Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley, a Democrat, has always had troubles with the conservatives living in rural Maryland, mainly over his evironmental agenda (which was central in his five years as Governor). O' Malley's evironmental agenda continues to clash with farmers, fisherman, and drillers. He proposed a ban on new septic systems, pushed for Chesapeake Bay cleanup, and withheld state funding from local governments.
Conservatives have always been riled by the governor's policies and agendas, but now, they believe he has overstepped his boundaries. They believe that Governor O'Malley should not be allowed to dictate how all the communities in Maryland are run. O'Malley has now increased taxes (sewer, tolls, and gas).
In a sense, a war between the Democratic governor and his conservative peoples has developed. O'Malley's real power will be tested in the upcoming months with the issues of same-sex marriage, wind development, and higher taxes on transport. The people are split over their feelings about how the governor has controlled Maryland these past five years.
Democrats (and proponents) are 100% sure that O'Malley's policies are for the best of the Maryland people. They believe he is effectively curbing sprawl, improving bay quality, and helping the rural people.
On the other hand, conservatives believe that O'Malley is monopolizing the power and not helping the rural folk at all. They believe that in the governor's goal for helping Maryland, he is stepping on the little people (or in this case, the rural conservatives). Most conservatives say that if he doesn't get his act together soon enough, who knows what will happen at the Iowa caucus.
In a sense, we won't truly know what will happen in the upcoming election. If the conservatives have their way, Governor O'Malley may not be re-elected. Conservatives from rural Maryland have never played a key role in deciding the election for O'Malley, but who knows, that could all change this year.
Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/gov-omalley-at-war-with-rural-maryland-republicans-say/2011/10/28/gIQAcEZCXM_story.html?wprss=rss_local
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