On Wednesday March 3rd, the Senate Budget & Taxation Committee will hold a public hearing on SB141, the Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act (BRFA). BRFA is the bill which allows Gov. O'Malley (D) to legally raid $1 billion from our 382 state special funds. This robbing-Peter-to-pay-Paul tactic is an election year ploy that hurts small businesses, does nothing to address our $8.4 billion structural deficit, and is setting us up for MASSIVE tax increases next year. We need your help by coming to Annapolis and testifying in opposition to this bill! Contact Nick Loffer (Nick@AFPMaryland.com) for more information.

The raiding of special funds is extremely detrimental to small businesses and families during this recession. A perfect example is the Transportation Trust Fund (TTF). Gov. O'Malley has proposed to steal over $125 million from the fund that is supposed to be used for repairing bridges, roads and tunnels. The TTF, one of the most underfunded accounts in the state, is funded by the tax we pay to fill up our gas tank. When this fund goes bankrupt, how do you think O'Malley, Miller and the rest of the liberals will pay for it? If you guessed increasing the Gas Tax, then you would be correct. In fact, President Mike Miller (D-Calvert County) has already stated his desire to do just that. An increase in the gas tax would crush any chance of an economic revival in Maryland.

The bottom line is this: during these tough times, we've had to tighten our belts. Maryland families do not have many "special funds" to cover their spending habits. When revenues are down, we cut spending. Why hasn't state government done the same? Join AFP-Maryland by testifying on this bill. Check out our Facebook Event Page for more details!