Republican State Del. Pat McDonough is calling for a hearing to look into the reasons for a $138 million county government deficit.

McDonough, in an e-mail press release to the media, called for a hearing before the Baltimore County House delegation. He said he plans to hold a news conference Friday morning to discuss the hearing.

The deficit, which was first reported by Patuxent Publishing, publisher of this Web site, is the result of lower than expected income and property tax revenue, according to a December report by the county auditor.

“Although this appears to be a local county responsibility, without question, it relates to our fiduciary responsibility as legislators,” McDonough wrote Thursday in his e-mail. “For example, if there are any bond proposals for projects in Baltimore County, does the county have the funding to match or complete these projects?”

“The governor, state legislators and other budget officials are entitled to have an accurate picture of our county’s financial condition in reference to decisions that they must make,” wrote McDonough, who represents the 7th District, which includes Cockeysville, Kingsville and Middle River.

“In this age of transparency, I can think of very few greater priorities than determining if our constituents are going to be subjected to local tax increases, closed libraries and senior centers, or other extreme results.”

McDonough, who has said he is considering running for county executive this year, said he plans to introduce a motion at the next meeting of the county delegation.

The county delegation normally meets on Friday mornings prior to the regular House of Delegates session. There is no meeting scheduled for this week.

Don Mohler, a county spokesman, called McDonough’s release “political grandstanding.”

“The delegate likes to engage in this kind of silliness,” Mohler said. “He should focus on state fiscal issues and let us run the county.”

Mohler said the county is not in a budget crisis and repeated that the county will not layoff or furlough employees to close the budget gap.

The county has not yet publicly identified how it will address the revenue shortfall, which must be closed by June 30.

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user comments (3)

user josemontoya says...

Yes, Mr. Mohler, only the Republicans "grandstand." Gee, I guess he forgets the countless photo ops the County Executive orchestrates to get his name in the newspapers...or the many times the County Executive attacked Governor Ehrlich (on the LNG plant, light rail security, the Hickey School, Hurricane Isabel)? THAT wasn't political grandstanding? PLEASE.

Posted 11:25 PM, 01.28.10

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user says...

Jose, stop whisling around......All politicians grandstand...If Delegate McDonough was so worried about the County's fiscal picture he would have been fighting all the state funding cuts to the County these past 3 years but instead he is out in hallways fighting people. He's done nothing for his district or Baltimore County. He should be the ashamed of his actions and records. And while County Executive Smith could win the award for biggest and best grandstander don't hammer him on Hurricane Isabel or the LNG issues because he's on the right side of both.

Posted 9:17 AM, 01.29.10

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user stang says...

I agree with most of what Permalink wrote. McDonough has been an idiot way back to his days in talk radio. Since being elected he has used the State of Maryland as his cash cow. Why is he now so interested in baltimore County finances? After all, as a State Delegate doesn't he share some of the blame for the mess our state finds itself in? Look around McDonough, what other municipality is able to continue services as is, provide a 2% cost of living adjustement for most of it's employees and avoid layoffs and furloughs? Baltimore County is able to do this because of sound fiscal management mostly at the hands of former budget director and now Administrative Officer Fred Homan. A few years ago when other jurisdictions were throwing money around at every turn our leaders in Baltimore County were smart enough to think ahead and plan accordingly. Changes to retirement and health care a few years back have helped us avoid the drastic circumstances other jurisictions find themselves in including the branch of government McDonough allegedly works for. The current forecasted shortfall is due to the economy stupid!!!! Focus your attention on resolving the issues at the state level, that's what we are paying you to do.

Posted 6:27 AM, 01.31.10

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