Hogan pledges ‘new spirit of bipartisan cooperation’

Hogan pledges ‘new spirit of bipartisan cooperation’

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Photo by Office of the Governor

Gov. Larry Hogan Jr. emphasized the need for bipartisan cooperation and common sense solutions in his 2,000-word inaugural speech. But he also gave his Republican base some reasons to cheer with a call to “get the state government off of our backs and out of our pockets.”

Here are some excerpts from the speech; the full speech can be found here.

The full video of the ceremonies and speeches by Maryland Public TV is here.

“Too often, we see wedge politics and petty rhetoric used to belittle our adversaries and inflame partisan divisions. But I believe that Maryland is better than this. Our history proves that we are better than this.

It is only when the partisan shouting stops that we can hear each other’s voices and concerns.

I am prepared to create an environment of trust and cooperation, where the best ideas rise to the top based upon their merit, regardless of which side of the political debate they come from.
No problem faces us that hard work, honesty, and courage cannot solve if we work together.

Ladies and gentlemen, we can improve the tone in Annapolis, and we will. And we can move toward a common-sense, solutions-based government. The problems we face are great, but so is our resolve to fix them.

President Kennedy once said, “Let us not seek the Republican answer, or the Democratic answer, but the right answer.”

In that spirit, let us sit down together and come up with real, bipartisan, common sense solutions to the serious problems that face us. That’s what the people of Maryland voted for, it’s what they want, and it’s what they deserve.”

Our culture of tolerance and mutual respect must also extend to those with whom we happen to differ on politics.

Today is not the beginning of an era of divided government. Today is the beginning of a new spirit of bipartisan cooperation in Annapolis.”

But Hogan also said some things that must have grated on his predecessor on the platform, as they did other Democrats, as he promised “four common-sense principles.”

First: Fiscal responsibility.

Our state government must provide essential services, yet still live within its means. We must run our state government more efficiently and more cost effectively.

Second: Economic growth.

Maryland has an educated workforce, world-class universities and colleges, great community colleges, and public schools. We have our beautiful Chesapeake Bay, the Port of Baltimore, and a great location in the heart of the Mid-Atlantic region.

We must leverage these amazing assets to transform Maryland into a place where businesses can flourish and create more jobs and opportunities for our citizens.

Starting today let me say loudly and clearly: Maryland is open for business.

Third: Reform.

We must improve our state government’s ability to be more responsive to, and to better serve and represent all of our citizens.

Fourth: Fairness.

We must restore a sense of fairness and balance for Maryland’s hardworking and beleaguered taxpayers, in order to rebuild our forgotten middle class.

We must get the state government off our backs, and out of our pockets, so that we can grow the private sector, put people back to work, and turn our economy around.”

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