Martin O'Malley

20120201-202003-pic-60673764.jpg

Gov. Martin O'Malley said Wednesday in his State of the State address that while Maryland is rebounding well from the recession, tax increases will be needed in this year's budget to pay for new schools and roads. (Associated Press)

State_of_Maryland_2.jpg

Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley, right, delivers his State of the State speech as Maryland Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, left, listens Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012 in Annapolis, Md. O'Malley urged lawmakers to invest in the future to spur job growth. (AP Photo/Steve Ruark)

20120131-214646-pic-697679960.jpg

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley testifies in favor of his gay-marriage bill Tuesday before the Senate Judiciary Committee in Annapolis. He said the bill would give stability to gay couples without infringing on others' religious convictions. (Barbara L. Salisbury/The Washington Times)

20120111-203038-pic-998883606.jpg

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley welcomes delegates back on Wednesday at the opening of the 2012 session of the General Assembly. In a surprise move, Mr. O'Malley suggested an increase in the state sales tax. (Barbara L. Salisbury/The Washington Times)

20120110-214402-pic-60253317.jpg

"I need you to work at learning as much as you can," Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley tells grade-schoolers at the new Germantown Elementary School in Annapolis. (Barbara L. Salisbury/The Washington Times)

20120110-214402-pic-87085253.jpg

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley climbs a “rock wall” at the new Germantown Elementary School in Annapolis on Tuesday alongside kindergartner Jack Irvin, 5. Mr. O'Malley went to the school to call on the General Assembly to increase spending on school construction. (Barbara L. Salisbury/The Washington Times)

20120109-205355-pic-759865848.jpg

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, chairman of the Democratic Governor Association, speaks to the press about the efforts of Democratic governors to create opportunity during challenging economic times at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. on Nov. 14, 2011. (T.J. Kirkpatrick/ The Washington Times)

20111229-201933-pic-99779385.jpg

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, here with state Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr., supports raising the "flush tax" and making it more progressive. (T.J. Kirkpatrick/The Washington Times)

20111229-194624-pic-242814751.jpg

Gov. Martin O'Malley

20111219-195249-pic-994870776.jpg

Former Maryland Gov. Harry Hughes (center) joins Gov. Martin O'Malley (left) and former Gov. Parris N. Glendening on Monday in Annapolis to mark the submission of PlanMaryland, a long-range plan for sustainable growth, to Mr. O'Malley after four years of work on the plan by state officials. (Associated Press)

20111115-194057-pic-384503044.jpg

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley speaks about security in the post-9/11 America in the Stamp Student Union at the University of Maryland in College Park, Md. on Oct. 11, 2011. (T.J. Kirkpatrick/ The Washington Times)

20111114-203143-pic-860147230.jpg

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley will likely face stiff opposition against several proposals in his legislative agenda for next year. Mr. O'Malley is taking the lead on legalizing same-sex marriage and is expected to push for a gas-tax increase. (T.J. Kirkpartick/The Washington Times)

OMALLEY-009_11141240.jpg

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, chairman of the Democratic Governor Association, speaks Nov. 14, 2011, to the press about the efforts of Democratic governors to create opportunity during challenging economic times at the National Press Club in Washington. (T.J. Kirkpatrick/The Washington Times)

20111026-192802-pic-317374105.jpg

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley asked for ideas and got a lot of them on how the state can be more business-friendly. (Barbara Salisbury/The Washington Times)

20111012-194733-pic-425449127.jpg

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley (Barbara L. Salisbury/The Washington Times)

20110830-212342-pic-570202651.jpg

Neighborhood children come to see Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley (left) as he talks with Glenn Colby on Tuesday about the damage to his home from Hurricane Irene along Whiskey Creek Lane in Hollywood, Md. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

20110830-212342-pic-812133718.jpg

Maryland Gov, Martin O'Malley listens Tuesday to Mike and Beth Adams describe the damage to their home from Hurricane Irene along Whiskey Creek Lane in Hollywood, Md. "One of the things that you have to see to believe is the sheer volume of big, heavy trees that have been knocked down," Mr. O'Malley said. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)