Tony O'Donnell

House and Senate Republicans are opposing November's constitutional amendment that would authorize early voting in Maryland, claiming it's ripe for fraud, an unfunded mandate and unnecessary since the state already has an absentee ballot program.

But House and Senate Democrats are calling the argument ridiculous.

Facing a looming budget shortfall, Gov. Martin O'Malley (D-Baltimore) announced he would be considering steeper cuts to funding for health care and education and is considering a furlough program, according to The Baltimore Sun.

Last month, the Board of Revenue Estimates reported the state's general fund revenues were at roughly $14 billion - $432 million less than original estimates.

To combat the deficit, O'Malley announced he would be asking state agencies to identify cuts of up to five percent in the current year's budget. The governor plans to present these cuts to the Board of Public Works on October 15. 

O'Malley said the nation's economic outlook and the result of November's slots referendum would influence the decision to make more cuts.

The House Republican caucus says it's against November's slots referendum, but that doesn't mean a "responsible" slots plan shouldn't be implemented.

"Maryland's fiscal problems are not the product of a lack of revenues, but an inherent lack of spending restraint among the majority of its state political leaders," said House Minority Leader Tony O'Donnell (R-Calvert County) in a statement.  

The caucus revealed its fiscal year 2010 budget plan and its stance on November's slots referendum on Thursday. House Republicans proposed reduced spending, tax cuts and a market based slots plan, all the while slamming Democratic Gov. Martin O'Malley's fiscal policies.

While Gov. Martin O'Malley's office is pointing to a new poll as proof that Marylanders are behind the governor's policies, the state House minority leader disagrees, pointing out that the governor's approval ratings are still below 50 percent.

A survey paid for and conducted by Gonzales Research & Marketing Strategies shows 45 percent of those polled statewide approved of O'Malley's performance as the state's chief executive: an 8 point increase since March.

"The poll shows that the people of Maryland are beginning to recognize that Governor O'Malley has been a tireless fighter," O'Malley's communications director Rick Abbruzzese in a statement. "The people of Maryland understand that the budget challenges Maryland faces were not caused by this Administration, and that Governor O'Malley has worked hard to address them."

But Del. Tony O'Donnell, the Republican leader in the House, begs to differ.

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- There is a handful of Republicans already eyeing the governor's seat in 2010 according to state House Minority Leader Tony O'Donnell.

"I know a few people who could do it and do it very well," O'Donnel told PolitickerMD.com at the Embassy Suites hotel in Minnesota's state capital.

O'Donnell wouldn't mention any names, but did say there were "a lot of good candidates who are looking at the race right now."

O'Donnell predicted a victory for state Sen. Andy Harris (R-Cockeysville) in Maryland's 1st Congressional District race.

"I was pleased that I endorsed him a long time ago," he said before taking a shot at state's Attorney Frank Kratovil (D-Stevensville).

The Maryland delegation to the Republican National Convention announced the chairs and committee assignments of the four standing committees on Tuesday.

Former state Del. Don Murphy will be leading the delegation as chair.

Everett Alvarez Jr., will serve as the delegations honorary chair. Alvarez served with John McCain in Vietnam.