Bob Ehrlich addresses Martin O’Malley’s false negative ads and really what matters in this campaign.

 These past few months on the campaign trail confirmed just how much unites the people of Maryland. We’ve sat down and listened to citizens from across the State—entrepreneurs, parents, teachers, watermen, farmers, firefighters, and police officers.  We are all bound by the belief that the path to economic recovery begins with families and small businesses – not with bigger government and higher taxes.

 As thousands of Marylanders cast their votes in yesterday’s primary election, the economic hardships facing Maryland families came in to sharp focus.  We learned that Baltimore’s historic Sparrows Point steel plant would be shut down for the rest of this year, hurting 2,500 workers and their families.  The news comes at a time when 210,000 Marylanders are already standing in the unemployment line.  

I am running for Governor to lead an economic renewal in Maryland.  In four years, my opponent Martin O’Malley gave us massive job losses, ballooning deficits, and record tax increases. He calls this “progress.” I call it unacceptable. The contrasts between me and my opponent are clear:  

 We will be on the side of families and small businesses; Martin O’Malley will be on the side of government. 

 We will lower your tax burden; Martin O’Malley will increase it. 

 We will reduce government spending; Martin O’Malley will accelerate it. 

 We can do better than the status quo.  Let’s restore Maryland to greatness: a state with more jobs, lower taxes, and a government that works for you – not the other way around.  Over the next 48 days, Mary and I promise to outwork the competition and earn the trust of Marylanders.  I am truly humbled by your support and thank you for the strong message you delivered yesterday.

The Bob Ehrlich for Maryland campaign today released its first television advertisement, titled “Let’s Get to Work.” The 30-second ad will air in the Baltimore TV market beginning Sunday morning. It can also be viewed by clicking here or by visiting Bob Ehrlich’s Youtube page. “Let’s Get to Work” outlines Bob Ehrlich’s priorities for Maryland, including fixing Maryland’s budget deficit, empowering small businesses to create jobs, creating excellent schools, and cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay.

“Let’s Get to Work”

Bob Ehrlich: I’m Bob Ehrlich…
Bob Ehrlich: I’m not the kind of guy who like to hang around on the sidelines.
Bob Ehrlich: Today, Maryland is in trouble.
Bob Ehrlich: We’re worse off than we were four years ago…Dangerous Debt, Higher Taxes, Not enough jobs
Bob Ehrlich: We need real leadership to turn this state around.
Mother: Fix the budget, honestly.
Small businessman: Grow small businesses, really.
Student: Excellent Schools, everywhere.
Waterman: Protect the bay, finally.
Bob Ehrlich: It’s why I’m running. To make the state we love, not just good, but great. Now let’s get down to work.

ELLICOTT CITY- As part of his plan to get Maryland’s economy working again, Bob Ehrlich today pledged that he will introduce legislation to exempt 100 percent of military pension income for qualified military retirees in Maryland.  His plan will help boost Maryland’s economy by attracting military retirees to the state and will provide real tax relief for nearly 50,000 veterans and their families currently living in Maryland.

“Restoring the economy will be my first priority as Governor,” said Ehrlich.  “To reach that goal, we need to make Maryland a place military retirees and their families want to call home.  This veterans tax credit is good economic policy and a great way to thank our service men and women for their service to the country. Military veterans and retirees are exactly the type of highly-trained, skilled workers that Maryland needs to support the ongoing development of our technology-driven economy.”

A state Task Force on Military Retirees found in 2003 that retired military personnel households spent over $2.5 billion on goods and services in Maryland, generating nearly $100 million in sales and real estate tax revenues.

Ehrlich pledged to work with the General Assembly to exempt military pensions for service men and women with over 20 years services from Maryland income taxes.  The credit would be phased in by 20% per year for 5 years and the cost of the credit would be offset by savings in Governor Ehrlich’s budget.

Currently, military retirees are exempt from Maryland income tax only on the first $5,000 of their retirement income.  In addition, military retirees who are over the age of 65, totally disabled, or who have a spouse who is totally disabled receive an additional subtraction.