The Senate approved the state’s entire $35 billion budget package and reforms to maintenance of effort on Thursday as the spending plan cleared its first major hurdle before heading to the House of Delegates for further tweaking.
Day: March 15, 2012
Podcasts: Miller, “I needed to get 24 votes” on the tax hike; Pipkin, “It will cost us jobs”
In this podcast, Senate President Mike Miller explains that progressive Democrats in his caucus demanded a higher tax on high earners. Minority Leader E.J. Pipkin says, “It will cost us jobs.”
“It’s class warfare,” said Sen. Bobby Zirkin in a second podcast. “It’s the worst instincts of the Democratic Party.”
State Roundup, March 15, 2012
Senate approves tax on those making $500,000+ as it plows through the state budget bill; O’Malley dances for his gas tax plan but some lawmakers want use of hike targeted; Senate wants to withhold DGS bucks until Housing move costs explained; Senate OKs bill to fine drivers who smoke with child passengers; state Sen. Garagiola faces tough fight in district drawn for him; U.S. Rep. Van Hollen gets to know new constituents; and Arundel County Police admit statewide criminal database was accessed for County Exec Leopold.
Senate adds new tax for high earners to pay for schools
The Senate voted 26-20 for a late amendment to a bill that would raise the state income tax by .25% for most Marylanders. The added amendment goes a step further, raising the bill’s proposed tax rate for anyone making over $500,000 from 5.5% to 5.75% for every dollar earned. The new provision would raise an additional $30 million in new revenue for aging schools.
Smoking ban in vehicles with children passes Senate
A controversial bill that would ban smoking in any vehicle with a passenger younger than 8 passed the state Senate 27-19 on Wednesday after debate that centered largely over the role of government.
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