Calling himself the “chief regulator of petroleum” in the state, Comptroller Peter Franchot decried high gas prices last weekend. Huh? Since when did the people of Maryland elect him to that position?
It?s great that he thinks consumers shouldn?t be taken to the cleaners when they go to the pump.
But nowhere in his job description ? posted on the comptroller?s Web site (www.comp.state.md.us/comptroller/duties.asp) ? is anything remotely resembling that self-appointed title.
Collecting taxes is his main duty. Other top priorities include voting on state contracts and leases, overseeing revenue forecasting for the state and chairing the board of trustees for the State Retirement and Pension System. Big duties. But you wouldn?t know they were his chief concerns from listening to his campaign promises or from following his behavior in office. Promises to raise teacher salaries, lower college tuition, and expand health care and public transportation dominated his pre-election rhetoric.
He did point out earlier this year that state revenues may be smaller than anticipated because of a decline in sales tax revenue. Good for him for doing his job.
But based on the time and effort since the election he?s expended fighting slots and lobbying for a health care plan that could have dumped the state another $500 million in the hole, his state-mandated duties take a backseat to pet causes. That?s hardly surprising given that the self-described “business consultant” rented office space from Cassidy & Associates, one of the biggest lobbying firms in Washington, as a state delegate.
But the state can hardly tolerate his whims.
Maryland faces a $1.5 billion deficit next year and needs a leader who knows how to cut unnecessary programs, not launch major new entitlements.
Franchot?s opposition to slots is immoral considering legalizing them could generate hundreds of millions for state programs.
High gas prices may be the outrage du jour. But Franchot would best serve the people of Maryland by ensuring the smooth collection of revenue. If he can?t give up lobbying, he should return to private-sector work.
