Md. job losses were predictable

Imagine my surprise to read in last weekend's Baltimore Sun that Maryland lost an astounding 11,000 jobs in June, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. How could this be possible since Gov.Martin O'Malleyis continually touting his superb economic and fiscal stewardship of our state? Meanwhile, it was the fourth straight month of job losses in Maryland, and only two states lost more jobs than Maryland during this period.

Could these dismal numbers have anything to do with the governor's job-killing sales, corporate and income tax increases, not to mention a plethora of new regulations on virtually every sector of our economy? At a time when governors and state legislatures across the country are cutting taxes, streamlining regulations, and thereby making their states more competitive, Maryland is going in the opposite direction, making it more difficult to grow the economy and create jobs.

Those of us in the General Assembly who have consistently opposed these destructive policies will try mightily to refrain from saying, "We could have told you so," but these results were painfully predictable. I hope Governor O'Malley will use his remaining two years in office to refocus his efforts to create and sustain private sector job growth in Maryland.

Del. William J. Frank, Annapolis

The writer, a Republican, represents District 42 in Baltimore County.