September 28, 2006

BOB EHRLICH: LYING BECAUSE HE’S LOSING

Down Consistently in the Polls, Ehrlich Resorts to False Attacks on the Police Officers and People of Baltimore

BALTIMORE, MD (September 27, 2006) – Today, after millions wasted on false attacks on Baltimore’s schools that failed to improve his standing in the polls, Bob Ehrlich began another round of misleading attacks on the people of Baltimore and the police officers sworn to protect them. Proving yet again that his campaign has no vision for Maryland’s future or a positive record on which to run, Bob Ehrlich launched a radio ad today attacking the people of Baltimore’s efforts to reduce violent crime.

The truth is Bob Ehrlich is lying – and he is lying because he is losing.

For months, virtually every poll has shown that Bob Ehrlich is 6% to 9% behind Martin O’Malley – including this week’s Baltimore Sun poll, with only 40 days left in the campaign. Every statewide Democratic candidate is over 50% – in a strong Democratic state and in a strong Democratic year.

His false attacks on Baltimore’s schools failed – the race didn’t move. Now, he’s trying to mislead voters about Baltimore’s progress in reducing crime – which will fail, because people have heard it all before. They’re sick of his monotonous attacks on the people of Baltimore.

The Truth is that despite Bob Ehrlich’s cuts in funding to the Baltimore City Police Department by 42% from $11.3 million in FY 2002 to $6.6 million in FY 2006 and his malicious cuts in drug treatment funding to Baltimore by $3 million – from $52.2 million in FY 2003 to $49.2 million in FY 2005, crime in Baltimore City has decreased under Martin O’Malley.

Under Bob Ehrlich in the State of Maryland tuition is up 40%, taxes and fees are up by $3 billion, utility rates are up, and the number of people without health insurance is up, but...

The Truth is Crime is Down in Baltimore:

• For 44 consecutive months, Bob Ehrlich’s Maryland State Police – which is required by law to collect crime data and has the power to audit crime statistics at any time – has reviewed and accepted Baltimore’s crime statistics without raising any concerns.
• Just three months ago in June, in submitting the 2005 crime data to Governor Ehrlich, Maryland State Police Superintendent Thomas Hutchins wrote: “The crime data, submitted monthly to the Central Records Division, is carefully validated, and every effort is made to authenticate the accuracy and completeness of the reported data.â€?
• In 2003, former Superintendent Edward Norris wrote: “The crime data is submitted monthly to the Maryland State Police, Central Records Division, and goes through a strict verification process where every effort is made to authenticate the accuracy and completeness of the reported data.â€?
• Bob Ehrlich didn’t raise his baseless attacks until an election year. The State Police still never has questioned the Baltimore Police Department’s crime data. After 9 months of political attacks, as the Washington Post has reported: “no evidence has surfaced of a systemic manipulation of crime statistics.â€?
• Independent data proves that the Baltimore Police Department’s crime data is accurate. Not only have the Maryland Police “validatedâ€? it, but Police data tracks with Emergency Medical Service transports to hospitals and gun shot wounds treated at Baltimore’s four trauma centers.
• Dr. J. Glenn Morris, Jr., Chairman of the University of Maryland Medical School’s Department of Epidemiology – perhaps our state’s leading expert – reviewed the data and wrote:
• “In assessing the data, the Police Department numbers show a striking drop from 1999 to 2000, with some further decreases, but a general leveling off in subsequent years. A similar pattern is seen in the EMS and Trauma Registry data. Overall, the presence of this same trend in all three data sets supports the idea that it is ‘real’ – that there were actual decreases and that we are not simply dealing with reporting artifact.â€?

And the Truth is Bob Ehrlich has done nothing to improve public safety in State of Maryland:

• He cut State funding to the Baltimore Police Department by 42% from $11.3 million in FY 2002 to $6.6 million in FY 2006.
• He cut State drug treatment funding in Baltimore by $3 million – from $52.2 million in FY 2003 to $49.2 million in FY 2005.
• He broke his promise to reform Juvenile Services – and instead, it has gotten worse, with children sleeping in bathrooms near toilets and riots caused by understaffing, according to Maryland’s Independent Juvenile Justice Monitor.
• He broke his promise to implement Project Exile – which calls for all eligible gun crimes to be prosecuted in federal court. Federal gun prosecutions went down sharply under his handpicked U.S. Attorney, and he never delivered on his promised public/private advertising and outreach campaign.
• He broke his promise to end parole for violent criminals – and in fact, parole of criminals has increased on his watch.
• He has flat funded the State gun prosecutors grant to the Baltimore State’s Attorney’s Office at the same $1.7 million that his predecessor began in 2001 – failing to account for inflation – as the city has increased it’s funding for the SAO by 50% since Mayor O’Malley took office (from $16.6 million in FY 2000 to $24.9 million in FY 2007).
• His much hyped “Hype vs. Realityâ€? campaign, launched at a press conference with Carmelo Anthony in May 2005 produced, literally, nothing.
• And under his watch, prisons are out of control, with corrections officers being murdered and nearly 20 times more violent incidents involving weapons than the larger Pennsylvania prison system – 257 compared to 15 for the first six months of 2006.

BOB EHRLICH: CAN’T BE TRUSTED TO FIGHT CRIME
CAN’T BE TRUSTED TO FIGHT FOR MARYLAND FAMILIES

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September 13, 2006

Bob Ehrlich: Commitments Made... Commitments Broken

During the 2002 gubernatorial campaign, Bob Ehrlich released his “101 Outstanding Ideas for Maryland� – a list of campaign commitments made by Bob Ehrlich, but not kept. Since Bob Ehrlich has also conceded that this election is a “referendum� on his record, we thought we would take at his administrations failure to implement his “101 Ideas.� (Baltimore Sun, June 28, 2005).

