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Long-time activist Joe Seehusen writes here about the goals and the work of the Lollar Commission:  He asks “Please get involved by emailing SmailP@cintas.com . I promise that you will be welcomed and appreciated.” -ed.

Friday night may have been cold and dark for some on West Street, but the Maryland Republican Party headquarters in Annapolis was lit up with industry and optimism. 

 Inside, the first working session of the newly formed GOP Maryland Tax Commission (the “Lollar Commission”) was in full swing. 

 Two dozen volunteers traveled from all over Maryland to explore a political, public policy and communication conceptual framework to benefit the state and put Republicans back in office.

Charles Lollar

 Commission Chairman Charles Lollar is a natural leader, who brings a combination of business acumen, military precision (served in the U.S. Marine Corps) and good humor.  His warm manner makes everyone feel welcome.

 After a quick “working dinner” of cold cut sandwiches, some excellent jalapeño dip, BBQ mini dogs and plenty of caffeinated soda, everyone got down to business.

 The purpose of the Commission is –

“… two fold – primarily to provide for a specific anti-tax budget plan that we will provide for our constituents in the State of Maryland.  Secondary to help develop a unity of effort surrounding this plan and determine specific talking points for any and all candidates running for state wide office to include those running for delegates and senators.  Our goal is not simply to elect more Republicans, but to help produce in Maryland an environment that provides for less government, less taxes and more personal freedom.”

 Several working parties have formed to tackle various tasks.

 The Working Strategies Group will:

·        Assess and analyze the Maryland Budget, seeking ways to reduce duplicative services, opportunities for privatization, spotlight excess spending compared to other benchmarks and target outright pork spending for elimination.

·        Examine and compare at least three other state budgets, including Virginia, Pennsylvania and Alaska, with Maryland in regards to number of state employees, spending, population and services.

·        Develop a “Peoples Bill of Rights” that incorporates the idea of direct voter approval of all tax increases.  In 1992 Colorado adopted a constitutional amendment,  the Taxpayers Bill of Rights (TABOR), with similar provisions.  Counties could also adopt this taxpayer tax-hike approval policy.

·        Develop a top ten Republican principled guarantees for Maryland voters in 2010 with tax reform and a balanced budget at the top of the list (see below)

“Top Ten” Republican Guarantees Group:

I am working with the “Top Ten” Republican guarantees group.  Our mandate is to identify topics primarily in the areas of fiscal, economic, budgetary and general “good government.” The emphasis will be on major issues that not only Republicans, but all Marylanders can get behind. This step will help create a unified strategic message that all candidates for state office can embrace. Although the work is still in progress, we have developed a “rough cut” initial list of possible areas to include:

·        Property rights and eminent domain

·        Transparency, sunshine and sunset laws

·        School choice, educational freedom and educational excellence

·        Control of spending

·        Regulatory review

·        Property tax reduction or cap

·        Ending the death tax, to protect family businesses, family security, family resources

·        Ending unfunded mandates

·        Sales Tax reduction

·        Addressing unfunded state pension and retirement liabilities

·        Better use of public/private partnerships

·        Mortgaging the future

·        Free market solutions to environment issues

·        Flat tax

Among other tasks, the Public Affairs Group will:

·        Plan and implement a rollout, and county-by-county visits to articulate the message, hitting all counties and regions three times over the course of 18 months. 

The Lollar Commission seeks the hands-on business and community experience, and the ideas of Marylanders, whatever their formal political affiliation, to help shape these initiatives. I believe that the Commission will be an invaluable undertaking that should help, not just the state party with the foresight to initiate this project, but all Marylanders.  Please get  involved by emailing SmailP@cintas.com .   I promise that you will be welcomed and appreciated. 

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