Are Conway and Mathias trying to buy votes?

One of my fellow Examiners, J. Doug Gill, brought up the point about the $15 million of state largesse going toward “bond bills” this session, but after looking at the projects funded I wanted to bring the point closer to home – so I did a little bit of investigation and simple math.

The state approved a number of projects in the State Capital Budget Bill, and one thing I was curious about was how the money was doled out. First, though, I had to see what the “proper” proportion of funding was based on population. The sequence below covers each Maryland county (and Baltimore City) and its percentage of the state population based on 2009 estimates. The (parentheses) is what percentage of the $15 million the county in question received.

  1. Montgomery – 17.05% (13.23%)
  2. Prince George’s – 14.64% (17.93%)
  3. Baltimore – 13.86% (7.63%)
  4. Baltimore City – 11.18% (14.03%)
  5. Anne Arundel – 9.14% (7.33%)
  6. Howard – 4.95% (5.93%)
  7. Harford – 4.26% (1.33%)
  8. Frederick – 4.00% (2%)
  9. Carroll – 2.98% (1%)
  10. Washington – 2.56% (1.83%)
  11. Charles – 2.50%  (2.33%)
  12. St. Mary’s – 1.81% (1.4%)
  13. Cecil – 1.77% (1%)
  14. Wicomico – 1.65% (2.73%)
  15. Calvert – 1.57% (1.67%)
  16. Allegany – 1.27% (1%)
  17. Worcester – 0.86% (1.67%)
  18. Queen Anne’s – 0.84% (1%)
  19. Talbot – 0.64% (0.07%)
  20. Caroline – 0.59% (0)
  21. Dorchester – 0.56% (0.87%)
  22. Garrett – 0.52% (1.33%)
  23. Somerset – 0.46% (0)
  24. Kent – 0.36% (0)

Most counties get a smaller share than their population because there were a number of “statewide” projects funded like the Maryland Food Bank. But it’s interesting that both Wicomico and Worcester did well, and that’s perhaps because Norm Conway faces a tough election (as does Jim Mathias, assuming he runs for the open District 38 Senate seat.) On the other hand, counties which were shut out are represented by Republicans in Districts 36, 37, and 38. Nothing like a little slap at the minority, who weren’t as well-rewarded as certain Democrats.

Granted, I think the $15 million may have been better zeroed out given our state’s fiscal circumstance but it seems that many in the General Assembly leadership use this as a slush fund to help their most vulnerable incumbents, particularly in an election year.

Undoubtedly the projects selected can be considered worthy – in Wicomico County state dollars will assist the Salisbury Zoo and the Parsonsburg VFD; meanwhile, Worcester County will enjoy improvements to Pocomoke City’s VFD facility (which just so happens to be in GOP challenger Mike McDermott’s backyard.) But are they worth the taxpayer money or the $14 million-plus where we had to scratch the rest of the state’s back to get these crumbs? The Senate approved $210,000 for the two counties while the House gave Conway and Mathias $450,000 this time around.

By comparison, the House allocations to Wicomico and Worcester counties in 2009 totaled $250,000; in 2008 they were $145,000; and in 2007 $450,000. The Senate granted $150,000 in 2009; $275,000 in 2008; and just $50,000 in 2007. It’s something which makes you go, “hmmmmm….” doesn’t it?

Author: Michael

It's me from my laptop computer.

4 thoughts on “Are Conway and Mathias trying to buy votes?”

  1. Not sure I can agree with you on this one… Somerset (which could be a battleground in the senate race) got ZERO… Mathias could be held responsible for not delivering to the folks he hopes to represent… And, if they were trying to buy votes, what makes them different from anyone else in Annapolis???

  2. Naaaahhh, they’ll place the blame for that on Page Elmore. It’s sad, really, because Elmore has a serious tendency to vote with the Democrats in hopes of getting rewarded (I presume) but didn’t bring home the bacon. Haven’t heard about any serious competition for Page, though.

  3. I hope to God Mathias will run against McDermott. I have lived in Pocomoke 30 years and believed McDermott’s promises only to realize he will say almost anything to get elected. He talks a good game but does not follow through.

  4. Well, I think Jim Mathias is more likely to run for the open Senate seat. Rumor has it the recently-resigned head of the Worcester NAACP is aiming at a Delegate seat on the Democrat side – no one else has opted to throw their hat in the ring on the GOP side. Too bad, it’s a great opportunity to pick up two seats!

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