ANNAPOLIS — Gov.-elect Larry Hogan warned Marylanders on Tuesday to brace for budget cuts and reduced services as he works to erase massive deficits and rein in out-of-control government spending, budget issues that he said would dominate the upcoming General Assembly session.
“We are going to cut spending and people are going to have to brace. We’re not going to be able to pay for every single program everybody wants or every program we’d like to have,” said Mr. Hogan, who will be sworn in as governor Jan. 21 facing a nearly $1 billion budget shortfall.
He declined to specify any popular programs that might get the ax.
“We’re in very tight fiscal constraints right now,” he said. “We’re going to make very tough decisions, which is what voters elected me to do. It’s the reason I’m governor and Anthony Brown is not.”
The Republican businessman won an upset victory in November over Mr. Brown, the Democratic lieutenant governor who served eight years alongside Gov. Martin O’Malley.
Mr. Hogan campaigned almost exclusively on his pledge to cut state spending and reduce some of the 40 tax and fee increases levied under Mr. O’Malley, a Democrat who is eyeing a 2016 run for president.
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After the election, legislative analysts revealed a $300 million shortfall in the current budget in addition to the previously projected $600 million gap in next year’s budget.
Cautioning voters to be patient, Mr. Hogan said that tax relief would have to wait until the he fixes the budget mess.
“The first thing we have to do is get spending under control, get our budget under control,” he said. “And then we’re going to roll back as many of the 40 tax and see increases as we possibly can. That is still our intention.”
He said the depth of the budget crisis likely would make it difficult to take on other issues during the General Assembly’s 90-day session, which begins Jan. 14.
“It is not the time to be talking about lots of other assorted issues. This [crisis] is what we are going to have to be focused on. And I hope the leaders in the legislature will agree,” said Mr. Hogan.
The governor-elect made the remarks at a press conference where he introduced four new Cabinet officers.
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His picks included Democrats and Republicans and marked the return of some officials to posts they previously held.
For secretary of state, Mr. Hogan selected diplomat, national security consultant and corporate executive John C. Wobensmith. Mr. Wobensmith worked for five U.S. presidents as an official with national security and defense agencies. He also served as Mr. Hogan’s campaign treasurer.
Mr. Hogan tapped former Maryland State Police Lt. Col. Stephen Moyer for secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. Mr. Moyer, who currently serves as deputy chief of police in Sarasota, Florida, previously served as deputy secretary for the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services.
Al Redmer Jr., a Republican businessman and former delegate, was picked to reprise his role as Maryland Insurance Commissioner.
Mr. Hogan also called back Secretary of Veterans Affairs George W. Owings III, a Vietnam War veteran who also served as a Democratic delegate.
Mr. Hogan said that he was assembling a “tremendous team.”
“It doesn’t matter to me whether someone is a Republican or a Democrat or whether they have private sector experience or government experience in the executive or legislative branch, I’m looking for people who have a desire to serve, that have a love for the state and that have the talent and ability to help us move in a better direction,” he said.
• S.A. Miller can be reached at smiller@washingtontimes.com.
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