No one unaffected by recession, O'Malley says

Tells those at PACE breakfast infrastructure improvements help create employment

Cory Galliher
Cumberland Times-News

ANNAPOLIS - Gov. Martin O'Malley focused largely on the effects of the recession on Western Maryland and plans for recovery when he spoke at the Friday morning PACE breakfast at Loews Annapolis Hotel.

More than 250 state, county and municipal leaders and guests ate breakfast following Thursday evening's PACE legislative reception at the hotel, which involved more than 700 people.

"We're not through this storm yet but the good ship Maryland is faring better than most," the governor said. O'Malley indicated that Maryland's unemployment rate being 25 percent lower than the national average is an example of the state's endurance, though he added that the rate is still unacceptable, particularly in Western Maryland.

The state unemployment rate as of December was 7.2 percent; Allegany County was at 8.8 percent and Garrett was 9.1 percent, according to the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.

"These are most definitely tough times," said O'Malley. "There's not a single family in our state that hasn't been touched by this downturn in some way. If we haven't individually lost our jobs, then we know someone who has, and unfortunately the reality is that in Mountain Maryland the unemployment is actually higher than the average in the state."

O'Malley added that there is hope on the horizon, however. "(The General Assembly) needs to look at every decision we make through the lens of does this create or save jobs," said O'Malley. "There's no such thing as a jobless recovery when you have an unemployment rate that's hurting this many families in our state.

"Until we can get some more lending going on to small businesses and some more hiring going on ... we can't say the worst is behind us yet. We've got to keep moving forward."

O'Malley said that community development block grants, an important means of creating jobs, have increased over the last four years by 23 percent in Allegany County and 93 percent in Garrett County. He added that he has chosen not to cut the state's disparity grant, though the funding available from the grant has decreased because the recession has decreased the difference between the wealthy and nonwealthy parts of Maryland.

The governor also emphasized the importance of infrastructure improvements in economic recovery. "I think one of the things that's starting to dawn on some of the folks in Washington is when we make investments in infrastructure, that has a much bigger economic impact than sprinkling around tax cuts," said O'Malley. "We'd all like to do tax cuts, but right now the investments in infrastructure are creating jobs, and there is no government program that is as important or as powerful as a person who has a job."

O'Malley said that one infrastructure improvement in Western Maryland, the Washington/Allegany/Garrett Interoperability Network, is moving forward. The network is a $4.1-million investment in public safety and interoperable communications that will help ensure safety during emergencies.

"I think all of us agree that without fiscal responsibility you can't get anything done," said O'Malley. "Without fiscal responsibility we can't come together to give our kids a shot at a better quality of life. That's what motivated our grandparents, our great-grandparents and our parents, and that's what motivates us."

Attendees agreed with O'Malley's message of unity leading to recovery from the state's economic woes.

"Everybody is in this together," said Garrett County Commissioner Denny Glotfelty. "We need to keep striving to make it all work, and we need to work together to make it happen."

"We have no alternative other than to work together through this recession dilemma," said Delegate Kevin Kelly. "(O'Malley) gave a positive presentation, and I agree with what he said. The only way to deal with this predicament is to conscientiously work at it."

"I think that working together on both sides of the aisle is where we have to be, whether we're in difficult times or not," said Cumberland Councilwoman Mary Beth Pirolozzi. "I hate to say it, but Mountain Maryland often is a stepchild. Events like this need to happen to show that we have a lot to offer."

Pirolozzi added that one solution would be to emphasize the value of the work force available in the Mountain Maryland area. "We could have telecommuting employees in this region," said Pirolozzi. "We've got a work force with tremendous work ethic, and we have the people and opportunity to teach anyone the kind of jobs that they need to learn."

O'Malley's presentation concluded by emphasizing hope for the future.

"This recession will end," said O'Malley. "Our best days are in front of us if we keep moving forward."

Contact Cory Galliher at cgalliher@times-news.com.