MD Business Leadership PAC

November 20, 2017

Consider the following questions: If the Maryland Legislature knows that it can simply override any of Governor Hogan’s vetoes, what incentive does it have to actively consider bills? Is it incentivized to debate, deliberate, and compromise on leading public policy decisions affecting our state? Is it incentivized to hear both sides of an issue and find optimal solutions for Maryland citizens? Or is it incentivized more by political expediency and a desire to influence the next gubernatorial election? ********* Is it good for Maryland that our voting districts have been so deeply manipulated through so- called “gerrymandering” that we are considered one of the worst states a in the nation? Is it okay that such gerrymandering effectively disenfranchises hundreds of thousands of voters of both parties by nullifying their votes? Is it healthy for our democracy that – because of this extreme gerrymandering - politicians can choose their voters, rather than the other way around? Or is it better – and just plain fair for all voters of both parties – to assign redistricting to an impartial, nonpartisan commission as Governor Hogan has proposed?

6310 Stevens Forest Road, Suite 260 | Columbia, MD 21046 410.280.6274 | info@mbrg.org | www.mbrg.org

By Authority of Maryland Business Leadership Political Action Committee, Mark Cissell, Treasurer

MD BUSINESS LEADERSHIP PAC

The Maryland Business Leadership Political Action Committee

The Maryland Business Leadership Political Action Committee (MBL PAC) considers these questions, and more, every day as we work to improve Maryland’s economy, business climate, and job prospects for our entire citizenry. We think the issues illustrated above are the two greatest concerns for the future of our great state. Our current Governor has made impressive inroads into reversing our national reputation as a state that is unfriendly to business and, therefore, one to which few business owners choose to relocate. In fact, Maryland is more often the source of outbound relocations. The citizens of Maryland made their voices heard in 2014 when we elected a new Governor who was singularly focused on the state’s economy. They understood that relying on a federal- government-centered economy is a sink or swim prospect: when the swimming is good, it’s great; but when it’s bad, such as during the furloughs of 2013’s federal budget sequestration, it becomes obvious that Maryland needs a broader employment base to be fiscally healthy. That improved employment base requires an improved, sustainable, predictable business climate. Simply put, if we make it harder for businesses to employ people – by imposing ever-increasing workplace regulations and enacting punitive tax policy – fewer people will be employed. So if the Governor “gets it”, and the voters get it, why don’t the legislators? Why are the executive branch’s pro-business/pro-jobs initiatives rebuffed or squelched by the legislative branch? We could speculate whether it’s a lack of understanding, competing priorities, or simply politics, but that is actually not very helpful. What is helpful is change. That change comes from electing new legislators (of either party) who demonstrably share the pro-business/pro-jobs mentality that has been shown over and over again throughout the U.S. to lead to broad prosperity at all socio-economic levels. The MBL PAC helps effect that change. Armed with the voting records compiled by Maryland Business for Responsive Government (MBRG) over the past 33 years, we can see exactly which of the state’s 188 legislators typically vote for the pro-business/pro-jobs bills introduced each year and which vote against them. Most legislators – almost all of them, in fact – claim to be pro-business. But only a small percentage can actually demonstrate it. If a senator, for example, has a pro-business score that significantly lags the scores of the delegates in his or her same district, then that senator either needs to improve his/her votes or be replaced by another legislator who is more reliably pro-business/pro-jobs and representative of his/her district. It’s that simple. Legislative Races Need to be Won

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MD BUSINESS LEADERSHIP PAC

Maryland has exactly that scenario in multiple districts. In many cases, legislators are given cover by the majority leadership in the House and the Senate, and “allowed” to vote for pro-business policies when their vote will not shift the outcome. But when their vote is needed, they fall in line and vote along party lines. These legislators must either be: 1) replaced with new lawmakers who are committed to improving Maryland’s business climate, or 2) sent a clear message that their seats will be taken in the next election by more pro-business and pro-jobs candidates if they do not start voting in favor of businesses, employers, and jobs. This is especially true this year, when a concerted effort is being made to flip just five of the 47 seats in the Senate. Why five? Because that number would shift the Senate to 28 Democrats and 19 Republicans. This is important because 29 Senators are required to override a veto by the Governor. Eliminating this super majority would force the two sides to work together for the best outcome for the state, rather than simply voting along party lines without regard for the consequences facing Maryland employers and jobs. Our task, as well as our ask, is straight-forward: 1. Please support the Maryland Business Leadership PAC by making a donation today. As our financial resources grow, we will send a strong message to Annapolis that the status- quo is no longer acceptable. We will also use these funds to support pro-business candidates – both incumbents and challengers -- who have legitimate chances of success in their respective districts. 2. Help us speak with one voice as Maryland businesses. Business interests can no longer afford to be disorganized, disparate factions, all guarding their own unique turf and hoping that “the other guy” has to deal with the ramifications of bad policy in Annapolis. We truly are all in this together. And at one point or another, we’re all the other guy… Please spread the word about the MBL PAC to your friends and colleagues, and invite them to get involved and donate. What Can You Do to Help?

All business owners should support the PACs and advocacy groups in their own industries, without question. But it is critically important that every business owner also support the only PAC in the state that seeks to improve the business climate for all business owners.

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MD BUSINESS LEADERSHIP PAC

Please donate today at www.mbrg.org/mbl-pac or by sending a check payable to MBL PAC, 6310 Stevens Forest Road, Suite 260, Columbia, MD 21046.

Cocktail Event with Governor Hogan With a minimum donation of $1,000, please join us for cocktails and heavy hors d’oeuvres at a private reception with Governor Hogan on January 8. The event is from 5:30 to 7:30 at the Center Club in Baltimore. Ample underground parking is available at the Center Club, so it is very easy to get in/out. We will also be welcoming the Senate candidates who are seeking to reduce the veto-proof majority in the Senate to a simple majority. We hope you will help us make a difference in Maryland’s legislature. It’s long past time for change. Sincerely, Scott Dorsey, Frank Avena, Robb Merritt, Howard Perlow, Jay Baldwin

By Authority of Maryland Business Leadership Political Action Committee, Mark Cissell, Treasurer.

a https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2014/05/15/americas-most-gerrymandered- congressional-districts/?utm_term=.27583c19220b

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