O'Malley Focuses on Jobs in State of the State Address

"The storm is not over."

That's the warning from Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley in his annual State of the State address to the Maryland legislature. His speech focused on the economy and employment in Maryland.

"Progress requires that we focus the energies of this session on three primary actions," O'Malley said. "Creating jobs, saving jobs, and protecting jobs."

To make that happen, O'Malley asked the legislature to approve a $3,000 tax credit to businesses that hire someone who is unemployed. The governor also proposed major investments in the state's capital budget, with the hope of creating more than 20,000 construction jobs in Maryland next year.

And he asked the Legislature to approve a three-year, $50 million tax credit to encourage the revitalization of historic downtowns and Main Streets in Maryland.

Democrats said they're optimistic the governor's propsals would be approved without much change, but Republicans said the govenor's speech lacked substance.

"Words aren't going to solve our problems,'' said Senate Minority Leader Allan Kittleman, R-Howard.

They said O'Malley has actually harmed businesses by raising taxes and increasing government regulations.

"Now it's an election year conversion and he wants to say he wants to create jobs with a little tax credit," said House Minority Leader Anthony O'Donnell. "Very unbelievable."

O'Malley also asked lawmakers to help homeowners facing foreclosure though the passage of a bill that would require mortgage companies to mediate with homeowners before they can "throw another Maryland family out on the street."

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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