Posted on 05/25/2005 6:01:41 AM PDT by marylandrepub1
Once again, Mr. Ehrlich is kowtowing to the Pat Robertson/Jerry Falwell wing of the Republican Party. He's fearful that both bills are going to be petitioned to ballot next year (by members of his own party) and hurt his support among religious conservatives. That seems unlikely. The politics of an election year should prevent a veto override. But we'll give him this -- at least the governor has his limits. He chose not to veto legislation adding sexual orientation to Maryland's hate crime law and another that will require schools to monitor bullying.
It was disappointing that Mr. Ehrlich felt obliged to veto the $6.15 minimum wage. His official explanation uses the same tired old excuse that a higher minimum wage kills jobs. While we'd prefer to see the federal minimum wage keep up with inflation (and keep employers on a level playing field), a growing number of states are joining the cause to offset Washington's recalcitrance. Mr. Ehrlich's veto just exacerbates the real problem -- the hardship placed on families by below-subsistence-level wages. Fortunately, it seems likely the General Assembly will overturn this sop to corporate interests when it reconvenes next January.
Finally, we would be remiss if we did not praise the governor's decision to veto legislation that would have required Wal-Mart to devote at least 8 percent of its payroll costs to health insurance. Maryland has no business micromanaging a private employer. But it was a shame that Mr. Ehrlich didn't use the occasion to more seriously address the bill's underlying purpose -- to protect businesses that pay their fair share of health care costs. Too many Marylanders lack health insurance now. And Mr. Ehrlich's veto pen offers no strategy for protecting the state's more-responsible employers or its beleaguered taxpayers from that growing burden.
(Excerpt) Read more at baltimoresun.com ...
Howard Dean could have wrote this article, he is of the same mind
Finally, we would be remiss if we did not praise the governor's decision to veto legislation that would have required Wal-Mart to devote at least 8 percent of its payroll costs to health insurance. Maryland has no business micromanaging a private employer...
Seems somewhat contradictory to me...
Howard Dean has a mind?
rofl!! What! a propogandish bit o' tripe! "I'm a loving, sensible author of this article.. and I think Erlich does a little right; but he's not really right at all". Oh, boo-hooo!!! LOL!
as much as any Baltimore Sun writer has
The Sun does not like you if you are not a manifesto thumping, Chairman Mao quoting, Internationale singing socialist.
This is the kind of mind numbing mush we here in Maryland are subjected to every day.
Sounds almost like an Olesker hate piece. But it's an op-ed I think.
"This is the kind of mind numbing mush we here in Maryland are subjected to every day"
I used to get the Balt SUN delivered for $13 a year and cancelled when they raised the price. I used to read this crap and get enraged. Now I can share the lib whining with fellow freepers. They wrote an article saying circulation is down.
It was disappointing that Mr. Ehrlich felt obliged to veto the $6.15 minimum wage. His official explanation uses the same tired old excuse that a higher minimum wage kills jobs. Mr. Ehrlich's veto just exacerbates the real problem -- the hardship placed on families by below-subsistence-level wages.
The Gov's explanation may be tired and old, but it's accurate. The Sun's explanation is just wrong.
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