Day: February 2, 2011

State Roundup, February 2, 2011

It’s Groundhog Day, guaranteeing us six more weeks of winter and 10 of the General Assembly session. As lawmakers take a closer look at O’Malley’s budget, questions arise over funding formulas for schools and roads; state GOP comes out against gay marriage and Kittleman now unsure if and when he’ll propose civil unions; driving issues bubble to the surface — O’Malley wants to refuse licenses to those who owe taxes and proposes fees for bad drivers; while others seek to make use of hand-held devices while driving a primary offense; lawmakers hotel per diem faces a challenge; illegal alien numbers grow in state; Landow objects to Penn National purchase of Rosecroft; state roads stink, study finds; and 3 tons of rockfish seized.

Many lawmakers could lose hotel perk under proposed bill

Many members of the General Assembly could lose their lodging reimbursements under a bill being introduced by Sen. Allan Kittleman that would eliminate the perk for any legislator who lives less than 50 miles from the State House.

“We’re asking state workers to accept furloughs and benefit cuts,” Kittleman said. “But we’re still letting legislators who live 10 miles away stay in hotels.”

Liberal lawmakers push fight for combined corporate tax reporting

Liberal senators and delegates are pressing ahead with bills to bring the combined reporting method of corporate taxation to Maryland, even after the Business Tax Reform Commission rejected the idea in November.

“We think combined reporting will create a level playing field,” said Sen. Paul Pinsky, a Prince George’s County Democrat who has championed the measure in the past.

Poor road conditions cost Md. drivers more than $2,200 in maintenance, gas per year

Poor road conditions cost Md. drivers more than $2,200 in maintenance, gas per year

The congestion and poor condition of Maryland’s roads cost drivers an average of more than $2,200 annually in added maintenance, gasoline, and safety costs, according to a new report from a national nonprofit transportation research group.

The report from the TRIP organization says the average driver in the Baltimore area ends up paying $2,226 each year because of road conditions and traffic. Average DC-area drivers end up paying $2,296 each year. This adds up to $7 billion in costs to motorists statewide, the report estimates.

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