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In response to your editorial ("Budget blues," Jan. 22) I was surprised to see you so dismissive of the need for the state to maintain its AAA Bond rating and your criticism that "O'Malley has never explained exactly what a drop in the ratings would actually mean..."

The Gazette knows full well the value of a high bond rating, as demonstrated by the literally thousands of articles that make mention of it in The Gazette's archives. The high bond rating allows Maryland to borrow at cheaper rates when funding major capital projects such as transit lines or schools. With a lower bond rating, these projects would cost more. It is that simple.

The bond rating agencies share a lot of the blame for the financial crisis and their failure to adequately gauge the risk of some investments. But in the case of Maryland, they are right that our responsible budget policies entitle us to the best bond rating and more affordable borrowing.

Marc Korman

The writer is a member of the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee.