Politics & Government

Economist Says State Businesses 'Has the Government It Deserves'

They've made their bed, he says.

Business leaders should look look in the mirror when looking for someone to blame for the tough climate in Maryland, according to one top local economist.

"Our state's business community is very strange in the way it engages elected officials," Basu, the chairman and chief executive officer of Baltimore-based Sage Policy Group told members of the Baltimore County Economic Advisory Committee Wednesday. "In other communities, I've noticed that if you don't like an elected official or think they are anti-business or anti your industry you fund a (Political Action Committee) and you take them on. In our state, the approach seems to be 'Oh, let's try to convince them to do the right thing, from our perspective. Let's work with them.'"

Listen to Basu talk about the business climate in Maryland and Baltimore County.

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Basu said there are a lot of businesses around the state "who don't like Mike Busch and Mike Miller" but won't take them on politically.

"That means business in Maryland has the government it deserves," said Basu.

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"I think the economic record speaks for itself," said Basu, adding that the state has underperformed economically compared to Virginia "and we ought not have."

Basu said the issue stretches beyond mere state and partisan politics.

"My focus is really Annapolis but there's some business climate issues in local government, too," he said, citing Cecil County as one example.

"Cecil County has five Republican county commissioners," said Basu. "A lot of people think Republicans are pro-business. It's very difficult for businesses to get anything done in Cecil County right now, very difficult. They're really turn the clock back Republicans not sort of deregulation, cut taxes Republicans."


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