On January 31, Governor Hogan gave his State of the State address to both legislative chambers gathered together in the House Chamber.  His job was made easier by virtue of the fact that, under his stewardship, the Maryland economy has made dramatic

improvements.  

          On occasion, the press is critical of any politician's claims of achievement, and does what is called a "Fact-Check," where the press looks at the source information for each claim, and writes an article usually disparaging the claims.

           Thus, on the same day as the speech, The Baltimore Sun published an article fact-checking Governor Hogan's speech,("Analysis: Fact-checking Maryland Gov. Hogan's 2018 State of State speech,") 

        Below are the most significant achievements the Governor mentioned, and below each statement is the bottom line conclusion of the Sun's fact-checker.  Your're going to be pleasantly surprised. 

• "We went from losing 100,000 jobs to gaining more than 110,000 jobs."
  • Hogan can justifiably claim that 111,500 nonfarm jobs were created in Maryland during his first three years in office, January 2015 to December 2017..."

• "We are fourth among all 50 states for entrepreneurial business growth."
  • The Sun article not only validates the truth of this statement, but went on to say, "[t]he number looks even better for Hogan when compared with two years ago, when Maryland ranked 13th." 

• "The day after I was sworn in we submitted the first balanced budget in a decade, which eliminated nearly all of the $5.1 billion structural deficit which we inherited."
  • The Sun only quibbles with the fact that Hogan "equates a balanced budget" with a structurally balanced budget.  A 'structurally balanced budget' means that projected future revenues are able to meet the built-in future expenditures.  As the article went on to say, "Hogan made impressive strides toward eliminating the structural deficit during his first year and has continued to do so."

• "For three straight years we have delivered record investments in education. This year, let's continue that historic trend. And do it for the fourth straight year."
  • The Sun article notes, "Hogan is correct that his administration has proposed record K-12 education spending each year. He is proposing spending $6.5 billion next year for another record," adding the caveat that the increases are largely formula-driven. 

• "We ensured that every single school system in Maryland will receive increased funding from the state."
  • With the same caveat regarding the formula-driven increases, the article states, "Hogan has ensured that no system will lose money next year by proposing $15.2 million more than required to help protect Baltimore and other jurisdictions from what otherwise would be funding decreases because enrollments have declined.  It should be noted that the governor could have proposed to fund the basic formula at less than 100 percent, as he did with another index his first year, but has chosen not to."

         Maryland's Comptroller is tasked by law with reporting on the changes in federal income tax law.  The Comptroller's Office has published a 45-page report that will be a big help to any Marylander looking to better understand how the new law will affect his or her family.  You can get a copy of the Report online by clicking here. 

          The 4-page Executive Summary uses the data from a prior year (2014) to show to how the new federal tax reform law would have effected Maryland taxpayers.  

        I've reproduced the Report's pie charts and what they likely mean for Marylanders going forward -- IF the State takes no action to modify Maryland's tax laws.  

       In 2013, the Maryland General Assembly passed, and Governor O'Malley signed,  the "Firearm Safety Act," that came to be known as "SB 281." 

       This legislation significantly modified and expanded the regulation of firearms, firearms dealers, and ammunition in the State.  For example, the law:

  *  F urther limited Marylanders' right to wear, carry or transport a handgun;

  *  Created a new licensing scheme for handguns.  The new "handgun qualification license" requires a $50 application fee, criminal history records that applicant must pay for, fingerprints, four hours of approved firearm training at an estimated cost of $100 - $300. 

  *  Completely banned "assault long guns," which are the 45 specific firearms that were then just regulated under the Public Safety laws.

  *  Baned 15 assault pistols

  *  Banned detachable magazines able to contain more than 10 rounds of ammunition (prior size, 20 rounds)

         This bill was strongly opposed by many organizations, but by even more individual citizens.  Over 1,000 "real people" came to testify against the bill in a hearing in the House Judiciary Committee that lasted until 4:00 am.  Their testimony went largely unheeded.

• Since 1991 the number of children who die before age five has been cut in half
• In 1990, more than a third of the global population lived in extreme poverty; today only about a tenth do.
• Women are gaining political power and now make up more than a fifth of the members of national parliaments
• More that 90% of all children in the world attend primary school
• In the U.S., you are far less likely to die on the job or in a car than your grandparent were.

Source: Bill Gates editorial, TIME Magazine, Jan. 15, 2018