State workers in the pocket, I would suggest that ALL citizens of the State of
Cancel all those expensive entitlements you gave when you first went into office that wiped out the budget surplus. It took less than two months to go from a
surplus to deficit and then you blame it on the prior administration. You then raised every tax and fee known to mankind. Everyone knows you started those new
programs to pay