Maryland’s shipwreck: it
only gets worse
Maryland’s politicians
believe that harsh treatment of its business and professional community is a
necessity regardless of the effects it causes. Ranked in the middle to the bottom
third of business friendly states, depending on the survey, Maryland continues
to pour on additional requirements for businesses to maintain their functioning
in this bluest of blue states. The latest assault on the business community
came in the form of a minimum wage increase to be graded in over several years.
Though the $10.10 goal failed at the federal level Governor O’Malley and his
battalion of sycophants wanted to succeed where President Obama failed. Merit
pay increases do not exist where progressives rule. Instead wage increases are
forced on businesses through legislative fiat. In a sense Maryland has usurped
private sector budgets with one more flagrant action to diminish their ability
to stay afloat. A $10.10 per hour wage potentially means $15.OO after all the additions such as
matching Social Security taxes, matching Medicare fees, unemployment
assessments, workmen’s comp fees and much more that are exacted on employers.
Except for a few companies pushing for this increase, the rest of the business community
must eat the costs or abandon Maryland. A recent poll suggests that 47% of
Maryland residents would leave the state if circumstances permitted. (http://www.wmdt.com/story/25445696/47-percent-of-marylanders-want-to-leave-the-state) Harsh tax assessments were given as a major
reason. A poll of businesses may yield
similar results.
Employers have minimal
rights under Maryland law when a problem exists with a worker. Employees have multiple recourses when a
workplace problem exists. The reason why is obvious. Maryland views its
business community with disdain and as a bank to extract money wherever and
whenever it can, nothing else. Toxic regulatory structure along with heavy taxes,
levies and a judiciary unfriendly to businesses have caused workplace
environments to relocate to more friendly domains. During a recent visit to
several government buildings in and around Preston Street in Baltimore I encountered
numerous business owners whose various licenses were being held up for unpaid
tax bills and or fees. From owners of nursing homes to restaurants they were
all called downtown to pay these excessively inflated assessments or be forced
to cease functioning in the state. These business owners may not be aware that
more financial extortion is being conjured as I write these words. The next
several efforts will include paid sick leave and extended pregnancy benefits
paid out of an employer’s budget, which may already be deep in the red.
Considering opening a business in Maryland read the writing on the proverbial
wall. The state and its lawyers will be gunning for you if you don’t give in to
their left of the left governing style. Next article will discuss how the state
of Maryland manages to eviscerate its professional population.
Mark Davis, MD President
of Healthnets Review Services and Davis Book Reviews
Dr. Davis’ latest book is:
Obamacare: Dead on Arrival, A Prescription for Disaster.
No comments:
Post a Comment