Issues The issue State government overspending Recognizing the issue As a businessperson who has experience running both large and small organizations, I have conducted the same kind of thorough analysis of operations as I’m proposing for state government in order to reduce my operational costs and improve my firms' efficiency. It can be done. Read Al's Remedy The issue IWIF reserves Recognizing the issue Clearly, if IWIF reserves are "overfunded," employer premiums could and should be reduced – a move that would stimulate hiring on the part of tax-besieged businesses. But the precedent of raiding IWIF reserves - not accumulated via taxpayer contributions - to build up the General Fund is further evidence of reckless government decision-making. Read Al's Remedy The issue Jobs for Maryland citizens and economic development Recognizing the issue The issue is clear from this snapshot: Roughly 44,400 Maryland jobs were lost in 2009. (Source: Gazette.com) Unemployment for the first five months of this year has averaged 223,665 Marylanders for an average rate of 7.6% (source: Md. State Dept. of Labor, Licensing and Regulation). Read Al's Remedy The issue Medicaid funding Recognizing the issue Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that provides health and long-term care coverage to low-income people. In FY 2009 Maryland Medicaid covered full benefits for roughly 775,000 people at an approximate cost of $7 billion in state and federal funds. Like other states, Maryland receives federal financial assistance for coverage of Medicaid eligibles through matching federal payments. The proportion of federal payments is based on the state’s per capita income. Maryland’s matching rate is 50% for most services. Read Al's Remedy           Authority: Friends of Al Redmer, Jr., Robert Liberto, Treasurer.