Back in April 2009, I wrote a blog about the strings attached to federal stimulus funds, "Why are states rejecting Stimulus money?"  The strings are real and Maryland business leaders are speaking out against Maryland legislation to try to capture $127 million worth. 

The strings in the form of unemployment benefit expansions would cost Maryland businesses an additional $20 million every year into perpetuity which is way more than the $127 million they can get for short time relief against their rising unemployment trust fund balance. 

So this is a common discussion across states and certainly there are circumstances where it may be necessary to buy short term relief for future considerations, but what I find baffling in this case is that certain officials are "absolutely baffled" by why anyone would think this could be a problem. 

Trust me, there isn't much in life that you can get for free, and it sounds like Maryland businesses may not be thrilled about paying the price in this case.

Tammy Mullin