Each day during the general election, the O’Malley/Brown campaign will post one or more of Bob Ehrlich’s commitments made, but not kept on the O’Malley/Brown campaign website at www.martinomalley.com.

Broken Promise/Idea #10:

“Fully fund Thornton Commission Fair Education Act by guaranteeing that the bulk of the money earned from slot machines is earmarked for all Maryland schools.�

Bob Ehrlich’s Record of Failure:

In 2002, Bob Ehrlich refused to sign the Bridge to Excellence in Public Schools Act, also known as the Fair Education plan, enacted by the Maryland General Assembly. Based on the recommendations of the Commission on Education, Finance, Equity, and Excellence (“The Thornton Commission�), the Act was mandated to ensure adequate funding for the state’s K-12 public schools according to the Geographic Cost of Education Index.

Since the Thornton Commission was enacted without Bob Ehrlich’s signature, Ehrlich has refused to fund the Geographic Cost of Education Index.

As Governor and Lieutenant Governor, Martin O’Malley and Anthony Brown pledge to fully fund the entire Thornton Commission plan, including the Geographic Cost of Education Index.

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September 5, 2006

The O'Malley/Brown campaign has created the following video illustrating the REAL Ehrlich Record on Education.

Play the video with Windows Media Player

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August 30, 2006

Latest Ehrlich Negative Ad Repeats False Accusations Against Baltimore Students and Teachers

Just last week, the Ehrlich campaign was caught misleading Marylanders about Baltimore schools, falsely claiming that student achievement in Baltimore was not improving. [The Baltimore Examiner, “Teacher’s union seeks retraction from Ehrlich running mate,� August 25, 2006].

Now – amazingly – Ehrlich’s newest negative television commercial restates the same false charge that “nothing has changed� at Baltimore’s schools.

Here’s a look at the facts on the progress of Baltimore’s students, parents and teachers:

Ehrlich/Bo Harmon Ad Truth Watch

Ehrlich Claim: “But as Baltimore kids start school, nothing has changed....�

The FACTS:

The progress that Baltimore City’s students and teachers are making belie Ehrlich’s claim that “nothing has changed.�

• FACT: Test scores are up in Baltimore. “The facts: Test scores and graduation rates are improving in the city.â€? [The Baltimore Sun, “O’Malley, Brown take on schools, criticism,â€? August 4, 2006]
  
  For the first time since state testing began in 1993, the majority of Baltimore’s elementary students are scoring proficient in reading and math – and they are improving faster than the state average. [Baltimore MSPAP and MSA scores, Maryland Department of Education]
  
  
• FACT: Baltimore student’s gains on tests are better than the statewide average. Compared to their statewide peers, students in Baltimore City Public Schools “did outpace their peers statewideâ€? on the High School Assessment tests. [The Baltimore Examiner, “Baltimore City schools outpace state in test gains,â€? August 22, 2006]
  
  
• FACT: Graduation rates are up in Baltimore. Baltimore’s graduation rate has increased to 61%, from 42% ten years ago. Since 1999, when O’Malley was elected, Baltimore City has increased its high school graduation rate from 49% to 61%. [Maryland State Board of Elections, www.mdreportcard.org]
  
  
• FACT: Attendance rates are up in Baltimore. Since 1999, when O’Malley was elected, Baltimore City has increased its high school attendance rate from 77% to 84%. The elementary school attendance rate is over 94%. [Maryland State Board of Elections, www.mdreportcard.org]

It seems that after three years of inaction, Bob Ehrlich has realized that he needs to finally address the issue of education. But rather than join the work for progress that has been taking place in Baltimore, he has chosen to attack progress to cover up his failed record on education.

In fact, according to a report in today’s Baltimore Sun, and despite his claims to support Thornton on the campaign trail, Ehrlich continues to insist that funding a “critical� part of the historic school investment plan is “optional.� [The Baltimore Sun, “Rivals Clash Again on Schools,� August 30, 2006]

Here’s a look at the facts on Bob Ehrlich’s record of failed commitment to education:

Ehrlich Record

The FACTS:

• FACT: Ehrlich’s Failed Commitment to Thornton. Although he now touts it as his accomplishment, Ehrlich did not support the Thornton school funding plan, reportedly calling it the “‘most irresponsible vote in Maryland history’â€? [The Washington Post, “Mr. Ehrlich’s Conversion,â€? January 19, 2006; The Baltimore Sun, “A Centrist? Ehrlich Sees No Shift in Stance,â€? January 12, 2006]
  
  House Speaker Michael Busch commented on Ehrlich and the Thornton plan:
  

  “‘The governor called it the most irresponsible vote in Maryland history. Now they’re all out claiming credit for the administration putting more money into education than any governor in Maryland history. The truth is, they were just obeying the law.’� [The Baltimore Sun, “A Centrist? Ehrlich Sees No Shift in Stance,� January 12, 2006]

  When the measure requiring the state to make school funding increases mandated by the Thornton plan became law in 2004, it did so without Ehrlich’s signature. [The Baltimore Sun, “Ehrlich Lets Stand Thornton Schools Bill,� March 6, 2004]
  
  Despite promising to do so, Ehrlich has never fully funded the Thornton plan. Ehrlich has failed to allocate money for the geographic cost of education index (GCEI), a formula that gives extra money to school systems with higher education costs.
  
  The GCEI is a “critical� part of the Thornton school investment plan. According to the Prince George’s School Spokesperson: “It is part of Thornton, and you can't say you're fully funding Thornton without funding GCEI.� [The Baltimore Sun, “Governor Accused of Reneging on School Aid,� February 28, 2003; The Washington Post, “Ehrlich Budget Leaves Some Schools Short,� January 27, 2006].
  
