Forget the Mayan calendar. According to a coalition of unions and special interest groups, Maryland has only 71 days until an event of cataclysmic proportions unfolds—a $500 million dollar budget cut (resulting in a less frequently reported net budget increase of $700 million).

In an attempt to cash in on the panic, the “Save Our State” coalition has unveiled a “Doomsday Clock,” counting down until the beginning of the new fiscal year on July 1. But unlike the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists' Doomsday Clock, the “Save Our State” clock is all about the money. Federal stimulus largesse has disappeared, and state agencies and unions, unaccustomed to making do with less during the recession, apparently can also not imagine a budget that grows less than $1 billion a year.

Maryland legislative gridlock is a breed unto itself. In Washington, Congressional gridlock happens when Republicans and Democrats disagree over whether to tax and how to spend. In Annapolis, gridlock happens when House Democrats and Senate Democrats disagree over who to tax, and how much. Maryland Democrats were in such a rush to impose new taxes (flush tax! income tax! gas tax! sales tax!?), they ended up tripping over themselves.

As always, there's plenty of fat that remains to be trimmed. $127 million in subsidies for the State Center (as reported in the 2012 edition of the Maryland Journal). Over a hundred million to pay investment advisors selling high-cost, high-risk alternative assets. Tens of millions to purchase or lease slot machines. Millions to subsidize Hollywood.

Even a stopped clock is right twice a day. “Save Our State” is correct: Maryland does need saving—from itself. In this spirit, I propose a slight modification to the “Save Our State” logo. That big black line across the state flag? It's actually a line charting Maryland's budget growth.