Our state legislators could learn from Kevin Maxwell. The Anne Arundel County schools superintendent is cutting contracted services, equipment purchases and professional development trips and stipends through the end of the year.
This cannot be fun for him. And as he mentioned, “Activities such as professional development are important not only to maintaining and improving the quality of instruction in our schools, but to the recruitment and retention of a quality work force.”
But in lean times, leaders choose their top priorities. The cuts are estimated to save $500,000 through the end of this fiscal year.
Contrast his actions to those of the majority of Democratic state legislators, who voted in the “emergency” special session to increase taxes without first assessing where they could tighten state operations.
If the Anne Arundel school system can cut $500,000 from its budget over the last half of the year, how much more could state legislators cut from the state budget without the predicted dire consequences? His actions should shame legislators who refuse to acknowledge a downturn in the state?s economic well-being.
We?ve listed millions the state could trim based on the Department of Legislative Services audits showing waste and fraud in multiple agencies. Those cuts are on top of the $700 million already suggested by the Maryland Chamber of Commerce.
So, legislators, how about revisiting state spending this session? You?ve forced taxpayers and local governments to do the hard work of “doing more with less.” We deserve the same from you.
Besides, it might not hurt to prepare for potential changes in the state?s taxing ability. The fact that the Court of Appeals accepted the Republican lawsuit seeking to overturn the $1.4 billion tax package passed during the special session means the justices take seriously the suit?s arguments that Democratic leaders in the General Assembly violated the Maryland Constitution.
Why not invite Mr. Maxwell to the Capitol to speak about setting priorities?