  
• FACT: Ehrlich’s Failed Commitment to School Construction. School construction funding under Ehrlich has declined by $176 million, compared to the four years before he took office. [Public School Construction Program, Maryland Department of Legislative Services, FY 2000 - 2007]
  
  
• FACT: Ehrlich’s Failed Commitment to Public Education. Ehrlich has attempted to become the first governor to implement George W. Bush’s plan to take over public schools. However, recently-released test scores show that three Baltimore elementary schools already run by the state have seen a significant drop in student achievement. The schools are operated by Edison Schools Inc., a for-profit company selected by the state at a greater cost to taxpayers. [The Baltimore Sun, “Edison Schools See Drop in Scores,â€? July 13, 2006; Maryland State Department of Education, www.mdreportcard.org]
  
  
• FACT: Ehrlich’s Failed Commitment to Higher Education. Ehrlich has cut higher education funding and tuition has gone up by 40% for most Maryland students. According to The Washington Post, under Ehrlich, the University System of Maryland “has sustained repeated budget cuts since he took office, resulting in major tuition increases and cost-cutting measures.â€? [The Washington Post, “Ehrlich Releases Budget Proposal,â€? May 20, 2005]

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August 25, 2006

BALTIMORE IS CREATING THOUSANDS OF NEW JOBS

No one disputes that Baltimore has faced challenges in the past, but Martin O’Malley has taken on those challenges, and thousands of new jobs have been created each year in the city.

The Sun Contradicts Itself: Reported 6,200 New Jobs Last Year

Just six months ago, the Sun reported that the city had created thousands of new jobs in downtown alone:

“Downtown Baltimore employment took a sharp turn for the better last year, reviving after years of losses or modest gains.

“Downtown Partnership of Baltimore Inc.'s annual ‘State of Downtown’ report, released today, counted 97,500 jobs at the end of last year, up 6,200 jobs - or nearly 7 percent - from summer 2004. Nearly all sectors expanded, although professional services and health care led the way.

“Mount Vernon saw the most growth, a 16 percent increase to about 2,200 jobs. But the rest of downtown did well too. The Inner Harbor, west side and central business district each added more than 1,000 jobs. Much of that came from small and midsize companies, not the behemoths.� (“Downtown Job Report Boasts of 7% Growth,� The Baltimore Sun, February 16, 2006)

U.S. Department of Labor Reports That Baltimore Has Gained Thousands of Jobs in Past Year

Even the Sun article today acknowledged federal labor data that “shows the city has gained more than 2,000 jobs.� (Data from U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov)

The numbers:

Month	Total Employees
July 2005	370,600
July 2006	372,800 (preliminary)
Increase	2,200

(Baltimore Development Corporation Annual Reports, 2000-2005)

The Gazette: Baltimore Has Added Thousands of Jobs

In May 2006, The Gazette reported that the city had added 11,000 jobs:

“The city has added about 11,000 jobs in the past two years, and the March unemployment rate of 6 percent was the lowest in almost five years, according to state records. The residential population is also growing again, as hundreds of new townhouses, condominiums and apartments sprout up in downtown Baltimore, driving more commercial development.� (The Gazette, “A City’s Rebirth,� May 19, 2006)

State Numbers Show That Baltimore Employment Has Improved by Thousands of Jobs

According to the state, the number of Baltimore residents employed has increased from 254,783 in July 2004 to 265,153 in July 2006 – a gain of over 10,000 jobs. (State Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, www.dllr.state.md.us)

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July 11, 2006

Ehrlich’s Stem Cell Shift

Opposed Embryonic Stem Cell Research in 2001

In 2001, Ehrlich said he supported President Bush’s policy on stem cell studies, which prohibits the creation of embryonic stem cell lines: “I believe this position, which respects both life and the need for research to save lives, is a positive step.� (The Baltimore Sun, “Stem Cell Funding Sought,� December 19, 2004)

Ehrlich also said of cloning, including therapeutic cloning: “I am increasingly concerned that such scientific experiments, ripe with moral, ethical, and scientific implications, could be abused and misused by a few individuals in the scientific community.� (The Baltimore Sun, “Stem Cell Funding Sought,� December 19, 2004)

Opposed Stem Cell Legislation in 2005

In 2005, when the legislature was considering legislation to provide funding for embryonic stem cell research, The Gazette reported: “Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. (R), who ran for office as a pro-abortion rights candidate, has not stated his position on the stem cell bills other than to signal some general skepticism. At a recent luncheon with biotech and other business leaders in Rockville, Ehrlich said that he believes ‘the federal government is the appropriate venue’ and that he has some ‘concerns’ about the bills.� (The Gazette, “Panel Tackles Stem Cells,� March 4, 2005)

Meanwhile, Ehrlich’s budget secretary, James “Chip� DiPaula, and his business secretary, Aris Melissaratos, spoke out against the legislation. (Baltimore Business Journal, “Stem Cell Funding Debate Is Economic, Not Just Religious,� March 13, 2005; LifeNews.com, “Maryland Governor Has Concerns about Embryonic Stem Cell Research Bill,� February 16, 2005)

Ehrlich privately told supporters in his party that he didn’t favor public funding of stem cell research. According to one report in the Baltimore Sun: “State Senator Andrew Harris (R-Baltimore County), a leading opponent of stem cell research, says of Ehrlich’s position, ‘he does not think that the state is the appropriate funding source.’ (Washington Post Online, “Stem Cell Debate Continues in Maryland,� March 10, 2005)

