O'Malley spokesman Rick Abbruzzese, who chastised Franchot this week for not providing "real solutions" to the state's budget crisis, declined to comment yesterday. David Paulson, spokesman for Maryland Democrats, also declined to weigh in except to offer some positive spin.
"About the only thing I can say about it is that all of the great debates - and even the passionate ones - take place within the Maryland Democratic Party," Paulson said.
The tempers have flared as the state's budget situation has worsened. State officials reported this week a revenue shortfall of $432 million for the current fiscal year, a figure that could rise to about $1 billion next year. O'Malley said Tuesday that he plans to cut hundreds of millions of dollars from the budget. The next day, Franchot proposed requiring direct deposit of state employee paychecks and other cost-cutting measures that add up to $1.4 million.
O'Malley said he appreciated the suggestions. "That gets us one-432nd of the way there," he said.
Franchot's call for a blue-ribbon panel was met with derision. Miller said that during Franchot's previous service as a state legislator, at least four commissions were assembled to assess the state's finances. Miller also criticized Franchot for talking about spending reform when his own agency's budget grew by an average of more than 9 percent over the last two years, from $2.8 million in fiscal 2007 to $3.4 million in fiscal 2009, which began in July.
Joseph Shapiro, a spokesman for Franchot, said the greatest increase came in the first year during the transition of a new administration into office. He noted that both O'Malley and the General Assembly approved those budgets. Franchot has said that investments he has made in improved technology and additional auditors will more than pay for themselves in better tax collection.
In the end, a thaw between Miller and Franchot might be possible.
Miller does tell Franchot in his letter: "While you have endured a rocky start to your statewide service, I believe there is time for you to restore faith and credibility with the citizens of Maryland." Miller then expresses hope of collaboration if Franchot can drop his "bad habits" and tells him not to hesitate to call.
Franchot, in his letter, said he appreciated the offer and that his staff would arrange a meeting. "The time for letters is hereby over," Franchot declared.
