Bipartisan Maryland Group Meets to Discuss The Fiscal Cliff

Former top aides to Governor Martin O’Malley and his Republican predecessor, Robert Ehrlich, joined forces today to urge Congress to quickly compromise on a plan to avoid the so-called fiscal cliff that looms at the end of the year. WYPR’s Karen Hosler reports.

Karen Hosler

Bipartisan political leaders in Maryland joined a national campaign today calling on Congress to deal with a looming budget crisis. Democrat Michael Enright, O’Malley’s former chief of staff, warned the country can’t afford more bickering and delay. 

Michael Enright

“We can talk policy differences and we can talk about who won and who lost, but at the end of the day the math involving this fiscal cliff is inescapable and needs to be addressed.” 

Hosler

Chip DePaula, who served as Ehrlich’s budget secretary, said it was vital all sides be willing to compromise. 

Chip DePaula

 “It’s so important that all of us participate in this debate. To ask our leaders in Washington to come together, put everything on the table to find a comprehensive solution.”

Hosler

Time runs out in 45 days.

I’m Karen Hosler, reporting in Baltimore for 88.1 WYPR.