The Runback: Returning to the Island of Relevancy
Maryland Republican legislators will have new challenges ahead of them as the state readjusts to one-party rule
Welcome to another week of The Runback. Have you been enjoying The Duckpin? Do you have comments or suggestions? Do you want to write for us? Let me know at theduckpin@gmail.com. And please be sure to follow on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Thanks in advance.
News and Politics
Maryland's "Middle Temperament" Governor, Larry Hogan: Hogan's deep appreciation of Maryland's 'middle temperament' and his ability to follow its principles helps explain the success of his eight years in office.
The Call Is Coming From Inside The House: Twenty Republicans decide to hold Congress hostage. And for what?
Failed Former MDGOP Chairman Pelura Attacks Injured NFL Player Over Vaccine Status: That Damar Hamlin suffered a traumatic hit and nearly died on the field last night is of little consequence to anti-vaxxers like Jim Pelura.
A TAKS-ing Problem: Why can't the US have a simpler tax system? Blame the tax preparers.
Moore Economics Mean Less for Maryland: If Wes Moore wants to create pathways for work, wages, and wealth for everybody, he needs to scrap his economic plan and come up with something that will actually help, not hurt, working families.
The Quixotic Caucus Is An Embarrassment: Even if they win, they lose.
Technology
I asked ChatGPT to Write a Sherlock Holmes Short Story: Read "The Case of the Peacock's Feather" here.
Entertainment
A Potential WWE Sale Is an Existential Threat to the Wrestling Business: Vince McMahon's return to the WWE Board spells trouble for the long-term health of not just the company, but the entire wrestling business.
The Monday Thought
Republican in the Maryland General Assembly find themselves in an unusual place. For the first time since 2014, they are without a Republican in the Governor’s Mansion.
Republican legislators will have new challenges ahead of them as Maryland readjusts to one-party rule, a challenge compounded by a General Election that saw Republican electoral prospects crumble with the deadweight of Dan Cox as the Republican gubernatorial nominee.
If Republican legislators want influence in Annapolis, they will need to be strategic in the way they approach the Session this year. Here’s how.
A Bold Agenda
One of the biggest challenges Republicans have created for themselves in recent years has been being against things instead of for things. One way to avoid this would be to create a comprehensive agenda that lays out a vision for Maryland in, to borrow a phrase from Ronald Reagan, “bold, unmistakable colors with no pale pastels.”
An agenda addressing tax reform, improving education, addressing crime, and reducing wasteful spending would show real differences between Republicans and the Democratic majority and provide a road map for Republican candidates heading toward the 2026 Elections.
Part of that includes prioritizing introducing legislation servicing this agenda.
For too long the Republican Caucus had a number who were more interested in pontificating than legislating. Members like Cox, Rick Impallaria, and Pat McDonough were more interested in making noise than making change. While they often introduced legislation with conservative merits, this legislation was destined to do little more than create a paper trail for re-election.
Conversely, some Republicans are more interested in passing “feel-good” legislation that gets their name in the paper as “doing something.” While passing laws about reduced fishing licenses or therapy dogs may generate headlines, it does little to advance the conservative policies Republicans promised voters they would fight for.
Emphasize Fiscal Restraint:
For years Republicans in both houses have voted for the State Budget. While there was some logic to this during the Hogan Administration, many also voted for the State Budget during the O’Malley Administration.
Governor-Elect Wes Moore has promised the people of Maryland that his agenda entails a rapid expansion of Maryland State Government that will necessarily increase state spending and require massive tax increases to fund. There is no doubt that Moore’s first budget will be a step toward resurrecting the structural deficit that plagued Maryland for years. Republicans will need to stand up and say no to the reckless spending Democrats are sure to propose.
In the past, some Republican legislators have admitted privately that they voted for the budget because they were able to extract concessions from Democrats. But that is no excuse to vote for a Moore budget that will hurt Maryland’s working families.
Additionally, Republicans need to swear off their support of bond bills, capital budget expenditures passed separately from the state operating budget. These bills may send pork-barrel spending home but do so at tremendous expense to taxpayers, particularly due to the enormous debt Maryland takes on to fund them.
Republicans have made egregious use of these bond bills to bring thome the bacon; they will need to agree together to step back from the taxpayer trough.
Strategic Use of the Filibuster
With only thirteen Republicans in the Senate, a filibuster certainly will not last long. Senate President Bill Ferguson seems less inclined than his predecessor to let the voice of the minority caucus will be heard. So Republican Leader Steve Hershey will need to think very strategically about the use of the filibuster.
That being said, there are times when a filibuster needs to be launched. Republicans should use the filibuster only when absolutely necessary to fight the expansion of aborton, legislation that is soft on crime, or other bills that hit the Senators’ deepest moral principles.
While not everything needs to be a fight to the finish, there are red lines that cannot be crossed.
Focus On Maryland, Not Washington:
Too much time is focused on what’s going on nationally when we have problems that need fixing in our state houses and county seats. Too often local elected officials are distracted addressing national issues instead of local priorities. Legislative Republicans must focus on their jobs and fight for the priorities of taxpayers at home instead of getting dragged into the muck of national politics..
Maryland Republicans have an opportunity to strategically influence what is happening in Annapolis. If they make the most of it, they can be a point of strength for Maryland Republicans at a time they desperately need one.