When stem cell legislation failed, Del. Sandy Rosenberg, D-Baltimore City, a leading supporter of the legislation, said: “It was the governor’s opposition -- as subtle as it was -- that was the key to it not passing.� (The Daily Record, “Stem Cell Supporters in Maryland Blast Ehrlich for Failure,� April 26, 2005)

The Shift in 2006… at Least Publicly

In January 2006, even after Ehrlich proposed his own stem cell bill, The Baltimore Sun reported that Ehrlich’s top science adviser, Chris Foster, advocated against embryonic stem cell research: “‘I don't think at this time that we need to’ fund embryonic stem cell research, said Foster, deputy secretary of the Department of Business and Economic Development. ‘I think there are other ways to solve the problem.’� (The Baltimore Sun, “Stem Cell Research Funding in Md. Raises Bioethics Issue,� January 12, 2006)

Now He Claims Credit…

The governor has since touted his support for stem cell research in his re-election campaign. In July 2006, he said: “"There is so much promise here. It did not deserve to ever be bogged down with abortion politics or divisiveness.� (The Baltimore Sun, “Governor Names Final 4 Members Of Stem Cell Panel,� July 7, 2006)

…Despite His Past.

“When Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. signed stem cell research... he failed to note that he had vigorously opposed both measures in the past, taking credit instead for their passage.� (The Baltimore Sun, “Ehrlich Signs Bills on Stem Cell Research, Clean Air, Despite His Opposition in Past,� April 7, 2006)

Bob Ehrlich: “I’m prepared to do whatever it takes to win this race.�

[The Examiner, July 5, 2006]

Ehrlich Gets to Work on Campaign Promise to “Do Whatever it Takes to Win�

Step 1: Mislead Citizens with Television Ads

Bob Ehrlich Claim: Governor Ehrlich rose to the challenge. Turning a budget deficit into a $1 billion surplus …

Bob Ehrlich has left the structural deficit just as large as when he took office.

When Bob Ehrlich took office, the structural deficit was $1.2 billion. [Department of Legislative Services, Fiscal and policy updates, January 2003]

After four years, the projected structural deficit left for the next governor to confront before the end of the decade is $1.2 billion. [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, “State Budgets: On the Edge,� by Elizabeth C. McNichol and Iris J. Lav, May 4, 2006]

Bob Ehrlich Claim: increasing critical funding for schools …

Ehrlich fought against increasing school funding, opposing the Thornton Plan.

“The governor called it the most irresponsible vote in Maryland history,’ [House Speaker Michael] Busch said at a Democratic Party luncheon Tuesday. ‘Now they’re all out claiming credit for the administration putting more money into education than any governor in Maryland history. The truth is, they were just obeying the law.� [Baltimore Sun, January 12, 2006]

Although he has been forced by the legislature to increase education funding, Bob Ehrlich failed to fulfill his campaign promise to fully fund the Thornton education plan.

In 2002, Bob Ehrlich made a “vow to fund Thornton.� [The Baltimore Sun, February 28, 2003]

“‘He said that, yes, he would make sure Thornton was fully funded, regardless of slots,’ said Zattura Sims-El, program director of the Baltimore Education Network.� [Baltimore Sun, February 28, 2003]

But Ehrlich failed to keep his promise to fully fund the Thornton Plan:

“Officials in 13 Maryland school systems say they stand to lose an estimated $72.3 million because Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.’s recently released budget proposal did not include funding for a formula that gives extra money to school systems with higher operating costs.� [Washington Post, January 27, 2006]

Ehrlich has made education promises “with no intention of keeping them.� [Baltimore Sun February 20, 2003]

Bob Ehrlich Claim: without raising income taxes …

Bob Ehrlich’s spending has exceeded the spending caps and he has put the burden of his spending spree squarely on the backs of Maryland’s families in the form of increased taxes, tolls and fees.

The Facts:

Ehrlich has placed $3 billion in new taxes, tolls and fees on the backs of Maryland families and small businesses.

• The state property tax increased by 58% ($780 million over 4 years)[Baltimore Sun, January 26, 2006]
• The car tax went up by 58% for cars and 66% for SUVs ($520 million)[The Capital, April 15, 2004]
• Corporate filing fees rose by $190 million [Washington Post, April 30, 2003]
• The flush tax will cost $155 million [Associated Press, “Senate's version of "flush tax" keeps fee for septic owners,â€? April 8, 2004]
• Transportation tolls went up by $300 million [The Capital, August 3, 2003]
• When other taxes and fees are added, Marylanders will pay $3.3 billion in new taxes during Ehrlich’s four years in office [Dept. Of Legislative Services - Pages 27-30 of Issue Papers 2006 Legislative Session]

Bob Ehrlich Claim: the most significant program to restore the bay in a generation…

Time and again, Bob Ehrlich has sided with the special interests instead of fighting to protect the environment.

