2007 house journal index of days - Maryland General Assembly

Jan. 31, 2007 Maryland House of Delegates 273
collective voice heard; and an end to the cruel and antiquated practice of using ground
rents to evict families from their homes.
In the days of this first session, I hope that we will be able to spend the vast majority of
our time solving problems and coming together around the solutions about which there is
so much consensus – and for which, I might add, there is considerable pent-up demand.
The people of our State desperately want us to get things done again.
If we must have potentially polarizing debates this session – on issues like taxes, slots
and the future of Maryland’s 18,000 racing jobs, and Maryland’s ineffective death
penalty law – let us do so recognizing that there are good and decent people on both sides
of these debates.
We cannot resolve every unsettled issue in just 90 days; nor can we heal in 90 days
divisions that were four years in the making. But we must do all that we can to maximize
the effectiveness of this session – and these four years – for the people of our State. For
success breeds success. Mutual respect builds mutual trust. And important things done
well make even greater things possible.
This year, together, we are choosing to make progress on the priorities of the people who
elected us. Implicit, however, in the choices we make this year is the faith that we have
the courage to face up to the fiscal reality before us in the year ahead.
If not, we risk going back to a time that we were not particularly proud of – making life
less affordable for middle class families… Cutting funds to local government… Stealing
from our children’s future by taking money away from open space, and shifting
transportation dollars away from reducing traffic. I don’t believe that is the sort of future
we would choose.
With all humility, I promise you I will not squander the year ahead. To the contrary, I
will do everything in my power to bring spending under control with professional
management. I will do everything in my power to squeeze savings out of your
government with performance measurement and accountability. And I know you will do
your tough jobs, as well.
So, let’s get to work… for a better and stronger future… for the people of our One
Maryland. So, let’s get to work.
Senators McFadden, Kasemeyer and Brinkley and Delegates McHale, Benson and Kach
escorted the Chief Executive from the Chamber.
Senators Hogan and Kittleman and Delegates Griffith and O’Donnell escorted the
Lieutenant Governor from the Chamber.