“I was proud to ask Governor O’Malley to join the SCDP for the annual Issues Conference … [His is] the kind of leadership we are lacking in South Carolina’s statehouse” –Sen. Vince Sheheen

MARTIN O’MALLEY IS A CLASSIC TAX-AND-SPEND LIBERAL WHOSE TENURE AS GOVERNOR OF MARYLAND HAS BEEN DEFINED BY TAX HIKES.

MARTIN O’MALLEY HAS RAISED TAXES OR FEES 24 TIMES DURING HIS TIME AS GOVERNOR. “The political group Change Maryland notes that he has raised taxes or fees 24 times as governor.” (Stephen Moore, “Oh My, O’Malley,” The Wall Street Journal, 9/5/2012)

THESE HIKES HIT HIS PEOPLE AND BUSINESSES TO THE TUNE OF $2.4 BILLION EVERY YEAR. “Moreover, Governor O’Malley has raised taxes and fees 24 times, removing an additional $2.4 billion out of the economy annually.” (Press Release, “O’Malley is Reason State Having No Transportation Solutions,” Change Maryland, 1/10/2013)

IN 2007, O’MALLEY PUSHED THROUGH THE LARGEST TAX INCREASE IN MARYLAND HISTORY. “Maryland will begin implementing the largest tax increase in state history today, when higher tobacco, vehicle titling and corporate income taxes and sweeping changes to personal income tax rates go into effect. The overhaul of Maryland’s tax structure, which became law in November after a frantic special legislative session, will generate new revenue to help solve the state government’s festering budget problems. (Philip Rucker, “Many Of Md. Tax Increases Will Go Into Effect Today,” The Washington Post, 1/1/2008)

O’MALLEY’S “TAX-RAISING LEGACY” GAVE MARYLAND SEVENTH-HIGHEST INCOME TAX RATE IN AMERICA. “The General Assembly’s speedy embrace of Gov. Martin O’Malley’s income tax increases this week cleaned up a political mess in Annapolis, but the rate hikes could come back to haunt the Democrat if he seeks national office when his time in the governor’s mansion is up. O’Malley’s tax package, which won final approval from the Democratic legislature on Wednesday, will give Maryland’s top earners the seventh-highest income tax rate in the country.” (Annie Linskey, “O’Malley Builds On Tax-Raising Legacy,” The Baltimore Sun, 5/16/2012)

WHILE OTHER STATES ARE LOOKING FOR WAYS TO REDUCE THE PAIN AT THE PUMP, O’MALLEY RECENTLY PUT FORTH A $3.4 BILLION PROPOSAL TO RAISE THE GAS TAX AN ADDITIONAL 9 CENTS. “Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley proposed a sweeping transportation plan Monday that relies in part on a new tax on gas to shore up a fund projected to run out of money for road and rail projects. The proposal — expected to yield $3.4 billion over the next five years. Motorists could expect to pay about 2 cents more per gallon of gas starting in July and an additional 7 cents more a year after that.” (John Wagner, “O’Malley Proposes New Tax On Gas To Shore Up Maryland’s Transportation Fund,” The Washington Post, 3/4/2013)

O’MALLEY’S TAX INCREASES EXACTLY THE SAME ‘GAMBLE’ AS PRESIDENT OBAMA’S. “Mr. O’Malley’s gamble—that high tax rates don’t hurt businesses and workers, that the way to rev an economy is to spend more on schools, rail and centrally planned economic development—is the same as Mr. Obama’s. And though Maryland is a long way from being the basket case of California or Illinois, its more than 20 fee and tax hikes haven’t kept it from constantly running out of money.” (Stephen Moore, “An Economic Border War Right Under Washington’s Nose,” The Wall Street Journal, 8/24/2012)

YET VINCE SHEHEEN SAYS MARTIN O’MALLEY’S IDEAS ARE RIGHT FOR SOUTH CAROLINA

SHEHEEN WAS PROUD TO INVITE O’MALLEY TO SOUTH CAROLINA, SAYING HIS POLICIES ARE “MOVING [MARYLAND] FORWARD.” SHEHEEN: “[I]t it is more important than ever to hear from leaders around the country who are effectively moving their states forward. I was proud to ask Governor O’Malley to join the SCDP for the annual Issues Conference, and we are excited to welcome him.” (South Carolina Democratic Party, Press Release, 3/8/13)

SHEEHEN WANTS TO BRING O’MALLEY’S “LEADERSHIP” TO SOUTH CAROLINA: “Governor O’Malley has gotten results in the toughest of times … That is the kind of leadership we are lacking in South Carolina’s statehouse and his presence will bring valuable insight and experience to our discussions.” (South Carolina Democratic Party, Press Release, 3/8/13)

MARTIN O’MALLEY THINKS THE BEST WAY TO CREATE JOBS IS TO RAISE TAXES AND SPEND MORE.

APPARENTLY VINCE SHEHEEN DOES TOO.

THEY COULDN’T BE MORE WRONG FOR SOUTH CAROLINA.