The Facts:

• According to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Annual State of the Bay Report for 2005, “the Bay is in crisis.â€? Two decades of slow but steady improvement peaked in 2002, with a grade of 28. Since Bob Ehrlich took office, progress has stopped, and the grade has actually fallen to 27. [2005 State of the Bay Report, http://www.cbf.org/site/DocServer/sotb2005lores.pdf?docID=4564]
• Bob Ehrlich received a “D+â€? from the League of Conservation Voters., including F’s on both Open Space and transportation.[The Bay Weekly, March 17-23, 2005]
• While Bob Ehrlich was governor, the president of the CBF said that the Bay has remained “basically unchanged over the last four yearsâ€? and that the bay was “still dyingâ€? and “in crisis.â€? [The Associated Press, November 14, 2005]
• Ehrlich diverted $400 million from Project Open Space. [The Baltimore Sun, January 22, 2006]
• In 2004, on the basis of what senior scientists described as “inadequate science,â€? Bob Ehrlich sought to remove chromium from the list of toxic substances that imperil the health of Baltimore Harbor and the Chesapeake Bay watershed. [Chesapeake Bay Foundation, June 10, 2004]
• Bob Ehrlich repeatedly failed to fully fund or implement the programs necessary to keep Maryland’s commitment in the Chesapeake 2000 Agreement to reduce pollution levels in the Bay and its rivers. [Chesapeake Bay Foundation, March 27, 2006]
• Bob Ehrlich refused to enter a multi-state lawsuit to require the EPA to enforce air-pollution regulations that would protect the Chesapeake Bay, even at the recommendation of his own Attorney General. [Washington Post, July 27, 2005]
• Bob Ehrlich opposed the Healthy Air Act (formerly the “Four Pollutantsâ€? bill) in 2005. His Deputy Secretary of the Environment worked closely with power companies to kill the bill behind the scenes. [Baltimore Sun, December 18, 2005]
• Ehrlich’s failed environmental appointments:
  • Ken Schisler, the current PSC chairman and an Ehrlich appointee, received an abysmal 23% on a report card from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. [The Bay Weekly, March 17-23, 2005]
  • Ron Guns, the DNR’s Chesapeake Bay Program assistant secretary, earned a 25% score from the LCV for his time in the legislature from 1995-1998. [The Bay Weekly, March 17-23, 2005]
  • Jonas Jacobson, appointed Deputy Secretary of the Environment in 2004, was a former lobbyist for Constellation Energy. He actively worked behind the scenes to kill the Four Pollutants bill, trading gleeful e-mails with Ken Philbrick at the failure of the bill. [Baltimore Sun, December 18, 2005]
  • Lynn Buhl, nominated to the Department of the Environment, was a former auto industry executive. Her deputy was Kendl P. Philbrick, whose experience was with Lockheed Martin’s properties management branch. Philbrick is now Maryland’s Secretary of the Environment. [The Bay Weekly, March 17-23, 2005]
  • Bob Ehrlich hired Kenny Keen to be the Deputy Director of Fisheries at the Department of Natural Resources. Keen holds a commercial fisherman’s license and until recently was first vice president of the Maryland Watermen’s Association. In his position he would be able to affect the lives of both commercial and recreational fishermen. Keen did not have a college degree, and he acknowledged he wasn’t sure exactly what his duties would entail. “It doesn’t seem quite fair that they would put someone in charge with a vested interest in commercial fishing,â€? says charter Capt. Ed Darwin, who has been fishing on the Chesapeake Bay for 43 years. [The Baltimore Sun, September 28, 2003]

  Bob Ehrlich Claim: and funded ground-breaking stem cell research.

  Bob Ehrlich led the charge against stem cell research.

  • “It was the governor’s opposition -- as subtle as it was -- that was the key to it not passing,â€? said Del. Sandy Rosenberg, D-Baltimore City, a leading supporter of the bill to provide state funding for embryonic stem cell research. [The Daily Record, April 26, 2006]
  • Ehrlich’s top science advisor said “I don't think at this time that we need toâ€? fund embryonic stem cell research. [Baltimore Sun, January 12, 2006]
  • State Senator Andrew Harris (R-Baltimore County), a leading opponent of stem cell research, says of Ehrlich’s position, “he does not think that the state is the appropriate funding source.â€? [Washington Post, March 10, 2006]
  • In 2001, Bob Ehrlich said, “[President Bush’s prohibition of the creation of embryonic stem cell lines], which respects both life and the need for research to save lives, is a positive step.â€? [Baltimore Sun, December 19, 2004]
  • In 2001, Bob Ehrlich also said, “I am increasingly concerned that such scientific experiments, ripe with moral, ethical, and scientific implications, could be abused and misused by a few individuals in the scientific community.â€? [Baltimore Sun, December 19, 2004]

  Bob Ehrlich Claim: Maryland’s turned the corner, with record low unemployment…

  In 1999 and 2000, under Democratic leadership, Maryland had a lower unemployment rate.

  The actual record low unemployment in Maryland was 3.3% in March, 2000. Maryland’s current unemployment rate is half a point higher, at 3.8%. [Bureau of Labor Statistics Local Area Unemployment Statistics, http://www.bls.gov/lau/home.htm; http://www.bls.gov/web/lauhsthl.htm]

  Bob Ehrlich Claim: and improving test scores.

  The Washington Post said that Bob Ehrlich’s education claims were an “election-year conversion� to schools funding with a “hint of hypocrisy.�

  Although Democratic legislators forced Ehrlich to increase education funding as required by the Thornton Plan, Ehrlich claimed credit. According to the Post, “he previously groused about the Democratic-backed law mandating Maryland's huge, long-term spending plan to bolster education from kindergarten through 12th grade; now he embraces it and points to the past three years of spending increases on schools as his own achievement.� [Washington Post, January 19, 2006]

  Bob Ehrlich Claim: Bob Ehrlich, changing Maryland for the better.

  Under Bob Ehrlich’s failed leadership, Maryland families are struggling to make ends meet and pay their bills.

  • Bob Ehrlich has increased tuition by more than 40% at some Maryland universities. [Department of Legislative Services, “Higher Education Fiscal 2006 Budget Overview,â€? January 2005]
  • Bob Ehrlich vetoed tuition caps that would have kept higher education affordable for Maryland families. [Office of the Governor of Maryland, veto message for HB 1188, May 25, 2004]
  • Under Bob Ehrlich, the number of people without health insurance has increased by more than 130,000, and the poverty rate has increased from 6.2% to 8.8%. [Capital News Service, September 30, 2003; Health Care for All’s website; Census Bureau Press Release, September 24, 2002; Maryland QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau]

  July 10, 2006

  Bob Ehrlich Claim: He hasn't governed from the right or the left, but the center where most of us are.

