Governor O'Malley Signs Legislation to Protect Maryland's Priorities
Highlights Steady Progress for Maryland Families;
Signs Nation-Leading Foreclosure Reforms;
Repeals $200 Million Computer Services Tax for Small Businesses and Middle Class Families;
Establishes State IT Department to Make Government More Efficient
ANNAPOLIS, MD (April 8, 2008) – Governor Martin O’Malley today joined Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr., House Speaker Michael E. Busch, Lieutenant Governor Anthony G. Brown, to sign legislation to protect Maryland’s priorities and strengthen and grow Maryland’s workforce, small businesses and middle class families.
“This has been a session of very real and steady progress for the people of Maryland, even in these difficult times,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “Over these last 14 months, we have restored fiscal accountability to our State, reduced spending, and have come together to protect our priorities and expand opportunity for Maryland’s small businesses and families. I want to thank the Maryland General Assembly for their hard work and courageous decisions over these last few months.”
In his first bill signing of the 2008 legislative session, O’Malley signed legislation that would repeal the $200 million tax on computer services, create the Department of Information Technology, and reform and regulate mortgage lenders to protect Maryland families from foreclosure.
Last week, Governor O’Malley signed emergency legislation that would help thousands of Maryland homeowners who are at risk of losing their homes and to prevent future generations of homeowners from losing their homes due to foreclosure. Today, Governor O’Malley signed a fourth piece of legislation to regulate mortgage lending in Maryland. The bill requires lenders to verify a borrower’s ability to repay a loan; authorizes the Commissioner of Financial Regulation to set mortgage lender licensing fees and examination requirements; and expands the licensing requirements for mortgage lenders and mortgage originators.
Governor O’Malley also signed legislation today that would repeal the $200 million computer services tax to protect our family-owned and small businesses – businesses that make our State a leader in the global, knowledge-based economy.
“In the face of a tightening economy, all branches of government came together to find innovative solutions to our most pressing problems. We made important progress for Maryland’s families and I’m proud of the Administration’s efforts, especially the additional assistance we were able to give to our veterans,” said Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown.
“The leadership shown by Governor O’Malley during the past year has been unmatched. Addressing the fiscal crisis facing our state and nation has been challenging, but by setting priorities, trimming the fat from state government and making the investments we need to preserve our quality of life in Maryland, we will continue to be the best place to live, work and raise a family,” stated Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr.
“Maryland is an example for the rest of the country during these tough economic times. The Governor and General Assembly succeeded in funding our priorities and continuing our progress, all while leaving almost $1 billion in reserves in case of future economic downturn,” said Speaker Michael E. Busch. “We finished the legislative session on a high note: funding education, protecting Maryland families from losing their homes, preserving the environment and expanding healthcare coverage.”
Among the bills signed today includes legislation that creates a new Department of Information Technology, which will have policy responsibility for information technology matters across State agencies. The bill also consolidates State agency information technology functions into one department and elevates the department to a level that reports directly to the Governor. The new Department of Information Technology will coordinate, purchase and manage all telecommunications devices and systems utilized by State agencies. The Secretary of Information Technology will lead chief information officers of all agencies to streamline business processes across State government, achieve cost-savings through economies of scale, and coordinate initiatives related to security, disaster recovery and continuity of operations.
Working together with the General Assembly over these last 14 months, the O’Malley-Brown Administration has restored fiscal accountability to the State of Maryland, reduced spending by $1.8 billion, and has worked tirelessly to protect the priorities of Maryland’s families and strengthen our middle class.
Together, Governor O’Malley and Lt. Governor Brown have restored professional leadership at the Public Service Commission that resulted in $2 billon in immediate and long-term relief for Maryland ratepayers, and passed nation-leading legislation to protect homeowners from foreclosure. The Washington Post called this legislation “among the most sweeping in the country” to keep families in their homes.
[ View list of bills signed this day ]
