Why I Won’t Give Money to the State As Part Of The Voluntary Furlough Program!

A few weeks ago, Maryland workers were furloughed a certain number of days depending on their individual salaries. In fact, my Chief of Staff was one of those affected by this furlough. Maryland’s government is forcibly taking the money from my employees but is prohibited by the State Constitution from taking this same money from myself or other elected State Legislators. Because they are unable to forcibly take this money, the Democratic leadership in the House and Senate “suggested” that elected officials in Maryland give an equivilent amount of pay back to the State of Maryland.  Some elected officials did just that.   Others did not.  Those that did not give thier pay back to the State of Maryland were recently listed in The Washington Post in an attempt to make it appear that these legislators are choosing to not do thier part to address the State’s budget woes.

I am one of those legislators that did not give monies back; however, I have been, and will continue to be, donating the appropriate number of days pay to private, local charities. So, in essence, I am furloughing myself  for the benefit of the communities that I represent.   Since it is the liberal legislature in Annapolis that has caused the need for employee furloughs in the first place,  I refuse to give the State any more of my money to waste.  I will, however, give in my own way.
I decided I would choose charities within the four counties which I represent and donate one days pay to each of them.  This way I know just what my contribution is going towards and can be sure it is being spent wisely within the community.
 
The first charity I chose to donate to was the School Supply Shelf run by Immaculate Conception Church in Cecil County, Maryland.  My donation helped to fund several hundred back packs and school supplies for children in our community who’s parents are having trouble making ends meet.  Though the program is run by the Catholic Church, the children receiving the backpacks are from many different schools throughout the County. I remember as a child the great feeling of having new supplies on the first day of school and am happy to help this wonderful program.
 
I have decided that a second charity that I will donate to will be the Queen Anne County’s Hospice. I can not say enough about the great work done by Hospice workers.  They make a difference in the lives of not only their patients but the families involved as well.  Hospice workers allow the end of life process to proceed with a dignity and respect that may not have otherwise been available.
 
I will also choose and donate to a branch of the Salvation Army within the 36th District.   When I was a child, The Salvation Army used to hold a Christmas Party every year at the Fifth Regiment Armory in Baltimore City.   I remember my first Bible came from one of those Salvation Army Christmas parties along with a stocking full of fruit and candies and often a toy. I still have that Bible. The candies and fruit are long gone as is the toy, but since my family was quite poor, the kindness of the Salvation Army meant so much to me and will never be forgotten.  I will donate a day’s pay this Christmas to them.
 
So if you hear that certain legislators have failed to comply with the “voluntary” furlough program and have not donated portions of their pay back to the State, don’t jump to the conclusion that they are choosing to not do their part to address the State’s budget woes. As you can see, I am donating my pay back but in a way that allows me to know that my donation is being used to fund and support charities and groups that help the citizens of Maryland in an important and meaningful way.