  Bob Ehrlich has not governed from the center. Instead he has, time and again, governed at the side of the special interests:

  The Facts:

  Bob Ehrlich stood with the big energy companies instead of with Maryland families:

  “Ehrlich, who campaigned as a pro-business candidate, has responded to criticism of his PSC appointees by saying, “Of course I was going to bring in more business-oriented commissioners.� [The Baltimore Sun, June 14, 2006]

  Bob Ehrlich stood with big business instead of Maryland Families:

  When the General Assembly passed a bill to raise the minimum wage for Maryland workers, “Ehrlich sided with business interests� and vetoed the wage increase. [HB 391, 2005 Session; Washington Post, May 21, 2005]

  Bob Ehrlich stood with the insurance companies instead of Maryland Families:

  Ehrlich vetoed the Fair Share Health Care Bill, which required companies with more than 10,000 workers to either spend 8% of their payroll providing health insurance to their employees, or send that much to the state to help taxpayers cover the cost of doing so. Wal-Mart thought 8% was too much, and they had donated $4,000 to Ehrlich’s campaign earlier in the year, so Ehrlich tried to block the law. The Baltimore Sun responded that, “Large and small business owners across Maryland are disappointed that Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. vetoed the Fair Share Health Care Act.� [SB 790, 2005 Session; Baltimore Sun, June 9, 2005]

  Bob Ehrlich stood with Bush White House instead of Maryland Families:

  When Baltimore City tried to stop the sale of Port of Baltimore operations to a company controlled by the Emirate of Dubai, Bob Ehrlich stood with George W. Bush and refused to support the effort. According to Ehrlich, concerns about port security raised by Baltimore officials were “dangerous� and “political.� [The Baltimore Sun, February 24, 2006]

  Bob Ehrlich Claim: “Some were upset when Ehrlich refused to raise income taxes, or insisted that Annapolis keep spending under control.�

  Bob Ehrlich’s spending has exceeded the spending caps and he has put the burden of his spending spree squarely on the backs of Maryland’s families in the form of increased taxes, tolls and fees.

  The Facts:

  Ehrlich raised taxes and fees more than his two democratic predecessors combined.

  Bob Ehrlich raised taxes and fees more in his first 16 months than Maryland’s previous two Democratic administrations raised them in 16 years. [Washington Post, May 27, 2004]

  Ehrlich has placed $3 billion in new taxes, tolls and fees on the backs of Maryland families and small businesses.

  • The state property tax increased by 58% ($780 million over 4 years)
  • The car tax went up by 58% for cars and 66% for SUVs ($520 million)
  • Corporate filing fees rose by $190 million
  • The flush tax will cost $155 million
  • Transportation tolls went up by $300 million
  • When other taxes and fees are added, Marylanders will pay $3.3 billion in new taxes during Ehrlich’s four years in office [Dept. Of Legislative Services - Pages 27-30 of Issue Papers 2006 Legislative Session]

  Ehrlich Has Spent Taxpayer Dollars Irresponsibly. Ehrlich broke the state’s limits on spending by more than $200 million. [The Baltimore Sun, March 5, 2006]

  Bob Ehrlich has increased the state budget far faster than the rate of inflation and population growth. If he had held spending increases to that level, the state’s budget would now be $21 billion. It is currently $29.6 billion. [The Capital, March 10, 2006]

  According to the Baltimore Sun, the structural deficit has gotten worse, not better, under Bob Ehrlich. Rather than coming up with a real solution to the revenue imbalance, Ehrlich has “limped along with half-measures� that fail to address the real problem. [The Baltimore Sun, April 1, 2005]

  The structural deficit is projected to rise to $1.2 billion by the end of the decade, which is as large as it was the year Bob Ehrlich took office. [2006 Conference Committee Report on SB 110; Department of Legislative Services Fiscal and Policy Updates, Jan 2003]

  Bob Ehrlich Claim: “Others got annoyed when he fought to save the bay…�

  Time and again, Bob Ehrlich has sided with the special interests instead of fighting to protect the environment.

  The Facts:

  • Bob Ehrlich refused to enter a multi-state lawsuit to require the EPA to enforce air-pollution regulations that would protect the Chesapeake Bay, even at the recommendation of his own Attorney General. [Washington Post, July 27, 2005]
  • Bob Ehrlich opposed the Healthy Air Act (formerly the “Four Pollutantsâ€? bill) in 2005. His Deputy Secretary of the Environment worked closely with power companies to kill the bill behind the scenes. [Baltimore Sun, December 18, 2005]
  • Ehrlich’s failed environmental appointments:
    • Ken Schissler, the current PSC chairman and an Ehrlich appointee, received an abysmal 23% on a report card from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. [The Bay Weekly, March 17-23, 2005]
    • Ron Guns, the DNR’s Chesapeake Bay Program assistant secretary, earned a 25% score from the LCV for his time in the legislature from 1995-1998. [The Bay Weekly, March 17-23, 2005]
    • Jonas Jacobson, appointed Deputy Secretary of the Environment in 2004, was a former lobbyist for Constellation Energy. He actively worked behind the scenes to kill the Four Pollutants bill, trading gleeful e-mails with Ken Philbrick at the failure of the bill. [Baltimore Sun, December 18, 2005]
    • Lynn Buhl, nominated to the Department of the Environment, was a former auto industry executive. Her deputy was Kendl P. Philbrick, whose experience was with Lockheed Martin’s properties management branch. Philbrick is now Maryland’s Secretary of the Environment. [The Bay Weekly, March 17-23, 2005]
    • Bob Ehrlich hired Kenny Keen to be the Deputy Director of Fisheries at the Department of Natural Resources. Keen holds a commercial fisherman’s license and until recently was first vice president of the Maryland Watermen’s Association. In his position he would be able to affect the lives of both commercial and recreational fishermen. Keen did not have a college degree, and he acknowledged he wasn’t sure exactly what his duties would entail. “It doesn’t seem quite fair that they would put someone in charge with a vested interest in commercial fishing,â€? says charter Capt. Ed Darwin, who has been fishing on the Chesapeake Bay for 43 years. [The Baltimore Sun, September 28, 2003]

