Harford Republicans: O'Malley Threatens Middle Class

Harford County conservatives see Gov. Martin O'Malley's budget and plan for Maryland as threatening to middle class families.

Both County Executive David Craig and Senator Barry Glassman feel raised some red flags for the middle class in the state.

Craig, in his and , pointed to Harford County as a successful example of soldiering through a recession. Meanwhile, he also said O'Malley's administration threatens the middle class.

"I strongly recommend the legislature reject the Governor’s proposal to increase fees, increase taxes and the pressure to pass along teacher pensions to the counties and do the job they were elected to do—make tough decisions to keep Maryland on the path to economic recovery and prosperity," Craig said.

Craig said more fees and taxes sends those families "down a slippery slope to further economic uncertainty."

"Increasing fees, raising taxes, especially a sales tax on gasoline will cripple Maryland’s already fragile economy and destroy the budgets of small businesses and hard working families, the backbone of America," Craig said. "While the gas tax is being promoted as a way to improve investments in key transportation projects, there is no safe guard to ensure that these proposed increases in funds will actually be directed to transportation and infrastructure needs."

Glassman, in his second term in the state senate after serving on the Harford County Council and as a state delegate, said O'Malley's budget "contains a host of fee and tax increases which if enacted will slow Maryland’s recovery just when consumer confidence was beginning to grow. Many economists are already predicting that Maryland’s economy will maintain its sluggish growth in 2012. It is understandable that Marylanders are wary of a gas tax increase, income tax exemption changes and various other fee increases that include doubling of the flush tax on top of transportation toll increases which have already hit commuting workers."

Glassman added that some counties will be forced to cut education funding, or raise real estate taxes.

"The combination of these proposals will delay Maryland’s recovery from this recession and for our families perhaps for an additional five years," Glassman said.

TELL US: What is your take on Gov. O'Malley's budget proposal and "State of the State" address? Leave a comment below.