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jmetzler
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Joined: 10 Jan 2004
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PostPosted: Mon Jan 10, 2005 9:27 am Post subject: Democratic Chair Calls on Governor to Pull Illegal Ads Reply with quote
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sunday, January 9, 2005 7:00AM
CONTACT: Ryan O’Doherty 410-269-8818 (Desk); 443-794-7931 (Cell)
DEMOCRATIC CHAIR CALLS ON GOVERNOR EHRLICH TO PULL ILLEGAL ADS
ANNAPOLIS—In a letter sent to Maryland State Prosecutor Robert A. Rohrbaugh, the Maryland Democratic Party urged an immediate investigation of an illegal lobbying campaign by the Maryland Republican Party.
The Maryland Republican Party has purchased at least $25,000 worth of illegal advertising lobbying the public to communicate with members of the Maryland General Assembly to influence legislative action.
According to Maryland law, the Republican Party must register as a “lobbying entity” if it spends over $2,000 for advertising and printing for the express purpose of soliciting others to communicate with an official to influence legislation before the General Assembly.
There is no record of the Maryland Republican Party being registered as a lobbying entity. Therefore, the electronic and print advertisements are flagrant violations of Maryland law.
“The Governor has an obligation to uphold the laws of the state, not abuse them. Not only are these ads grossly misleading, they also appear to be grossly illegal,” said Maryland Democratic Party chairman, Terry Lierman. “I’m calling on Governor Ehrlich to suspend this campaign and immediately pull these ads.”
“The people of Maryland will not stand for illegal advertisements,” Lierman continued. “Governor Ehrlich and the State Republican Party will be held accountable for their actions.”
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January 8, 2005
Via Facsimile & U.S. Mail
Robert A. Rohrbaugh, State Prosecutor
300 East Joppa Road
Towson, Maryland 21204
RE: Maryland Republican Party’s Illegal Lobbying Campaign
Dear Mr. Rohrbaugh:
I am writing to strongly urge you to immediately investigate the lobbying campaign described herein. The Maryland Republican Party has engaged in at least $25,000 worth of illegal advertisements intended to solicit the public to communicate with members of the Maryland General Assembly to influence legislative action. [1]
On January 6, 2005, Maryland Republican Party Chairman John Kane publicly announced “Operation Sustain.” According to a GOP press release (attached), Operation Sustain is a print and electronic advertising campaign intended to impact the votes of Anne Arundel County’s three Democratic State Senators on vetoed and expected to be vetoed legislation that will be taken up by the General Assembly on Tuesday, January 11, 2005.
Maryland law clearly states that an entity shall register as a “regulated lobbyist” with the Maryland State Ethics Commission if it
“[S]pends at least $2,000 for . . . telecommunications
services, advertising [and] printing for the express purpose of soliciting others to communicate with an official to influence legislative action.” '15-701(a)(5), State Government Article, Annotated Code of Maryland.
The text of one of the three Maryland Republican Party radio advertisements entitled, “Taxed Enough – Astle” solicits Marylanders to:
“Call Senator Astle at 1-800-492-7122 and tell him to do the right thing. Tell him to vote no on new taxes.” (Attached)
Similarly, a printed ad paid for by the Maryland Republican Party entitled, “Think Maryland Families are Taxed Enough? Then Get Involved.” makes the following solicitation:
“Call State Senators John Astle, Phil Jimeno and Ed DeGrange[.] Tell them to do the right thing. VOTE NO to [former Maryland Governor Parris] Glendening era taxes. CALL THESE SENTATORS AT 1-800-492-7122.” (Attached)
According to the most current filings available, neither Republican Party Chairman John Kane nor Party Treasurer Steve Wiseman are registered as lobbyists with the Maryland State Ethics Commission. There is also no record of the Maryland Republican Party being registered as a lobbying entity. As such, these electronic and print advertisements are flagrant violations of Maryland law that deserve a complete and thorough investigation.
I thank you for your immediate attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Terry L. Lierman, Chairman
TLL/rod