  • Bob Ehrlich received a “D+â€? from the League of Conservation Voters., including F’s on both Open Space and transportation.[The Bay Weekly, March 17-23, 2005]
  • While Bob Ehrlich was governor, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation gave the bay a score of 27. The president of the CBF said that the Bay has remained “basically unchanged over the last four yearsâ€? and that the bay was “still dyingâ€? and “in crisis.â€? [The Associated Press, November 14, 2005]
  • Ehrlich diverted $400 million from Project Open Space. [The Baltimore Sun, January 22, 2006]
  • In 2004, on the basis of what senior scientists described as “inadequate science,â€? Bob Ehrlich sought to remove chromium from the list of toxic substances that imperil the health of Baltimore Harbor and the Chesapeake Bay watershed. [Chesapeake Bay Foundation, June 10, 2004]
  • Under Bob Ehrlich, Maryland has had “an 80-percent- to-90-percent loss of vital sea grass habitat throughout the Chesapeake Bay caused by pollution from sewage and farm runoff.
  • Bob Ehrlich repeated failed to fully fund or implement the programs necessary to keep Maryland’s commitment in the Chesapeake 2000 Agreement to reduce pollution levels in the Bay and its rivers. [Chesapeake Bay Foundation, March 27, 2006]

  Bob Ehrlich Claim: “… and pushed stem cell research.�

  Bob Ehrlich led the charge against Stem Cell research.

  • It was the governor's opposition -- as subtle as it was -- that was the key to it not passing,â€? said Del. Sandy Rosenberg, D-Baltimore City, while speaking in Bethesda at a conference on stem cell research. [The Daily Record, April 26, 2006]
  • Ehrlich’s top science advisor said “I don't think at this time that we need toâ€? fund embryonic stem cell research. [Baltimore Sun, January 12, 2006]
  • State Senator Andrew Harris (R-Baltimore County), a leading opponent of stem cell research, says of Ehrlich’s position, “he does not think that the state is the appropriate funding source.â€? [Washington Post, March 10, 2006]
  • In 2001, Bob Ehrlich said, “[President Bush’s prohibition of the creation of embryonic stem cell lines], which respects both life and the need for research to save lives, is a positive step.â€? [Baltimore Sun, December 19, 2004]
  • Bob Ehrlich also said, “I am increasingly concerned that such scientific experiments, ripe with moral, ethical, and scientific implications, could be abused and misused by a few individuals in the scientific community.â€? [Baltimore Sun, December 19, 2004]

  Bob Ehrlich Claim: “When faced with a crisis on electric rates, Ehrlich could have blamed others, instead he led and that’s what a governor should do.�

  Ehrlich not only refused to take responsibility for his role in solving the crisis, but pointed fingers at a host of others.

  The Facts:

  • Ehrlich blamed the rate increase on Mike Miller: “Mr. Miller is the father of this whole issue, and he is desperately looking for a way out.â€? [The Washington Times, April 9, 2006]
  • Ehrlich blamed the rate increase on Baltimore City: “Due to Baltimore City's interference, more than one million Marylanders were saddled last week with an electric rate stabilization plan that includes far less assistanceâ€? [Ehrlich letter to Michael Busch and Mike Miller calling the legislature into special session, June 5, 2006]
  • Ehrlich blamed the rate increase on Martin O’Malley: “Paul Schurick, Mr. Ehrlich's communications director, said Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley was to blame for the current deal customers are faced with.â€? [The Maryland Gazette, June 8, 2006]
  • Ehrlich blamed the rate increase on Parris Glendening: “‘It’s very important for the people of Maryland to remember how we got here, and that is because of (Senate President Thomas V.) Mike Miller and (then-governor) Parris Glendening and the Democratic monopoly that brought us a flawed deregulation plan in 1999,’ said Audra Miller, spokeswoman for the Maryland Republican Party.â€? [Associated Press, June 8, 2006]
  • Ehrlich promised that the 72% rate increase “will not stand,â€? but promised only that the eventual increase might be “in the 60s.â€? [The Capital, May 14, 2006]
  • When Baltimore City sued to stop the flawed rate stabilization plan, Ehrlich called it a “stunt.â€? When legislative leaders pressed for a special session to craft a better plan, Ehrlich said it “makes absolutely no sense.â€? [Washington Times, May 27, 2006; Washington Times, May 31, 2006]
  • While legislators wrangled over the rate-relief and energy restructuring bill, Ehrlich and his staff did not participate. The governor spent much of the day conducting one-on-one interviews with television, radio and print reporters to criticize the proposal. [The Baltimore Sun, June 14, 2006]
  • While the General Assembly was working to improve on the Ehrlich/BGE rate plan, “the governor remained cloistered in his office.â€? [Washington Post, June 15, 2006]

  Bob Ehrlich Claim: “Bob Ehrlich… he said he’d change Maryland for the Better and he has.�

  Under Bob Ehrlich’s failed leadership Maryland families are struggling to make ends meet and pay their bills.

