'Strong and prosperous' state touted by Ehrlich

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ANNAPOLIS -- Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. said yesterday that his administration has erased the massive deficit it inherited and is now positioned to spend more on education, drug treatment and scientific research.

"Today, three years later, Maryland is strong and prosperous. We are growing a vibrant, knowledge-based economy, and our future has never been brighter," Mr. Ehrlich, a Republican, said in the annual State of the State address.

The governor's 47-minute speech highlighted the budget turnaround, from a $2 billion deficit in 2003 to a $1.7 billion surplus, and outlined new proposals for stiffer penalties for teenage drunken drivers, state funding for stem-cell research and tax breaks for low-income homeowners and military veterans.

Mr. Ehrlich, who delivered the speech before state House and Senate lawmakers and other dignitaries, also made a plea for bipartisanship in 2006 -- an election year that includes his re-election bid.

The request was similar though less strident than last year's, in which Mr. Ehrlich scolded lawmakers for their incivility and lack of respect for his office.

"The people we serve care little about our minor political dramas," he said. "Most simply want safer streets, schools that work, a cleaner [Chesapeake] Bay and jobs that pay the bills and enable them to put some money aside for a rainy day."

Still, reaction to the speech divided mostly along party lines.

"It was a very vibrant, positive speech," said House Minority Leader George C. Edwards, Western Maryland Republican.

He credited Mr. Ehrlich with using the surplus to put $640 million in the so-called rainy day fund and holding $670 million more in reserves, in addition to funding new programs.

"That is different than the last governor [Parris N. Glendening, a Democrat] who spent every cent," Mr. Edwards said.