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Texas Gov. Rick Perry stars in a new series of ads that have hit the air in Baltimore and DC
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Texas Governor Rick Perry in the TV ad that is airing in Baltimore on WBAL TV (Texas Economic Development Corporation Ad Image)
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Texas Gov. Rick Perry stars in a new series of radio and television ads that will hit the air in Baltimore and DC Thursday morning.
The ads seem to attack Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley’s record in an effort to attract more business to the Lone Star State.
“This is Texas Gov. Rick Perry. When you grow tired of Maryland taxes squeezing every dime out of your business think Texas where we have created more jobs than all the other states combined, where you’ll find limited government, low taxes and a fair legal system. That’s why Forbes Magazine says Texas is home to seven of the 10 top cities in America to do business. Unfortunately, your governor has made Maryland the tax and fee state where businesses and families are paying some of the highest taxes in America. Since taking office in 2007, he has approved 40 new and increased taxes and fees projected to cost you $9.5 billion more through 2014. That’s a job killer. He even passed a rain tax on some property owners. A tax even New York doesn’t have. Maybe it’s time to move your business and create more jobs. Visit Texas-wide-open-for business.com and learn why more businesses are moving to Texas.”
The ads are paid for by the Texas Economic Development Corporation.
CLICK HERE for the web site that listeners and viewers are directed to in the ads
O’Malley is not the only target. A similar pro-Texas ad is running in other high-tax states.
O’Malley does take exception, issuing a statement that reads in part:
“Maryland has had the No. 1 public schools in the nation for five years in a row,” O’Malley said. “Since 2007, we’ve done more than any other state to hold down the cost of college tuition. We’re No. 1 in median income. Instead of engaging in PR stunts, Gov. Perry should come to Maryland to see, firsthand, the better choices that have led to these better results.”
It’s a tactic that Perry has used before in states such as California, Missouri, New York and Connecticut. A similar pro-Texas ad is running in other high-tax states, meaning O’Malley isn’t Perry’s only target.
While the ads focus on luring business to Texas, political analyst Matthew Crenson argued that it’s about a lot more than just business.
“He’s probably trying to put himself back in position to run for president again. There has been a lot of rumor about that lately, and particularly by attacking Gov. O’Malley — another potential presidential candidate — he puts himself in the same league, or thinks he does,” Crenson told WBAL News.
“I haven’t seen them. I know he does that tired old PR gimmick all around the country, though,” O’Malley told WBAL News at an event in Baltimore on Wednesday. He then issued a statement highlighting Maryland’s achievements.
A recent report from the self-proclaimed non-partisan Tax Foundation gives Texas an overall business tax climate ranking of nine out of the 50 states. Maryland came in at No. 41.
