State of the State 2010
Earlier today, Governor O'Malley delivered the 2010 State of the State Address to the Maryland General Assembly.
The O'Malley Blog
Category » Jobs
Text of Governor O’Malley’s State of the State Address
Governor O'Malley just delivered the 2010 State of the State address to the Maryland General Assembly, urging legislators to take action on an agenda focused intently on creating jobs here in Maryland. We've posted the text of the speech as prepared here.
Making Maryland a hub for cyber security jobs
When most people think about Maryland, the Chesapeake Bay, Blue Crabs and the best public schools in the nation come to mind. Governor Martin O'Malley is committed to adding cyber security to that list.
In an opinion piece in Monday's Baltimore Sun, Governor O'Malley pledged to continue and strengthen Maryland's cyber security industry, thereby better securing networks, protecting crucial information, and creating thousands of new jobs.
O'Malley used the recent cyber attack on Google to highlight the seriousness of the issue - how consumer information, business records, and classified documents can be vulnerable if proper safeguards are not in place:
"In an era where our economy, our infrastructure and the well-being of our families are so interconnected and dependent upon computers and cyberspace, one of our top priorities must be cyber security. In Maryland, we are addressing this challenge head-on."
Our state certainly has a lot to protect: the tech industry is one of Maryland's greatest economic assets, with more than 250,000 Marylanders working in the technology field. In the midst of a recession, the Maryland tech sector saw 7.2 percent job growth in one year - the fastest in the nation. In addition, thanks to the Governor's leadership, the military's U.S. Cyber Command will be established in Maryland - creating 10,000 to 15,000 new jobs.
That makes this renewed commitment to cyber security evermore crucial. "We - government, the private sector and industry -- must work together at every level to ensure the security of our digital infrastructure now and in the future," wrote O'Malley.
However, it's not all about the technology itself - education is an essential component of the Governor's cyber security policy. "We must ensure that our citizens - the college student doing homework on a laptop computer in a dorm, the online shopper, the small business owner managing inventory online, or the CEO overseeing a multibillion-dollar corporation - are aware, informed and educated about the risks inherent in a global online community."
Says O'Malley: "Maryland is answering President Obama's call to action to not only ensure the security of our digital infrastructure now, and in the future, but to also ensure economic prosperity with thousands of new cyber security posts."
You can read the piece in full here.
Video: Gov. O’Malley makes jobs announcement at GM’s White Marsh plant
Governor O'Malley visited GM's plant in White Marsh Tuesday to help announce the company's decision to produce its next-generation two-mode rear-wheel-drive motors and other electric drive components here in Maryland. GM will also build a high-volume electric drive manufacturing facility at the Baltimore County Transmission plant, creating 200 new jobs and retaining hundreds more.
The Governor was joined by Senators Barbara Mikulski and Ben Cardin, Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger, and Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith at the announcement.
First look at our 2011 budget
Later today, I'll formally introduce our administration's fiscal year 2011 budget – but I wanted to share some important details about it with you before I do.
As with previous budgets, we kept two fundamental goals in mind when formulating this year's proposal.
First, we knew we had to maintain our commitment to fiscal responsibility, which has put Maryland in a position to emerge from the recession faster than most other states. By restoring fiscal responsibility, we are creating an environment to generate jobs and foster economic growth in our state. Our unemployment rate remains 25% lower than the national average, and we beat out all but two other states in job growth last year.
Balanced books have put us on the path back to economic recovery, and I'm proposing $1 billion in additional cuts today that are a tough – but critical – part of continuing to grow Maryland's economy.
Second, it's crucial that we continue to protect our core priorities amid these necessary cuts.
Despite the challenges our state has faced during this recession, we've managed to make important progress in job creation, public education, public safety, and environmental protection.
We can and must continue that progress. It's important for the quality of life of all Marylanders today, and for ensuring our state's prosperity in the years to come.
Our budget proposal will:
- Continue to invest in our public schools, which Education Week recently ranked the best in the nation for the second year running.
- Dedicate $20 million to the Job Creation and Recovery Tax Credit, encouraging businesses to hire Marylanders this year.
- Support more than 20,000 construction jobs over the next fiscal year through capital budget funding.
- Build on the progress we have made rebuilding our communities with the Sustainable Communities Tax Credit and support an additional 15,000 Maryland jobs.
- Double our investment in the 2010 Bay Trust Fund over fiscal year 2010 to continue restoring our Bay.
- Continue funding health care coverage for low-income children and adults. Since Lt. Gov. Brown and I took office, our administration has expanded health care coverage to include 200,000 more Marylanders.
To read more about our budget proposal, click here:
Help us take on Ehrlich and the GOP
Robert Ehrlich claims he hasn't decided whether he'll run for governor this year. But, if he does run, he's made it clear to the Baltimore Sun that he expects to raise $10-12 million - even in a poor economy.
Governor O'Malley is asking supporters to help him raise $500,000 by January 10 to ensure that he can keep up with the Republican fundraising machine. The Governor wrote:
"Since their big wins in New Jersey and Virginia, the right wing is itching for Republicans to regain power &mdsash; and they're willing to do whatever they can to make it happen... With your help, Lt. Governor Brown and I will have the resources on hand next spring to come out swinging against the Republicans &mdsash; and continue the progress we've made for Maryland's families over the last three years."
As it is, the GOP has a significant advantage over Governor O'Malley and Lt. Governor Brown: Maryland law prevents any donations to a sitting governor's campaign during the legislative session - which runs until mid-April.
During those three months, Ehrlich and the Republicans will be able to raise money from right-wingers across the country, while Governor O'Malley is fighting to create jobs and protect Maryland's schools.
We can't afford to give Robert Ehrlich and the GOP a three-month head start. Please make a donation today.
Video from Online Town Hall
Updated: Below is the complete video of Wednesday's town hall meeting on jobs.
Tune in to tonight’s Town Hall Meeting with Gov. O’Malley
At 8PM, Governor O'Malley will be hosting his first-ever online Town Hall.
You can watch the event and ask questions during the event:
http://www.martinomalley.com/live
The agenda starts with job creation, job retention and Maryland's preparation to lead in this global economy – and will go from there.
Only one day until Gov. O’Malley’s Town Hall Meeting
Tomorrow, Governor O'Malley will host his first online Town Hall meeting.
The Town Hall meeting will feature questions from you, like this one from Bill in Chevy Chase:
What role will higher education play in Maryland's plan for expanding opportunity and creating jobs? How has the tuition freeze helped Maryland be prepared to lead in the global economy and students realize their dreams of a college education?
That's a great question and we're looking for more like it - but time is running out. Submit your question now.
Even if you don't have a burning question, don't forget to signup, so you can watch the event live from the comfort of your computer chair.
Join Gov. O’Malley for an Online Town Hall Meeting next Wednesday
On Wednesday, December 9, at 8 PM Governor Martin O’Malley will hold an online Town Hall Meeting to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing Maryland in the coming year.
RSVP for the event and submit your questions for the Governor now:
http://www.martinomalley.com/onlinetownhall
The event will be broadcast live here on MartinOMalley.com and will encourage viewers to participate in the discussion in real time.
First on the agenda? Jobs. Job creation. And Maryland's efforts to create good jobs, retain good jobs and make sure Maryland is prepared to lead in this global economy.
Five Marylanders who submit questions will be invited to attend the filming of the meeting so they can ask their question in person! Submit your question here by Friday, December 4 at 4 PM to be eligible to attend the event in person.
The effects of the nation's economic hardship are hitting Maryland hard. We're fighting every day to protect Maryland’s families during these tough economic times. We’re also working every day to make sure that government and its programs work for people.