  • Bob Ehrlich has increased tuition by more than 40% at some Maryland universities. [Department of Legislative Services, “Higher Education Fiscal 2006 Budget Overview,â€? January 2005]
  • Bob Ehrlich vetoed tuition caps that would have kept higher education affordable for Maryland families. [Office of the Governor of Maryland, veto message for HB 1188, May 25, 2004]
  • Crime in Maryland (outside of Baltimore City) is up, with a 17.1% increase in murders and a 22% increase in robberies statewide, excluding Baltimore’s data. [Source: Maryland State Police crime data]
  • Overall, violent crime in Maryland (when one removes the improvement in Baltimore) has shown no improvement in the Governor’s first two years in office. [Source: FBI/UCR Reports]
  • Under Bob Ehrlich, Maryland has seen an increase of more than 130,000 people who now lack health insurance, and has seen the poverty rate increase from 6.2% to 8.8%. [Capital News Service, September 30, 2003; Health Care for All’s website; Census Bureau Press Release, September 24, 2002; Maryland QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau]

  March 30, 2006

  Yesterday, Bob Ehrlich again attempted to use the power of his public office for his own personal political gain and at the expense of our children.

  This time, with a little help from his friend George W. Bush’s “No Child Left Behind� Act and his political allies at the state board of education, Bob Ehrlich tried to usurp the power of local parents and teachers and undermine the progress of our students.

  It’s disgraceful that Bob Ehrlich continues to use our children as political pawns for his own political survival.

  Despite the lack of a strong state partner, our children have made tremendous progress against incredible odds, and their progress will continue.

  In 2005, after a 30 decline, we celebrated the fact that our 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th graders all scored majority proficient in reading and math on their standardized tests, and Baltimore’s high school graduation rate is 61% compared to 42% just 10 years ago.

  The people of Maryland see this for what it is – a cynical election year ploy – and aren’t buying what Bob Ehrlich is selling.

  Here is today's Baltimore Sun editorial:

  Fundamentally wrong

  Baltimore Sun Editorial
  March 30, 2006

  State schools Superintendent Nancy S. Grasmick's audacious move to take over 11 Baltimore schools is more than a slap in the face to city school officials. It's a risky - and unnecessary - escalation of the ongoing struggle between the state and the city over how best to fix a chronically ailing school system. Ms. Grasmick insists that the move is not political (despite the fact that she has been aligned with Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. and has been directly critical of Mayor Martin O'Malley, who wants Mr. Ehrlich's job) - but her timing and method belie that claim. On Tuesday afternoon - well after Ms. Grasmick had briefed reporters on the plan - she got around to telling city schools CEO Bonnie S. Copeland, less than a day before the Maryland State Board of Education rubber-stamped the proposal.

  What's more, this is being done in an election year with little or no consultation with city school officials, state legislators, interested reformers, parents or the public. Even if the politics extend only to a tug-of-war between state and city education officials, Mayor O'Malley, City Council members and concerned community leaders who rallied behind city school officials yesterday are right to take umbrage at the state's pre-emptive action. If helping Baltimore's students is really the goal, this is definitely not the way to do it.

  Ms. Grasmick's proposal would give the state more direct responsibility for four high schools and seven middle schools that have produced low test scores for at least nine years. Granted, that's a long time to allow students to languish in poor-performing schools. The state's concern for students who are increasingly required to pass standardized tests is reasonable. But for almost a decade, the state has had a formal, if ill-defined, role in managing the city's schools, so it must shoulder its share of the blame for failure. And now Ms. Grasmick does not seem to be offering any proven solutions.

  She wants a third party, either a nonprofit or a for-profit company, to be brought in to run the affected schools. The plan seems particularly ham-handed for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that it would not take effect for 18 months; if the situation at these schools is so dire, why take a year to plan? Why not work more immediately with school officials to turn things around? The failure to coordinate underscores the intensely fractured nature of the relationship between city and state education officials.

  Another questionable aspect of the proposal is that since 2002, the state has been a partner with the city as well as national and local foundations to reform Baltimore's high schools. Representatives of Ms. Grasmick have regularly attended meetings where plans to break up large, zoned schools and replace them with smaller learning academies have been discussed and implemented. Some of the high schools that the state now wants to take over are among the last to be dismantled, and various restructuring options are being weighed, based in part on extensive community consultation. By proposing to let a third party run those schools, under state authority, Ms. Grasmick has trashed that consultative process and put those schools' futures further in limbo.

  Her proposal may also undermine city school officials' early efforts to engage in a comprehensive overhaul of middle schools, where student progress has declined. Middle school slump is a statewide, even a nationwide, problem. Baltimore school officials are focusing initially on changing leadership, including at most of the schools on Ms. Grasmick's list, and converting traditional middle schools into K-8 schools, where students have scored better on state assessments.

  The middle school effort is meant to sustain gains that the system has made in the elementary schools, where the percentage of Baltimore students showing proficiency in reading and math on state tests for each of the past three years has increased in nearly every grade.

  Central to any discussion of the state taking more responsibility for city schools is the issue of what impact such an action would have on resources for the rest of the system. At three city schools that are already being run by a for-profit management company, student performance has generally been good, but the per-pupil allocation of about $11,000 per student is deducted off the top from the state's funds to the rest of the school system. How does Ms. Grasmick intend to pay for her new proposal without harming the majority of students?

  There's no question that the city school system needs help, and the state should be a natural partner. Instead of extending a hand of collaboration, Ms. Grasmick has chosen to give the back of her hand to the city's schools - and the children they serve.